THREAD on the occasion of 123rd birth anniversary(jayanti) of Freedom fighter "Manyam Veerudu"(Hero of the Jungle) #AlluriSitaRamaRaju/ #AlluriSeethaRamaRaju.

An Indian Telugu revolutionary, Hindu Yogi & Archer; he led Tribals against British in #RampaRebellion(1922-24).

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#AlluriSeethaRamaRaju was born as "Sri Ramaraju" on 4th July, 1897 in Pandrangi village, Visakhapatnam district in a Telugu speaking Kshatriya family.

His Parents were Venkata Ramaraju, Suryanarayanamma. His sister was Seethamma and younger brother was Satyanarayana Raju.

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#AlluriSeethaRamaRaju's Paternal uncle was Ramakrishna Raju. He took care of Alluri Seetharama Raju's family financially when his father died.

Alluri Seetharama Raju was devoted to his mother and motherland. He had leadership nature & revolutionary zeal from a young age.

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Mogallu village in West Godavari district is his native place. Some believe #AlluriSeethaRamaRaju was actually born there.

Pic Source- His birth place Pandrangi was selected as an "Adarsh Gram"(ideal village) under Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY): https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/Pandrangi-Alluri%E2%80%99s-birthplace-selected-under-%E2%80%98adarsh-gram%E2%80%99/article17037943.ece

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Ramaraju studied in Bhimavaram, Rajahmundry, Kakinada, Tuni and Ramachandrapuram.

Pic: #AlluriSeethaRamaRaju while studying in Kakinada.

It is said that he started keeping "Seetha" in his name when his lady-love Seetha died. Thus "Sri Ramaraju" became " Seetharama Raju."

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#AlluriSeethaRamaRaju came into contact with #MadduriAnnapurnayya, a freedom fighter and #RallapalliAchyuthaRamayya, a scholar while he was studying in Visakhapatnam.

Alluri Seetharama Raju realised the sufferings of Tribals in Manyam region & decided to fight for them.

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Manyam region is an agency area that consists of forests, hills of eastern ghats in East Godavari and Visakhapatnam districts. Koya and Chechu Tribes live there predominantly.

In order to gain knowledge and expertise, #AlluriSeethaRamaRaju travelled for nearly 5 years

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across India. He met #SurendranathBanerjee in Bengal. He travelled to Ujjain, Kashi, Haridwar & Badrinath etc.

It is said that #AlluriSeethaRamaRaju took his Sannyasa Deeksha at Brahma Kapal, Badrinath.

He learnt Astrology, Sanskrit, Yoga, Hindu Shastras, Martial Arts,

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Ayurveda, Herbalism etc.

#AlluriSeethaRamaRaju came to Krishnadevipeta and started awaring Manyam Tribals about their rights & necessary revolution.

Madras Forest Act(1882), Forest reserve policy, Muttadari(Revenue collectors) System etc hampered their Podu Cultivation.

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Such measures by British government & Bastian, a cruel Tahsildar of Chintapalli made Tribals already seething with anger.

With #AlluriSeethaRamaRaju now by their side, they decided to follow him & saw a leader in him. Alluri Seetharama Raju taught them Guerrilla warfare.

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British government noticed his moves and tried to keep him away from Tribals through Police surveillance for a brief period.

#AlluriSeethaRamaRaju used to get support from #FazaullaKhan, Deputy collector of Polavaram. After Khan's death, Raju came back to Krishnadevipeta

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in 1922.

At that moment, Non-cooperation movement got suspended in India by #MahatmaGandhi after it went violent at Chauri Chaura village, Uttar Pradesh.

But #AlluriSeethaRamaRaju was about to start a violent rebellion against British with Manyam Tribals in his own way.

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#AlluriSeethaRamaRaju although had his respect for Congress, he believed Independence will be achieved by overthrowing British government from India violently.

Alluri Seetharama Raju realised that it won't be easy for Tribals to face British who had the finest weaponry.

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So #AlluriSeethaRamaRaju decided to raid Police stations to procure arms, weapons by Guerrilla attacks.

Alluri Seetharama Raju had several associates with him. Gam Brothers( #GamGantamDora, #GamMalluDora), #Aggiraju, #KankipatiYendiPadalu were among them.

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#RAMPAREBELLION:

#AlluriSeethaRamaRaju with his associates raided Chintapalli police station on 22nd August, 1922.

They raided Krishnadevipeta(K.D.Peta) police station the very next day i.e. on 23rd August, 1922 & Raja Vommangi police station on 24th August, 1922.

