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CIVIL DISOBEDIANCE MOVEMENT IN ANDHRA PRADESH

Smt. A.V.Ramana Principal, V.S.K. Degree College,H.O.D., Department of History

Bhimavaram, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, India Introduction

The success of India’s battle for freedom, is as much due to the transcendental personality of Gandhiji, as it was due to the determination and spirit of dedication of all those teeming millions of men and women who responded to his call, and sacrificed everything at the altar of the country’s freedom. The valiant sons and daughters of Andhra Pradesh have played a memorable part in the various phases.

It was led by Mahatma Gandhi against certain laws and commands of the ruling British Government. In January 30th, 1930,

Gandhiji wrote in the newspaper, ’YOUNG INDIA’, that he might suspend his Civil Disobedience or law-breaking movement if the government accepted his eleven-point country became prepared to fight for “Poorna Swaraj”

The outstanding feature of the history of the world in the Twentieth Century is the achievement of freedom by most of the

peoples of Asia and Africa who during the previous two or three Among them the first to become free were the people of India. In carrying on the struggle for freedom and in winning it they set an example to other nations of Asia and Africa.

The achievement of freedom by India was the result of the growth of the national consciousness among the people and the

leadership supplied by the intelligentsia who were the product of the system which enabled the educated classes to come into intimate contract with the national and democratic movements of Europe and America.

India’s freedom was won by the co-operative efforts of the people living in each part of the region of the country, in

accomplishing this task the contribution made by Andhra was quite substantial and the part by the Andhras was a glorious and heroic one.

From time immemorial till the beginning of the 19th century India was noted for its excellent textiles and other Industrial

products. It carried as an extensive trade both maritime and over land with Europe, the products and manufactures of India including Andhra were in great demanded in foreign markets. The Portuguese and the Dutch took the lead in discovering the sea route to India one after one and established their factories at Surath, Machilipatnam, Petaploti (Krishna Dist.,), Nagapaatnam, Narsapurametc 1.

In 1615, Sir Thomas was sent to the court of Mughal King, JAHANGIR, as an ambassador from King James I of England.

He was instructed to secure permanent trading facilities for the company. Meanwhile Jahangir granted English Company for established a permanent factory at Surath.

The war of Austrian succession in Europe was the rivalry between England and France in Europe. That war was the resulted

in a similar dispute between the Anglo-French trading companies in India too. Finally, the English Company was settled in India 2, the real sovereigns of Coastal Andhra from Ganjam to Guntur.

The rule of the East India Company did not bring much good to the people. They suffered from all the evils of a period of

transition from an old to a new order. These evils were aggravated owing the commercial outlook of the Directors of the company in England, and its influence on its servants in India 3. Gradually British got possession of the Circars in Andhra Pradesh.

After the foundation of the British Empire in India, the British introduced the principle of the ownership of land to make

revenue collections. They introduced 3 types of land revenue systems in Andhra Pradesh. As a result, the farmers, peasants stooped into poverty. Even Cottage Industries were affected by the company. On the other side encouragement of British Capital to make up direct investment in Indian consumer goods, industries. All these factors led to the decline of Indian trade and commerce 4.

The above survey makes it clear that under the rule of the East India company they became impoverished. Their general

conditions deteriorated; their religion was subject to fierce attack. Very few positive steps were taken by the government to ameliorate conditions of the people or to promoted their material and moral welfare. In addition to all this they faced the possibility of their traditional, social structure and faith on which it was based completely breaking down as a result of governmental policies and actions. The prospect before them appeared quite gloomy5.

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125

The Revolt of 1857 had almost brought an end to the British rule. In this revolt many native places faced the great struggle in South like Aurangabad, Hyderabad, Cuddapah, Machilipatnam etc. 6. The revolt has been called “Spoy Mutiny” or “The First War of Independence”.

The immediate outcome of the revolt was the transfer of rule even the country from the East India Company into the hands of

British Crown 7. The important result was passing the Government of India Act of 1858 by the British Parliament. The Secretary of the State was appointed by the British Crown also the rulers of Andhra Pradesh especially the young men had their own share in Freedom Movement.

