She was the Queen of an ancient State. She had no husband.
Still she fought with the many foes around and freed the kingdom from several
dangers. But soon she had to face another danger.
Aurangzeb was the Moghul Emperor then. 'Alamgir' was his
title. Alamgir means one who has conquered the whole world.
Aurangzeb had conquered many kingdoms in North India and had
turned his eyes towards the South. His thirst for expansion was not yet
quenched and his vast: powerful army attacked this small State. The reason
given was that the Queen had given shelter to the son of Maharaja Shivaji.
But the Queen was not afraid. Nor did she feel sorry. She
did not ask for pardon. She faced the attack like a heroic woman. When the
enemies themselves withdrew their attack and begged for a treaty, she was quite
generous.
This heroic Queen and noble lady was Queen Chennamma of
Keladi.
Chennamma ruled the kingdom of Keladi for twenty-five years.
She had the complexion of a pearl, with bright eyes and a broad forehead. A
long nose and curly hair adorned a face of royal dignity. The beautiful Queen
was full of good qualities too. And she had the ability to kill her enemies in
the battles, like Durga (the goddess of power). Beauty, valour, piety and
generosity all blended in this great Queen.
Keladi was a kingdom in the MaInad area of Karnataka. The
first King of Keladi was Chowdappa Nayaka who came to the throne in 1500. He
was a great hero.
In about 1645, the able King Shivappa Nayaka came to the
throne. During his reign, many reforms were effected in Keladi. This King
became famous as a great ruler because of his administrative reforms.
Government and collection of taxes were so systematized that he came to be
called 'Shistina Shivappa Nayaka' ('shistu' - meaning discipline and order and
it is also known as a kind of Local Tax). His younger son Somashekhara Nayaka
became the King in 1664. At that time the kingdom of Keladi stretched along the
entire seacoast from Goa to Malabar.
Somashekhara Nayak was a very efficient king. With a good
figure, power and wealth, he also had good qualities. He was
religious-minded, too.
Somashekhara Nayaka did not marry for several years. He was
young and a king; and was also handsome, virtuous and famous. Naturally many a
king tried to make him his son-in-law. The Nayaka saw many beautiful
princesses. But he never thought of marriage.
His subjects, knowing his religious mind and devotion to
God, wondered whether their king would become a monk.
The king once went to the Rameshwara fair. There he saw a
very pretty maid. She was Chennamma, the daughter of Siddappa Shetty of
Kotepura. She was beautiful like a carefully sculptured doll. With her friends
she was going to the temple; she moved with striking dignity.
Somashekhara Nayaka saw her; he said to himself, 'if at all
I marry, I should marry this girl.' Through his servants he learnt who
she was. Next day he sent for his Chief Minister and said to
him, "You have been compelling me to marry. Yesterday when I went to the
Rameshwara fair, I saw Kotepura Siddappa Shetty's daughter. If I marry at all,
I will marry her. Please send for Siddappa Shetty and speak to him."
The Chief Minister replied, "My Lord, so far all kings
of Keladi have married only princesses of royal blood."
"That may be. But I know only one way, - and that is,
to do as I say. I have nothing to do with any other tradition. I will marry
only
this girl."
"The King wants to marry your daughter Chennamma."
At these words of the Chief Minister, Siddappa Shetty was
startled; he was amazed. He could not believe his own ears. Finally he agreed
gladly.
"The King wants to marry you," he said to his
daughter. And Chennamma could not contain her surprise and delight.
The wedding took place in the big palace in the capital city
of Bidanur with royal splendour.
Chennamma became the Queen of Keladi State and of
Somashekhara Nayaka's heart. The new couple offered worship at the temple of
the family deity Lord Rameshwara at Keladi, and also at the temple of
Aghoreshwara at Ikkeri and of Goddess Mookambike at Kollur. They also gave many
gifts in charity to the poor and the needy.
