The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) issued a statement hailing Rani Abbakka, the queen of Tulunadu, as a “freedom fighter” who fought the Portuguese, on the occasion of her 500th birth anniversary.
Rani Abbakka was a 16th century Jain queen who ruled over the Ullal kingdom in present day Dakshina Kannada district in coastal Karnataka. She fought multiple battles against the Portuguese who wanted to annex her territory which expanded inland from Ullal on the coast. According to historians Abbakka was not one person but three queens - a mother and her two daughters - who carried the same name.
The RSS statement, dated March 23, was released during the ongoing conclave of the Akhila Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha, the highest decision-making body of the Sangh.
Calling Abbakka an excellent strategist who built an alliance with the Zamorin of north Kerala, the RSS said that she repeatedly defeated the Portuguese, who were considered the most formidable army of her time.
“Abbakka’s stratagems, bravery and fearless leadership gave her the title ‘Abhayarani’ (fearless queen) in the pages of history,” the statement said.
“Maharani Abbakka’s tradition of being inclusive is a model for the world. She encouraged the building of many Shiva temples and pilgrimage centres. During her rule, all traditions and communities were treated with equal respect and she nurtured the development of all classes. This tradition of respect and unity has continued until today in Karnataka,” the statement said, adding that inspiring tales of her deeds have been kept alive in Yakshagana and folk arts.