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Keladi Chennamma

She was the Queen of an ancient State. She had no husband.

Still she fought with the many foes around and freed the kingdom

from several dangers. But soon she had to face another danger.

Aurangzeb was the Moghul Emperor then. 'Alamgir' was his

title. Alamgir means one who has conquered the whole world.

Aurangzeb had conquered many kingdoms in North India and had

turned his eyes towards the South. His thirst for expansion was not

yet quenched and his vast: powerful army attacked this small State.

The reason given was that the Queen had given shelter to the son of

Maharaja Shivaji.

But the Queen was not afraid. Nor did she feel sorry. She did

not ask for pardon. She faced the attack like a heroic woman. When

the enemies themselves withdrew their attack and begged for a

treaty, she was quite generous.

This heroic Queen and noble lady was Queen Chennamma of

Keladi.

Chennamma ruled the kingdom of Keladi for twenty-five years.

She had the complexion of a pearl, with bright eyes and a broad

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Keladi Chennamma

forehead. A long nose and curly hair adorned a face of royal dignity.

The beautiful Queen was full of good qualities too. And she had the

ability to kill her enemies in the battles, like Durga (the goddess of

power). Beauty, valour, piety and generosity all blended in this great

Queen.

Keladi was a kingdom in the MaInad area of Karnataka. The

first King of Keladi was Chowdappa Nayaka who came to the throne

in 1500. He was a great hero.

In about 1645, the able King Shivappa Nayaka came to the

throne. During his reign, many reforms were effected in Keladi. This

King became famous as a great ruler because of his administrative

reforms. Government and collection of taxes were so systematized

that he came to be called 'Shistina Shivappa Nayaka' ('shistu' -

meaning discipline and order and it is also known as a kind of Local

Tax). His younger son Somashekhara Nayaka became the King in

1664. At that time the kingdom of Keladi stretched along the entire

seacoast from Goa to Malabar.

Somashekhara Nayak was a very efficient king. With a good

figure, power and wealth, he also had good qualities. He was

religious-minded, too.

Somashekhara Nayaka did not marry for several years. He was

young and a king; and was also handsome, virtuous and famous.

Naturally many a king tried to make him his son-in-law. The Nayaka

saw many beautiful princesses. But he never thought of marriage.

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Keladi Chennamma

His subjects, knowing his religious mind and devotion to God,

wondered whether their king would become a monk.

The king once went to the Rameshwara fair. There he saw a

very pretty maid. She was Chennamma, the daughter of Siddappa

Shetty of Kotepura. She was beautiful like a carefully sculptured doll.

With her friends she was going to the temple; she moved with striking

dignity.

Somashekhara Nayaka saw her; he said to himself, 'if at all I

marry, I should marry this girl.' Through his servants he learnt who

she was. Next day he sent for his Chief Minister and said to him,

"You have been compelling me to marry. Yesterday when I went to

the Rameshwara fair, I saw Kotepura Siddappa Shetty's daughter. If I

marry at all, I will marry her. Please send for Siddappa Shetty and

speak to him."

The Chief Minister replied, "My Lord, so far all kings of Keladi

have married only princesses of royal blood."

"That may be. But I know only one way, - and that is, to do as I

say. I have nothing to do with any other tradition. I will marry only

this girl."

"The King wants to marry your daughter Chennamma."

At these words of the Chief Minister, Siddappa Shetty was

startled; he was amazed. He could not believe his own ears. Finally

he agreed gladly.

"The King wants to marry you," he said to his daughter. And

Chennamma could not contain her surprise and delight.

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Keladi Chennamma

The wedding took place in the big palace in the capital city of

Bidanur with royal splendour.

Chennamma became the Queen of Keladi State and of

Somashekhara Nayaka's heart. The new couple offered worship at

the temple of the family deity Lord Rameshwara at Keladi, and also at

the temple of Aghoreshwara at Ikkeri and of Goddess Mookambike at

Kollur. They also gave many gifts in charity to the poor and the

needy.

The married life of Somashekhara Nayaka and Queen

Chennamma was like milk and honey put together. They understood

each other perfectly and loved each other deeply. The intelligent

Queen became, in a short while, well versed in politics and statecraft.