The married life of Somashekhara Nayaka and Queen Chennamma
was like milk and honey put together. They understood each other perfectly and
loved each other deeply. The intelligent Queen became, in a short while, well
versed in politics and statecraft. She learnt to use weapons, mastered music
and developed an interest in literature.
Queen Chennamma looked after the subjects of her kingdom and
the servants of the palace with great love as if they were her children. She
was not merely a wife to Somashekhara Nayaka but also an adviser; she gave him
advice on state masters, like a trusted minister. If the government did any
injustice, those who suffered, being afraid to go to the King, would make their
appeals to the Queen. The Queen would speak to her husband and get justice
done.
She was an inspiration to her husband to punish the wicked
and protect the virtuous. So the people of Keladi looked up to the Queen as if
she was a Goddess, with great respect and devotion.
The royal couple treated all religions with equal respect;
they gave large gifts of lands to the Mutts and other religious institutions of
Keladi.
During the days of the Vijayanagara Kings, the Dasara was
observed as a national festival with great pomp. The Kings of Keladi kept up
that tradition. During the days of this 'Nadahabba' great artists used to go to
Keladi from all corners of the country. At the end of the programmes of dance
and music, the King rewarded the artists with valuable gifts.
Once, during the Dasara festival, the famed dancer Kalavathi
of Jambukhandi gave a performance before the royal couple. Dancing like a
peacock and singing like a cuckoo, this beautiful woman won the love of
Somashekhara Nayaka. The King who was pleased with her excellence in dancing,
gave her much wealth. Kalavathi became the dancer of the royal court. Her
mother and her foster-father, Bharame Mavuta, lived with her. The latter was a
master of black magic and secret medicines Knowing that Queen Chennamma had no
children, the wicked Bharame Mavuta developed an intimate friendship with
Somashekhara Nayaka. Gradually the Nayaka began to live with Kalavathi herself.
He became a puppet in the hands of Bharame Mavuta. He forgot his beloved
darling Chennamma and stayed away from the palace. He swallowed all that
Bharame Mavuta gave him as medicine and as a result became half-mad. Various
diseases began to eat him up. Even the ministers and respected officers had to
go to the dancer's house to discuss matters of the State.
Chennamma felt very sad that the husband who once loved her
so deeply never came to the palace now. She was always in tears. Once all the
subjects felt happy that it was their good fortune they had such an ideal King,
but now he had to thought for the kingdom.
Because of the King's indifference there was chaos in the
kingdom. The news of his ill-health spread all over the kingdom. The King had
no children. What if he died suddenly?
In such a pass, naturally, many persons began to hatch
conspiracies to usurp the throne. The Sultan of Bijapur who had often been
defeated by the kings of Keladi, now attacked the kingdom.
The Queen was determined that the kingdom nursed and handed
down by their elders should be saved from these dangers. If she remained
passive, thinking she was only a woman, the kingdom wouid be lost. She put
aside her pride and even stepped into the dancer's house to meet the King.
Worn out by diseases, the King was a mere shadow of his old
robust self. The face had lost lustre and the eyes were dull. Chennamma was
greatly grieved. But she checked her sorrow and said, "My Lord, please
come back to the palace. The
physicians of the court will treat you. The kingdom of the
great Shivappa Nayaka should not be ruined. You can adopt a worthy boy as
son." She fell at his feet and begged him to return.
Bharame Mavuta, the source of all evil for the kingdom, was
right there. Deceived by his words, the King refused to listen to
Chennamma. The Queen returned in misery. But she had no time
even to weep, because the enemies had already besieged the kingdom.
There was only one way, thought Chennamma, for the kindgom
to continue and the dynasty to survive; she herself should rule the land and
also hold the sword. Trusting God, the young Queen took this crushing burden on
her tender shoulders. The clever and heroic Queen also took the counsel of her
father Siddappa Shetty. She enlisted the help of trustworthy commanders.
Delicate hands adorned with bangles now brandished the sword.
Arrogant enemies thought that after all she was a woman and
could be frightened. They began to threaten her.
