Rani Abbakka Chowta - The Queen Who Was A Nightmare To The Portuguese.

Rani Abbakka - First Tuluva Queen Of Ullal (Present-day Mangalore).

From a young age, Rani Abbakka was trained to be a good ruler, she was taught how to wield a sword and how to fight with, military strategies, archery, diplomacy and other subjects.

The Chowtas followed a Matrilineal System.

Rani Abbakka and Portuguese

The only woman in history to confront, fight and repeatedly defeat the Portuguese. Rani Abbakka’s courage and indomitable spirit are at par with the legendary Rani Laxmi Bai, Rani Chennamma.

Yet little is written about her in the History Books.

When the Portuguese became the first Europeans to find a sea route to India Vasco Da Gama in 1498.

After their establishments, in 1526 the Portuguese captured Mangalore Port. Their next target was Ullal, as the Chowtas were a Matrilineal Dynasty the kind’s heir was his Young niece Abbakka.

The Portuguese had an eye on Ullal as it flourished under Rani Abbakka’s leadership. They couldn't earn money from Ullal.

Which enraged the Portuguese they threatened Abbakka, but she continued to defy them by letting her ships continue to trade with the Arabs, despite being attacked by the Portuguese.

In the first attempt, the Portuguese failed in capturing Ullal, as they took Rani Abbakka very lightly as she drove out their Highly Skilled Soldiers.

In 1556, the Portuguese sent a large fleet Commanded by Admiral Don Alvaro De Silveira to capture Ullal. She once again fought valiantly and defeated them.

The Portuguese could never win a battle against her, her army consisted of people from various sections and religions. With this diversity, she ended up mobilizing her people to persistently oppose The Portuguese.

Portuguese forged an alliance with Zamorin of Calicut and other Muslim rulers of Tulunadu.

In 1568 Joao Peixoto - the Portuguese General managed to take over Ullal Royal Palace but Abbakka escaped.

She was enraged by their actions and set forth to take Ullal back from the foreigners. gathering 200 of her best warriors, she attacked them that same night, killing the General and his 70 soldiers.

The Portuguese did not stop, they again tried to attack her Rani Abbakka was skilled in diplomacy and formed an alliance with Bijapur Sultan and Zamorin of Calicut.

But, the brave Queen was betrayed by her Husband who conspired with the Portuguese to topple her power. Portuguese defeated, imprisoned her and was killed when she revolted.

Rani Abbakka’s Legacy lives in the memory in Dakshin Karnataka in the form of folk songs, stories and Stage performances of Yakshaganas.

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Jai Hind!!!