She learnt to use weapons, mastered music and developed an

interest in literature.

Queen Chennamma looked after the subjects of her kingdom

and the servants of the palace with great love as if they were her

children. She was not merely a wife to Somashekhara Nayaka but

also an adviser; she gave him advice on state masters, like a trusted

minister. If the government did any injustice, those who suffered,

being afraid to go to the King, would make their appeals to the

Queen. The Queen would speak to her husband and get justice done.

She was an inspiration to her husband to punish the wicked

and protect the virtuous. So the people of Keladi looked up to the

Queen as if she was a Goddess, with great respect and devotion.

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Keladi Chennamma

The royal couple treated all religions with equal respect; they

gave large gifts of lands to the Mutts and other religious institutions of

Keladi.

During the days of the Vijayanagara Kings, the Dasara was

observed as a national festival with great pomp. The Kings of Keladi

kept up that tradition. During the days of this 'Nadahabba' great

artists used to go to Keladi from all corners of the country. At the end

of the programmes of dance and music, the King rewarded the artists

with valuable gifts.

Once, during the Dasara festival, the famed dancer Kalavathi of

Jambukhandi gave a performance before the royal couple. Dancing

like a peacock and singing like a cuckoo, this beautiful woman won

the love of Somashekhara Nayaka. The King who was pleased with

her excellence in dancing, gave her much wealth. Kalavathi became

the dancer of the royal court. Her mother and her foster-father,

Bharame Mavuta, lived with her. The latter was a master of black

magic and secret medicines Knowing that Queen Chennamma had

no children, the wicked Bharame Mavuta developed an intimate

friendship with Somashekhara Nayaka. Gradually the Nayaka began

to live with Kalavathi herself. He became a puppet in the hands of

Bharame Mavuta. He forgot his beloved darling Chennamma and

stayed away from the palace. He swallowed all that Bharame Mavuta

gave him as medicine and as a result became half-mad. Various

diseases began to eat him up. Even the ministers and respected

officers had to go to the dancer's house to discuss matters of the

State.

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Keladi Chennamma

Chennamma felt very sad that the husband who once loved her

so deeply never came to the palace now. She was always in tears.

Once all the subjects felt happy that it was their good fortune they

had such an ideal King, but now he had to thought for the kingdom.

Because of the King's indifference there was chaos in the

kingdom. The news of his ill-health spread all over the kingdom. The

King had no children. What if he died suddenly?

In such a pass, naturally, many persons began to hatch

conspiracies to usurp the throne. The Sultan of Bijapur who had often

been defeated by the kings of Keladi, now attacked the kingdom.

The Queen was determined that the kingdom nursed and

handed down by their elders should be saved from these dangers. If

she remained passive, thinking she was only a woman, the kingdom

wouid be lost. She put aside her pride and even stepped into the

dancer's house to meet the King.

Worn out by diseases, the King was a mere shadow of his old

robust self. The face had lost lustre and the eyes were dull.

Chennamma was greatly grieved. But she checked her sorrow and

said, "My Lord, please come back to the palace. The

physicians of the court will treat you. The kingdom of the great

Shivappa Nayaka should not be ruined. You can adopt a worthy boy

as son." She fell at his feet and begged him to return.

Bharame Mavuta, the source of all evil for the kingdom, was

right there. Deceived by his words, the King refused to listen to

Chennamma. The Queen returned in misery. But she had no time

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Keladi Chennamma

even to weep, because the enemies had already besieged the

kingdom.

There was only one way, thought Chennamma, for the kindgom

to continue and the dynasty to survive; she herself should rule the

land and also hold the sword. Trusting God, the young Queen took

this crushing burden on her tender shoulders. The clever and heroic

Queen also took the counsel of her father Siddappa Shetty. She

enlisted the help of trustworthy commanders. Delicate hands adorned

with bangles now brandished the sword.

Arrogant enemies thought that after all she was a woman and

could be frightened. They began to threaten her.