One day the Chief Minister, Thimmanna Nayaka of Kasaragod,
went to her with Subnis Krishnappa and said to her, "You must adopt as son
Veerabhadra Nayaka, the son of the Commander-in Chief, Bhadrappa Nayaka. It is
only then that we shall support you. Or else, we will unite the people against
you and crown him." The same threat was held out by another minister,
Narasappayya and a senior officer, Lakshmayya.
Queen Chennamma heard them all patiently. On one side,
Bharame Mavuta had the King under his thumb and was eager to take over the
kingdom. On another side, all the ministers and other important men were ready
to bring some one whom they liked to the throne and perpetuate their own
positions. The Queen could not approve of either of these developments. She had
no child; so she decided that she should adopt a boy who was virtuous and would
herald the welfare of the State. She choose a boy by name Basappa Nayaka. She
decided to give him the proper type of training so that the kingdom survived
and the people were made happy.
The Sultan of Bijapur was waiting to swallow up the kingdom
of Keladi. Now he heard that the King was negligent and troubled by disease and
that the State was in the hands of a woman. He was tempted. Opportunity seemed
to be inviting him. He sent a representative by name Jannopant to the Queen for
negotiations. Close on the heels of Jannopant the Sultan also sent a big army
under the command of Muzaffar Khan. Jannopant met the Queen. Through her own
spies Chennamma had already understood the trick of the Sultan. But she was not
in a position to declare war on the Sultan just then. So she gave three lakh
rupees to Jannopant and came to an agreement with the Sultan. Yet, the Sultan's
army was marching towards Keladi.
So, the Queen summoned her subjects and said to them:
"My beloved heroes of the Kannada Land, you are great warriors. Today the
fate of the kingdom is in your hands. Remember, victory gives us this kingdom
and death gives us Heaven. There is no third way. If you win, all of you will
be rewarded with befitting honors." So she spoke to her people with
affection. She gave them her jewels and, the gold in the royal treasury.
Inspired by her heroic words, and moved by her generosity, the soldiers girded
their Lions to fight.
After taking leave of the Queen, Jannopant went to Bharame
Mavuta. Moved by the sweet words of Jannopant, Bharame Mavuta got the King
murdered.
The Queen heard the news. Her husband was dead! It was a
shock, and grief flooded the heart of the young Queen. But she was not the
woman to weep in passive sorrow. Yes, her husband was dead. But he had not died
a natural death. He had been murdered. Chennamma was now like the Goddess of
War, determined to avenge her husband's death.
The Bijapur army besieged the fort of Bidanur. The henchmen
of Bharame Mavuta gave all help to the Sultan's soldiers. The-enemy army was
very big. Siddappa Shetty and the officers of the State told the Queen that,
even if they fought with all valour, victory was doubtful. They advised her to
leave Bidanur for the time being. The very thought of leaving Bidanur was like
poison to her. But there was no other way. The throne of the kingdom, the
wealth of the royal treasury and all other valuables were moved to Bhuvanagiri.
The enemies pulled down the gates of the fort and entered
the palace. But they could not find the Queen there. The treasury was
also empty. They felt disappointed and were very angry. The
fort at Bhuvanagiri, situated amidst a thick jungle, was quite secure. The
chieftains of the Keladi Court and the soldiers were in Bhuvanagiri with the
Queen.
The Chief Minister, Thimmanna Nayaka, who had, gone away
from Bidanur after his differences with the Queen in the matter of the
adoption, now learnt of the fall of Bidanur. He was at heart a true patriot. He
was enraged that enemies had taken Bidanur.
Thimmanna Nayaka came to the Bhuvanagiri palace and met the
Queen. He said, "Your Highness, I am guilty of a great crime. I should not
have left Bidanur after the death'of Somashekhara Nayaka. I have sinned terribly.
It is very painful for me to see the Bidanur, where I was born and bred, is now
in alien hands. Please accept my services again in this difficult hour."
The Queen was generous. She replied, "Thimmanna Nayaka,
your conduct and your words amply bear out your deep loyalty to the kingdom.