In this critical situation, Mahatma Gandhiji came and took great role in freedom struggle. He was the architect of India’s

freedom. His guidelines were meticulously followed by the Andhras and under him the freedom struggle became a mass movement. It threw up many a common man of integrity and capacity for infinite sacrifice, like ParvataneniVeerayya Chowdary and Kannuganti Hanumanthu,Durgabhai Desmuk. There were many Andhra patriots like KOndaVenkatappayya, Duggirala Gopala Krishnayya, Dr. B.Pattabhi Sitharamayya, Tangaturi Prakasam Pantulu and host of march forward undoubtedly towards the goal of freedom 9.

Freedom struggle is but a glorious chapter in the annals of nation’ history. A struggle which was non-violent, pitted the moral

strength of emerge victories as a free land. We presented histories of national movement in states and also regional agitations, which proved to be a milestone in the country’s freedom struggle. Slogans for freedom throughout the country and the patriotic favor of the nation were reflected in no small measure in Andhra Pradesh, they were part of the national determination to get British out of India and free the Mother land from the shackles of foreign rule.

Prominent among these freedom struggles were the revolts in Rayalaseema in 1800, No-Tax campaigns in Cheerala-Perala,

Civil Disobedience movement and Salt Satyagraha in Andhra Pradesh and all other movements continued under the guidelines of Mahatma Gandhi, achieved a courage of fighting against the British under any circumstances without any basic stepping. The Freedom struggle in Andhra Pradesh was a patriotic zeal, sacrifices and dedicated approach to free Mother land from alien administration.

Gandhiji demanded reduction of land taxes, abolition of salt tax, introduction of prohibition act, started famous Dhandi march

boycott of foreign cloths many merchants supported, picketing of liquor shops-anti-drinking campaign by women. Konda Venkatappaih, leaden and precident of congress committees in Andhra, established many sibirams, camps in many women places in coastal areas. Many women also participated, famous songs of Tripuraneni Ramaswamy Veeragandham Tecchinaramu Veerulevarathelpudi, highlights in the moment.

Active participation of youth, students and women in civil disobedience movement in many places of Andhra,Number of

prominent leaders arrested this period were K.Nageswararao, Prakasham Panthulu ,G.Rangaiahnaidu, V.L.Sastri, Smt. Rukmini,LakshmiPatthi,A.Kaleswararao,kondavenktaappayyya,Gollapudisitharamasasthri,Pattabisitharamaih,Vallabaneniramabrahmam,Cherukuvada Lakshmi Narasimham and others. some of the notable women leaders who were arrested were Unnava Lakshmi Bayamma,Vedhantham Kamala Devi etc. Reference

1. Dr. Sarojini Regani, Highlights of the Freedom Movement in Andhra Pradesh 2. P.Raghunandha Rao, History & Culture of Andhra Pradesh Sterling Publishers (New Delhi) 3. Prof. M.Venkata Rangayya, The Freedom Struggle in AndhraPradesh (Vol-1) A.P. State Committee (1965) 4. Prof.M. Venkata Rangayya, The Freedom Struggle in Andhra Pradesh (Vol-1) 5. Prof.M. Venkata Rangayya, The Freedom Struggle in Andhra Pradesh (Vol-1) 6. A.P. State Committee (1965) 7. Satyanarayan.K, A Study of the History & Culture of Andhra Telugu Academy 8. P.R. Rao, History of Modern Andhra Sterling Publishers (New Delhi) 9. Prof.M. Venkata Rangayya The Freedom Struggle in Andhra Pradesh (Vol-1) 10. A.P. State Committee (1965) 11. J. Durga Prasad, Andhra Charitra Vol-I& II Telugu Academy (Hyderabad) 12. (2001) Telugu Academy (Hyderabad) (2001) 13. Prof.M. Venkata Rangayya, The Freedom Struggle in Andhra Pradesh (Vol-III) A.P. State Committee (1965) 14. Prof.Adapa Satyanarayana, National Movement in Modern Andhra,Department of History, Osmania University Hyderabad

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