One day the Chief Minister, Thimmanna Nayaka of Kasaragod,

went to her with Subnis Krishnappa and said to her, "You must adopt

as son Veerabhadra Nayaka, the son of the Commander-in Chief,

Bhadrappa Nayaka. It is only then that we shall support you. Or else,

we will unite the people against you and crown him." The same threat

was held out by another minister, Narasappayya and a senior officer,

Lakshmayya.

Queen Chennamma heard them all patiently. On one side,

Bharame Mavuta had the King under his thumb and was eager to

take over the kingdom. On another side, all the ministers and other

important men were ready to bring some one whom they liked to the

throne and perpetuate their own positions. The Queen could not

approve of either of these developments. She had no child; so she

decided that she should adopt a boy who was virtuous and would

herald the welfare of the State. She choose a boy by name Basappa

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Keladi Chennamma

Nayaka. She decided to give him the proper type of training so that

the kingdom survived and the people were made happy.

The Sultan of Bijapur was waiting to swallow up the kingdom of

Keladi. Now he heard that the King was negligent and troubled by

disease and that the State was in the hands of a woman. He was

tempted. Opportunity seemed to be inviting him. He sent a

representative by name Jannopant to the Queen for negotiations.

Close on the heels of Jannopant the Sultan also sent a big army

under the command of Muzaffar Khan. Jannopant met the Queen.

Through her own spies Chennamma had already understood the trick

of the Sultan. But she was not in a position to declare war on the

Sultan just then. So she gave three lakh rupees to Jannopant and

came to an agreement with the Sultan. Yet, the Sultan's army was

marching towards Keladi.

So, the Queen summoned her subjects and said to them: "My

beloved heroes of the Kannada Land, you are great warriors. Today

the fate of the kingdom is in your hands. Remember, victory gives us

this kingdom and death gives us Heaven. There is no third way. If you

win, all of you will be rewarded with befitting honors." So she spoke to

her people with affection. She gave them her jewels and, the gold in

the royal treasury. Inspired by her heroic words, and moved by her

generosity, the soldiers girded their Lions to fight.

After taking leave of the Queen, Jannopant went to Bharame

Mavuta. Moved by the sweet words of Jannopant, Bharame Mavuta

got the King murdered.

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Keladi Chennamma

The Queen heard the news. Her husband was dead! It was a

shock, and grief flooded the heart of the young Queen. But she was

not the woman to weep in passive sorrow. Yes, her husband was

dead. But he had not died a natural death. He had been murdered.

Chennamma was now like the Goddess of War, determined to

avenge her husband's death.

The Bijapur army besieged the fort of Bidanur. The henchmen

of Bharame Mavuta gave all help to the Sultan's soldiers. The-enemy

army was very big. Siddappa Shetty and the officers of the State told

the Queen that, even if they fought with all valour, victory was

doubtful. They advised her to leave Bidanur for the time being. The

very thought of leaving Bidanur was like poison to her. But there was

no other way. The throne of the kingdom, the wealth of the royal

treasury and all other valuables were moved to Bhuvanagiri.

The enemies pulled down the gates of the fort and entered the

palace. But they could not find the Queen there. The treasury was

also empty. They felt disappointed and were very angry. The fort at

Bhuvanagiri, situated amidst a thick jungle, was quite secure. The

chieftains of the Keladi Court and the soldiers were in Bhuvanagiri

with the Queen.

The Chief Minister, Thimmanna Nayaka, who had, gone away

from Bidanur after his differences with the Queen in the matter of the

adoption, now learnt of the fall of Bidanur. He was at heart a true

patriot. He was enraged that enemies had taken Bidanur.

Thimmanna Nayaka came to the Bhuvanagiri palace and met

the Queen. He said, "Your Highness, I am guilty of a great crime. I

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Keladi Chennamma

should not have left Bidanur after the death'of Somashekhara

Nayaka. I have sinned terribly. It is very painful for me to see the

Bidanur, where I was born and bred, is now in alien hands. Please

accept my services again in this difficult hour."