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They freed prisoner #VeerayyaDora, a freedom fighter who was imprisoned for his Pithuri(rebellion) in Lagarayi area.

#AlluriSeethaRamaRaju used to write a letter, sign in it as a declaration whenever he raided for arms on Police stations. He didn't kill Indian officials.

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Worried British government sent armed police commanded by Scott Coward & Hayter to catch Alluri Seetharama Raju.

But they got ambushed, killed by #AlluriSeethaRamaRaju & his associates at Damanapalli ghat on 23rd September, 1922. Police left the spot leaving ammunition.

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#AlluriSeethaRamaRaju, his associates attacked Addateegala police station on October 15th, 1922.

He attacked this station by informing police beforehand. It was a daring attempt by Alluri Seetharama Raju to attack a well secured police station.

On October 19th, 1922; he

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raided Rampachodavaram police station in broad daylight and local people welcomed him after the attack.

On October 23rd, 1922; British government sent an armed troops commanded by Sanders to capture #AlluriSeethaRamaRaju & a battle took place. Sanders retreated from

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the battlefield realising the defeat in advance. It was yet another victory for #AlluriSeethaRamaRaju against British.

British government brought Special Malabar Police and launched a surprise attack on Alluri Seetharama Raju on 6th December, 1922 at Peddagaddapalem.

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#AlluriSeethaRamaRaju escaped unhurt but faced losses on his side.

He stayed hidden for sometime. Some thought he might have died during this time. So Malabar special force was also removed.

Alluri Seetharama Raju resumed his rebellion on 18th April, 1923 by attacking

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Annavaram police station but he couldn't get any ammunition there. Instead he received a warm welcome by local people.

On 2nd September, 1923; a battle took place between #AlluriSeethaRamaRaju and Underwood, a British commander. Underwood forces lost the battle.

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#AlluriSeethaRamaRaju's associate #GamMalluDora got caught by British on 18th September, 1923 at
Nadimpalle village & was sent to Andaman Jail.

He was the only close associate to see India's independence in 1947. He got elected to Lok Sabha in 1952 from Visakhapatnam.

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#AlluriSeethaRamaRaju attacked Paderu police station on 22nd September, 1923 and attacked Gudem armed police camp on 26th October, 1923 but couldn't obtain arms.

British government sent a strict officer Rutherford(as the special Commissioner incharge of operations

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against #AlluriSeethaRamaRaju) on 17th April, 1924. Rutherford was aided with Assam rifles and Special Malabar Police.

Rutherford was the same British General who executed #KanegantiHanumanthu, the one who led #PalnaduRebellion. So he was well-known for handling revolts.

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Pic: Rutherford declared a bounty of 10000 rupees to capture #AlluriSeethaRamaRaju on 20th April, 1923.

#Aggiraju, a close associate of Alluri Seetharama Raju was captured by British on 6th May, 1924 and was sent to Andaman Jail & he died there.

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#AlluriSeethaRamaRaju decided to surrender to police for peace talks.

He was captured by #JamedarKunchuMenon of Special Malabar Police on 7th May, 1924 at Mampa & taken to Koyyuru village where British Police shot him dead.

He sacrificed his life at the young age of 27.

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It is said that Congress working committee in their 1924 annual session didn't appreciate #AlluriSeethaRamaRaju's sacrifice.

But years later, Netaji #SubhashChandraBose spoke about Alluri Seetharama Raju's patriotic deeds, sacrifice & his role in Indian freedom struggle.

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#AlluriSeethaRamaRaju as an icon and freedom fighter is very popular in Telugu states especially in Godavari districts and Visakhapatnam district.

Unlike #BhagatSingh & #ChandraShekharAzad; Sadly many people outside Telugu states don't know much about this revolutionary.

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#AlluriSeethaRamaRaju statues are seen across Telugu states.

Pics:
1. Statue at Tank Bund, Hyderabad.
2. Statue at Seethammadhara, Visakhapatnam.

But his statue was not yet installed in the Parliament. It is a long-time demand from Telugu people:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/alluri-statue-yet-to-reach-parliament-house/article30552589.ece/amp/

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Many residential colonies, institutions, parks are named after #AlluriSeethaRamaRaju.

Eg: ASRAM(Alluri Sitarama Raju Academy of Medical Sciences) Medical College, Eluru.

Alluri Sitaramaraju cricket stadium, Eluru.

Alluri Seetharama Raju nagar, Hydernagar, Hyderabad.

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Alluri Sitaramaraju nagar, Gudimalkapur, Hyderabad.

