Legendary Story of Onake Obavva, Chitradurga

Who was Onake Obavva?

Yes — Onake Obavva is a real historical figure remembered in the folklore and local tradition of Chitradurga in Karnataka, India. She is celebrated as a brave woman warrior who fought off invading soldiers from the army of Hyder Ali in the 18th century, using only a pestle (called an onake in Kannada).

She lived in the Chitradurga Fort (also known locally as Elusuttina Kote — the fort of seven circles). Her husband, Kahale Mudda Hanuma (sometimes written “Kalanayaka”), was a guard of the fort.

The Story of Obavvana Kindi

What happened?

During an 18th-century siege, Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore and father of Tipu Sultan, was trying to capture Chitradurga Fort.

His army learned of a small crevice in the fort wall — just big enough for one soldier to crawl through at a time. This opening came to be known as Obavvana Kindi (Obavva’s hole) — kindi means “hole” in Kannada.

One day, as Obavva was fetching water near the wall while her husband was away at lunch, she heard enemy soldiers trying to sneak inside through that tiny opening.

Grabbing an onake (a long wooden pestle used for pounding grain), she hid beside the hole and killed the invaders one by one as they tried to enter — hitting them on the head, then dragging their bodies aside quietly so others wouldn’t suspect.

By the time her husband returned, she had already killed several soldiers and was standing there with a blood-stained onake. He sounded the alarm and the fort’s defenders rushed to repel the rest of the attackers.

Who attacked Onake Obavva?

Obavva was resisting soldiers from the army of Hyder Ali, the powerful ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore, who was trying to take over the fort.

What happened to Onake Obavva (Date of Death)?

Historical sources do not clearly record the exact date of her death, and no formal records document a universally accepted year or day.However:

  • Tradition holds that she died on the same day as her heroic battle — either from the shock of fighting so fiercely or being struck by one of the enemy soldiers whom she didn’t kill.
  • Wikipedia and local tradition do not specify a precise date of death.

🗺️ What is the significance of “Onake Obavva’s courage”?

Obavva’s bravery is symbolic and celebrated for several reasons:

🧡 Empowerment & Legacy

  • She represents female courage, quick thinking and patriotism — standing up alone against a dire threat.
  • In Karnataka, people celebrate her alongside other famed women warriors such as Abbakka Rani, Keladi Chennamma, and Kittur Chennamma.
  • Schools teach her story, local festivals commemorate her bravery, and films and theatre actively draw inspiration from her heroic life.

Place & Memorial

People know the actual crevice where she fought as Obavvana Kindi, and visitors now explore it as a historic spot inside Chitradurga Fort.

There’s a statue of her in Chitradurga near the District Commissioner’s office, and a sports stadium named Veera Vanithe Onake Obavva Stadium.

The Government of Karnataka has declared November 11 as Onake Obavva Jayanti to honor her bravery.

Meaning of Onake Obavvana Kindi

  • Onake – means pestle in Kannada (the weapon she used).
  • Obavva – the name of the woman hero.
  • Kindi – means hole in Kannada.
  • So “Onake Obavvana Kindi” roughly translates to “the hole of (or associated with) Onake Obavva.”

In English: “Obavva’s pestle hole” — a spot famous for her brave deed.

📘 Wikipedia Reference

You can read the summarized Wikipedia entry on her here:
👉 Search term: Onake Obavva Wikipedia — This article provides a good overview of her life and legacy.