Kittur Rani Chennamma, often called the Queen of Kittur, was one of the earliest and most fearless women to fight against British colonial rule. Decades before the Revolt of 1857, she raised the banner of defiance in 1824, proving that the desire for independence was alive long before India’s formal freedom struggle began.
Chennamma was born in 1778 in a small village called Kakati in present-day Karnataka. From childhood, she displayed remarkable courage and determination. Unlike most girls of her time, she was trained in horse riding, sword fighting, and archery. These skills, along with a strong sense of justice, would later make her a legendary warrior.
At the age of 15, she married Mallasarja Desai, the ruler of the princely state of Kittur. As queen, she earned respect for her wisdom and concern for her people. After her husband’s death, their only son passed away in 1824, leaving the state without a direct heir.
During this period, the British East India Company enforced the infamous Doctrine of Lapse, which allowed them to annex any princely state without a natural male successor. To secure Kittur’s future, Chennamma adopted a boy named Shivalingappa as her son and heir. The British, however, refused to recognize the adoption and ordered the annexation of Kittur.
Determined to protect her kingdom’s sovereignty, Chennamma rejected British demands and prepared to resist. In October 1824, British forces led by Collector St John Thackeray marched on Kittur. Rani Chennamma, supported by her trusted lieutenants Sangolli Rayanna and Gurusiddappa, rallied her troops and fortified the Kittur fort.
When the British attacked, Chennamma’s army fought with extraordinary valor. Using strategic planning and her own combat skills, she inflicted heavy losses on the enemy and even captured two British officers. This unexpected defeat shocked the colonial rulers and became one of the earliest significant military setbacks for the East India Company in southern India.
Though Chennamma initially negotiated peace and released the captured officers, the British broke their promises and sent larger reinforcements. In the second round of fighting, Kittur’s defenses were overwhelmed. Rani Chennamma was eventually captured after a brave and prolonged resistance.
Rani Chennamma was imprisoned in the Bailhongal Fort, where she spent the remaining years of her life. She passed away on 21 February 1829, but her spirit of defiance never died. Her stand against the British inspired countless freedom fighters, including her general Sangolli Rayanna, who continued guerrilla warfare against colonial forces.
Today, Kittur Rani Chennamma is celebrated as one of India’s first women freedom fighters, predating figures like Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi by more than three decades. Statues of her, especially the grand equestrian statue in Bengaluru’s Parliament area, honor her bravery. Her story is taught in schools across Karnataka and beyond, reminding everyone that the fight for independence was sparked by many unsung heroes.