Alluri Sita Rama Raju (also called as Alluri Ramachandra Raju)was an Indian revolutionary involved in the independence movement. He was born on 7 july 1897 at Mogallu village, West Godavari district, India. His mother was from Visakhapatnam and his father was a native of Mogallu, near Bhimavaram, and was an official photographer in the central jail at Rajahmundry. He was filled with many hardships. Sudden demise of his father led him to bear the yoke of the family on his shoulders. He lost his permanent settlement. His mother brought him up with utmost care, with love and affection. Since his childhood he has a strong will and determine mind. He loved his mother with great affection and honor.He did his primary education at Mogallu, kovvada, and at a Mission school in Bhimavaram and in Taylor high schoolin Narsapur (Mogallu, Kovvada, Bhimavaram, Narsapur all are villages and small towns of west Godavari District, A P, South India). He did his high school studies and college education at a Mission high school in Visakapatnam (Visakapatnam or Vizagpatnam is a sea port city of Andhra Pradesh South India).India is once a nation of abundant wealth. The thence Britisher's set their foot as traders. This nation of shop keepers, with their treachery and with divide and rule policy, they got control over entire nation. In the name of East India Company and further direct control of Britain. They looted the wealth of the nation and made the people as dependents and slaves. Ruled even cruelly in some parts of the nation. Because of this nature of the colonial rulers, Sitarama Raju rebelled against the colonial rulers since his childhood. His father Venkata Rama Raju as a true patriot filled Rama Raju with patriotism in his blood, Flesh and in Veins.
In 1905 "Lord Curzon" bifurcated Bengal into East and West Bengal provinces. People come to streets and agitated against British for reunification (This movement is called "Vandemataram Movement") This movement made an impact on the life of Alluri Sita Rama raju. In 1916 in the month of April Alluri travelled the nation on foot. He visited "Calcutta" (The present Kolkota) ViaNarsipatnam, Vijayanagaram. He met several Congress leaders and great stalwarts like "Surendranath Benarjee", "Motilal Nehru" ( Father of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, First Prime Minister of India) "Chittaranjan Das", Pandit Madhan Mohan Malaveya" ( Founder of Benres Hindu University). He made acquainted with them. He participated in "Lucknow Congress conference ". Then he moved to "Baroda", "Ujjain", "Amritsar", "Badhrinadh", "Nepal", "Brahmakapala", "Kaasi", "Gangothri" (Birth place of holy river Ganges), "Prayaga (In Ancient period in this city in seventh century A.D Emperor "Harshavardhana" conducted Buddhist religious conference andgive away all his wealth in charity). Rama Raju visited all these areas on foot. His Thousand Kilometers long tour, his direct contact with people made him understand the miseries, Plights and woes of the people. The revolutions that took place in Bengal, Punjab and Maharastra made a deep impact on him. He become completely a changed man and ultimately turned to be a great revolutionary, to rebel against the mighty colonial rulers.British colonial rulers take away the rights and privileges of innocent tribals, Who are leading an ideal and innocent life. A life which is very close to nature. They made tribals their slaves, they treat them as mere animals, and ruled them in harsh, Brutal manner. They are against the forest collection of Tribals (forest collection is the means and source of livelihood of the tribals). They obstructed traditional "podu" (shift culture or zoom agriculture).
