Onake Obavva: the woman who defended the fort with a pestle

The stones of Chitradurga fort hold many stories, but none is told with more affection than that of Onake Obavva.

An afternoon by the crevice

During the reign of Madakari Nayaka, the army of Hyder Ali laid siege to the fort. Kahale Mudda Hanuma, a guard posted at one section of the walls, had gone home for his meal. His wife Obavva went to fetch water from a nearby pond – and saw enemy soldiers squeezing, one by one, through a narrow opening between the boulders.

There was no time to raise an alarm. According to the legend, Obavva picked up the onake – the long wooden pestle used for pounding grain – and stood beside the opening, striking down each soldier as he emerged.

How she is remembered

The opening is known today as Onake Obavvana Kindi, and visitors climb up to see it. Obavva has become a symbol of courage for all of Karnataka, celebrated in folk songs, plays and films.