Rampa Rebellion of 1922, Events, Alluri Sitarama Raju

The Rampa Rebellion (1922-1924), often referred to as the Manyam Rebellion, was a significant tribal movement in the Madras Presidency, led by Alluri Sitarama Raju against British colonial rule. The revolt was triggered by oppressive forest laws that restricted the rights of tribal communities, particularly their traditional practice of shifting cultivation. These laws severely impacted their livelihoods, causing widespread discontent.

Led by Raju, the tribal rebels employed guerrilla tactics to raid British outposts and police stations. The rebellion lasted for two years, with the British deploying extensive military forces to suppress it. Although Raju was eventually captured and executed in 1924, the rebellion became an enduring symbol of resistance against British exploitation in India.

Rampa Rebellion Background

The Rampa administrative area, now part of the Alluri Sitarama Raju district in Andhra Pradesh, was inhabited by a tribal population. The local tribes relied on the traditional ‘Podu’ system of shifting cultivation, which was disrupted by the 1882 Madras Forest Act. The Act allowed the British to commercialize the forests, restricting tribal access to their lands and forcing them to abandon their agricultural practices.

• Facing starvation and exploitation, the tribals grew resentful, particularly due to forced labour for road construction.
• Discontent was also shared by the muttadars, who had lost their hereditary powers under British rule.

Together, the tribal people and muttadars resisted the colonial administration, leading to the Rampa Rebellion.

Alluri Sitarama Raju’s role in the Rampa Rebellion

Alluri Sitarama Raju, popularly known as ‘Manyam Veerudu’ or ‘Hero of the Jungle’, played a pivotal role in organizing and leading the Rampa Rebellion. He led a group of 500 tribals to raid police stations in different regions of Madras Province, marking the start of the uprising.

• Alluri Raju not only led these daring attacks but also spread the ideals of the Non-Cooperation Movement and Swaraj among the tribal communities.
• His leadership and vision inspired the tribals to resist British rule. Even under the threat of British forces, Raju remained a symbol of hope and resistance for the tribal people until his capture and execution on May 7, 1924.

Rampa Rebellion Events

The Rampa Rebellion began with coordinated attacks on British police stations by Alluri Sitarama Raju and his followers. Between August 22 and 24, 1922, they looted police stations in Chintapalli, Krishnadevipet, and Rajavommangi, demonstrating the strength of tribal resistance. By September, the rebels had successfully defeated British police forces five times.

Although the rebellion was eventually put down, it showed how tribal communities were fighting back against British rule and brought attention to their problems.

Rampa Rebellion Response of Britishers

The British responded to the Rampa Rebellion by deploying Malabar Special Police Forces and imposing martial law. They levied punitive taxes on the villagers and exerted immense pressure to suppress the rebellion.

• • Despite declaring a bounty of Rs. 10000 on Alluri Sitarama Raju and Rs. 1000 on his lieutenants, Gam Goutham Dora and Gam Mallaya Dora, the British struggled to quell the tribal resistance.
  • It was only after the capture and execution of Raju on May 7, 1924, that the British were able to fully crush the rebellion, marking the end of the armed resistance in the Rampa region.