Though Venkatappa Nayaka received English education, the love of independencee and patriotism were deep-rooted in him Meanwhile, strong waves of the First War of Independence (1857) also began to reach Surapura. Venkatappa Nayaka immediately decided to join the war. The young ruler received support from Mundargi Bhimaraya, Baba Saheb of Naragund and others.
The British army laid siege to the fort of Surapura; A terrible fight ensued On the second lay a senior officer of the British army died in the battlefield. This was a setback to the British.
Hence the British decided to take wthe fort by fraud. An important officer of the Nayaka revealed to the british the secret approach to the Surapura fort, thereby helped them to gain victory.
Venkatappa managed to escape to Hyderabad His aim was to recruit more soldiers with the help of the Nizam. But Salar Jung, The Nizam’s Prime Minster, expecting some reward from the British, made Venkatappa Nayaka a captive and handed him over to the British! The British awarded a death sentence to Venkatappa Nayaka. Later the punishment was reduced to four years of imprisoiment. When undor captivity Venkatappa Nayaka was shot dead by the British. Not only this, the British spread the rumour that it was a suicide on the part of Venkatappa Nayaka. He was 24 at that time. Thus the life of an extraordinary freedom fighter who sacriffed everything for his motherland, ended.
