Veera Onake Obavva - Woman Who Fought The Forces Of Haider Ali With A Pestle

The Indian freedom Struggle is filled with thousands of warriors, who fought till their last breath. when others were given rightful place, the Unsung Women warriors have been denied the same for the Longest Time in the History Books.

Tributes to this Fearless Woman who Fought for her Kingdom

Onake Obavva, who is equally celebrated along with Rani Abbakka Chowta, Rani Chennamma, Keladi Chennamm, as the foremost women warriors.

Chitradurga Fort, Karnataka

Chitradurga was ruled by Madakari Nayaka, Hyder Ali wanted to besiege the fort of Chitradurga. But he was unsuccessful in all his attempts. Earlier Hyder Ali had taken over the Mysore throne from the Wodeyars.

Hyder Ali saw a woman entering the Chitradurga fort through an opening in the rocks led to a clever plan to send his soldiers through the hole.

Legend Of Onake Obavva

Wife of a Kalyanayaka - A soldier guarding a Fort Tower, one afternoon he was home for lunch. Obavva was guarding while fetching water she heard sounds of Hyder Ali’s soldiers trying to enter the fort through the hole. Obavva immediately hid behind the crevice in the fort and hit at soldier one by one coming out with Onake ( A wood rod used for pounding paddy).

In the process she single-handedly killed several soldiers, and when her husband returned he was stunned to find Obavva with blood-stained Onake amidst several dead bodies of Enemy Soldiers.

Kalayanayaka blew his bugle and alerted other soldiers and they joined him and killed Hyder Ali’s soldiers.

The brave act of Onake Obavva saved the fort on that day from further attacks from Hyder Ali, without prior experience in warfare, Onake Obavva displayed exemplary courage.

However, Madakari Nayakay lost to Hyder Ali in 1779.

There is a Statue In Front of Chitradurga District Commissioner’s Office.