Belawadi Mallamma

Belawadi Mallamma (Kannada ಬೆಳವಡಿ ಮಲ್ಲಮ್ಮ ) known as the brave warrior queen of Belawadi, was from Bailhongal, Belgaum District, North Karnataka, Karnataka, India. Belvadi Mallamma was the first woman to form a women's army to fight against the British and the Marathas in 17th century.

Biography
She was the daughter of Sode King Madhulinga Nayaka. Belawadi Mallamma, also known as Savitribai, fought with the Maratha commander Dadaji Raghunath Nedkar while defending her husband's kingdom. Her kingdom was very secure and undefeatable. In the battle Shivaji Maharaj's soldier cut the leg of horse on which she was riding and she fell. When she rose and began fighting, Shivaji's troops rushed and arrested her. They took her to Shivaji. He praised her and said "I made a mistake Ma..! Kindly forgive me...I don't want your kingdom", then released her.

She fought enemy troops on horseback, wearing a saree in veeragacche (soldier's tuck - a tight tucking of the front pleats in the back).

Scholar Shesho Srinivas Muthalik recorded the life in the palace of Madhulinga Nayaka in 1704-5 A.D. in the Marathi language.