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 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.
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 strongly opposed 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 the 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 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.
WhatsApp Status Message for Kittur Rani Chennamma Birth Anniversary:
- She became queen of her native kingdom and married Raja Mallasarja, of the Desai family. However, her son died in 1824 after which she adopted Shivalingappa, and made him heir to the throne.
- In the first battle between the British and Kittur, in October 1824, British forces. faced a big blow. St. John Thackeray, the British collector and political agent, was also killed during the battle.
- Her passion to save the state inspired Sangolli Rayanna, well-known freedom fighters of Karnataka who fought on her behalf.
- Chennamma was defeated in her last battle but she is remembered for her fierce battle.
- During Kittur Utsava held between October 22-24, her great works are remembered.
- A statue of Rani Chennamma was unveiled at the Indian Parliament Complex by Pratibha Patil on September 11, 2007.
