keladi chennamma - yousigmayousigma.com/biographies/keladichennamma.pdfkeladi chennamma forehead. a...
TRANSCRIPT
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
Page 1 of 22
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.
Page 2 of 22
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.
Page 3 of 22
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.
Page 4 of 22
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.
Page 5 of 22
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
Page 6 of 22
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
Page 7 of 22
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.
Page 8 of 22
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
Page 9 of 22
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.
Page 10 of 22
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,
Page 11 of 22
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.
Page 12 of 22
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
Page 13 of 22
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."
Page 14 of 22
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
Page 15 of 22
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."
Page 16 of 22
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,
Page 17 of 22
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.
Page 18 of 22
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
Page 19 of 22
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,
Page 20 of 22
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
Page 21 of 22
Keladi Chennamma
Page 22 of 22
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