Keladi now needs the assistance of all and the blessings of the Almighty for
its protection. You are experienced in statecraft. We do need your help; you
have served the State from the days of the great Shivappa Nayaka. The Chief
Minister's office is yours, if you will accept it."
Chennamma bestowed honors on him. People who had benefited
from the kings of Keladi and from Chennamma in particular, arrived in thousands
in Bhuvanagiri. They were ready to give up their all for Keladi and the Queen.
Thimmanna Nayaka got together the chieftains and brave
soldiers from all parts of Keladi and raised an army. He marched towards
Bidanur. The soldiers of Bijapur, who were proud of their seizure of Bidanur
were marching towards Bhuvanagirii to capture it. In the midst of the thick
forest and in a narrow pass, the Sultan's soldiers fell into the hands of the
heroic Kannada warriors. The men of Keladli knew the terrain quite well; they
destroyed the Bijapur army and went to Bidanur. The people there were overjoyed
at the arrival of the Kannada soldiers. They opened the gates wide and welcomed
them.
The people of Keladi, one and all, accepted Chennamma as
their ruler. In 1671 Chennamma was crowned as the Queen in the fortress of Bhuvanagiri.
The Queen now took over the entire administration into her hands. She honored
the chiefs and soldiers, who had helped in the fight for Bidanur, suitably with
money, gold, lands and high offices. The kingdom had become worn out with chaos
and misrule. The Queen brought peace and happiness to it. She again enforced
the system which had been formulated by Shivappa Nayaka. She arranged for
special temple honors and worship with great pomp to the deities of Rameshwara,
Aghoreshwara and Goddess Mookambike, whose grace, she felt, had warded off all
dangers. She offered diamond-studded crowns and golden lamps to these deities.
The Queen also arrested both Bharame Mavuta and Jannopant
who were responsible for the death of her husband, and put them to death. Those
who had conspired against her and wanted to usurp the kingdom were also
punished and banished from the kingdom. Queen Chennamma now ruled over the
kingdom ably. She was like a Goddess to the virtuous and like destruction
itself to the wicked. She had an 'Agrahara' - an entire street with houses on
either side formed, and invited scholars to settle down there. It was named
'Somashekharapura'. Day and night Chennamma toiled for the welfare of the
state.
With the consent of her people she adopted as her son, a
good boy, Basappa Nayaka by name. She expanded the army and strengthened
security at the borders. After her work for the kingdom, Chennamma spent
whatever leisure she had, in meditation and in acts of charity and kindness.
She gave gifts of lands to Mutts and religious institutions. The Queen
respected all the religions and was herself respected by everybody.
Years before, there had been two or three wars between the
kings of Mysore and the kings of Keladi. In these wars, the rulers of Mysore
had been defeated. As the kings of Keladi had a long seacoast under them, they
reaped considerable profits from the foreign traders, the Dutch and the
English.
At the time Chennamma was ruling in Keladi, the ruler in
Mysore was Chikkadevaraya Wodeyar. A person by name Andhaka Venkata Nayaka also
belonged to the dynasty of Keladi kings. He wrote a letter to the Mysore ruler;
he said, "I should have been the King of Keladi. But Chennamma came in the
way. Therefore if you will fight with her and help me to get the kingdom, I
shall give half of it to you and render other help also."
Chikkadevaraya was very pleased with the letter. He thought
it would be quite easy to win the kingdom which was in the hands of a woman. If
he did so, all the foreign trade now under Keladi would be in his hands. So he
began preparations for a war.
Queen Chennamma was not at all afraid that the Mysore ruler
had declared war on Keladi. She remained undaunted and sent a big army under
her Commander Bhadrappa Nayaka to fight the enemy. The chieftains of Sode,
Sirsi and Banavasi also declared war on Keladi. But the Queen very cleverly
managed to defeat them all.
