Know your Heroes
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Kittur Rani Chennamma
Her husband, king Mallasarja Desai was dead. His only son had also passed away. The heir to the throne was a minor and an adopted son as well. The colonial powers were greedily waiting to snatch the small but prosperous kingdom. Anyone would have just crumbled in such a dire situation. But Kittur Rani Chennamma was made of sterner stuff. The first armed rebellion against British forcesExactly 200 years ago…October 1824- The Battle of Kittur led by Rani Chennamma saw the death of Thackeray, East India Company’s political agent and hundreds of British soldiers. A woman regent was able to successfully foil the attempts of the British to capture the realm. Born AchieverThe spark was seen right from the beginning in Chennamma. Born in the small village of Kakati in Belagavi district of Karnataka, in 1778, Chennamma was known for her bravery even at an early age. She was trained in horse riding, sword fighting and archery.From Kakati native to Kittur RaniAt the age of 15, Chennamma was married to the ruler of Kittur, Mallasarja Desai, as his second wife. Mallasarja was captured by the Peshwas of Pune and later died. His son Shivling Sarja also died due to illness in 1824. Before his death, he had adopted a son, Shivalingappa, who was a minor at the time of these events unfolding. So, it fell on the shoulders of Rani Chennamma to save the kingdom from the predatory British. As the Regent, she determined to protect the kingdom at any cost.Occupational tactics of the British Under the banner of the East India Company, the British devised several underhand ways to annex the various small kingdoms of India. One such rule, which was later to be known as ‘The Doctrine of Lapse’, was that if a princely state had no biological male heirs, then it would be automatically absorbed into the British empire. Rani Chennamma vehemently opposed this rule and put her heart and soul into retaining the independence of Kittur. She strengthened her army and prepared for war against the British. What a woman! A big salute to her courage and the spirit of not bowing to a foreign power.The Big Battle of 1824October 22, 1824 saw the valiant army of Kittur, under their fearless leader Rani Chennamma, clash with more than 20,000 British soldiers. The Rani along with her lieutenants led the charge. Many British soldiers were killed. John Thackeray, the political agent of East India Company was killed and two British officers were taken hostage by the Rani. She released them on the promise by the British that the war would not continue.Treachery and DeathThe British did not keep up their word. They came back with more forces and surrounded Kittur. A fierce battle ensued. For 12 days, Rani Chennamma and her troops relentlessly guarded their fort. Chennamma fell prey to deceit. Two soldiers of her own army turned traitors. They sneaked in and mixed mud and dung in the gunpowder in the canons. Kittur forces were outnumbered by the British. Rani Chennamma was captured and imprisoned at Bailhongal fort for life, where she passed away in 1829.Laying the foundation for the country’s freedomDuring her period of captivity, she spent time in doing pooja and reading holy texts. Kittur Rani Chennamma could not win the war against British, but she etched her presence for many centuries in the world of history. The Kittur uprising was one of the first in India’s freedom struggle. It paved the way for many more rebellions, ultimately leading to Independence.Recognitions and LearningsA statue of Kittur Rani Chennamma was installed in the parliamentary building premises at New Delhi.Several statues and memorials have been erected in Karnataka state.The university in Belgaum is named after her – Rani Chennamma University.India Posts have released a postage stamp in her honour in 1977. Her strength of conviction in what she believed was right, her spirit of independence, the courage she displayed in taking on the British, which even many male rulers did not possess serve as a shining example for all to follow. An inspiration for children and adults alike, Rani Chennamma is the Shakthi we salute today..
