RANI ABBAKKA CHOWTA- THE UNSUNG WOMEN HEROES.

Why in news?

• Government had released a pictorial book on India’s Women Unsung Heroes of Freedom Struggle as part of Azadi ka Mahotsav which narrates the tales of valor of Rani Abbakka.

About Rani Abbakka Chowta

• Rani Abbaka Chowta was the first Tuluva Queen of Ullal.
• She fought the Portuguese in latter half of the 16th century. The queen belonged to the Chowta dynasty, who ruled over parts of coastal Karnataka (Tulu Nadu).
• Capital of the dynasty was Puttige. The port town of Ullal was their subsidiary capital.
• Ullal was strategically placed because of which, the Portuguese made several attempts to capture it. But the queen repulsed their attacks for over four decades. She came to be known as Abhaya Rani, because of her bravery.