Belavadi Mallamma, the chieftess who dared Shivaji

During 17th century a small principality called Belavadi Nadu existed

at Bailhongal taluq in Belgaum district of Karnataka. A chieftain by
name Ishaprabhu was ruling over this place as a subordinate to
the Bijapur Sultan. This principality comprising of 360 villages was
economically well off under his able administration and had maintained an
army of 10,000 men. Ishaprabhu was known for his valour and had killed a
record number of tigers; on the basis of which he was able to win the hands
of an equally valorous woman Mallamma. 
Mallamma or Mallavva was the daughter
of Virammaji and Madhulinga Nayaka, the ruler of Sonde. She received
both literary and military training and was well versed in composing poems
as well as in welding sword and riding horses. After her marriage
with Ishaprabhu she went to Belavadi and was later blessed with a son who
was named Nagabhushana.  
In 1678 Shivaji after his campaign in south Karnataka was returning back
home and was camping at Yadawada. The Maratha army began to forcibly
acquire provisions by looting shops and houses and took away the cows
belonging to the gollas of Belavadi. This was opposed by Ishaprabhu and
he was killed in an encounter. Later when the Marathas tried to storm the
fort of Belavadi they faced stiff resistance by Mallamma and it took them
nearly 23 days to storm it. This is also testified by the British factory records
which says that Shivaji who had conquered so many kingdoms was not
able to reduce this woman desai. Mallamma was brought as a captive
before Shivaji who honoured her and released her. A sculptural
representation of Shivaji feeding Mallamma’s child with milk is seen at a
temple in Yadawada in Dharwad district. 
Shesho Shrinivas Mutalik who
wrote Shivaji Mallammaji Samarotsava around 1700 A.D. gives a different
version of the clash which took place between the Marathas and the
principality of Belavadi. According to him Ishaprabhu who had great
admiration of Shivaji wanted to befriend him in his fight against
the Bijapur sultans and when he received the news that Shivaji was
camping at Yadawada decided to invite and honour him. When Shivaji’s
men forcibly carried away the cattle of Belavadi, Ishaprabhu sent
his Dalavoi Siddanagouda Patil to resolve the issue. But the Marathas
abused him and even Shivaji declined to meet him. This resulted
in Mallamma leading an expedition against the Marathas and after
defeating them returned back with the cows. Though the Marathas were at
fault for stealing the cows, Shivaji’s pride was hurt and he sent his general
Dadaji Raghunath to besiege Belavadi. The siege went on for twenty-
three days but the Marathas were unable to storm the
fort. Ishaprabhu appealed for reinforcement
from Gaviyappa of Huliya and Veerappa Gouda of Sigehalli. But there was
no sign of them. This factor along with the scarcity of food, water and
ammunitions made Ishaprabhu to open the doors of the fort and face the
enemy. Ishaprabhu and his men fought valiantly. Suddenly an enemy
soldier came from behind and stabbed Ishaprabhu who fell on the grounds.
At that instance Mallamma along with other women warriors entered the
field and fought against the Marathas and drove them away. 
As Mallamma had vowed to avenge the death of her husband, she sent a
sardar Shantayya who in disguise as a swami went to Shivaji’s camp and
advised him to visit the shrine of a Devi situated nearby and seek her
blessings to win the fort of Belavadi. When Shivaji went
there Mallamma made a surprise attack on Shivaji. It is said that Shivaji fell
at the feet of Mallamma and begged for forgiveness. He also expressed his
regrets for the death of Ishaprabhu and promised to protect the
independence of Belavadi’s principality. Meanwhile at Belavadi the Maratha
army continued their assault and after reaching there Mallamma began
fighting and killed a few Maratha soldiers. Soon Shivaji along with the
pontiff of Huli Math reached there and peace was restored. The Pontiff
advised Mallamma and Shivaji to help each other in times of calamities.
Later Shivaji’s daughter-in-law, Tarabai invited Mallamma to Kolhapur and
honoured her. She also erected hero stones to
commemorate Mallamma’s martial skills. Mallamma died in 1717. 
Though the two version of the clash which took place between Shivaji
and Mallamma differs, it was exemplary on the part of Mallamma who did
not surrender and dared to face the numerically superior and battle-
hardened Maratha army under the leadership of Shivaji. This was at a time
when she had just lost her husband and had the responsibility of caring her
infant. It was the grit and determination which Mallamma displayed to
protect the independence of her principality that made Shivaji to make
peace with her and honour her. But the sad part of this incident was the
failure of the Marathas to distinguish between their friends and foes and
kill Ishaprabhu who had great respect for Shivaji and wanted to befriend
and honour him. It was these characteristics of the Marathas, namely
arrogance, disregard for their Hindu allies and ravishing territories without
any consideration which finally led to their downfall in the third battle
of Panipat.