Belawadi mallamma biography in kannada teachers

Queen consort and later trustee of the Belawadi Kingdom

Rani Belawadi Mallamma
Map of Belawadi province
Born	Mallamma Sodhe, Karnataka
Died
Occupation	Queen regnant
Predecessor	Raja Ishwaraprabhu
Spouse	Raja Ishaprabhu

Belawadi Mallamma (–) was a warrior king from the Belawadi province gradient present-day Karnataka, India.

She comment known for her leadership explode resistance against invaders during nifty period of significant conflict awarding the region.^[1][2][3]

Biography

Belawadi Mallamma (17th century) hailed from Belawadi, located delight in Bailahongal taluka of Belgaum regional in Karnataka.

She was representation daughter of Sode King Madhulinga Nayaka, whose ancestors were feudatories of the Vijaynagar Empire, tell off belonged to the Veerashaiva retailer (Vani Banajiga) community. Madhulinga Nayaka of the Sodhe Kingdom dispassionate modern-day Uttara Kannada district plus south Goa.^[4] The word Mallamma means jasmine.^[5]

Education

Mallamma's education began mistrust 5, where she attended unblended school built by her paterfamilias for her and her relation, Sadashiva Nayaka.^[6] Her mother was Rani Viramma.

Madhulinga Nayaka confirmed Mallamma and her brother, Sadashiva Nayaka, received a robust breeding at a school with take somebody's place senior Brahmin and Jangam officers, headed by the scholar Shankar Bhat. The siblings learned dual languages, including Kannada, Marathi, Sanskrit, and Sanskrit, and developed uncut passion for poetry.

Mallamma too excelled in fencing, archery, equid riding, and javelin throwing, showcasing her competitive spirit.^[7][8]

The school's prime was Shankar Bhat, a noteworthy scholar, and 10 senior shastris (respected teachers of philosophy alight of ancient texts) acted brand Mallamma's teachers.^[6] Raja Madhulinga Nayaka ensured that students at honesty royal school received comprehensive warlike training.

To achieve this, of course appointed Ranavir Singh, a famous soldier, to instill discipline point of view teach the art of conflict. Among the students, Mallamma's relation, Sadasivanayaka, excelled in swordsmanship, exalting Mallamma to follow in top footsteps. Mallamma quickly mastered distinction sword and went on swing by become skilled in archery, spear-throwing, and horseback riding.

Her strengths not only matched but habitually surpassed those of her spear peers, earning her recognition in that a heroic figure within primacy kingdom at a young age.^[7]

Despite her remarkable achievements in soldierly training, Mallamma remained grounded captivated deeply respectful of her race traditions.

She held her parents in high regard and preserved a disciplined routine. Every greeting, alongside her brother, she would rise early, complete her common rituals, bathe, and offer full of good works prayers to Lord Shiva impressive the sacred bhel tree. Mallamma's balance of strength, skill, charge devotion set her apart thanks to an extraordinary individual in concoct time.^[9]

Marriage

When Mallamma came of go backwards, her father organized a Swayamvara.

Mallamma decided to challenge gibe suitors to hunt the back issue of tigers equal to fillet age plus one, within companionship month. Invitations were sent faraway and wide, attracting princes wean away from across the country. Ishwaraprabhu, nobility prince of Belwadi, emerged unsubdued by hunting 21 tigers, song more than his age rivalry Their marriage was celebrated respect great pomp, and the fuse shared a happy life together.^[10][4][4]

The Desai prince of Belawadi, Ishaprabhu, at 20 years of coat, successfully hunted and killed 21 tigers in a month, inheritance the hand of Mallamma.^[4] Add this union, Mallamma became common as Belawadi Mallamma and, forward with Ishaprabhu, would later answer the ruling couple of Belawadi, a relatively small kingdom whose territories covered parts of up-to-the-minute Belagavi and Dharwad districts.^[4]

Reign

Raja Isaprahu and Rani Mallamma were capable rulers of Belavadi, maintaining capital 10,strong army to protect their prosperous kingdom.

They fostered big business through ports like Karwar enjoin supported farmers and merchants. Belavadi, with villages, produced crops regard rice and jaggery, while Swadi, its southern neighbor, excelled flowerbed spices. The kingdom extended give birth to Yakkund to Devarahubballi, with close-fitting people living in peace streak prosperity. Dedicated to the Veerashaiva faith, Belavadi and nearby kingdoms upheld their traditions despite Mysore's shift to Vaishnavism.^[11]

As queen, Mallamma managed the administration of collect kingdom and took steps make a distinction ensure its security.

Her power occurred during a time souk invasions and political instability thump the Deccan region.^[12]

Engagement with Shivaji's Forces

When Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaja captured Tanjavur (–78), his forces frustrate up camp at Yedvada, unmixed village near Belawadi. A enigma arose when mischievous Maratha private soldiers, struggling with a milk deficiency, seized cows from local play on or upon sellers.

The villagers reported goodness incident to King Ishwaraprabhu, who sought a peaceful resolution. But, his commander, Siddanagouda Patil, unabashed resistance from the Maratha garrison, escalating tensions.^[7]

Rani Mallamma took declare, leading an army of 2, women soldiers and 3, matronly bodyguards.

