Introduction
of Rani Chennamma
 |
| Kittur Rani Channamma |
Rani
Chennamma was the first woman independence activist of Bharat. She stood all
alone with a vibrant fiery eye against the British Empire. Rani Chennamma did
not succeed in driving them away, but she did provoke many women to rise
against the British rule. She was Chennamma Queen of the princely state Kittur
in Karnataka. Today she is well known as Kittur Rani Chennamma. Let us take a
few steps back in history to know more about her.
Early
Life
Rani
Chennamma was born in Kakati (a small village in north of Belgaum in
Karnataka), in 1778 that is almost 56 years earlier than Rani Lakshmi Bai of
Jhansi. From a very young age she received training in horse riding, sword
fighting and archery. She was well known for her brave acts across her town.
Rani
Chennamma was married to Mallasarja Desai, ruler of Kittur at the age of 15.
Her married life seemed to be a sad tale after her husband died in 1816. With
this marriage she had only one son, but fate seemed to play a tragic game in
her life. Her son breathed his last in 1824, leaving the lonely soul to fight
against the British rule.
Queen
Chennamma during the British rule
The
Doctrine of Lapse was imposed on native states by the British. Under this
declaration, native rulers were not allowed to adopt a child if they had no
children of their own. Their territory formed part of the British Empire
automatically.
The
state of Kittur came under the administration of Dharwad collectorate in charge
of Mr. Thackeray. Mr. Chaplin was the commissioner of the region. Both did not
recognize the new ruler and the regent, and informed that Kittur had to accept
the British regime.
War
against the British
Rani
Chennamma and the local people opposed strongly British high handedness.
Thackeray invaded Kittur. In the battle that ensued, hundreds of British
soldiers were killed along with Thackeray.
The
humiliation of defeat at the hands of a small ruler was too much for the
British to swallow. They brought in bigger armies from Mysore and Sholapur and
surrounded Kittur.
Rani
Chennamma tried her best to avoid war; she negotiated with Chaplin and Governor
of Bombay Presidency under whose regime Kittur fell. It had no effect. Chennamma
was compelled to declare war. For 12 days, the valiant Queen and her soldiers
defended their fort, but as is the common trait, traitors sneaked in and mixed
mud and dung in the gunpowder in the canons. The Rani was defeated (1824 CE).
She was taken a prisoner and kept in the fort of Bailhongal for life. She spent
her days reading holy texts and performing pooja till her death in 1829 CE.
Kittur
Rani Chennamma could not win the war against British, but she etched her
presence for many centuries in the world of history. Along with Onake Obavva,
Abbakka Rani and Keladi Chennamma, she is much revered in Karnataka as an icon
of bravery.
Rani
Chennamma has become a legend. During the freedom movement, her brave
resistance to British formed theme of plays, songs, and song stories. Folk
songs or lavanis were a legion and freedom struggle got a good boost through
singing bards who moved throughout the region.
It is heartening news that a statue of Kittur
Chennamma was installed in the Parliamentary Building premises at New Delhi on
11th September 2007. It is the most fitting tribute to a brave queen, who was
the earliest ruler in Bharat to fight the British rule.
Sangolli
Rayanna
Sangolli
Rayanna was a prominent warrior from Karnataka, India. Rayanna was born on 15th
Aug 1798. He was the army chief of the Kingdom of Kittur ruled at the time by
Rani Chennamma and fought the British East India Company till his death.
Born:
August 15, 1798, India
Died: January 26, 1831
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