Not many in our State have noted the other illustrious Rani. She had the same name, Chennamma, but she was not from Kittur. In the culture of Sagar taluk of Shimoga District, she has had a 'ji' suffixed to her name. Rani Chennammaji was of Keladi, ruled over three centuries ago, and this brave queen's tale needs telling.

Keladi is a small town today, in the pleasant green surroundings of Sagar, and it holds its history of power with dignity. The dynasty that ruled were the Nayaks of Malladesa (Malnad) in a territory full of eye pleasing vistas of hills and valleys, flowing streams, as also coastal lands. The holy river Tungabhadra sanctified the area. Indeed, Sivalingas manifested here.

The Nayak dynasty was founded five centuries ago, by Basava, a village headman at Keladi. He had impressed the Vijayanagar King Sarvabhauma, and in recognition of Basava's skill and tactics of organising a small army, the title of Nayak was bestowed on him in 1499 AD.

As Vijayanagar feudatories, the Nayaks spread their domain far and wide, as Basava Nayak's sons and grandsons took Bijapur and thereafter Tulu and Kerala areas. It was in 1645 that the most illustrious of the dynasty, Shivappa Nayak, ascended the throne. Known as Shistina Nayak because discipline was his leitmotif, he was noted for his systematised tax collection and other administrative reforms. His younger son Somasekhar succeeded him and was equally efficient.

Somasekhar was religious and handsome and was sought after by many kings as a son-in-law. He stayed a bachelor for long, however, and especially due to his religiosity, people began to wonder if he would become a monk.

But then, Chennamma came into his life. Near the Rameshwara temple at Keladi, he met the beautiful Chennamma at a fair and decided to marry her. Chennamma, the new queen, prayed at the Rameshwara temple at Keladi. Last summer, a massive Shivalinga, measuring 118 ft in height, was erected here. The pedestal of the Shivalinga has a plinth area of 2,500 sq ft. The lingam is decorated with 24 panels 100 ft long and 3 ft wide and hand painted in acrylic. The sculpture is named Jnadana Kavata (Gate of Wisdom).

Chennamma also offered prayers at the Aghoreshwara temple at Ikkeri. This monument is remarkably well preserved, even after so many centuries. The wooden panels in the interior have stood the test of time.
Born a commoner, Chennamma grasped the statecraft quickly and her blissful wedded life was punctuated with her learning to use weapons of war and equally with reading literature and mastering music. She became a trusted minister of the king and was sought out by those subjects that suffered injustice but were afraid to approach the king. She dispensed justice and came to be regarded as a goddess.

Both Chennamma and her husband patronised art, dance and music and the tradition of nadahabba (cultural festival). Many established artists would visit their court and one such artist was Kalavati from Jambukhandi. An evil woman that she was, she charmed the king with her dance and was elevated to the position of dancer of the royal court.

Kalavati was, in fact, the daughter of Bharame Mavuta, a black magician. Harping on the fact that the king was issueless, Bharame Mavuta contrived to have the royal frequenting Kalavati's quarters, till he began to live there. The potions he was given weakened him to such an extent that his ministers had to go to the dancer's quarters to discuss matters of state with him.

This state of affairs became common knowledge and even reached the ears of Bijapur's sultan, who had suffered defeat at the hands of Keladi Nayaks. Chennamma went to the dancer's house and pleaded with him to return to the palace. But, King Somasekhar, under the spell of black magic, flatly refused.

Chennamma thereupon decided to invoke the Keladi tradition where the ruler's wife was allowed succession. In the meantime, the Bijapur sultan sent an ambassador, Janopant, claiming to be a negotiator for peace. But it was a ploy: the sultan's big army had in fact followed Janopant, the so-called 'ambassador of peace.'

Chennamma got wind of this but was not ready for battle and so she signed a treaty in which she had to pay three lakhs of rupees. Janopant took the money to Bharame Mavuta, and soon after, the duo had King Somasekhar murdered.

Chennamma emptied the royal treasury and left the fort to escape to Bhuvanagiri. When the sultan's army took the fort, there was no queen, nor any treasure. She quickly re-grouped at Bhuvanagiri as loyal subjects came to her in thousands. In the battle that ensued, sultan's army was defeated and she re-captured her fort. In 1671, Chennamma ascended the throne and her astute administration saw the kingdom back to glory of the days of Shivappa Nayak. There were special temple honours to the deities at Rameshwara and Aghoreshwara and her support of the arts, charity and religiosity continued.

There were other battles she fought. The Mysore ruler and the chieftain of Sode, Sirsi and Banavasi attacked Keladi but were defeated. Chennamma ruled from 1671 to 1697 and in her years, signed treaties of trade with the Arabs and Portuguese. She also adopted a son, Basappa, whom she trained during her able rule. When nearing death, she advised her son to look after Keladi's people as his own children. Her years were those of efficient administration. She was valiant and furthered religion and culture. She was laid to rest at Koppalu monastery in Bidanur.

Rani of Jhansi and Kittur Rani Chennamma are well known, and are venerated. Here was an equally illustrious rani from our history… the brave one rightly called Rani Chennamaji.