Kodavas First War With British

Kodagu, the land of unsung heroes. Until about early 19th century Kodava race were one of the most fierce tribe in south India. The first war of Indian independence began in 1857 when Indian’s retaliated to the slavery under the British raj. However down south in Kodagu state the war against British was first fought in the year 1783. The land which has given India army one of its finest soldiers were one of the first tribes to retaliate against the British when the Brits marched from Mysore state towards Kodagu to conquer the princely state of Kodavas. The first war against British army was commanded by Codava nayak Mathanda Appacha, Appacha lead the troop of 500 Kodava warriors in bare foot and Voddikatti (Sword used by Kodava Warriors) to attack the mighty British army which was well equipped with cannons and cartridge. This war lasted for 35 days near today’s Harangi water reservoir, Kushalnagara. The Kodava tribe received very less causalities since they were very less in number and were scattered across the dense forest which made it difficult for the Brit army to Hunt down Kodavas. Though the enemy army was well trained and equipped with modern machines to assist them in the war they failed in front of the never say die attitude of the Kodava tribe. Kodavas were the masters of the guerilla war. Appacha and his army knew terrain much better than Brits could even think off, and the warriors attacked the British when they least expected, most of the attack were carried out during early morning hours or during the late night to take the advantage of the terrain. Appacha along with his army of 500 warriors managed to kill more than 1200 Brit army person which included 3 British officers and forced the British army to return back to Mysore, Thus marking their first victory to protect the Kodava land from the British.