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HISTORY OF
FREEDOM MOVEMENT

GUNTUR DISTRICT

1921 - 47

Dr. B. SESHAGIRI RAO

PRASANNA .OBLIGATIONS

O1STGOLE

History of Freedom Movement
in Guntur District
1921 - 47

X^" '

Dr. B. Seshagiri Rao

Rs. 5O/-

Copies available at :

Prasanna Publications,
37-1-423 (3)
Ramnagar,
O'NGOLE 523001

Printed at :

Sarathy Printers,
Nellore.

My Parents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The publication of this thesis was financially supported
by the Indian Council of Historical Research and the
responsibility for the facts stated, opinions expressed or
conclusions reached at is entirely that of the author and
the Indian Council of Historical Research accepts no
responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

PREFACE ... ... I

Genesis and Growth of Political

Consciousness in Guntur district ... ...

From Moderation To

Non-Cooperation ... ... 34

Chirala - Perala Satyagraha ... mmm 59

Painad Forest Satyagraha ... ... 95

No-tax Campaign ... ... flS

The Interlude - 1923 to 1929 ... ... 143

Salt Satyagraha and

Civil Disobedience .

Final Phase of the Freedom
Movement

Review and Conclusions ... ... 208

Glossor V ... ... 218

Select Bibliography ftm mmm 224

PREFACE

A substantial portion of this work is the thesis
submitted by me to the Andhra University, Waltair
in 1976 for the doctoral degree. The reason why Guntur
district is taken up for a case study for the growth of
political consciousness is that the district had the
reputation throughout South India as a centre of politi-
cal leadership among other Telugu districts. With the
emergence of Gandhi as the undisputed leader of the
Indian Independence Movement after theCalcutta Special
Congress held in September, 1 920, the Guntur District
was the epi-centre for political storms, which shook the
very foundations of the British colonial administration.
During the Non-Cooperation Movement the government
officials faced so much of social ostracism that the
District Collector remarked that he had seen 'Swaraj'
established in the district. In the subsequent move-
ments also like Salt Satyagraha, Simon Boycott Call r
Quit India Movement etc., the district did not lag behind,
and the government had to concentrate their military
and para-military forces to rule the people against their
will. This work contains all such incidents and in the
last chapter - Review and conclusions - an attempt is
made to show why the Guntur district was ahead of
other Telugu districts in the national movement, and
what castes and communities were in the fore-front of
fhe movement.

Material for this work has been culled from
innumerable sources such as official documents of the
Andhra Pradesh State Archives (Central Record Office),
Hyderabad; resolutions and documents of the Provincial
and District Congress Committee; District Unit of the
Communist Party of India; political and literary news-
papers and periodicals and answers to the questionnaire

presented to the freedom fighters in the district. Secon-
dary sources - books by scholars, Indian and foreign -
were consulted for a general study of the Indian indepen-
dence movement to evolve a thesis of the freedom
movement in the Guntur district.

1 express my greatest debt of gratitude to Dr. Y.
Srirama Murty, Proiessor of History and Archaeology,
Andhra University, Waltair, who initiated me into this
area of research, and guided me with unflinching coope-
ration and advice throughout.

I express my sincere thanks to the authorities of
Andhra Pradesh State Archives (Central Record Office),
Saraswatiniketan (Vetapalem) and Saraswathi Library
(Ongole) for permitting me to consult various docu-
ments, reports, news-papers, periodicals and books
pertaining to this work. I owe my special thanks to the
various freedom fighters, who, though in advanced age,
gave me considerable time and took the trouble of
answering my questionnaire. Their comments threw
good light on the various issues raised in this work.

My grateful thanks are to my sister-in-iaw Miss.
Vasantha Lakshmi Navuluri for preparing the type-script,
and also to my wife Visalakshi, who, in spite of her
domestic chores and tight schedule in the C S. R. Sarma
College, Ongole as Lecturer, helped me a lot in the
preparation of this boo/c. I should also mention Mr. P.
Gopala Krishna, Assistant Editor, "Zamin Ryot", Nellore
for proof reading and Mr. T. Vanamali, printer of this
work.

Last but not the least, I express my gratitude to
the Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi but
for whose generous publication grant this work might
not have seen the light of the day.

