Telugu Heroes Of Freedom Struggle, Names You Should Know
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana also stayed in the forefront of the freedom struggle with leaders lighting up the fire of independence in the hearts of millions of citizens.
Alluri Sitaramaraju, Tangaturi Prakasam Pantulu, Bulusu Sambamurty, Ramananda Tirtha, Sarojini Naidu and others served as a source of inspiration to millions of unknown commoners who fought for the independence of the country from the yoke of British rule.
A few names are prominent while several others have passed into the pages of history. This Independence Day, Sakshipost recalls the contribution of Telugu heroes of the Freedom Struggle while paying its tributes to them.
Telugu Freedom Fighters From AP, Telangana
Alluri Sitaramaraju became a legend in his lifetime for the mannern in which he waged a guerilla war against the British in the jungles of West Godavari district with a small band of dedicated followers. He proved to be a thorn in the flesh of the British who found it impossible to break into his network. He led the Rampa Rebellion in the early 20s and came to be celebrated as a hero of the jungles by the people of Godavari districts as well as elsewhere in South India. Fired by a spirit to free India from the tyranny of foreign rule, Sitaramaraju, a rich young man from the Raju community, gave up his wealth and means to throw himself wholeheartedly into the freedom struggle. He was among the first leaders, who espoused the cause of tribals of Andhra Pradesh who came under severe harassment by the British. Sitaramaraju was betrayed by an Indian police officer and killed by the British.
Pingali Venkayya,a mining genius with a phenomenal knowledge of gems and geology, he was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's call for freedom from British rule. He was also very knowledgeable in all aspects of agriculture. It was his design for the National Flag which was slightly modified later to become the tricolor. Unfortunately, Pingali Venkayya died a neglected death and subsequent congress governments forgot all about his contribution to the cause of Indian freedom.
Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu, known popularly as Andhra Kesari (Lion of Andhra), the legendary freedom fighter from Andhra Pradesh gave up his successful practice as a lawyer to join the struggle for Independence inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. His protests against the Simon Commission brought him into limelight and earned the wrath of the British authorities. After India earned its freedom, Prakasam Pantulu became the chief minister of Madras Presidency and later the Andhra state.
Daasarathi Krishmacharyulu hailed from an orthodox Vaishnavite Brahmin family of erstwhile Warangal family. A great scholar with a deep understanding of the scriptures, he became a fine poet at an early age and wrote stirring poems against the Nizam. He also took the message of Mahatma Gandhi to the people of Telangana and came under the influence of the left later. His patriotic poetry puts him among the front-ranking influences of the freedom struggle from Telangana.
Swami Ramananda Tirtha, a renowned educationist and a social activist hailed from a Maharashtrian family settled in Hyderabad. He was among those who led the liberation struggle against the Nizam of Hyderabad and ignited the spirit of freedom in the citizens of Telangana.
Bulusu Sambamurti came from a orthodox family of vedic pandits settled for generations in the Godavari district. Along with Prakasam Pantulu, he became a well known lawyer in the Madras High Court and plunged into the freedom struggle giving up his practice in 1921. He was the speaker of the composite Madras State Assembly and died in a state of penury in his home town of Kakinada.
Potti Sreeramulu was one of the most prominent freedom fighters from Andhra, he carried the message of Mahatma Gandhi across the state of Andhra under the Madras Presidency. A selfless individual, he served the Dalit community with great dedication. Potti Sreeramulu attained martyrdom after a prolonged fast demanding a separate linguistic state for the Telugu speaking people.
Sarojini Naidu, also popularly known as the Nightingale of India, was a poet and one of the prominent faces of the Independence movement in India under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. She majorly fought for the cause of social harmony.
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