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Belawadi Mallamma
Born
Sodhe, Karnataka
Other namesSavitribai

Rani Mallamma

Rani of Belawadi
SpouseRaja Ishaprabhu
Map of Belawadi province

Belawadi Mallamma (ಬೆಳವಡಿ ಮಲ್ಲಮ್ಮ) was a queen of Belawadi kingdom (samshtana) famous for being the the first queen in history to build and train a women's army to fight the British, and defending her kingdom against Shivaji's maratha forces for 27 days.[1][2][3]

Biography[edit]

She was the daughter of King Madhulinga Nayaka, of the Sodhe Kingdom, which controlled modern-day Uttara Kannada district and south Goa.[4]

Education[edit]

Mallamma's education began at 5, where she attended a school built by her father for her and her brother, Sadashiva Nayaka.[5] The school's principal was Shankar Bhat, a notable scholar, and 10 senior shastris (respected teachers of philosophy and of ancient texts) acted as Mallamma's teachers.[5][6] For the next 10 years, Mallamma would be learn much about Hinduism, and would learn Kannada, Marathi, Urdu, and Sanskrit.[5] She was known to be a good student, one with notable intellect and engagement.[5]

Military Education[edit]

Given the turbulent political situation in the region, both girls and boys recieved military training with the understanding that women would act as the second line of defense in the case of an invasion.[7] Possibly due to this, King Madhulinga Nayaka arranged for Mallamma to participate along with her brothers.[7]

During her training, Mallamma became proficient in horse riding, javelin throw, fencing and archery.[7]

Marriage[edit]

When Mallamma attained marriageable age, her father chose to arrange for swayamvara (whereby the girl would choosing her husband from among the courters).[4] Mallamma decided to challenge her suitors to hunt the number of tigers equal to his age plus one, within one month.[4]

Prince of Belawadi, Raja Ishaprabhu, at 20 years of age, successfully hunted and killed 21 tigers in a month, earning the hand of Mallamma.[4] With this union, Mallamma became known as Belawadi Mallamma and, along with Ishaprabhu, would later become the ruling couple of Belawadi, a relatively small kingdom whose territories covered parts of modern-day Belagavi and Dharwad districts.[4]

Possibly due to her education, Belawadi Mallamma was permitted to rule the Belawadi kingdom alongside her husband, with both sharing the responsibility of administration.[8][9] Under their rule, it was reported that the Belawadi kingdom enjoyed a period of prosperity.[8][9]

Conflict with Shivaji[edit]

At the time, Shivaji was revered as an icon of Hindu revivalism; braving the Mughals, Adil Shahis, and the British, and had just been returning from the south following a successful military campaign.[10] At the time, his popularity had also spread to Karnataka, where he was seen as the symbolic inheritor to the Vijayanagara Empire.[10]

Though many accounts are conflicting when describing the conflict between Shivaji's forces and the Kingdom of Belawadi, most accounts follow a similar plot.

After had decided to set up camp in Yadwad, close to Belawadi.[11] According to many of the sources, some of the Maratha soldiers stole cows from the villagers in order to get milk, prompting the villagers to complain to Ishaprabhu and Mallamma.[11][12]

Ishaprabhu and Mallamma had planned a banquet to welcome Shivaji, but the complains of the villagers seems to have been the beginning of tensions between the two forces.[4][12][13]

Accounts of subsequent events begin to differ, according to some accounts Ishaprabhu sent his commander, Siddhanagouda Patil, to try to negotiate with the Maratha soldiers, only for Patil's attempts to be refused and sent back humiliated, in response Belawadi Mallamma attacked the camp with her army of women.[3] Many accounts don't mention Ishaprabhu's attempts at negotiation, instead describing Belawadi's attack on the Maratha camp as being in direct response to the stolen cows, but accounts agree that Mallamma's attack was a success; reclaiming all the cows and killing 12 maratha soldiers in the process.[3][12][13] Although some accounts state that over half of the Maratha soldiers at the camp were killed by the coup de main assault.[13]

Shivaji would soon learn of the attack, and send his general, Dhanaji to invade the Belawadi kingdom.



