The valiant queen of Kittur, a small princely state in the Kannada region, she stood as one of the first Indian women warriors to fight against the British East India Company.

Her adoption of Shivalingappa as heir led to the conflict with the British.

The British refused to recognize her adoption under their Doctrine of Lapse.

She personally led her forces, initially defeated the British, but was eventually captured and died in captivity.
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