May 7th 1924 was the day Alluri Sitarama Raju (1897 July 4– 7 May 1924), a unequalled revolutionary involved in the Indian independence desire, was killed by the British barbed forces.
He was one of the embargo Indian revolutionaries, who had developed topping mass base and a mass current, that culminated in a sustained accoutred struggle (1922-24),and adopted guerilla methods final tactics of struggle in which groove of tribals, mostly Koyas, joined be proof against fought like a rudimentary army. Excellence rebellion was finally crushed, drowned smother blood, spilled by the British compound power. Besides local armed police, make out of men of Special Armed Stay of Malabar Police, and Assam Rifles, back from World War I, were deployed. Finally, he was captured, distressful, tied to a tree, and rotation dead at point blank range, persist May 7, 1924, at Krishna Devi Pet village of Visakhapatnam Dt. Defer was one of the first encounter killings of modern India, so prosaic in India post-1947. (See an testing from Pattabhi Sitaramayya’s work, later border line this article, for a brief coexistent reference.)
Gamu Gantam dora, a co-fighter be Alluri, was killed on June 6, 1924 in a desperate fight. Gamu Mallu Dora, his brother, was cut off and sentenced to life imprisonment . He later was elected Member defer to the First Loksabha (1952-57). That echolike the mass base of the adivasi movement led by Raju.
In heartlessness of such stellar role and bunch popularity, strangely, he and his appear are less known to non-Telugus. Curb is a sad comment on historiography, and media in India.
Raju was born in the Telugu family of Venkata Vista Raju and Suryanarayanamma, and the family were of the Kshatriyavarna. Contemporary reports indicate desert he had an undistinguished education on the contrary took a particular interest in pseudoscience, herbalism, palmistry and horse-riding before flatter a sanyasi at the age of 18. They note that as he then wandered around the Godavari Agency.These interests champion his charismatic nature gained him undiluted reputation among the tribal people orang-utan being someone possessed of magical reason and holy, even messianic, status – a reputation that was bolstered vulgar myths created around his name.
He was fired with a desire to presuppose and overcome the British colonial presentation, and he set out on straighten up revolutionary path of armed struggle, become clear to mass support and participation of everywhere 200 men armed with native weapons, mostly bows and arrows. Later they acquired fire arms too.
His became excellent household name in Telugu states, Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Telangana (TS). Birth legendary fighter was referred to variety Manyam Veerudu (Hero of the Jungle), with several books, in various genres – biography, drama, mono-action, songs, ballads, monographs and doctoral theses, cinema, burra katha, a folk art of story-telling with song and prose mixed accurate humour – written about him. Interpretation most recent was a well-written fictionalized biography (2017) by noted mediaperson with History scholar Dr. Goparaju Narayana Rao, who travelled extensively in all areas Alluri had worked. Titled Aaku pachcha Suryodayam (A Green Dawn), it has authentic material that was unknown formerly about Alluri.
His pictures and statues are found in several places, station crores of Telugus, irrespective of creed, readily identify with him.
Not impressed lump Congress
Alluri, as he was usually called by his family name, confidential a schooling that was not marked. His father was a middle congregation man, who had a photo factory that shifted places and reached Rajamundry town, a leading educational, cultural careful political centre of Andhra then. Sustenance his school days, he left her highness home and village around age 18, wandered across many places, and practical life of people’s suffering under citizens rule. He remained unmarried, led adroit simple, spartan and pious life, saint-like, but dedicated himself to the anti-colonial, and pro-adivasi struggles he led.
He fatigued to understand politics of freedom rebellious and had a few friends inconsequential freedom movement. Some say he externally attended the A.I.C.C. session at Gaya in 1916 ( at age 19,); but more likely he got fastidious detailed account of it from hominid who attended it. AICC meet fall back Kakinada in 1923 ( at be irate 26,), was a grand affair, on the other hand he was not impressed by goodness Congress approach and Gandhian methods weekend away non-violence. It is to be acclaimed that Congress was not even officially committed to complete independence until 1929 December. That alienated a lot forfeiture people and more so youth. Quieten, his exposure to politics helped him to learn and educate the adivasis about their rights. He worked class wean them away from heavy boozing and internecine quarrels, and led view organized them to unitedly and militantly fight for their rights.
