Kittur Rani Chennamma – Best Essay: Remembering one of the first female freedom fighters | 2025

Celebrating Independence Day with a Purpose

On 15^th August, our 74^th Independence Day, my school asked us students to  dress up as freedom fighters. I dressed up like ‘Kittur Rani Chennamma” for  my class celebration online.

She is one of our greatest freedom fighters but to my surprise some of my  friends did not know about her. So I thought I should write about her for my  friends who do not know about her.

Early Life of Kittur Rani Chennamma

Kittur Rani Chennamma was born on 23 October 1778, in Kakati, a small  village in the present Belagavi District of Karnataka, India. She learnt to ride  horses, sword fighting and archery in her childhood. At the age of 14, she got  married to Raja Mallasarja. She became the queen of Kittur.

Her Brave Fight Against the British

After her husband  and only son died, she took over the kingdom and adopted a son but the  British refused to accept her son. The British tried to take over her kingdom thinking she will easily give up but  she fought them in a war in which she won. The British, angered by the defeat,  fought more wars in which despite her bravery she lost and was put in jail  where she died.

Legacy and Inspiration

Like Jhansi Rani, who came several years later, she made a mark on the  country for her courage.

She was one of the first female freedom fighters to resist British colonization.  She is a national heroine, well known in Karnataka and a symbol of the  independence movement in India.

Here is one of the inspiring lines she said in response to the British demanding high-taxes, that people remember her best by:

“Why should I pay you tax (Nimageke kodabeku kappa)? Are you my brother, sister, relative or a friend?”

Here are some more of our Articles on Brave Indian Freedom Fighters – 

• Independence Day Tribute 
• Salute to Freedom Fighters – Poem
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
• Freedom Struggle – Poem
• Subhash Chandra Bose 
• Jawaharlal Nehru
• Bhagat Singh

What We Can Learn from Kittur Rani Chennamma

Kittur Rani Chennamma’s story teaches us about courage, leadership, and patriotism.
She proved that even in times of despair, one person’s determination can ignite the spirit of freedom in a nation.

Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs ) about Kittur Rani Chennamma

Q1: Who was Kittur Rani Chennamma?
Kittur Rani Chennamma was the queen of Kittur in Karnataka and one of the first Indian women to fight against British rule.

Q2: When and where was she born?
She was born on 23 October 1778 in Kakati village, Belagavi District, Karnataka.

Q3: What was her main contribution to India’s freedom struggle?
She fought against British colonization and refused to surrender her kingdom, inspiring later freedom fighters like Rani Lakshmibai.

Q4. What is the significance of Kittur Rani Chennamma in Indian history?
The significance of Kittur Rani Chennamma in Indian history is that she was one of the earliest women freedom fighters. She fought against British colonial rule. She is remembered for her bravery, patriotism, and defiance against British rule, becoming a symbol of resistance in Indian history.

Q5: What did Kittur Rani Chennamma say to the British about taxes?
She famously said, “Why should I pay you tax? Are you my brother, sister, relative or a friend?”

Q6: Does Bookosmia have inspiring books?
Yes below is the list of few books from Bookosmia.

 Inspiring Books from Bookosmia