The Karnataka State government is gearing up for an elaborate celebration of the bicentennial anniversary of Rani Channamma’s historic victory over British forces in Kittur in 2024, as announced by Satish Jarkiholi, the Minister for Public Works and district in charge. He made this announcement during the inauguration of the Kittur Utsav in the historic fort of Kittur.
Jarkiholi emphasized the significance of October 23, 1824, when Rani Channamma’s forces triumphed over the invading soldiers of the East India Company outside the Kittur fort. The upcoming celebration will involve a comprehensive transformation of Kittur town, the preservation and enhancement of the Kittur fort, the establishment of tourist amenities, and the creation of literature about the Royal house of Kittur in various languages.
The Kittur Utsav is expected to be a grand spectacle, featuring performances by internationally renowned artists and presentations by distinguished historians, highlighting the kingdom’s contributions to India’s struggle for independence.
Preparations for this momentous event will commence shortly, and a tourist circuit encompassing historical sites associated with Kittur’s history, including Kittur, Kakati, Nandagad, Amatur, Bailhongal, and Sangolli, will be developed.
Minister Jarkiholi acknowledged the government’s long-standing commitment to the Kittur Utsav, which has been celebrated for a quarter of a century and has received annual funding of ₹5 crore from the Department of Public Works.
MLA Babasaheb Patil proposed that the Kittur Utsav be designated as a festival of national importance. Rajya Sabha member Iranna Kadadi encouraged the State government to collaborate with the central government to advance the Belagavi-Dharwad industrial corridor, which passes through Kittur.
Sri Basava Jaya Mrutyunjay Swami of Panchamasali Peetha called for the recognition of the Kittur victory of 1824 as the first war of independence, preceding the more widely known event of 1857. He also urged the Union government to revise all British-era records that refer to the “Sepoy mutiny” and suggested renaming the Belagavi airport in honor of Rani Channamma.
The event attendees honored Mallasarja Chandrashekar Desai Tolagi, a descendant of Kittur Channamma, and among those present were MLAs, MLCs, the deputy commissioner, and utsav committee chairman Nitesh Patil, S.P. Bheemashankar Guled, Vidyavati Bhajantri, Deputy Director of Kannada and Culture, and others.
