An Important Indian Freedom Fighter
“Wear these badges young Seetharamaraju” The man handed Raju a handful of badges. The face of King George stared back. The thirteen year old boldly responded by throwing all the badges away except one, which he pinned to his shirt. “Wearing this badge is insulting, but I am wearing it to remind you of a leader who is crushing our lives.” Alluri Seetharama Raju was a hero in Andhra Pradesh and lead the brief, but important Rampa Rebellion in the East Godavari and Rampa districts.
Seetharamaraju experienced many hardships during childhood, but never gave up. To begin with, Rama Raju was born on July 4, 1897, but his birth will forever be inscribed on July 5, 1898. He was born in Padurangi, India in a small village called Mogallu, on the outskirts of a jungle. He loved to roam the jungle, and his favorite pastime was climbing the windy trees. However, Raju was not much interested in studies and was more concerned about the political state of India at the time. He was eager to fight for India’s independence, and hoped to see India in freedom. But that was not to happen. Finally, he went to Mrs. A.V.N. College for his education, but dropped out of schooling during his fourth year due to his father’s unexpected death. His mother, Suryanarayananma provided him good care. Clearly, Alluri Seetharamaraju experienced many twists and turns in the path to becoming a revolutionary war hero.
Seetharamaraju practically lived in the nearby jungle after completing his fourth and final year of studies in Vishakhpatnam (Vizag). To start, he became a monk at the age of eighteen in the jungle. He devoted himself to Gandhiji’s beliefs, and knew Gandhi himself. He and many others, united under Gandhiji’s thinking, were able to prevent lots of deforestation in that particular region. Secondly, Rama Raju soon hooked up with the Adivasi people, the local tribe living in the jungle. The tribe was poor and not in a good state, having their home almost cut down. He became a well respected member of the tribe. He taught them many things, from Gandhi’s teachings to the benefits of a vegetarian diet. Last but not least, Raju eventually ended his monk life and devotion to Gandhi. When Gandhiji failed to achieve Swarayaja after one year, Raju decided not to trust his beliefs as much. As a result, he responded by verbally declaring war on the British Royal Army. This act marked the beginning of the Rampa Rebellion.
Seetharamaraju was most famous for his brief, but extremely important Rampa Rebellion in the East Godavari and Rampa districts. To begin with, just because he wasn’t a very strong follower of Gandhi, he still likely retained some allegiance to his teachings. He participated in the Non Cooperation Movement, and was an important leader. It was a boycott on taxed goods from England, especially on the East India Company. Next, Rama Raju was widely known throughout most of the levels of the British ranks as an infamous guerrilla warfare tactician. He created small squadrons of about one hundred soldiers, mostly tribal muttas, and united them against the British. These battle tactics worked very well and resulted in the killings of Scott Coward and Heiter, two well renowned British officers. Lastly, the British were very keen on catching Rama Raju, who kept destroying prisons, and placed Rs 10,000 rupees on his head and Rs 1,000 rupees on each of his lieutenants Mallu and Gantam Dora. Raju received the news that Mallu Dora had been executed, and that the British had started a new section of military to catch Seetharamaraju called the Assam Rifles. He was eventually caught, tied to a tree and shot in a public square by Jamedar Kanchu Menon of the Assam Rifles. Even after his death, he still lived on, the movies Alluri Seetharama Raju (1974) and Rise, Roar, Revolt (2022) were made for him. Later, the Rampa district was renamed “Alluri Sitarama Raju”district for him. Clearly, Seetharamaraju made a big impact in the struggle for India’s independence.
Martyr Sri Alluri Seetharama Raju lead a brief, but impactful revolt, and is known throughout Andhra Pradesh for his heroics. Rama Raju did plenty of brave things from a young age and was an important figure throughout the course of history.
Sources:
Stories of Unsung Indian Freedom Fighters by Hseham Amrahs
The Unveiling India by C.S. Sunny Pagare
“Freedom Movement in Andhra Pradesh” VG Balakrishna
“Alluri Seetha Rama Raju: A Folk Hero of the Rampa Rebellion” KV Kurmanath
“Andhra Pradesh: Alluri Sitarama Raju was First to Unite Tribal Muttas Against
British” TheHindu
“Alluri Sitarama Raju’s Heroics Need Nation’s Attention” TheHindu
“Alluri Sitarama Raju: Manyam Veerudu (Hero of the Jungle)” Indianculture
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