The Queen was generous. She replied, "Thimmanna Nayaka,

your conduct and your words amply bear out your deep loyalty to the

kingdom. Keladi now needs the assistance of all and the blessings of

the Almighty for its protection. You are experienced in statecraft. We

do need your help; you have served the State from the days of the

great Shivappa Nayaka. The Chief Minister's office is yours, if you will

accept it."

Chennamma bestowed honors on him. People who had

benefited from the kings of Keladi and from Chennamma in particular,

arrived in thousands in Bhuvanagiri. They were ready to give up their

all for Keladi and the Queen.

Thimmanna Nayaka got together the chieftains and brave

soldiers from all parts of Keladi and raised an army. He marched

towards Bidanur. The soldiers of Bijapur, who were proud of their

seizure of Bidanur were marching towards Bhuvanagirii to capture it.

In the midst of the thick forest and in a narrow pass, the Sultan's

soldiers fell into the hands of the heroic Kannada warriors. The men

of Keladli knew the terrain quite well; they destroyed the Bijapur army

and went to Bidanur. The people there were overjoyed at the arrival

of the Kannada soldiers. They opened the gates wide and welcomed

them.

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Keladi Chennamma

The people of Keladi, one and all, accepted Chennamma as

their ruler. In 1671 Chennamma was crowned as the Queen in the

fortress of Bhuvanagiri. The Queen now took over the entire

administration into her hands. She honored the chiefs and soldiers,

who had helped in the fight for Bidanur, suitably with money, gold,

lands and high offices. The kingdom had become worn out with

chaos and misrule. The Queen brought peace and happiness to it.

She again enforced the system which had been formulated by

Shivappa Nayaka. She arranged for special temple honors and

worship with great pomp to the deities of Rameshwara,

Aghoreshwara and Goddess Mookambike, whose grace, she felt, had

warded off all dangers. She offered diamond-studded crowns and

golden lamps to these deities.

The Queen also arrested both Bharame Mavuta and Jannopant

who were responsible for the death of her husband, and put them to

death. Those who had conspired against her and wanted to usurp the

kingdom were also punished and banished from the kingdom. Queen

Chennamma now ruled over the kingdom ably. She was like a

Goddess to the virtuous and like destruction itself to the wicked. She

had an 'Agrahara' - an entire street with houses on either side

formed, and invited scholars to settle down there. It was named

'Somashekharapura'. Day and night Chennamma toiled for the

welfare of the state.

With the consent of her people she adopted as her son, a good

boy, Basappa Nayaka by name. She expanded the army and

strengthened security at the borders. After her work for the kingdom,

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Keladi Chennamma

Chennamma spent whatever leisure she had, in meditation and in

acts of charity and kindness. She gave gifts of lands to Mutts and

religious institutions. The Queen respected all the religions and was

herself respected by everybody.

Years before, there had been two or three wars between the

kings of Mysore and the kings of Keladi. In these wars, the rulers of

Mysore had been defeated. As the kings of Keladi had a long

seacoast under them, they reaped considerable profits from the

foreign traders, the Dutch and the English.

At the time Chennamma was ruling in Keladi, the ruler in

Mysore was Chikkadevaraya Wodeyar. A person by name Andhaka

Venkata Nayaka also belonged to the dynasty of Keladi kings. He

wrote a letter to the Mysore ruler; he said, "I should have been the

King of Keladi. But Chennamma came in the way. Therefore if you

will fight with her and help me to get the kingdom, I shall give half of it

to you and render other help also."

Chikkadevaraya was very pleased with the letter. He thought it

would be quite easy to win the kingdom which was in the hands of a

woman. If he did so, all the foreign trade now under Keladi would be

in his hands. So he began preparations for a war.

Queen Chennamma was not at all afraid that the Mysore ruler

had declared war on Keladi. She remained undaunted and sent a big

army under her Commander Bhadrappa Nayaka to fight the enemy.

The chieftains of Sode, Sirsi and Banavasi also declared war on

Keladi. But the Queen very cleverly managed to defeat them all.

