Govt issues Rs.200 commemorative coin for Rani Channamma’s Victory
The government will issue a commemorative coin of ₹200 denomination on the occasion of the 200th Anniversary of Rani Channamma’s Victory at Kittur. This victory is considered one of the earlier armed battles against the British East India Company, earlier than mutiny of 1857.
Though commemorative coins are considered legal tender, they are not released for general circulation. One can source them from the specified agencies. According to two separate notifications, dimensions of the coins will be similar. Shape will be circular with outside diameter of 44 millimeters. The number of serrations will be 200. The metal composition will be a quaternary alloy with a composition of silver (50 per cent), copper (40 per cent), nickel (05 per cent) and zinc (05 per cent).
The face of both the coins will bear the lion capital of Ashoka Pillar in the centre with the legend ‘Satyamev Jayate’ inscribed below, flanked on the left periphery with the word ‘Bharat’ in Devnagri script and on the right periphery with the word ‘India’ in English. It will also bear the Rupee symbol ‘₹’ and denominational value ‘200’ in the international numerals below the Lion Capitol.
The reverse face of the coin will feature the image of Rani Channamma at the center. The year ‘1824’ in international numerals shall be inscribed on the left side of the image, and the year ‘2024’ shall be inscribed on the right side. On the upper periphery of the coin, the inscription ‘200TH ANNIVERSARY OF RANI CHANNAMMA’S VICTORY AT KITTUR shall be written in Devanagari script, and in English on the bottom periphery of the coin.
Rani Channamma’s victory
Nearly two decades before 1857, a war took place near the fort of Kittur (now known as Karnataka) against East India Company, and it witnessed the bravery of Rani Chennamma. Born on October 23, 1778, in the small village of Kakati in Karnataka, Rani Chennamma displayed bravery from childhood. She learnt archery and horse riding at a very young age. At 15, she married Raja Mallasarja, who was ruling Kittur at the time and after his death, became the queen.
Historical evidence suggest Chennamma adopted Shivalingappa after the death of her only son with the aim of making him the heir to the throne of Kittur. However, it did not go well with the British East India Company and it denied the adoption. At the time, the British were ensuring that only a biological son could be a legitimate heir to a throne. Otherwise, the kingdom would fall under British control as per the ‘Doctrine of Lapse.’
The differences led to an armed battle which resulted in the victory for Rani but within two months another attack was launched on Kittur. This time, Rani was unable to replicate the valour of the first battle, and the state that had never bowed to the British finally fell to the East India Company. She was imprisoned, and died in February 1829.
Published on October 23, 2025