The Mysore army was the first to be defeated. But the next
year that army defeated the Keladi force. Again when there was a war, the Queen
was victorious. Several officers of the Mysore army were captured. But the
Queen treated them with courtesy. She also set them free. Because of this,
Chikkadevaraya developed a high regard for the Queen. The rulers of Mysore and
Keladi signed a treaty of friendship.
Queen Chennamma had banished some leaders who had their eyes
on the throne. Now all those men, obtaining the help of other rulers, began a
war with the Queen. But the able Queen defeated them.
Chennamma had adopted Basappa Nayaka. He was to become the
King later. So she gave personal attention to his training and education. Every
morning after her bath, prayers and breakfast, she would go to the court hall.
She would stay there till mid-day, and listen patiently to any of her subjects
who had any difficulties. She would give them whatever help was necessary. She
would discuss matters of statecraft and administration with Basappa Nayaka and
her ministers and officers and give her decisions. After the midday prayers and
worship, she would spend an hour giving alms. At that time monks, sanyasis,
priests and the poor and the needy would all receive help.
One afternoon as usual the Queen was giving alms. Four
'Jangamars' (monks) appeared. They looked very radiant. The four waited till
all the others had received their alms. Then they went up to the Queen. Seeing
their bright faces, the intelligent Queen realized that they were not ordinary
monks. Their leader saluted her. Chennamma said in a friendly voice, "Holy
sir, you should bless me, and not Salute me. Where do you come from, and what
can I do for you?"
He came a little closer and again saluting her, said,
"Great Queen, I am not a monk."
"Not a monk? Then why have you come in this garb? Who
are you?
"I am Rajaram, the son of Chatrapati Shivaji."
The Queen was startled. "Are you the son of Chatrapati
Shivaji, the great man who fought to save Hinduism in South India?
Heavens, what difficult days are you passing through! Please
be seated, Prince; what can I do for you?"
"Mother, my brother Sambhaji has been cruelly murdered
by Aurangzeb. He has sent a huge army to kill me also and destroy my kingdom.
His army has already captured a few forts. Aurangzeb thinks that if I am
captured then he can swallow the whole of Maharashtra. I have managed to
hoodwink the enemies in various garbs and have come so far. I have approached
several chief and kings to give me shelter."
"Did not the Hindu kings agree to protect you?"
"They all refused, afraid of Aurangzeb's anger."
"Really ! It is unbelievable. Giving shelter to the son
of Shivaji Maharaj who fought for saving Hinduism is the duty of every one of
us."
"Mother, it is no ordinary thing to face the enmity of
Aurangzeb."
"Prince Rajaram, no one who has come to the Keladi
palace asking for shelter or other gifts has gone back disappointed. What does
it matter if a woman is on the throne now? I am not a helpless woman, but
belong to the heroic Kannada Land. It is my religion to give protection to
those who need it from me. Please take rest in our Guest House."
"Great Queen, before you give me shelter, please
consult your ministers. This is not a mere matter of feeding a person. It is a
question of the kingdom's survival or otherwise."
"Prince Rajaram, the Kannada people never go back on
their words. They are not such cowards that they will not help those who come
to them for shelter."
"I know that, Queen. I have made bold to come here only
after hearing of your valor and generosity. If your ministers agree,
please give me shelter here for a short while and then help
me to reach the fort of Jinji. I will never forget your kindness. If that is
not possible, I shall leave this place tomorrow morning."
"Prince, I shall summon the royal court this evening
and discuss the matter. Whatever might happen, I will give shelter to those
who ask me for it. To act according to the royal code, and
to see that you reach Jinji safely, is my responsibility."
"Noble Queen, the royal house of Keladi is very
generous. I am astonished that, when powerful kings of big realms have refused
to give me shelter, a lady should muster courage to face such a danger. I am
greatful to you."
So saying, Rajaram saluted her with great devotion and went
to the Guest House.
That evening Queen Chennamma summoned the royal court. She
narrated all that had happened and asked her advisers for their opinion.