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Keladi Chennamma

The Mysore army was the first to be defeated. But the next year

that army defeated the Keladi force. Again when there was a war, the

Queen was victorious. Several officers of the Mysore army were

captured. But the Queen treated them with courtesy. She also set

them free. Because of this, Chikkadevaraya developed a high regard

for the Queen. The rulers of Mysore and Keladi signed a treaty of

friendship.

Queen Chennamma had banished some leaders who had their

eyes on the throne. Now all those men, obtaining the help of other

rulers, began a war with the Queen. But the able Queen defeated

them.

Chennamma had adopted Basappa Nayaka. He was to

become the King later. So she gave personal attention to his training

and education. Every morning after her bath, prayers and breakfast,

she would go to the court hall. She would stay there till mid-day, and

listen patiently to any of her subjects who had any difficulties. She

would give them whatever help was necessary. She would discuss

matters of statecraft and administration with Basappa Nayaka and

her ministers and officers and give her decisions. After the midday

prayers and worship, she would spend an hour giving alms. At that

time monks, sanyasis, priests and the poor and the needy would all

receive help.

One afternoon as usual the Queen was giving alms. Four

'Jangamars' (monks) appeared. They looked very radiant. The four

waited till all the others had received their alms. Then they went up to

the Queen. Seeing their bright faces, the intelligent Queen realized

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Keladi Chennamma

that they were not ordinary monks. Their leader saluted her.

Chennamma said in a friendly voice, "Holy sir, you should bless me,

and not Salute me. Where do you come from, and what can I do for

you?"

He came a little closer and again saluting her, said, "Great

Queen, I am not a monk."

"Not a monk? Then why have you come in this garb? Who are

you?

"I am Rajaram, the son of Chatrapati Shivaji."

The Queen was startled. "Are you the son of Chatrapati Shivaji,

the great man who fought to save Hinduism in South India?

Heavens, what difficult days are you passing through! Please be

seated, Prince; what can I do for you?"

"Mother, my brother Sambhaji has been cruelly murdered by

Aurangzeb. He has sent a huge army to kill me also and destroy my

kingdom. His army has already captured a few forts. Aurangzeb

thinks that if I am captured then he can swallow the whole of

Maharashtra. I have managed to hoodwink the enemies in various

garbs and have come so far. I have approached several chief and

kings to give me shelter."

"Did not the Hindu kings agree to protect you?"

"They all refused, afraid of Aurangzeb's anger."

"Really ! It is unbelievable. Giving shelter to the son of Shivaji

Maharaj who fought for saving Hinduism is the duty of every one of

us."

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Keladi Chennamma

"Mother, it is no ordinary thing to face the enmity of Aurangzeb."

"Prince Rajaram, no one who has come to the Keladi palace

asking for shelter or other gifts has gone back disappointed. What

does it matter if a woman is on the throne now? I am not a helpless

woman, but belong to the heroic Kannada Land. It is my religion to

give protection to those who need it from me. Please take rest in our

Guest House."

"Great Queen, before you give me shelter, please consult your

ministers. This is not a mere matter of feeding a person. It is a

question of the kingdom's survival or otherwise."

"Prince Rajaram, the Kannada people never go back on their

words. They are not such cowards that they will not help those who

come to them for shelter."

"I know that, Queen. I have made bold to come here only after

hearing of your valor and generosity. If your ministers agree,

please give me shelter here for a short while and then help me to

reach the fort of Jinji. I will never forget your kindness. If that is not

possible, I shall leave this place tomorrow morning."

"Prince, I shall summon the royal court this evening and discuss

the matter. Whatever might happen, I will give shelter to those

who ask me for it. To act according to the royal code, and to see that

you reach Jinji safely, is my responsibility."

"Noble Queen, the royal house of Keladi is very generous. I am

astonished that, when powerful kings of big realms have refused to

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Keladi Chennamma

give me shelter, a lady should muster courage to face such a danger.

I am greatful to you."

So saying, Rajaram saluted her with great devotion and went to

the Guest House.

That evening Queen Chennamma summoned the royal court.

She narrated all that had happened and asked her advisers for their

opinion.