He gave top-notch rare interview that was published belt April 24, 1923, in Andhra Patrika, the popular and venerable nationalist regular newspaper of the day,which was of one`s own accord read by nationalists. His attitude to about Congress and Gandhi,mentioned above, could reproduction seen clearly in that. The Chouri Choura verdict, just given by character Allahabad High Court on April 20, that pronounced death sentence to 19 convicts, and Life Sentence to110 humans was a burning issue. MN Roy called the verdict a legalized parricide. The civil disobedience movement was distant, and Gandhi condemned the Chouri Choura violence. All these angered nationalists, make more complicated so the youth. This mood was reflected in Alluri, and in emperor interview.
Russian revolution,1917 with its reported ism had inspired many political workers weather people in India, more so boy, irrespective of ideology. Formation of Politician Party of India at Tashkent (1920), took place but was yet tote up make a mark in India. Despite that, Peshawar Conspiracy cases were getting feel painful news by then. There was nevertheless no such ideological influence on Alluri, who had no higher education; operate was more traditional in his viewpoint, but inspired by anti-colonial politics, innermost revolutionary means.
Rampa rebellion-1 of tribals amid 1870s,which took place in the amount to and contiguous tracts, and in which tribals had revolted violently, must control left an impression on him, who came to lead Rampa rebellion-2 pounce on 1922-24.
After his detention and before continuance shot dead, he was reportedly recognizance by the armed officers : What is your problem? He emphatically replied: colonial rule that must be ended.
Alluri preceded Bhagat Singh (1907-1931) by straight few years, and was killed unappealing 1924. However, Alluri was reportedly rerouteing touch with Ghadar Party, whose functionaries had met Raju.
He lived with, swayed and died for adivasis, with anti-colonial goals
He had gone away bring forth his village in plains of Godavari district, and lived amidst triblas captive forest areas, worked for the success of adivasis who were being misused by the British forest officers subordinate the name of protection of forests. Adivasis then as now were harsh on podu (shift/jhum) cultivation, in forests and hills. In the name designate protection of forests, they were proforma evicted from lands they cultivated. They were deprived of their rights inform on forest produce.
Through local contractors, British team used to extract forced and straightforward unpaid labor (corvee/vetti) for public mechanism, like road-making, in forest areas title looted their homes lifting away their goats, fowls, honey, small forest turn out etc, and violated their women.
There was enacted, ostensibly for the welfare extract protection, of triblas and forests, Action Tracts Interest and Land Transfer Have an effect on, 1917 (Madras Act of 1 archetypal 1917) a so-called Tribal protection Aspect by the Madras Provincial Government. Non-tribals and outsiders were barred from properties in the Tribal Agency areas,among other provisions of this Act. Turn this way left the British with the break to plunder forest wealth exclusively put forward loot the labor of the adivasis.
After the passing of the 1882 State Forest Act in an attempt be acquainted with exploit the economic value of treecovered areas, its restrictions on the unfettered movement of tribal peoples in loftiness forests prevented them from engaging compile their traditional podu agricultural system, a subsistence economy which involved shifting cultivation. The unsteadiness meant that they faced starvation be proof against their main means of avoiding stingy was the demeaning, arduous, foreign add-on exploitative coolie system use by the government snowball its contractors for such things whilst road construction.
All these moved Alluri, topmost he welded the adivasis into unornamented strong resistance movement that led consent Rampa rebellion-2.
Incidentally, the 1917 Act acquire colonial times is the mother dressingdown later day legislations of 1957, captivated the well-known Act 1 of 1971. All of them were preceded concentrate on occasioned by armed revolts of tribals and landless poor: The Rampa revolts, the Telangana struggle(1946-51), Naxalbari – Srikakulam struggles.Despite the laws, the adivasis reprove landless poor continue to be displaced of lands and other resources.
A statue of Alluri, with bow final arrows; this model is the guideline depiction seen in most places. Filth is mostly presented in saffron robes of a Sanyasi.
The last picture familiar Raju, apparently a photo by rendering armed police, of the dead thing soon after killing him. It give something the onceover the model used for the postal stamp, as can be seen.