Alluri Sitarama Raju Marg, Vishalakshi Nagar, Visakhapatnam.

Alluri Sitaramaraju circle, Ramakrishna puram, Vijayawada.

Alluri Sitaramaraju Park, Ayodhya Nagar, Vijayawada.

#AlluriSeethaRamaRaju's name is everywhere.

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Portrayal in Telugu cinema( #Tollywood):

#AlluriSeethaRamaRaju(1974) movie: The only full length biopic on him, Krishna played lead role


Song "Telugu Veera Levara" by poet #SriSri from it won National Award for Best Lyrics


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#MugguruKodukulu(1988) movie: @urstrulyMahesh in scene


#MajorChandrakanth(1993) movie: Sr NTR in the song "Punyabhoomi Naadesam"


#NTRKathanayakudu(2019) movie: Balakrishna in #AlluriSeethaRamaRaju get-up from Sr NTR biopic

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India's most awaited movie #RRRMovie(2021): Directed by #Baahubali director @ssrajamouli will see @AlwaysRamCharan playing a fictionalized version of #AlluriSeethaRamaRaju.

First look video of #RamCharan as #SeethaRAMaRajuCHARAN from @RRRMovie:

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#AlluriSeethaRamaRaju's attire was similar to Lord Rama because of traditional warrior look along with bow & arrows.

So Alluri Seetharama Raju's Silhouette can be confused as Lord Rama's Silhouette like written in this @thenewsminute article: https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/watch-ram-charans-character-rrr-revealed-121268

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Alluri Seetharama Raju's tomb is situated in Alluri Sitarama Raju Park in Krishnadevipeta village, near Narsipatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Pics: #AlluriSeethaRamaRaju's, his associate #GamGantamDora's final resting places(tombs) from that Park.

Source: https://narsipatnamonline.com/tourism_view?id=12&alluri-sitarama-raju-park

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Alluri Sitarama Raju Tribal Museum is being constructed in Timmapuram, Visakhapatnam district:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/45-crore-tribal-museum-works-to-begin-soon/article24428506.ece
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/tribal-museum-to-be-named-after-alluri-sitarama-raju/article7383743.ece

A soon to be formed(new) district in Andhra Pradesh is set to be named after #AlluriSeethaRamaRaju:
https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/new-district-in-andhra-pradesh-to-be-named-after-alluri-sitaramaraju-avanthi-srinivas-631864

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Pic: #AlluriSeethaRamaRaju postage stamp was issued by Government of India in 1986.

A Hindu Sannyasi-Kshatriya leading Manyam Tribals resistance against mighty British also shows an example of Caste unity. He resolved some differences among different Tribal castes too.

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The Resurgent India should remember the brave spirit of Manyam Tribals, the sacrifice of #AlluriSeethaRamaRaju at the young age of 27 in Indian Independence movement's #RampaRebellion(1922-24).

Alluri Seetharama Raju's statue must be installed in Parliament House soon.

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On the occasion of #AlluriSitaRamaRajuJayanti/ #AlluriSeethaRamaRajuJayanti;

I wrote a Telugu poem on " #ManyamVeerudu" #AlluriSitaRamaRaju/ #AlluriSeethaRamaRaju and also provided it's pronunciation & english translation so that Non-Telugus can also understand.

Do check

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POEM IN TELUGU SCRIPT:

"బ్రిటిష్ అరాచకాలపై మన్యంలో పూనించినాడు తన రణభేరి

భావితరాల శ్రేయస్సుకై విప్లవం సాగించినాడు ప్రతి ఊపిరి

శత్రువుల తుపాకీగుళ్ళకై ధైర్యంగా చూపించినాడు ఛాతీ కడసారి

భరతమాత స్వేచ్ఛకై అలా ప్రాణం అర్పించినాడు మన అల్లూరి."

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THE ABOVE POEM CAN BE READ AS:

"British Arachakalapai Manyamlo Puninchinaadu thana Ranabheri

Bhaavitharala Shreyassukai Viplavam Saaginchinaadu Prathi Oopiri

Shatruvula Thupaakigullakai Dhairyamga Chupinchinaadu Chaathi Kadasaari

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Bharatamata Swecchakai Ala Praanam Arpinchinaadu Mana Alluri."

ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF THE ABOVE POEM:

He started war-cry against British Atrocities in Manyam(Manyam area)

For the well-being of future generations, he continued revolution in every breath

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He showed his chest for one last time bravely to receive bullets from enemy guns

That's how our Alluri gave up his life for Bharat Mata's(India's) freedom.

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