Keladi Chennamma

Keladi Chennamma was the Queen of Keladi Kingdom (1677-1689) in Karnataka. She was the daughter of Siddappa Setti, a native of Kundapur, Karnataka. Keladi Kingdom (also known as Bednur and Ikkeri), was formed after the fall of Vijayanagara Empire.[1] Chennamma married King Somashekara Nayaka[2] in 1667 CE.[3] After Somashekhara Nayaka's death in 1677,[4] Chennamma efficiently handled the administration of the Keladi Nayaka dynasty.[4] During her reign of 12 years, she repelled the advances of the Mughal Army led by the infamous Aurangzeb from her military base in the kingdom of Keladi located in Sagara, Karnataka India.[5] She adopted Basavappa Nayaka, one of her close relatives who succeeded as Hiriya Basappa Nayaka.[2][3] She also rendered a trade agreement with the Portuguese[2] involving commodities like pepper and rice.[2] She was given the epithet "the Pepper Queen or Raina da Pimenta' by the Portuguese. She also permitted Portuguese to establish churches at Mirjan, Honnavara, Chandavara and Kalyanpura.[6]

Attack by Aurangazeb

She provided shelter to Rajaram Chhatrapati, son of Shivaji who was fleeing from the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb[7] after a meeting with her cabinet and treated Rajaram with respect,[2] but Aurangazeb attacked Keladi. Keladi Chennamma fought the war without defeat and battle with Mughals ended in a treaty.[3] A subordinate of Keladi Kingdom, Sadasiva of Swadi also helped Rajaram through a loan.[2] Keladi kingdom was probably the last to lose autonomy to Mysore rulers and subsequently to British. Her cabinet was headed by Timmanna Nayaka who was the descendent of a commander of Vijayanagra.

She is considered as the epitome of the Kannada women's valor along with Rani Abbakka, Onake Obavva and Kittur Chennamma. Mirjan fort was built by Keladi Chennamarani .

References

  1. ↑ Bhat, N. Shyam (1998). South Kanara, 1799-1860 : a study in colonial administration and regional response (1st ed. ed.). New Delhi, India: Mittal Publications. p. 43. ISBN 9788170995869.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Dixit, Giri S (1981). Studies in Keladi History: Seminar Papers. Bangalore: Mythic Society. pp. 4,5,115.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "1671-96 Rani Regnant Chennamma of Keladi (or Bednur) (India)". Worldwise guide to women in leadership. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Thilagavathi, B.S. Chandrababu, L. (2009). Woman, her history and her struggle for emancipation. Chennai: Bharathi Puthakalayam. p. 241. ISBN 9788189909970.
  5. ↑ Buchanan, Francis (1988). A journey from Madras through the countries of Mysore, Canara, and Malabar : for the express purpose of investigating the state of agriculture, arts and commerce, the religion, manners, and customs, the history natural and civil, and antiquities (1st AES reprint. ed.). New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. p. 126. ISBN 9788120603868.
  6. ↑ Kudva, Venkataraya Narayan (1972). History of the Dakshinatya Saraswats. Madras: Samyukta Gowda Saraswata Sabha. p. 112.
  7. ↑ Krishnamurthy, Radha (1995). Sivatattva Ratnakara of Keladi Basavaraja: a cultural study. Keladi, Karnataka: Keladi Museum and Historical Research Bureau. pp. 6,115.

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