India, Aug. 12 -- About 50 kms away from Shivamogga, nestled in the green, hilly and picturesque Malenadu region of Karnataka, is the tiny village (pop: 4,674, 2011 census) of Issuru (say Eesooru). An unremarkable little village, except for one remarkable fact - on August 15th, when India celebrates her 78th Independence Day, Issuru will be agog with celebrations of its 83rd. As well it might - as far back as August 1942, the doughty little hamlet had declared its independence from the British government.

A spirit of valour and rebellion has long been part of the Shivamogga region. Following the fall of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire in 1565 CE, its former vassals, the Nayakas of Keladi (aka the Ikkeri Nayakas) established themselves as ...