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Devi Ahilyabai Holkar
#Know your hero(ine)Ahilyabai Holkar (31/5/1725 -13/8/1795)Content courtesy - Radesh RangarajanYou must have built sand castles on the beach. Isn`t it terribly sad when someone comes and demolishes it purposely? Not once or twice, but many times, even when you rebuild it? And in many places? Wouldn`t you give up? Well, there are those who don’t give up despite repetitive setbacks. This is about one such person - Ahilyabai Holkar - who fought against all odds to preserve what she considered important.In our long history, Bharat faced invaders - Turks, Mughals and their local chiefs. Over several centuries, from 1026 CE, the magnificent Hindu Temples that were not only rich but a treasure trove of architecture bore the brunt. They were torn down, looted and destroyed repeatedly. Mahmud of Ghazni, Khilji, Tughlaqs, Malik Kafur, Babar, Jehangir, Shajahan, Aurangazeb – the list of people who destroyed these temples and monuments was long and was over an extended period of time. Many important Hindu temples - Somnath, Kashi, Mathura, Ayodhya and thousands more were destroyed. Was there any resistance? Where the locals successful? Yes. Bharat had its own heroes who tried to stem this onslaught of destruction of structures and scriptures that were considered holy by the Hindus. Although there was resistance from the Rajputs, Vijayanagara empire and others, a serious turnaround for the better happened under the reign of Maharaj Chhatrapati Shivaji. The Marathas were able to win back many regions from the Mughals. Once the territory became part of the Maratha empire, it was feasible to reconstruct / resurrect some of these destroyed structures. The lightning strikes and wins of Peshwa Baji Rao I from 1720 to 1740 won back most of the territory occupied by the Mughals. The Maratha kingdom spread through a large part of central, west, North and East of Bharat. The Peshwas were powerful and were known for their administrative and governing capabilities. Malhar Rao Holkar was the seniormost general of Peshwa Baji Rao.In 1733, Malhar Rao Holkar, seniormost General of Peshwa Baji Rao I, was passing through a small village in Ahmednagar. Malhar Rao was greatly struck by the piety and extraordinary personality of a girl child Ahilya, daughter of the village headman. He immediately negotiated her marriage to his son KhandeRao, a rather lazy youth. Having been married into an influential family, Ahilya was well loved and protected. She had children and was living happily with her family.Education and Training in governance and warfareAhilya’s progressive in-laws not only showered affection on her, but also helped her progress in other ways. Ahilya went on to learn not only regular studies of her time, but was trained in accounting, warfare and administration by her doting father in law and mother in law. A brilliant student, excelling in all these, she was soon influencing and inspiring her husband who began to join and help his father in his campaigns. This made Malhar Rao, who was worried about the future of his son, happy and proud..Malhar Rao was Subedar (Ruler) of a large strategically important Maratha state, Malwa in central Bharat. He ruled firmly, protecting his people and also conquering new areas. Ahilya, worked closely with her father in law and learnt nuances of judging with compassion, taxing gently and winning people with affection. She could also dispense justice without bias or favour. One such instance is when she severely punished her own son for a sadistic offense of putting deadly scorpions in water pots of priests.When her husband KhandeRao was killed in battle, Ahilya wished to commit Sati. (Sati, a sad ritual suicide popular in those times, created to preserve honour and safety of women, who may be without protection after losing husband. It has been made illegal now.) Fortunately, Ahilya’s father in law begged her not to do so but to put her time and energy in helping him run the state and take care of family and state. This was Ahilya’s first exposure to real politik. She proved to be very skilful and smart in both governing and also warfare.Strategic outlook and practical outreachAhilyaBai not only ruled when Malhar Rao was out on campaigns, but would herself lead the Maratha army - training soldiers, planning sieges and waging battles. Historic letters show her mastery of the art of war- for example the classic lightning swift Maratha cavalry moves, traveling light and of various efficient ways of moving heavy guns. While heroic and brave when required, Ahilya resorted to negotiating peaceful treaties were required but on just terms. Her army`s strength combined with her compassion made many rebels and opponents bow to her. Literally Iron hand in a velvet glove. The Bhils were settled with endowments and other persistently hostile groups were put down by forceMalhar Rao died of illness after a great battle in 1766 that reestablished Maratha Supremacy in north Bharat. Though grieving, AhilyaBai bravely shouldered full responsibility for her State. When a senior Maratha General Raghoba, uncle of the Peshwa, threatened her without authorization from Peshwa, she rallied a huge army to confront him. Simultaneously she sent a letter of complaint to the Peshwa, and received his support. Strengthened, she posed a simple query to Raghoba. Did he wish to