Unsung queens: Honouring India’s forgotten women warriors

The annals of Indian history carry many grand tales of kings and warriors, their valour celebrated through the ages. We hear stories of Maharana Pratap's fierce resistance against the Mughal Empire, or Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's tactical intellect and bravery in establishing a powerful Maratha kingdom. While there is recognition given to some women warriors and queens like Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi and Ahilyabai Holkar of Malwa, there are several women who fought valiantly for their land, honour, and people that remain largely unsung.

One such woman was Abbakka Chowta, the queen of Ullal, a small kingdom near present-day Mangalore in Karnataka. In the 16th century, Abbakka took up arms against the Portuguese colonisers who were trying to establish dominance over the coastal regions. Despite the overwhelming power of the Portuguese navy, Abbakka organised a formidable resistance with her warriors, defied Portuguese attempts at domination, and secured the safety of her kingdom for over three decades. Yet, despite her remarkable courage and leadership, Abbakka's name is rarely mentioned in school textbooks.

Abbakka's story is not an isolated one. Take Rani Tarabai Bhonsle, another warrior queen who fiercely defended her land. While the courage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj are celebrated on screen, little is said about the valiant ‘Queen of the Marathas.' She took the reins of the Maratha kingdom in 1700 and proved her skill in strategic cavalry manoeuvres. Rising above her gender in a time when society did not expect women to lead armies or command men, Tarabai Bhonsle's valour in battle stands as a testament to the strength and resilience of women warriors.

Then there is Rani Durgavati, the queen of Gondwana, who valiantly defended her kingdom against the Mughal invasion in the 16th century. Despite being heavily outnumbered, she fought alongside her soldiers, displaying unmatched courage. She was martyred in battle, but her legacy was never fully celebrated. Her story, too, is often overlooked in favour of glorifying male rulers.

Along with their military prowess, many queens were also adept in business. Take Rani Chennabhairadevi, the 16th-century queen of Nagire province under the Vijayanagara Empire. She was one of the longest-reigning Indian women in history, ruling for 54 years, from 1552 to 1606. Dubbed 'Raina Da Pimenta' or ‘Pepper Queen' by the Portuguese, she exported spices and sandalwood to Europe, won two battles against the Portuguese, and was a skilled administrator.

In modern-day India, as we celebrate the achievements of kings and emperors, it is essential to ask: Why do we fail to celebrate the female warriors who fought with equal, if not greater, courage? The queens of India, who not only managed kingdoms but also led armies, demonstrated incredible tactical acumen, and safeguarded the sanctity of their territories.

Our history books are, by and large, written from a patriarchal lens. They prioritise the achievements of male rulers while neglecting or downplaying the significant contributions of female leaders. As a result, generations of children grow up learning about the valour of men, while the heroism of women remains a footnote, if mentioned at all. Women like Abbakka Chowta, Tarabai Bhonsle, Rani Durgavati, and countless others who fought to the last breath to protect their people deserve to be celebrated just as much as their male counterparts.

International Women's Day serves as a reminder to recognise the voices of women who have been left out of the narrative and to ensure that future generations know the full story of India's warriors—both male and female.

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