Here’s a thorough look at Alluri Sitarama Raju, also known as Manyam Veerudu (“Hero of the Jungle”):
Early Life & Background
- Born on 4 July 1897 (some sources suggest 1898) in Pandrangi/Mogallu region of present-day Andhra Pradesh
- Son of Alluri Venkata Rama Raju, a photographer, and Surya Narayanamma
- After his father’s death when he was about eight, his education was disrupted; by age 18 he took sannyasa (became an ascetic) and traveled across India’s forests, deeply connecting with local tribal communities
Rise as a Tribal Leader
- Influenced by the 1919–1922 Non‑Cooperation Movement, he championed tribal resistance against colonial policies
- The 1882 Madras Forest Act, which banned shifting cultivation (podu), severely affected tribal livelihoods—this became a key catalyst for the rebellion
- He organized the Adivasis, teaching them and providing aid, gaining their devotion and preparing them for guerrilla conflict
Rampa (Manyam) Rebellion (1922–1924)
- Started in August 1922, he led coordinated guerrilla raids on multiple police stations—Annavaram, Addateegala, Chintapalle, Rajavommangi, and others—securing arms and ammunition
- His forces used traditional weaponry initially, but later ambushed British battalions to seize rifles and sharpened local resistance
- Raju famously issued written notes after each raid, detailing weapons taken and daring British authorities
🇬🇧 Capture & Legacy
- The British spent over ₹4 million and launched a massive manhunt with multiple forces
- On 7 May 1924, Raju was captured in Koyyuru, tied to a tree, and executed by firing squad. His body was later laid to rest in Krishnadevipeta
- The rebellion’s intensity prompted the British to offer a ₹10,000 bounty on him
- He was posthumously honored with stamps and monuments, and Andhra Pradesh even named an entire district and an upcoming airport in his name .
Cultural Recognition
- Often revered as a mystical hero or tribal sage, his legacy continues to inspire
- His life story was dramatized in the 1974 Telugu film “Alluri Sitarama Raju”, which won national acclaim and awards
Why He Matters
- He played a pivotal role in mobilizing tribal communities in the freedom struggle, emphasizing grassroots leadership grounded in local grievances.
- Embodied guerrilla resistance inspired both by Gandhian ideals (khadi, noncooperation) and revolutionary fervor (use of arms).
- His rebellion remains a landmark in the narrative of India’s broader fight against British colonialism—especially in India’s tribal heartlands.
In summary, Alluri Sitarama Raju stands as an emblematic figure who fused spiritual discipline, tribal empowerment, and armed resistance, shaping rural and tribal resistance in pre-independence India.