Prime Minister Thimmanna Nayaka sounded a note of warning

- "Your Highness, Aurangzeb's army is chasing Rajaram. It has

already captured Raigadh, Panhalgadh and other forts. If Aurangzeb

comes to know that Rajaram is in Keladi, it would surely mean our

total ruin."

Siddappa Shetty was very clear in his words to his daughter -

"What the Prime Minister says is quite true. So far we have fought

with the enemies around. Just now peace and order are returning to

the kingdom. Fighting with Aurangzeb now is beyond our capacity."

Commander Bhadrappa and Minister Narasappayya also were

of the same opinion.

"Gentlemen, what you say is true," said Chennamma. "I have

thought about this very deeply. Until this day the kings of Keladi have

always given shelter to anyone who sought it. It is my duty to keep up

that tradition. Shivaji Maharaj wore himself out to save Hinduism.

When his son asks for help can it cannot be denied? The safety of

the kingdom is a matter in God's hands."

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Keladi Chennamma

"I agree, mother," said Basappa Nayaka. "What you say is true.

You have always taught me it is nobler to save than to kill. What can

Aurangzeb do against God's blessings and the valour of our heroes?"

All the younger persons in the Court were for giving shelter to

Rajaram. Inevitably all the ministers also agreed.

The Queen put her trust in God and gave shelter to Rajaram.

Preparations for a war began in Keladi.

Aurangzeb sent his son Azamath Ara with a huge army to

invade the kingdom. But by then Rajaram had safely reached the

Jinji fort.

The cunning Moghul Emperor on the one hand sent a big army

to Keladi; and, on the other, before it could reach the kingdom, he

sent a messenger to Queen Chennamma with a letter and also costly

presents including diamonds and other precious stones.

His letter ran thus:

"To Queen Chennamma of Keladi.

Between us there is no enmity. But I have heard that my great

enemy Rajaram is under your protection. He must at once be given

up to me. When that is done, there can be a treaty of friendship

between the two kingdoms. Otherwise you will have to face the

Moghul army."

The shrewd Queen consulted her ministers and sent a reply as

follows:

"To the Moghul Emperor Aurangzeb,

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Keladi Chennamma

Your letter has reached us. The people of this kingdom are ever

ready to extend the hand of friendship to the Moghuls. But you have

asked for something in return for your friendship. But that is

impossible. Rajaram is not in this kingdom. It is of course known that

he went through Keladi."

By the time the Queen's letter reached Aurangzeb, the big

Moghul force was near Keladi. The Queen was fully prepared for the

war. The brave soldiers of Keladi were readily waiting in the path of

the Moghul army. The way lay through a thick jungle. And the rainy

season had set in. The Moghul soldiers who were accustomed to the

dry climate of the North, found it extremely difficult to pass through

the forest in the heavy downpour of the MaInad area. But obeying

Aurangzeb's orders they were marching ahead under great strain.

The Karnataka heroes took positions in the thick jungle and began

butchering the Moghul soldiers. Prince Azamath Ara was shocked.

He who had defeated many chief tains and kings had now to suffer

defeat from a woman; and when he went back after that defeat, he

would be beheaded. The very idea made him perspire. But his

soldiers did not have the grit now to advance further, fight fiercely and

raze the Keladi fort. The major part of the army had been destroyed.

The forces of Keladi had captured several of the Moghul captains, a

large number of horses and considerable war material. So the fight

went on at a slow and uncertain pace. Prince Azamath Ara was very

much troubled.

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Keladi Chennamma

By then he received a letter from Aurangzeb which said,

"Rajaram is now ruling the Jinji fort. So leave Keladi at once and

proceed to Jinji."

This was just what Azamath Ara wanted. So the Moghuls came

to an agreement with Queen Chennamma. The Queen also was glad

to have this treaty. She treated the Moghul captains very generously

and according to the pact released them all. Aurangzeb recognized

her as an independent ruler.

The Queen rewarded the soldiers and officers of her army

suitably. The great honor of a decisive victory in a war with

Aurangzeb thus belongs to the brave Chennamma, a heroine of

Karnataka.

Rajaram who had reached Jinji, wrote. A letter of gratitude to

the Queen: "When kings and rulers of bigger kingdoms refused to

help me, you bravely gave me shelter and helped to protect

Hinduism. I can never forget this bravery and generosity of yours.

