The dense forest of Ullal shrouded Rani Abbakka and her surviving warriors in shadows concealing them from the Portuguese invaders. The fort had fallen, the city was in ruins, and her most trusted commander, Adi Raja, was dead.
But Abbakka's fire had not been extinguished.
She stood at the heart of the rebel camp, her hands clenched into fists. Around her, warriors sat sharpening their swords, tending to wounds, and whispering of vengeance.
"We are outnumbered, "said Kavana, one of her most trusted female warriors. "The Portuguese have occupied Ullal. They think you are either dead or too weak to fight back."
A small, humorless smile crossed Abbakka's lips. " Then let's remain them who I am."
A PLAN FOR WAR
Abbakka knew that a direct attack on Ullal would be suicidal. The Portuguese had fortified the city, guarding every entrance. She needed a strategy- a way to turn their own arrogance against them.
"We will fight like the sea," she told her warriors." Silent at first.... but when he waves rise, they will crush everything in their path."
Instead of launching a full assault, Abbakka sent small groups of warriors to strike at night, burning enemy supply routes, attacking line patrols, and sabotaging food storage.
The Portuguese soldiers in Ullal began to feel the pressure.
They were constantly on edge, their sleep interrupted by the sound of flaming arrows piercing the sky. Their supplies ran low. The men grew restless, afraid of the ghosts in the jungle.
But Abbakka was not a ghost. She was a storm, waiting to stroke.
THE RETURN TO ULLAL
One evening, as a Portuguese supply convoy moved along the river, Abbakka led her warriors in an ambush.
From the treetops, they rained fire upon the enemy, forcing them into the river. Swords clashed, muskets fired and within minutes, the entire convoy was destroyed.
But this was only the beginning . Using stolen Portuguese uniforms, a group of her warriors infiltrated Ullal, spreading false tumors among the Portuguese ranks.
" The Queen is raising an army of thousands," they whispered in the barracks. " She has allied with the Nayakas of Bednore... even the Zamorin of Calicut."
The Portuguese soldiers grew paranoid.
They started distrusting each other, suspecting spies in their own ranks. Some even deserted, fleeing Ullal in the dead of night.
The city was weakened from within.
That was when Abbakka made her final move.
THE NIGHT OF FIRE
On a moonless night, Abbakka and her warriors descended upon Ullal like shadows.
They moved swiftly, cutting down guards at the gates and setting fire to Portuguese supply depots. The streets erupted into chaos, smoky rising high into the sky.
By the time the Portuguese realized what was happening, it was too late.
Abbakka, welding her blood stained sword, led the charge through the burning city . The enemy, disorganized and terrified, fell down her like dry leaves in a storm.
At the heart of the battle, she came face to face with Rodrigo Almedia - the Portuguese commander who had once vowed to destroy her.
He raised his musket, aiming straight at her heart.
Abbakka did not hesitate.
With one swift movement, she lunged forward, her sword tearing through his chest.
Rodrigo collapsed at her feet, his eyes wide with shock.
As he gasped his final breath, Abbakka whispered, " This is for Ullal."
THE END.... OF THE BEGINNING?
By dawn, the Portuguese were defeated.
Ullal belonged to Abbakka once more .
But she knew this was not the end. The Portuguese would return with more ships, more soldiers, end fury.
Standing atop the fortress walls, matching the sunrise over her reclaimed kingdom, Abbakka vowed.
"I will fight until my last breath. Ullal will never fall."
And so, the legend of Rani Abbakka chowta - the WARRIOR QUEEN OF ULLAL - lived on.