Abbakka Chowta: The Fearless Queen Poem by Namita Rani Panda

In a land called Ullal where waves kiss the sandy shore
A star descended in sixteenth century with fire to the very core
Being the legal heir of matrilineal Chowta dynasty
Extensively she was trained in warfare and state craft to safeguard Ullal's sovereignty
Her vow to her motherland was very clear and loud
The Chowta blood in her vein was very confident and proud
Neither crown, nor wealth but freedom was her sole aim
She fought with a lion's heart for her rightful claim
She was the first Indian woman to resist colonial expansion
A pioneer in organising the coastal defence mechanism
She developed strategic naval alliances with the Mogaveeras
And worked diligently for the promotion of local industries and commerce
Ullal under her umbrella shone as a prosperous and profitable trading port and business center
Having strong diplomatic relation with the Arabian merchants, Zamorin of Calicut and the local rulers
Art and culture rose to the peak during her tenure
Cultural exchanges flourished without any barrier
The powerful Portuguese eyed Ullal with might and greed
But faced a feisty young queen who refused to bow or plead
They reached Ullal with a few boats thinking what a paltry lady could do
But she boldly made them bent with her spear and flaming arrows
Though forts were conquered and cities torn apart
That couldn't terrify her firm iron-woven heart
The much-celebrated Admiral Dom Alvaro da Silveria pounced upon Ullal with a huge fleet
But fled soon badly injured with a miserable defeat
With a vast war experience and foolproof plan General Jaoa Peixoto returned
They broke into the fort and the port was bombed
Could a woman win with a few soldiers with only crude weapons?
The General was sure of his victory with an army of thousands with advanced weapons
They ravaged around but Abbakka was nowhere in sight
They celebrated their unexpected victory thinking the queen fled in fright
The same night Abbakka barged in like a flash of lightening with her two hundred chosen soldiers
The General was killed, seventy soldiers captured and the rest fled in fear
She didn't rest a moment to celebrate this grand victory
But marched forward fiercely with her men to siege Mangalore fort in the contrary
Admiral Mascarenchas, the chief of the Portuguese power was killed to their dismay
And they were forced to vacate the port without any delay
After this venture she marched forward a hundred kilometre further
And captured the Portuguese settlement at Kundapura
Unluckily she was caught for her estranged husband's revengeful deceit
But chains couldn't make her bow or admit her defeat
She revolted like a lioness and was killed in the dungeon
But she continues to live in folk songs and yakshagana long after she's gone
For her bravery this flame of the coast was called Abhaya Rani
Who fearlessly trampled in her tenure every rising tyranny
India Post issued a postage stamp to honour her bravery
Veera Rani Abbakka Ustava is celebrated annually in her loving memory
The Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS Rani Abbakka boldly announces her glorious story
Though a young woman she left an indelible mark in Indian history
As long as the waves ceaselessly sing her way
Her legacy will surely inspire people in dismay
Let's each inculcate in us such indomitable spirit
To shatter all the blocking boulders on our path with undying grit