May Goddess Bhavani give you all happiness! I pray God that your

land may be a home of happiness."

The Queen thought that a difficulty which had come upon her

like a mountain had melted like the fog.

Chennamma tactfully negotiated trade treaties with the Arabs

and the Portuguese to carry on trade along the seacoast under her

rule. It was very convenient - and also profitable - to import the

various commodities her kingdom needed. She traded with the Arabs

for horses so necessary for the protection of Keladi. The Arabs and

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Keladi Chennamma

the Portuguese bought the rice and the pepper grown in the MaInad

areas. This enriched the kingdom.

Meanwhile Basappa Nayaka, the adopted son, had come of

age. Trained by Chennamma, he was now learned in statecraft. He

was courteous, virtuous and valiant. The Queen had the confidence

that he could rule the kingdom well. She made over to him the major

share in the administration.

She then spent most of her time in the service of others. She

also went on a pilgrimage and visited the Aghoreshwara. Temple at

Ikkeri, the Mookambike Temple at Kollur and the Sharadamba

Temple at Shringeri. She gifted lands to the temples she visited to

that worship could go on in these temples round the year.

Meanwhile she also captured Hulikere near Basavapattana.

The fort there was in ruins. She got it rebuilt. After Basappa Nayaka

came to the throne, he renamed it as Chennagiri in honour of his

mother.

Queen Chennamma got a beautiful chariot made and dedicated

it to the temple of Lord Neelakanteshwara of Venipura near Bidanur.

She made arrangements for the Neelakanteshwara, fair to be held

every year. She gave liberal gifts of land and gold to the temple of her

family deity Rameshwara and Veerabhadreshwara of Keladi and also

to the temple of Goddess Mookambike of Kollur, so that the worship

in those temples might go on without any difficulty. The tower of the

Veerabhadreshwara Temple at Keladi was rebuilt by her and a

flagpillar was erected. She offered gifts to the temples at Kashi,

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Keladi Chennamma

Rameshwara, Shrishaila and Tirupati. She also built monasteries for

the Veershaiva monks and Agraharas for Shaivas and Vaishnavas.

She ruled over Keladi very ably and nobly from 1671 to 1696.

Her life was a life of fame and grandeur. She was always pious and

God-fearing.

When she was on her death-bed, the righteous Queen called

her son and said, "Basappa Nayaka, the task of protecting and

developing the kingdom of Keladi founded by Chowdappa Nayaka, is

now yours. Conduct yourself according to the words of our saints. Let

your speech be a string of pearls. Never should you sin, and you

must live to uphold truth, kindness and righteousness. Do not waste

time in bad habits. Devote your time to good deeds. Look after the

people of Keladi as your children. You must share their joys and

sorrows. Earn a good name, and bring fame to the royal house and to

the kingdom.

"Let Keladi State be the home of happiness. Let the people be

satisfied and joyful. And may God bless you."

The pious and virtuous woman, the brave and intelligent

Queen, breathed her last in Shravana, a holy month of Hindus.

Basappa Nayaka and the people of Keladi were in deep grief.

Chennamma was laid to rest in the Koppalu monastery in Bidanur.

When, because of the foolishness of the king Somashekhara

Nayaka, Keladi was in chaos and was encircled by enemies,

Chennamma acted boldly and -wisely and in the interests of the State

and the subjects. She crushed all the enemies. Other kings were all

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Keladi Chennamma

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afraid of Aurangzeb and denied shelter to the great Shivaji's son. But

this lady of the Kannada land helped him. As a queen she was wise

and able as she was brave.So she established a peaceful era in

Keladi. She ruled the kingdom in such a way that the people could

live without fear of the enemies, and without trouble from thieves or

oppression from officers. She gave succor to the poor and respected

all religions.

The name of Keladi's brave Queen is written in Golden letters in

the history of Karnataka and the history of India. Chennamma's life is

a source of inspiration to all who love freedom and admire courage

and nobility.

Author: Shantadevi Malwad

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