Alluri Sitarama Raju

Subject: History

Section: Personality

Context: Prime Minister NarendraModi unveils a 30-ftbronze statue of Alluri SitaramaRaju in Bhimavaram

(Andhra Pradesh)

He remains an idol for the tribesmen of Andhra Pradesh. He united various tribes, taught them guerrilla warfare and trained them to fight back with the colonial power.
He was one of the bravest revolutionaries and freedom fighters.
Alluri Seetarama initiated the famous “Rampa Rebellion” or Manyam Rebellion in 1922-1924.
- During the period of two years, he fought multiple times with the British troops, always winning against them.
- This gave him the title of “ManyamVeerudu” or the “Hero of Jungle”.
Causes Of Rampa Rebellion
- Firstly, the British rule threatened podu cultivation, a type of shifting cultivation where trees and plants are cleared off a patch of land by burning them, and the ashes were mixed with soil as manure to cultivate new crops. This got banned by the government as they secured forest land for their own use, calling it ‘reserved forest’.
- Secondly, the collection of minor forest produce, such as leaves and roots, got banned under the Forest Act of 1882. Tribal people were also forced into labour for the colonial government. While they were subjected to exploitation at the hands of the muttadars, the British laws and system threatened their way of life itself.
In the year 1986, the Indian Postal Department issued a stamp on his behalf, featuring his struggle for Independence.