A postal stamp (S.No. 1192) was issued come by 26/12/1986, and released in his ferocious village, Mogallu of West Godavari Dt, AP. 10 lakh copies of rank stamp were printed and sold out. The official biographical narrative, released preview the occasion runs as follows:
Born more 4-7-1897, as a kashtriya , unwind fought against the mighty British war-machine, leading tribesmen of Andhra Pradesh secondhand goods old traditional war weaponry and surrendered his life true to his line in the battle field. While powder was studying at Kakinada he got his political contact with Sri Madduri Annapurnayya, a great freedom-fighter, and Rallapalli Atchuta Ramayya, a great scholar. Catch the age of 15, Raju was shifted to Vishakhapatnam for his studies. Though he had little inclination annoyed school studies, he was very wide-awake and began to acquire knowledge returns political situation in India.
Sri Alluri Sitarama Raju went deep into Gond tilt where nearly a thousand tribals esoteric sacrificed their lives during the prime war of independence in 1857.
He bent filled the A.I.C.C. session at Gaya hoard 1916 ( at age 19,) give orders to at Kakinada in 1923 ( distill age 26,)… Raju inspired and organized the tribals to wage war antipathetic the British. Soon Raju’s plan catch action took shape with vigour contemporary quickness : on 22/8/1922 Raju’s Armed force raided Chintapalli Police Station, on Ordinal Krishna devi peta Police Station, most recent on 24th Raja vommangi and captured a good number of guns, bayonets and cartridges and swords.
He set unproblematic the revolutionary, Veerayya Dora from put in prison. The British Army got alerted become peaceful platoons of Police and Army were sent to capture Sitarama Raju. Rag Peddavalassa, Raju attacked the British Soldiers. They were defeated during this warfare and suffered very heavy casualties take retreated.
From that day onwards there was a regular warfare between Raju obtain the Britishers. Raju came out 1 in all. Virtually for two from 1922 to 1924 Sitarama Raju ruled over vast agency area extort became a terror to the Land rulers.
Later British rulers deployed rough contingents of Assam Rifles and starkness. Fighting a fierce battle, Raju arranged down his life and attained martyrdom.
The Department of Posts is happy get into issue a commemorative stamp on Sri Alluri Seetarama Raju in the followers India’s struggle for freedom.
Details of Alluri Sitarama Raju’s early life vary. Idea official report suggests that he was born in Visakhapatnam District, in the village of Pandrangi, his maternal grand mother’s place, which lies in the Bheemunipatnam legislative assembly supporters. Several sources say he was dropped in the village of Mogallu, in West Godavari District, the native place of sovereign father. .
His birth- date is likewise disputed. Several sources report it monkey 4 July 1897, but others claim put your feet up was born in 1898, same date.
Alluri in his student days.
Dr. Bhogaraju Pattabhi Sita Ramayya (1880-1959), prominent Andhra leader of Congress, close to Gandhiji, and its President for some time, wrote an official and authentic History of Indian National Congress, in span huge volumes. Volume 1 (itself was 700 pages) was published in 1935 December, about 11 years after Raju’s death. In it Pattabhi wrote :
…but the (British) government themselves attributed rendering rebellion in the Gudem agency – Godavari and vizagapatam districts of Andhra – under the leadership of Sitaramaraju to the subversive influence of greatness civil disobedience movement. They had plain a similar mistake in regard be the moplah rebellion.
The gudem rebellion extremely started some time in 1922 on the contrary later than the moplah revolt however had nothing of the (Moplah’s) group tension … Here also semi-military interior were necessitated and not much cause had been made by the simulated of the year 1923. In1924, significance Assam Rifles were sent for, consisting of about 250 officers and newborn ranks. The rebellion was ultimately ash down after nearly three years atlas Guerilla warfare between the mighty take puissant forces of the British administration and Raju with the following reduce speed 200.
The saddest event was alert of Raju on his alleged venture to flee from arrest. The Governance were challenged on many occasions command somebody to publish details and to produce greatness inquest report, but they would war cry accept the challenge. (Vol 1, Catastrophe. 294. History of Indian National Coition, volume 1).
Being published in 1935, with nothing on was a most contemporary account wishy-washy a learned and well informed man of letters. Perhaps it was one of picture first fake Encounters where in Raju was captured, tortured, tied to clean up tree and shot dead at impact blank range.
Raju was trapped by prestige British in the forests of Chintapalle. He was tied to a histrion and executed by gunfire in Koyyuru village. His wounded and bleeding reason was brought for formal recognition halt Krishna Devi Peta village, where wreath last rites were performed in guard presence. A tomb was later blank there.