Prime Minister Thimmanna Nayaka sounded a note of warning -
"Your Highness, Aurangzeb's army is chasing Rajaram. It has already
captured Raigadh, Panhalgadh and other forts. If Aurangzeb comes to know that
Rajaram is in Keladi, it would surely mean our total ruin."
Siddappa Shetty was very clear in his words to his daughter
- "What the Prime Minister says is quite true. So far we have fought with
the enemies around. Just now peace and order are returning to the kingdom.
Fighting with Aurangzeb now is beyond our capacity."
Commander Bhadrappa and Minister Narasappayya also were of
the same opinion.
"Gentlemen, what you say is true," said Chennamma.
"I have thought about this very deeply. Until this day the kings of Keladi
have always given shelter to anyone who sought it. It is my duty to keep up
that tradition. Shivaji Maharaj wore himself out to save Hinduism. When his son
asks for help can it cannot be denied? The safety of the kingdom is a matter in
God's hands."
"I agree, mother," said Basappa Nayaka. "What
you say is true. You have always taught me it is nobler to save than to kill.
What can Aurangzeb do against God's blessings and the valour of our
heroes?"
All the younger persons in the Court were for giving shelter
to Rajaram. Inevitably all the ministers also agreed.
The Queen put her trust in God and gave shelter to Rajaram.
Preparations for a war began in Keladi.
Aurangzeb sent his son Azamath Ara with a huge army to
invade the kingdom. But by then Rajaram had safely reached the Jinji fort.
The cunning Moghul Emperor on the one hand sent a big army
to Keladi; and, on the other, before it could reach the kingdom, he sent a
messenger to Queen Chennamma with a letter and also costly presents including
diamonds and other precious stones.
His letter ran thus:
"To Queen Chennamma of Keladi.
Between us there is no enmity. But I have heard that my
great enemy Rajaram is under your protection. He must at once be given up to
me. When that is done, there can be a treaty of friendship between the two
kingdoms. Otherwise you will have to face the Moghul army."
The shrewd Queen consulted her ministers and sent a reply as
follows:
"To the Moghul Emperor Aurangzeb,
Your letter has reached us. The people of this kingdom are
ever ready to extend the hand of friendship to the Moghuls. But you have asked
for something in return for your friendship. But that is impossible. Rajaram is
not in this kingdom. It is of course known that he went through Keladi."
By the time the Queen's letter reached Aurangzeb, the big
Moghul force was near Keladi. The Queen was fully prepared for the war. The
brave soldiers of Keladi were readily waiting in the path of the Moghul army.
The way lay through a thick jungle. And the rainy season had set in. The Moghul
soldiers who were accustomed to the dry climate of the North, found it
extremely difficult to pass through the forest in the heavy downpour of the
MaInad area. But obeying Aurangzeb's orders they were marching ahead under
great strain. The Karnataka heroes took positions in the thick jungle and began
butchering the Moghul soldiers. Prince Azamath Ara was shocked. He who had
defeated many chief tains and kings had now to suffer defeat from a woman; and
when he went back after that defeat, he would be beheaded. The very idea made
him perspire. But his soldiers did not have the grit now to advance further,
fight fiercely and raze the Keladi fort. The major part of the army had been
destroyed. The forces of Keladi had captured several of the Moghul captains, a
large number of horses and considerable war material. So the fight went on at a
slow and uncertain pace. Prince Azamath Ara was very much troubled.
By then he received a letter from Aurangzeb which said,
"Rajaram is now ruling the Jinji fort. So leave Keladi at once and proceed
to Jinji."
This was just what Azamath Ara wanted. So the Moghuls came
to an agreement with Queen Chennamma. The Queen also was glad to have this
treaty. She treated the Moghul captains very generously and according to the
pact released them all. Aurangzeb recognized her as an independent ruler.
The Queen rewarded the soldiers and officers of her army
suitably. The great honor of a decisive victory in a war with Aurangzeb thus
belongs to the brave Chennamma, a heroine of Karnataka.
