Alluri Sitarama Raju

Alluri Sitarama Raju (4 July 1897 or 1898 – 7 May 1924) was an Indian Freedom Fighter and revolutionary who waged an armed campaign against the British colonial rule in India. Born in present-day Andhra Pradesh, he was involved in opposing the British in response to the 1882 Madras Forest Act that effectively restricted the free movement of adivasis in their forest habitats and prevented them from practicing their traditional form of agriculture called 'podu', which threatened their very way of life. Rise in discontent towards the British colonial rule in the backdrop of the non-cooperation movement (1920–1922) led to the Rampa rebellion (1922–1924) in which Alluri Sitarama Raju played the major role as its leader. Mustering combined forces of tribals and other sympathizers to the cause, he engaged in guerilla campaigns against the British forces across the border regions of present-day Andhra Pradesh and Odisha states in India.[a] He was given the title "Manyam Veerudu" (transl. Hero of the Jungle) by the local people for his exploits.

Quotes

• Though I have no sympathy with and cannot admire armed rebellion, I cannot withhold my homage from a youth so brave, so sacrificing, so simple and so noble in character as young Shri Rama Raju . . . Raju was (if he is really dead) not a fituri but a great hero. Would that the youth of the country cultivated Shri Rama Raju’s daring, courage, devotion and resourcefulness and dedicated them for the attainment of swaraj through strictly non-violent means. To me it is daily growing clearer that if the teeming millions whom we the articulate middle classes have hitherto suppressed for our selfish purpose are to be raised and roused, there is no other way save through non-violence and truth. A nation numbering millions needs no other means.
  • — Mahatma Gandhi in De, Debasree (2022). Gandhi and Adivasis: Tribal Movements in Eastern India (1914-1948). Routledge. ISBN 9781032306155.

• The young Alluri Sitarama Raju was disheartened seeing the condition of the tribal folks. He could have led a peaceful life doing a job. But he gave up everything to fight against the British. Raju held meetings with the tribal leaders. He started devising plans to oust the British from the region. He was instrumental in uniting the tribals of the region and fight for a common cause. The British were superior in number, ammunitions, and in military tactics. Alluri Sitarama Raju suggested use of Guerrilla warfare techniques using bows and arrows and stolen guns and ammunition. He himself trained them.
  • Rawal M. S. & Rawal Y. S. (2019). Saffron swords. Garuda Prakashan.