Rani Abbakka’s story endures in the vibrant folklore and cultural memory of Tulu Nadu. Rani Abbakka was also called as “Abhaya Rani” or “Fearless Queen.”
Her legendary bravery is immortalised through Yakshagana performances, local songs, and the ritualistic Bootaradhana, where her spirit is revered. Rani Abbakka built Ullal Fort and Shiva Mandir. She also built the mystical Rudra Rock, whose hues shift with the crashing waves and stands as a timeless symbol of her defiance.
To this day, Arabian Sea’s rhythmic waves crashing upon Ullal’s shores seem to whisper her battle cry—a cry of resistance, courage, and an enduring love for her land.
RSS’s Tribute to Doughty Warrior
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has paid a heartfelt tribute to the valiant warrior Queen Rani Abbakka on the momentous occasion of her 500th birth anniversary. Honouring her indomitable spirit and unwavering dedication to her motherland, the tribute was marked by a statement from the Sarkaryavah of RSS, Shri Dattatreya Hosabale. The statement was released on the third day of Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha 2025, which was held in Bengaluru from March 21 to 23, 2025.
Through this tribute, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh reaffirmed its commitment to preserving and celebrating the glorious heritage of Bharat. Shri Dattatreya Hosabale’s statement resonated with reverence for Rani Abbakka’s legacy, inspiring generations to draw strength from her exemplary life.
Protecting Ullal
Rani Abbakka is revered for her valiant stand against the Portuguese in the 16th century. Defying the might of European imperialism, she united her people and led fierce battles to safeguard her kingdom’s sovereignty. Her determination, strategic brilliance and dedication to her land have etched her name in the annals of Bharatiya history as one of the earliest freedom fighters.
Plunder Under the Portuguese
Sanjay Subrahmanyam, a distinguished historian specialising in early modern South Asian and global history, offers a meticulous examination of Portuguese colonial presence in Asia, with a particular focus on Bharat. In his seminal work, The Portuguese Empire in Asia, 1500–1700: A Political and Economic History, Subrahmanyam presents an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms of Portuguese expansion and governance in the region. He highlights numerous instances of systemic violence and coercion that characterised Portuguese rule. A notable example is Vasco da Gama’s expedition to Bharat in the early 16th century, which was marked by acts of extreme brutality. In 1502, Vasco da Gama’s fleet seized a vessel carrying over 400 passengers, including women and children, and subsequently set it on fire, leading to deaths of all on board. This act of violence was emblematic of the broader strategy of intimidation and force employed by the Portuguese to assert their dominance over the Indian Ocean trade network.
From Commercial Ties to Colonisation
Portuguese intentions in Bharat increasingly shifted from mere commercial pursuits to aspirations of colonisation. A significant impediment to their territorial ambitions was Krishna Deva Raya, the Tuluva king of Vijayanagara Empire. However, his death in 1529 marked the beginning of the empire’s decline, leading to a power vacuum in the region. The Udupi-Dakshina Kannada-Kasaragod region, collectively referred to as Tulu Nadu, was a strategically valuable commercial zone due to its prominence in the pepper and spice trade. This region comprised several principalities governed by Tuluva rulers, who operated as feudatories under Vijayanagara sovereign. With the weakening of the empire, these feudatories became more susceptible to the expanding influence and dominance of Portuguese.
Bharat’s First Woman Freedom Fighter
- Rani Abbakka Chowta was one of the most courageous women in history and is often called India’s first woman freedom fighter
- She fiercely resisted Portuguese colonial forces in the 16th century when they wanted to conquer Ullal, Mangalore, Karnataka. Despite betrayal by her husband, Abbakka refused to give in to imperial forces and died fighting them even after being captured and jailed
- Rani Lakshmibai’s bravery is well known, but 300 years before her, the Tuluva Queen of Ullal, Rani Abbakka Chowta, fought the Portuguese
- She was born into the Chowta dynasty, which is also known as the Jain dynasty, which ruled certain parts of the Tulu Nadu region from the 12th to the 18th centuries
- She was married to Lakshmappa Arasa Bangaraja II, king of the Banga principality in Mangalore
In 1526, Portuguese captured the strategic Mangalore port, strengthening their foothold along Bharat’s coastline. Their next target was Ullal, a prosperous port town nestled between the lush peaks of the Western Ghats and the azure waters of the Arabian Sea. Ullal served as the capital of the Chowta dynasty, ruled by King Thirumala Raya III.
Rise of Rani Abbakka
Chowtas, feudatories of Vijayanagar Empire, were Jain rulers who had migrated from Gujarat to Tulu Nadu in the 12th century. Following the region’s matrilineal tradition, the throne was passed to the king’s niece, Abbakka. Trained from an early age in sword fighting, archery, military strategy, diplomacy, and statecraft, Abbakka grew into a formidable leader. When she was crowned Queen of Ullal, she recognised the looming threat posed by the Portuguese and resolved to defend her kingdom. To strengthen her political alliances, Thirumala Raya III arranged Abbakka’s marriage to Lakshmappa Bangaraja, the ruler of Mangalore. Despite the alliance, Abbakka retained her autonomy, ruling from Ullal while raising their three children in her own household. However, the marriage deteriorated when Bangaraja aligned himself with the Portuguese for personal gain.
Rani Abbakka is revered for her valiant stand against the Portuguese. Defying the might of European imperialism, she united her people
Defiance Against Colonial Aggression
Determined to expand their dominance, the Portuguese imposed unfair demands on Abbakka, pressuring her to pay tribute. Refusing to submit, she defied them by continuing to trade with Arab merchants. Ullal’s prosperity under her leadership angered the Portuguese, leading to a series of brutal attacks. The first assault in 1556, led by Admiral Don Alvaro de Silveira, ended in a temporary truce. However, the Portuguese returned in 1558 with a larger force, ransacking Ullal. Despite this, Abbakka’s resilience and strategic alliances with the Arab Moors and the Zamorin of Kozhikode thwarted their advances once again.
Battle for Ullal
In a subsequent assault, General Joao Peixoto led Portuguese forces to capture Ullal and seize the royal palace. However, Abbakka evaded capture and organised a counter-attack with 200 loyal soldiers. Under the cover of the night, she launched a devastating assault, killing Peixoto and 70 Portuguese troops. The remaining invaders, shaken and demoralised, retreated to their ships. Abbakka’s growing reputation as a fearless leader unsettled the Portuguese, who responded with further aggression. Her estranged husband, Bangaraja, was coerced into withdrawing support under the threat of having his capital burned. The Portuguese Viceroy of Goa, Anthony D’Noronha, was tasked with launching a final decisive attack.
The Final Stand
In 1581, a massive fleet of Portuguese battleships carrying 3,000 soldiers launched a surprise pre-dawn assault on Ullal. Returning from a visit to her family temple, Abbakka was caught off guard. Yet, without hesitation, she mounted her horse and led her troops in a fierce counter-offensive. Her battle cry, “Save the motherland. Fight them on land and sea. Fight them on the streets and beaches. Push them back to the waters,” echoed through the air as flaming arrows set Portuguese ships ablaze. Rani Abbakka is historically recognised as the last known person to have employed the Agnivana (fire-arrow) as a strategic weapon in her resistance against the Portuguese. Despite her valiant defence, Abbakka was wounded in the crossfire and captured with the betrayal of a few bribed chieftains.
Even in captivity, she remained unyielding, refusing to submit to colonial rule. Her defiance continued to inspire her daughters, who carried forward her legacy of resistance. Through their courage, the fight against the Portuguese endured.