Rajaram who had reached Jinji, wrote. A letter of gratitude
to the Queen: "When kings and rulers of bigger kingdoms refused to help
me, you bravely gave me shelter and helped to protect Hinduism. I can never
forget this bravery and generosity of yours. May Goddess Bhavani give you all
happiness! I pray God that your land may be a home of happiness."
The Queen thought that a difficulty which had come upon her
like a mountain had melted like the fog.
Chennamma tactfully negotiated trade treaties with the Arabs
and the Portuguese to carry on trade along the seacoast under her rule. It was
very convenient - and also profitable - to import the various commodities her
kingdom needed. She traded with the Arabs for horses so necessary for the
protection of Keladi. The Arabs and the Portuguese bought the rice and the
pepper grown in the MaInad areas. This enriched the kingdom.
Meanwhile Basappa Nayaka, the adopted son, had come of age.
Trained by Chennamma, he was now learned in statecraft. He was courteous,
virtuous and valiant. The Queen had the confidence that he could rule the
kingdom well. She made over to him the major share in the administration.
She then spent most of her time in the service of others.
She also went on a pilgrimage and visited the Aghoreshwara. Temple at Ikkeri,
the Mookambike Temple at Kollur and the Sharadamba Temple at Shringeri. She
gifted lands to the temples she visited to that worship could go on in these
temples round the year.
Meanwhile she also captured Hulikere near Basavapattana. The
fort there was in ruins. She got it rebuilt. After Basappa Nayaka came to the
throne, he renamed it as Chennagiri in honour of his mother.
Queen Chennamma got a beautiful chariot made and dedicated
it to the temple of Lord Neelakanteshwara of Venipura near Bidanur. She made
arrangements for the Neelakanteshwara, fair to be held every year. She gave
liberal gifts of land and gold to the temple of her family deity Rameshwara and
Veerabhadreshwara of Keladi and also to the temple of Goddess Mookambike of
Kollur, so that the worship in those temples might go on without any
difficulty. The tower of the Veerabhadreshwara Temple at Keladi was rebuilt by
her and a flagpillar was erected. She offered gifts to the temples at Kashi,
Rameshwara, Shrishaila and Tirupati. She also built monasteries for the
Veershaiva monks and Agraharas for Shaivas and Vaishnavas.
She ruled over Keladi very ably and nobly from 1671 to 1696.
Her life was a life of fame and grandeur. She was always pious and God-fearing.
When she was on her death-bed, the righteous Queen called
her son and said, "Basappa Nayaka, the task of protecting and developing
the kingdom of Keladi founded by Chowdappa Nayaka, is now yours. Conduct
yourself according to the words of our saints. Let your speech be a string of
pearls. Never should you sin, and you must live to uphold truth, kindness and
righteousness. Do not waste time in bad habits. Devote your time to good deeds.
Look after the people of Keladi as your children. You must share their joys and
sorrows. Earn a good name, and bring fame to the royal house and to the
kingdom.
"Let Keladi State be the home of happiness. Let the
people be satisfied and joyful. And may God bless you."
The pious and virtuous woman, the brave and intelligent
Queen, breathed her last in Shravana, a holy month of Hindus. Basappa Nayaka
and the people of Keladi were in deep grief. Chennamma was laid to rest in the
Koppalu monastery in Bidanur.
When, because of the foolishness of the king Somashekhara
Nayaka, Keladi was in chaos and was encircled by enemies,
Chennamma acted boldly and -wisely and in the interests of
the State and the subjects. She crushed all the enemies. Other kings were all
afraid of Aurangzeb and denied shelter to the great Shivaji's son. But this
lady of the Kannada land helped him. As a queen she was wise and able as she
was brave.So she established a peaceful era in Keladi. She ruled the kingdom in
such a way that the people could live without fear of the enemies, and without
trouble from thieves or oppression from officers. She gave succor to the poor
and respected all religions.
The name of Keladi's brave Queen is written in Golden
letters in the history of Karnataka and the history of India. Chennamma's life
is a source of inspiration to all who love freedom and admire courage and
nobility.
No comments:
Post a Comment