Rani Abbakka Chowta was the first Tuluva Queen of Ullal who fought the Portuguese in the latter half of the 16th century.
21 Facts About Abbakka Chowta
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Abbakka Chowta belonged to the Chowta dynasty, an indigenous Tuluva dynasty who ruled over parts of coastal Karnataka, India.
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Abbakka Chowta was one of the earliest Indians to fight European colonialism and is sometimes regarded as the 'first woman freedom fighter of India'.
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Abbakka Chowta established Ullal as a major trading port, dealing primarily in pepper, cardamom, and rice.
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Abbakka Chowta maintained strong diplomatic relations with Arab merchants and the Zamorin of Calicut.
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Abbakka Chowta forged a matrimonial alliance for Abbakka with Lakshmappa Arasa Bangaraja II, king of Banga principality in Mangalore.
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The marriage was short-lived and Abbakka Chowta returned to Ullal.
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Abbakka Chowta's administration was well represented by Jains, Hindus as well as Muslims.
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Rani Abbakka Chowta had personally supervised the construction of dam at Malali; she had appointed Bearys for boulder work.
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Abbakka Chowta even forged alliances with the Zamorin of Calicut.
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Abbakka Chowta gained support from powerful king Venkatappanayaka of Bidnur and ignored the threat of Portuguese forces.
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The Portuguese, clearly upset by Abbakka Chowta's tactics, demanded that she pay them tribute but Abbakka Chowta refused to yield.
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In 1568, they turned their attention to Ullal but Abbakka Chowta Rani resisted them yet again.
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Abbakka Chowta Rani escaped and took refuge in a mosque.
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Kutty Pokar Markar, the Zamorin's general fought on behalf of Abbakka Chowta and destroyed the Portuguese fort at Mangalore, but was killed by the Portuguese on his return.
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Abbakka Chowta is portrayed as dark and good looking, always dressed in simple clothes like a commoner.
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Abbakka Chowta is portrayed as a caring Queen who worked late into the night dispensing justice.
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Legends claim that Abbakka Chowta was the last known person to have used the fire-arrow in her fight against the Portuguese.
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Abbakka Chowta's memory is much cherished in her home town of Ullal.
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The "Veera Rani Abbakka Chowta Utsava" is an annual celebration held in her memory.
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The festival of "Veera Rani Abbakka Chowta Utsava" is celebrated in Ullal every year in memory of Rani Abakka during which the Veera Rani Abbakka Chowta Award is given to distinguished women in recognition of their contributions in various fields.