Thread by @shacindananthan

#SavioursOfBharat(2)- Rani Abbakka Chowta of Ullal

Thread: There is no other greater shame today than Indians burying their long history of women being the earliest freedom fighters. Her name is Rani Abbakka Chowta- the name that sent shivers through the spines of the Portuguese

in the 1500s who were watching Ullal like hawks.

Belonging to the great Chowta dynasty, she ruled over Ullal in coastal Karnataka. She's known affectionately to the Tulu people as “Abhaya Rani” (Fearless queen) for repeatedly crushing Portuguese attacks for a staggering 40 years

Contrary to popular belief, much of southern India has had a long standing matrilineal tradition (Aliyasantana). That was also the case for the Chowtas. She was then fated with a marriage alliance with the King of Banga in Mangalore, Lakshmappa Arasa. This marriage, however, was

cursed from the beginning, causing her to return to Ullal to rule over her kingdom.

Her husband who was enraged later forged an alliance with the Portuguese in the later years to overthrow her. If this doesn’t boil your blood, I don’t know what will. The fall of India has always

been because of leeches living in India sucking the life out of it. As Kangana said in Manikarnika, “Oh Mother India, how do I protect you when your own children are traitors?”

After conquering much of Goa, the Portuguese still needed to capture the whole of the Konkan coast to

cement their rule over West India. Rani Abbakka’s kingdom remained a hindrance as Ullal was a prosperous port and the centre of the spice trade to Arabia. The portuguese then turned south in 1557, destroying much of Mangalore before arriving at Ullal. Rani Abakka’s reign was well

known for her strong alliances with the local chieftains and communities. She was well supported by Hindus, Jains and even Muslim. In her naval force, Beary (local community of Muslims in coastal Karnataka) men were well represented. Among her successes are forging alliances with

the Calicut and Bidnur kingdoms.

Enraged at Abbakka’s support and might, the Portuguese sent Admiral Silver in 1555 to defeat her after her historic refusal to pay them tribute, but she defeated them completely. After plundering Mangalore in 1557, they came back to Ullal in 1568

which is what became the greatest turning point in her life. Despite her strong resistance, the huge Portuguese fleet headed by General Peixoto managed to capture Ullal and take the royal court.

Rani Abbakka then heroically escaped and took refuge in a mosque nearby. A clear

indication of the unity she fostered among her people. That very night itself, she gathered 200 troops and marched into the palace, killing General Peixoto! If that wasn’t enough, she took 70 Portuguese soldiers hostage and killed Admiral Mascarenhas, forcing the Portuguese

to vacate Mangalore fort as well. Let me be clear, this scale of victory against a European power had not been seen before. This victory, however was outlived, when the Portuguese managed to capture Kundapur and subsequently Mangalore fort with the help of her treacherous husband

In 1570, she historically forged an alliance with the King of Bjiapur and Calicut. With her masterful techniques in warfare and diplomatic strategy, she put up the strongest resistance the Portuguese had seen. She kept undercutting them and resisting their attacks.

After a series of humiliating defeats, the Portuegese finally sent a strong fleet of 3000 men and attacked Ullal, catching her off guard as she was coming back from a temple. Her piercing battle cry – “Save the motherland. Fight them on land and sea. Fight them on the streets

and beaches”, echoed as she and her soldiers fired at the Portuguese ships. She was however defeated and captured. She then continued to revolt and died in jail, but the loud beats of her heart reverberates in every part of coastal Karnataka today. Her gallant efforts to save her

motherland from barbaric invaders MUST be remembered. The least we could do is spread the message on these individuals who stood first in line to save Bharat. Please RT this and follow, as I will be posting more on #SavioursOfBharat!