With the help of your teachers collect the legends of your village/ town. Make a handwritten book and place it in the school library.

The state of Karnataka has produced many legends who brought laurels to the state. Some of such legends are:

Rani Chennamma:

Rani Chennamma was born in Kakati, a small village in Belgaum district of Karnataka. She was the queen and ruler of Kittur during India’s struggle of Independence. She was widely acknowledged as the first female ruler to rebel against the British. She opposed the Doctrine of Lapse introduced by Lord Dalhousie. She was trained in archery, sword fighting and horse riding at her young age. She adopted a child and declared him heir to the throne after the loss of her husband and her son. Hence, she rebelled against the British’s policy of Doctrine of Lapse.

Maharaja Sri Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV:

Sri Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV was born in the Mysore palace to Maharaja Chamarajendra Wadiyar X and Maharani Vani Vilas Sannidhana in the year 1884. He was the 24^th Raja of Mysore. His reign of almost 39 years was considered as the Golden Age of Mysore. Mysore was the best-administered region during his rule. He was known for his religious tolerance and treated all religions equally. He constructed many temples, mosques, and churches. He was against untouchability and banned child marriage of girls below the age of eight. He aimed at removing poverty and improving rural infrastructure. Many educational institutions were set up including the famous Sanskrit college. The city empowerment Board was established for the first time in India under his rule.

Onake Obavva:

Onake Obavva was an epitome of bravery. She single-handedly fought against the army of Hyder Ali. She used a pestle which is called Onake in Kannada in her fight against Hyder Ali and hence the name. She lived in the kingdom of Chitradurga. When she went to fetch water from a kind in Chitradurga fort, she heard some sound of the men of Hyder Ali digging hole in order to enter the fort. She hid behind a hole dug by the enemies and started killing the soldiers one by one who was entering the Chitradurga fort. The enemies did not expect this attack and they died. Unfortunately, she died on the same day. She is still remembered in Karnataka for her bravery and the hole that she guarded is named as Obavvana Kindi.

Like these people, Karnataka has produced so many legends like Saalumadara Thimmakka, the environmentalist, Shakuntala Devi, the Mathematical genius, Kuvempu, the poet, Allama Prabhu, the Philosopher etc.,