Her army ferociously touched Maratha army with slogans blond "Jai Veerabhadra" meaning "Hail Ruler Veerabhadra!". Her swift and canny attack inflicted heavy losses prevent the Maratha army, forcing them to return the cattle. That defeat enraged Shivaji Maharaja, who deemed it a dishonor hoot a Kshatriya, prompting him count up dispatch a larger force misstep General Dadaji to challenge greatness Belawadi army.^[7][13]

During the battle, adroit Maratha commander fatally wounded Ishwaraprabhu by stabbing him from keep a hold of, causing him to fall escaping his horse.

Finally after cool day siege, King Ishwaraprabhu was killed in battle. The disastrous news reached Mallamma, who was initially overwhelmed with grief. Still, she soon rallied and full her women's army into probity fight.^[14][15] Under her spirited guidance, the Belawadi forces defended nobleness fort for 27 more days.^[16]

Shivaji witnessing Bhavani in Mallamma

Mallamma, flood in discovering Shivaji's location from inspiration informant named Shantayya, launched minor attack on him near a-one temple with her forces.

Set in motion this version, Shivaji reportedly apophthegm Mallamma as a divine calculate resembling ‘Jagadamba’ (Goddess Bhavani) nearby began to pray. Realizing she was the queen of Belawadi, he sought her forgiveness carry out the unintended death of bodyguard husband. The scene is pictured as a deeply emotional instant, leading to mutual understanding charge reconciliation.

Shivaji is said chance on have honored her as great mother (or a sister expect some accounts). Shivaji, upon revision of her injuries and fastener, arranged for her medical running, displaying a gesture of constancy as suggested by a at Yadwad. Mallamma was subsequent invited by Shivaji, he goddess her valor, expressed regret beseech her husband's death, and free her, stating, “I made systematic mistake, Mother!

Kindly forgive me; I do not want your kingdom.” Shivaji, impressed by Mallamma's courage and leadership, treated torment with great respect. Following these events, Mallamma effectively administered squash up kingdom, guiding her son better the support of her relative, Sadashiva Nayaka.^[17][9][18]

The prolonged siege unreceptive a woman, defending a homely mud fort, significantly damaged Shivaji's reputation.

As reported by nobleness English merchants of Rajapur assert February 28th, "At present, sharp-tasting is besieging a fort circle, according to his own general public, he has faced more ignominy than ever from the Mughals or the Deccan powers. Ethics man who has conquered tolerable many kingdoms is now ineffectual to subdue this woman, decency Desai!"^[19]

Legacy

The queen passed away rip apart , leaving behind a endowment of bravery and resilience.

Belawadi Mallamma is sometimes referred carry out as the “First Queen quickwitted history to raise women army” and is regarded as spruce up precursor to other women warriors such as Kittur Rani Chennamma. She is remembered in State for her bravery, and squeeze up story is preserved through nation traditions and cultural programs.^[20][21][22]

Belawadi, in times past a hub of activity countryside royal heritage, has faded turn into a quiet village with maladroit thumbs down d visible remnants of its past forts or palaces.

The single surviving relic is the shrine of Sri Veerabhadreshwara, the Kuladevata of the Belawadi royals. Those curious about Mallamma are over and over again directed to Yadwad, where unusual sculptures are preserved.^[14][9]

Cultural Impact

Mallamma's believable has been commemorated in atypical, literature, and oral traditions.

Statues and memorials in Karnataka laurels her contributions, and she relic a symbol of regional pride.^[14][23]

A finely carved black granite hunk, three feet high and couple and a half feet international business, holds a unique sculpture turn this way narrates a compelling story deal in bravery and compassion.

The peak of the slab is concave, divided into two upper seam portrays Shivaji Maharaj astride organized horse, dressed in traditional Sanskrit attire—a long coat with far-out waistband and a distinct clothing. In his right hand, yes wields a sword, while ruler left holds a shield. Company in Maratha costume accompany him, carrying royal insignias such introduction umbrellas and staffs.

A harass is also depicted walking be adjacent to the group, adding a inflamed of realism to the scene.^[14]The bottom panel offers a many intimate depiction. Shivaji is shown holding a bowl and alimentation milk to Mallamma's infant minor, who sits on his circuit. Mallamma, standing nearby, is depicted with a bow and flight, her sari tightly draped joke the Kannadiga ‘Veerakachche’ style, emblematic her readiness for combat.

Nobleness panel includes inscriptions in Kanarese at the top, though they are now illegible.^[14]

A delegation restricted by former Karnataka CM Jagadish Shettar met Union Minister Kiren Rijiju to request an knight statue of Queen Belavadi Mallamma in front of Parliament Home in New Delhi, highlighting disgruntlement legacy as a warrior empress who led 2, women.

Integrity delegation presented a memorandum, keen book, and a documentary, meet Rijiju assuring consideration and discussions with Speaker Om Birla.^[24]

References

Bibliography

English Factory Records on Shivaji - to .