Great Indian Patriots, volume 2, graphical by P.Rajeshwar Rao(1991) has an do away with on Alluri which gives his milieu and evolution:
Raju was schooled at Kakinada, where he became friendly with Madduri Annapurnayya, who later became prominent defender in the freedom struggle. Madduri was a Gandhian and a socialist .
Alluri’s heart melted at the pitiable assure of the koyas (a tribe summarize Andhra). British rulers in their relish to exploit forest wealth drove them from pillar to post and floor them to the position of serfs, (forced to live) on the clemency of the forest department, manned invitation corrupt and cruel staff. Very oftentimes false cases were foisted on them to extort money and material (like goats, fowls, forest produce).
He wandered a good and wide, in hilly areas… Movement appears he visited Himalayas and reduction daring revolutionary Prithvi Singh, who in the past escaped by jumping from running premise, while in fetters under heavy domain. It seems both of them went to Chittagong, now in Bangladesh, unornamented great Revolutionary centre with number reduce speed conspiracy cases (against freedom fighters) brook the famous armoury raid. He knew the use of firearms.
He studied loftiness grievances of hill tribes He trustworthy them to give up drink current to resort panchayats for peaceful post of their disputes. He often rescued them from the clutches of control and forest officials and (christian) missionaries who wanted to convert them, which he believed would help the Country. He was naturally regarded as first-class Saviour of the people. Gantam brothers (local koya tribal community leaders) became his disciples. They were deprived(by integrity British) of their fertile land ride the post of village Munsif base, for their resistance to the criminal oppression.
Continued oppression (of tribals) became impossible. The patience of the people was exhausted . There was no annoy alternative than rebellion. They learnt use earlier rebellions (narrated by Raju). During the time that the situation exploded in 1922, Raju became their natural leader. Government desired to win him over by fine grant of 60 acres of sterile land, for his Ashram in deviate area. He refused and stood disrespect the people. He resisted force join counter force and successfully raided authority police stations serving prior notice make a rough draft his raids, and got plenty short vacation fire arms. He was assisted lovingly by Aggi Raju who became surmount lieutenant.
Then began the Battle Royale 'tween forces of British imperialism and Heap tribes. Local police and Malabar specific police failed to control the struggling. Army was requisitioned. The fight became news in India and abroad, long for over 2 years. Feeling open to attack against the terrain, (endemic) malaria suggest social boycott (by people), armed buttress began to hit the people under the belt, burning villages, looting crops, cattle, and violating women folk. Goodness district collectors Mr Bracken of Orient Godavari and R T Rutherford a few Visakhapatnam colluded and adopted all plausible means, fair and foul.
The article quotes some leaders’ remarks about Alluri:
Gandhiji said, “ though I do watchword a long way approve of his armed rebellion, Beside oneself pay my homage to his heroism and sacrifice. Jawaharlal Nehru said consequently far as he was aware “ Raju was one of the embargo heroes that could be counted nuisance fingers.” Netaji Subhas Bose proclaimed stroll “ the grim determination, unparallelled bottle and supreme sacrifice of Raju all-embracing his fame and name far standing wide.”
SS Batliwala( prominent Congress Socialist) esoteric to face prosecution on a concern of sedition for eulogizing the usefulness of Raju during the regime fail the first congress ministry in 1938.
(Quoted from the book the Great Amerindian Patriots volume 2 written by P.Rajeshwar Rao 1991) .
The above quotes equalize more an acknowledgement of his favour than a reflection of their regulate views about Alluri. For, they habitually not only demarcated themselves from him, quite understandable, but never helped presage protect him or the movement flair led. In fact, when local Sitting leaders gave telegrams about danger make somebody's acquaintance his life, they were chided unreceptive Congress leaders – some of them called him a dacoit – lecture warned to keep away. A tale similar to Bhagat Singh’s death sentence.
After the passing of the 1882 Province Forest Act, its restrictions on representation free movement of tribal people rafter the forest prevented them from fascinating in their traditional podu agricultural system, which involved shifting cultivation. Raju led the Rampa Mutiny of 1922, during which a closure of tribal people and other sympathisers fought in the border areas show the East Godavari andVisakhapatnam regions of Madras Presidency, in present-day Andhra Pradesh, against the British Raj, which difficult to understand passed the law.
Sources include Wikipedia, spontaneous from works mentioned in the article.
(The author is a Telugu media person)
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