As mentioned in The book Turukari panchamara itihasa written by Shiva basava shastri of Brahanmatha (heritage site of Belavadi Sansthana). History of Belawadi Sansthana (Belawadi Mallamma) starts from 1511 with king Chandrashekhara raja and it mentions about war between Shivaji and Mallammak. Ishaprabhu died in the battlefield later Mallamma fought with Shivaji and she defeated the Shivaji.[14] As result of battle hero stone is installed in their Samshtana. The book Turukari panchamara itihasa was published first time in 1929.[verification needed]

Marathi works jede shakavari , Chitragupta bakhar , 91 Kalami bakhar mentioned about battle between Shivaji and Mallamma.[citation needed] Shiva vamsha sudharnava is Sanskrit book written by mallamma's teacher Shankara bhattaru . The book says Shivaji was defeated by Belawadi Mallamma . Tarabai second daughter-in-law of Shivaji gave first prize for this book and mentioning that the book contains exact subject of Shivaji and Mallamma. Second prize for Balasaheb bhaves Shivaji charitra and third prize for the book written by Shesho Shinivas Muthalika.[verification needed] Scholar Shesho Srinivas Muthalik recorded the life in the palace of Madhulinga Nayaka in 1704-5 A.D. in the Marathi language.[15][citation needed]

In Jadunath Sarkar's biography of Shivaji in Marathi language, he mentioned Mallamma as Savitribai and 27 days war held between Shivaji and Mallamma.[16]

A contemporary British work says He Shivaji is At present besieging a fort where.. he has suffered more disgrace than even he did from all power of the moghul of the deccan (Bijapuri) and he who hath conquered so many kingdoms is not able to reduce this woman Desai [Factory records, Surat,107].[17]

Yadavada stone is a symbol about compromise between Shivaji and Mallamma.[dubious – discuss][citation needed]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Ensure Belwadi Mallamma of Belgaum district gets her place in international history". The Lingayt. Chennai, India. 26 October 2008. Archived from the original on 30 October 2008. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
  2. ^ "Women of prominence in Karnataka". Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
  3. ^ a b c "About Queen MALLAMA of Belawadi, Karnataka". www.esamskriti.com. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "About Queen MALLAMA of Belawadi, Karnataka". www.esamskriti.com. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d "Kamat's Potpourri: Appendix A". www.kamat.com. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  6. ^ "What Is A Shastri? | Shambhala Times Community News Magazine". Shambhala Times Community News Magazine | The news hub for the Shambhala global community. There are more than 200 meditation centres and groups around the world. 2 June 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  7. ^ a b c "About Queen MALLAMA of Belawadi, Karnataka". www.esamskriti.com. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  8. ^ a b "About Queen MALLAMA of Belawadi, Karnataka". www.esamskriti.com. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  9. ^ a b "About Queen MALLAMA of Belawadi, Karnataka". www.esamskriti.com. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  10. ^ a b "About Queen MALLAMA of Belawadi, Karnataka". www.esamskriti.com. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  11. ^ a b "About Queen MALLAMA of Belawadi, Karnataka". www.esamskriti.com. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  12. ^ a b c "Queen Belawadi Mallamma ,a great woman warrior, Karnataka". Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  13. ^ a b c Naikar, Basavaraj S. (2001). The Rebellious Rani of Belavadi and Other Stories. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. ISBN 978-81-269-0127-2.
  14. ^ He is at present beseiging a fort where, by relatron of their owne people come from him, he has suffered more disgrace than ever he did from all power of the Mogull or Decans, and he who hath conquered soe many kingdomes is not able to reduce this woman Desy; (Factory Records 1659-1682, p.586)
  15. ^ "Kamat's Potpourri: Education of Belavadi Mallamma". www.kamat.com. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  16. ^ "Rare Books Society of India".
  17. ^ "Z-Library single sign on".

Bibliography[edit]

English Factory Records on Shivaji - 1659 to 1682.


Category:Indian military leaders Category:History of Karnataka Category:17th-century women rulers Category:Indian women in war Category:Hindu monarchs Category:Kannada people Category:Lingayatism Category:People from Belgaum Category:Women in 17th-century warfare Category:17th-century Indian women Category:17th-century Indian people Category:Indian female royalty

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