The story of India’s freedom struggle is often associated with the 19th and 20th centuries, yet the seeds of resistance were sown much earlier. In the coastal town of Ullal, near present-day Mangaluru in Karnataka, a courageous queen named Rani Abbakka Chowta rose in the 16th century to challenge the might of the Portuguese Empire. Long before colonialism tightened its grip over Bharat, Abbakka became one of the earliest rulers to wage a determined and organized fight against foreign domination.
The Chowta Dynasty and Ullal
Abbakka Chowta belonged to the Chowta dynasty that ruled parts of the coastal Tulu Nadu region. The Chowtas were known for their matrilineal system of inheritance (Aliyasantana), where property and power passed through the female line, giving women an unusually strong role in governance. Abbakka was trained from a young age in statecraft, horse-riding, archery, and naval warfare. When she ascended the throne of Ullal, she inherited not only the responsibilities of a queen but also the turbulent challenge of defending her land against the Portuguese.
Ullal, located strategically near the port of Mangaluru, was a prosperous trade center. Its wealth and its position along the Arabian Sea attracted the Portuguese, who were eager to dominate spice trade routes.
The Portuguese Threat
By the mid-16th century, the Portuguese had already established their control over Goa and were expanding aggressively along the western coast. They demanded tribute and obedience from the smaller kingdoms and principalities of the region. While some rulers submitted to their power, Rani Abbakka refused. She rejected Portuguese demands for tribute and trade monopoly, determined to protect Ullal’s independence and her people’s right to trade freely.
The Portuguese responded with military expeditions. Ullal, though small, became the focal point of repeated clashes between Abbakka’s forces and the Portuguese navy.
Abbakka’s Guerrilla Warfare
Rani Abbakka proved to be not only a fearless queen but also a brilliant strategist. She forged alliances with neighboring rulers, including the powerful Zamorin of Calicut, and organized a confederacy against the Portuguese. She relied on swift naval attacks, night raids, and surprise assaults — early forms of guerrilla warfare — to inflict heavy losses on the Portuguese fleets.
Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, her forces repeatedly repelled Portuguese attempts to capture Ullal. Historical accounts describe how the Portuguese were astonished at her courage and resilience. She personally led her troops into battle, becoming a symbol of resistance for her people.
Betrayal and Capture
For decades, Abbakka remained a thorn in the side of the Portuguese. But her fight was not without challenges. Internal conflicts and betrayals weakened her position. In one of the later battles, she was finally captured, reportedly due to treachery within her own ranks. Even in captivity, Abbakka refused to bow her head before the foreign invaders. She died as a prisoner but left behind a legacy that outlived her captors.
Symbol of Early Resistance
Rani Abbakka Chowta’s story is remarkable because she represents one of the earliest organized resistances against European colonialism in India, nearly three centuries before the First War of Independence in 1857. While history textbooks often highlight northern leaders, the valor of Abbakka in southern India shows that the spirit of freedom was alive across the land long before the modern nationalist movement.
She was not fighting for personal glory; her struggle was rooted in dharma — the duty to protect her people, her culture, and her land. In her defiance, she embodied the eternal spirit of Sanātana Dharma, which refuses to submit to injustice, regardless of the odds.
Legacy in Karnataka
In Tulu Nadu and coastal Karnataka, Abbakka is remembered with pride and reverence. Folk songs, stories, and oral traditions celebrate her bravery. The government of India has also recognized her contributions; she was posthumously awarded the title of “Rani Abbakka – The First Woman Freedom Fighter of India.” A bronze statue of her stands in Ullal today, gazing defiantly at the sea she once protected.
Every year, the Veera Rani Abbakka Utsava is held in her honor, reminding the younger generations of her extraordinary courage. In recent decades, her story has found its way into national consciousness as an example of women’s leadership and resistance to foreign aggression.
Conclusion
Rani Abbakka Chowta of Ullal was more than a queen — she was a warrior, a strategist, and a symbol of uncompromising resistance. Her battles against the Portuguese in the 16th century were not just about defending a small coastal kingdom; they were part of a larger struggle to preserve Bharat’s sovereignty and dignity against foreign powers.
Long before the names of Lakshmibai or Chennamma entered history’s pages, Abbakka Chowta had already set the standard of what it means to resist colonial rule. Her legacy continues to inspire, reminding us that the fight for freedom in Bharat was not a sudden event of the 19th century but a flame burning for centuries, carried forward by fearless souls like her.
