Alluri Seetarama Raju- The Tribal Hero from Andhra

Early Life

Born on 4th July 1897 he was a man of courage and bravery. Sri Alluri Sitarama Raju, while he was studying at Kakinada, he came in connection with a remarkable freedom fighter, a scholar of high esteem Sri Madduri Annapurnayya, and Rallapalli Atchuta Ramayya. At the age of 15, for his higher studies he made it to Visakhapatnam. Anyhow, he was not much interested in studies and was very anxious to know more about the political condition of India at that time.

The first war of independence, during 1857, thousands of tribes of Gond land laid their life for their country. To meet the tribal and inspire them to fight for India’s independence, he went deep into the forests of Gond land.

Alluri Sitarama Raju who was farming in the village of Paidiputta turned into a revolutionary after experiencing the mistreatment of the British. To bring a change in his revolutionary perspective, 30 acres of land was given for farming by Sitarama Raju’s father’s friend where he, his mother, and brother together used to work in fields. Mostly tribal peoples were the ones who came to Alluri for his herbal medicine. The death of his father’s friend later led Alluri Sitarama Raju to begin a revolutionary movement. He made his way into the forest after sending his mother and younger brother to Bhimavaram.

Followed Gandhian Methods

Raju was an enthusiast of adopting Gandhian methods of non-cooperation initially, demanding members of these hill tribes to boycott colonial courts and search for adjudication of justice in local panchayat courts. Even though the larger movement died out in 1922, Raju followed the Non-Cooperation Movement to expand awareness about the struggle for freedom and need for change among the tribal community.

Rampa Revolt

Munasabudara Bhupathi Raju had earlier ruled the kingdom of Rampa and later it was taken by his successors who demanded taxes on crops and palm trees. While not being able to bear it, the tribesmen revolted and were supported by Alluri. He was a man who thought that armed struggle was the one and only way to resist the British and had prepared the tribal people to fight against the British army.

on Aug 22nd, 1922 Alluri Sitarama Raju attacked the police stations on the clear daylight where a warning message was sent by him, which says “We attack you, protect yourself if you can” Brave us if you have gall” as he said, he attacked the “Chintapalli” police station and captured 1,390 Bullets, 11 rifles, 5 Swords, 14 Bonnets and reported it in the station dairy, by signing in English. They attacked Rajavommangi police station later, on 23rd and on 24th August. He used a different style which is to send the message before attacks in advance through chili powder post, which is a known point in the Manyam revolution.

Leader and freedom fighter of the ‘Rampa Revolt’ Alluri Sitarama Raju on 7 May 1924, was killed by the British. He headed the Rampa Revolt, inspired by the Revolutionaries of Bengal, to fight against the discriminatory practices of the British.

Krishna Devi Peta village in Visakhapatnam district is where his tomb currently resides. According to the recent reports the Centre has given its permission to build a statue of this legendary hero of the freedom struggle in the precincts of Parliament. A popular Telugu movie was made on his life and his birthday is celebrated as an annual state festival.

“Raju won the grudging admiration of the British as a formidable guerrilla tactician. That the Government had to spend over Rs 40 lakhs in those days to defeat the rebellion speaks volumes about the success of the Rampa rebellion,” adds KV Kurmanath, journalist.

The Indian Postal Department issued a stamp on his behalf in the year 1986, highlighting his struggle for Independence.