take the risk of being defeated by a woman on an unauthorized battle? If he won, there would be no credit, while loss would be great Dishonour. Raghoba retreated immediately with show of respect. Devi Ahilya had won by wits as well as being battle ready.Though blessed with a son and daughter earlier, AhilyaBai would go through personal tragedy. Her son was a wastrel, given to drink and other vices. He became the ruler on his grandfather`s death, but died soon after, leaving his mother the Regent to become full fledged ruler of Malwa. Ahilya`s daughter would commit Sati on the premature death of her husband. A saddened Ahilya turned all her attention ,and love towards her people.A peaceful and dharmic regimeDevi AhilyaBai`s rule of nearly 30 years was an oasis of calm, peace and prosperity in Malwa. Malwa was situated strategically in the central part of the country. Ahilya used this geography to provide safe travel routes for Maratha Armies of the Peshwa. Her vision and strategic thinking helped her to maintain friendly ties with other Maratha rulers and also with the Nawabs and Nizams. Just imagine the kind of person she must have been to have so many powerful rulers respect her enough to listen to her.While firm and fair while dealing with her peers, she was compassionate and kind towards her subjects. Much of her income, over Rs.72 lakhs per annum came from her Large Estates. In today`s value, worth Thousands of Crores.Devi Ahilya founded the textile / temple town of Maheshwar on the banks of Narmada. Maheswari, the unique handloom printed sarees and fabric from Maheswar, is one of the well known and popular weaves even today. Maheswar also remains a religious centre with many temples and ghats and a characteristically modest palace of Devi Ahilya.Resurrection of Hindu temples and places of worship:At the peak of her rule, Devi Ahilya turned her attention to the sad condition of destroyed Hindu Temples across Bharat. Over a hundred years Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Peshwa Baji Rao I, Peshwa Madhav Rao and other valiant Marathas had reconquered most of the territory occupied by the Mughals, their time had been marked by constant strife and war.Peace had now been established in the Hindu Maratha Empire. From Afghanistan in North to Tanjavur in South and from Rajasthan Sindh and Gujarat in west to Bengal, Marathas ruled. While the Maratha Emperor and his Peshwa stayed in Maharashtra, the provinces were ruled by the various trusted Princely families. Ahilyadevi Holkar ruled Malwa, the Gaekwads ruled Baroda and the Scindias ruled Gwalior. Taking advantage of the prevailing peace, Devi Ahilya Bai went on to build and renovate hundreds of Hindu temples across the country. Eight of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples were restored and renovated by her. Among them Somnath, Omkareshwar and Kashi Vishwanath were the most important pilgrim centres. Devi Ahilya also rebuilt Vishnu temples at Mathura, Vrindavan, Ayodhya, Haridwar, Avantika, Kashi and Dwaraka. The four Dhams- Badrinath, Dwaraka, Rameshwaram and Jagannath also received her attention. In addition, Devi Ahilya ensured setting up of gaushalas and maths.Creating structures is one step but you need to provide support – both financial and tactical. Ahilyabai ensured regular upkeep of the temples through endowments. Devi Ahilyabai thought strategically and decided it was important to create a thriving dharmic ecosystem. She initiated the ritual of sharing holy river waters across temples. This necessitated cooperation and communication between the key temples and created a shared sense of pride and unity.Contemporary British rulers and historians recorded with awe that Devi Ahilya was among the most enlightened rulers ever noted in history. The tranquillity and peace maintained in Ahilyabai’s kingdom, the firm yet generous rule and most of all creating the right ethos for rejuvenation of Hindu religion and culture became a high point of Maratha Empire`s rule.Today when we talk about our history, we talk about destruction and invasion. The Maratha rule and the time of Devi Ahilybai can be rightfully remembered with pride by all Bharatiyas. Even today, many of these structures and symbols are a sign of the pride and are a monument to the resurgence of the local population against the invading armies.We see super heroes who save humanity from various evils in our movies. Many a time, we forget to remember super heroes and heroines who have walked this great land of ours. There is a saying “Deivam manusha rupena” meaning “God comes in the form of a human”. Devi Ahilyabai Holkar was one such tall figure who was perhaps a woman sent on a mission by the God’s themselves.Jai Bhavani! Jai Devi Ahilya Bai!(Please see the next page for a partial list of the temples constructed / renovated by Devi Ahilya Holkar. It is a partial list as the number of temples resurrected by Devi Ahilya run into thousands. Hence we have mentioned only the main temples). PARTIAL LIST OF TEMPLES RENOVATED / RECONSTRUCTED BY DEVI AHILYABAI HOLKAR1. Rishikesh2. Gangotri3. Vishnuprayag4. Kedarnath5. Badrinath6. Haridwar7. Brindavan8. Ayodhya9. Prayagraj10. Varanasi11. Gaya12. Pushkar13. Nathdwara14. Ujjain15. Indore16. Omkareshwar17. Maheswar18. Amarkantak19. Dwaraka20. Somnath21. Nashik22. Ellora23. Pune24. Jejuri25. Chondi26. Pandarpur27. Rajapur28. Gokarna29. Rameshwaram