They impose various taxes on forest products. They imposed "Abcari" (tax on toddy and arrack). Cattle grazing tax, they implemented civil and criminal laws in place of existed of customary laws in tribal areas. Regulation of zamindari act ( Zamindar means a land lord, holds of thousands of acres under his control, the formers have no rights on land, though he is the tiller of the land). He collects high revenue and pays fixed taxes directly to the colonial rulers.Muthadari rule, a large number of immigration of the people from plain lands, cruel, barbarous and savage rule of bureaucrat's suppression, slavery, bonded labor, more over the uncivilized rule of "Bastian". Thence Tahsilder (Revenue collector and administrator of the area) all these corrupted things added fuel to the fire and made compel sitarama raju to revolt against British rulers.Alluri sita rama raju started his revolution against the British on Aug 22nd 1922 by attacking the police station at broad day light. On that day he send a warn message in advance. He warns as "We attack you, protect your self if you can" Brave us if you have gall" as he said, he attacked the police station at "Chintapalli" (An agency police station at present in East Godavari District-A P, India) and decamped with a huge cache of weapons. He decamped with 11 rifles, 1,390 Bullets, 5 Swords, 14 Bonnets and reported it in detailed in the station dairy, by signing his signature in English. With redeemed strength and vigor Rama Raju and his men attackedKrishna Dev Pet police station (An agency police station on the bank of River Godavari ). On 23rd and on 24th Aug they attackedRajavommangi police station (An agency police station in East Godavari District A.P) decamped with heavy ammunition. It is a used practise of Rama Raju to deliver the message prior to attacks in advance through chilly powder post (A letter of warning along with capsicum bearing hot pepper powder). This is a notable point and a thing to remember in the history of Manyam revolution.With the same tactics and methods he attacked Narsipatnam police station in visakapatnam district, Addateegala, Rampachodavaram, Prattipadu in East Godavari Districts. He backed up nearly 200 villages and attacked the Britishers. Many patriotic heroes, directly or indirectly helped in this arms struggle. With 303 rifles, Country made rifles and with bows & arrows. He rebelled against the mighty British to make them down and out.The revolt caused panic to the colonial rulers in Manyam area by all means by hook or by crook the British wanted to suppress the revolution. Inspector General, Dy. Inspector General, Agency Commissioner and other important police personal were immediately summoned and rest with their Army. Malabar Spl police team, Assam Rifles, Ballari Rifles, Coromandal Rifles, East coast Rifles, Koraput Reserve Police, Local Police altogether 2000 men of force press to service. They summoned and rushed to bring the situation under control. In this great revolt patriotic heroes such as "Aggiraju", (Man of fire), "Malludora" ( Wrestler hero), "Gantam dora", "Veerayya" (brave warrior) fought heroically against the mighty British Army. Though they deployed thousands of Military Forces, however the Britishers failed to bring the revolt under control. Their Army forces failed before the patriotism and dedication of Sri Alluri Sita Rama Raju and his men.
In spite of suppressive methods taken by colonial rulers revolution spread like wild fire. To bring the revolution under control the British charged Rs 10,000 on the head of Alluri Sita Rama Raju. No one betrayed Alluri. The cash prize made no impact on the morality of the tribals, they further tightened the protection of Alluri Sita Rama Raju with re vigor strength they revolt against the imperial forces
The British though with their mighty Military strength failed to suppress the revolt. In desperation they changed their tactics. They wanted to catch hold Alluri Sita Rama Raju through treachery. They hatch a cynical plan, They burnt the entire "Gudems" (Residential areas of tribals) of tribals. They beaten the Old and Children, Women molested. They killed the young mercilessly. With these cruelties almost all they bring down the hell to the earth
In these circumstances Rama Raju shattered. He was in broken heart. He worried a lot. He wept bitterly. He moved by the plights and the great sacrifices of the people. Their patriotic fervor made him moved. He wanted to end the atrocities of colonial rulers. To save the lives of innocents, women, children, young and old. To end the barbarous and heinous crimes of colonial rulers. He changed his heart. He wanted to give in and to yield to the British in order to save the innocents. In 1924 on may 7th early at dawn, When the Sun is about to rise, He finally surrendered to the British on the banks of a river let at "Koyyuru village". Major "Gudal" set aside the diplomatic courtesy made him tied to a tree and shot at in a Brutal Manner. Rama Raju laid down his life heroically and become a martyr. For every bullet when he was shot at he praised the land by giving slogans with full throat voice "VANDEMATARAM" ( I bow my head on the lotus feat of my holy mother land- "O my motherland you fed me with your spilling milk from your breast, O motherland I owe to you"). He was set like an evening setting Sun. But he had risen and stay permanently in the hearts of Millions of Indians.The measures and methods played the British to suppress the revolt are very heinous, barbarous, uncivilized atrocities on Manyam people is an added leaf in the history of lamentable catalogue of human crime, never surpassed even in the dark age. The atrocities committed by the British are an indelible blot to them that carries to generations who boasts of democracy and human rights.We salute Alluri for your great "Heroic Deeds", your patriotism, your dedication, long remember you we forever. "Long live Alluri Sita Rama Raju".
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