B. SESHAGIRIRAO

Genesis and Growth of

Political Consciousness

In Guntur District

INTRODUCTION

Situated between 15-8' and 10-50' Northern Lati-
tude and 70-10' and 80-55 r Eastern Longitude and
covering an area of 5,795 square miles Guntur district
was formed in the year 1904 with nine taluqs-Guntur,
Sattenapalli, Narasaraopet, Palnad, Vinukonda, Bapatla,
Tenali, Repalle and Ongole, According to the census con-
ducted in 1921 in the Madras presidensy of which the
Guntur district was then a part, the population of the
district was 1.8 million. The district created in 1904 by
the British Government continued twenty three years
after independence. On February 1 , 1 970 the taluq of
Ongole, Chirala Sub-taluq, Paruchur firka of Bapatla
taluq, Martur and Kommalapad firkas of Narasaraopet
taluq and Gurizepalli of Rompecharla firka also of Nartisa-
raopet taluq were taken out of the Guntur district and
with other contiguous parts of Nellore and Kurnool

2 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

districts the Prakasam district was carved out. So the
Guntur district created in the year 1904 continued in its
original form and extent till 1970.

Rich in agricultural crops like turmeric, sugar-cane
rice, tobacco, cotton and other staple crops and watered
by the irrigation canals of Nagarjuna Sagar project and
Krishna anicut, the Guntur District now to the Indian
standards is not merely a surplus but a rich district. She
is fast carving out a niche in the industrial map of India
with cement factories at Mangalagiri and Macherla, jute
mill at Guntur, spinning mill at Chirala, ginning mills
and tobacco redrying factories at many places. Guntur
boasts of highest number of colleges in the present
State of Andhra Pradesh. '

This was a contrast to the condition of Guntur
and its sorrounding areas even in the first years of the
second half of the 19th century, when people unable to
discharge government dues were subjected to severe
repressive measures, and Gajula Lakshmi Narasimha
Chetty of Madras had to intercede with the government
on behalf of the people. 2 Prof. Robert Eric Frykenberg
gives a vivid picture of Guntur during the company times:
'"The land was parched and its people destitute. The
canals of Chola days had long been for-
gotten, and tanks were often dry. Famine and flood
intermittently troubled the country with plague and
cholera in their wake. As if this were not enough,
occasional cyclones, tidal waves, and scourges of
locusts would bring further devastation/' J

I. Statistical Atlas of the Ountur district: IJ6'J (fash)
[Hyderabad: 1 9:0-5 1 J

2 Kondii Venkatappayya: Sweeya Charitra.

Hyderabad. 1966) (Telugu , p.~67

3 Robert Eric Frykenberg: Guntur District i7B1 - IIH8
(Oxford. 1965), p. 2 "~ """ ~

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 3

However, introduction of commercial crops
brought into existence a prosperous middle class in the
Guntur district which, when freed from need and want,
looked to social and political spheres to engage itself.
Economic viability coupled with rapid strides made in
education gave her political leadership, and Myron Wei ner
who did research on the party politics of the Guntur
district concluded that "the district has a reputation
throughout the South as a centre of leadership for all
political parties". '

Guntur district played a remarkable role in the
nation's struggle for political and economic emancipa-
tion from the British imperialism. Some of her illust-
rious sons like Desa Bhakta Konda Venkatappayya,
Andhra Ratna Duggirala Gopalakrishnayya and Andhra
Kesari Tanguturi Prakasam, just to name a few, were all-
India figures and names to conjure with for selfless
service, tenacity of purpose, undaunted courage in the
face of personal trial and tribulation and political saga-
city of very high order. In India's long drawn struggle
for national emancipation Guntur district was the epi-
centre of political storms that shook the very foundation
of the British Raj.

What then was the genesis ot this stupendous
growth of political consciousness among the people of
the district? What then were the factors that contri-
buted to this?

There is a tendency among some modern scholars
doing research on the Indian independence movement on

Myron Weiner : Party Building in a New Nation
(Chicago, 1967) p. I ,6.

4 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

different p|anes-nation,province and locality -to pin-point
that Gandhi's emergence on the political scene marks the
phenominal growth of national spirit, and that the move-
ment began only with him. It is true that Gandhi gave
shape, proper leadership and momentum to the national
spirit, and that his mark on the freedom movement was
indelible. But, Prof. M. Venkatarangaiya finds it logical
to look at the freedom movement as a continuation of
what had happened in the country during the rule of the
British l He quotes Carl Leiden and M. Schmitt: "Rather
than a single dramatic incident, the birth of a Revolution
may consist of a series of related events. For example
it is difficult to hold the proposition that the Declaration
of Independence marked the birth of American Revolution.
There were, after all Lexington and Concord; and other
acts of violence and defiance of authority ...", 2

So also there were incidents in th3 Guntur district
against the British myrmidons like the Kotappakonda riot
that occured on the Sivaratri festival of 1909 and many
other acts of protest by the people against the British
government much earlier than Gandhi's return to India
from South Africa. For violent and non-violent acti-
vities against the alien rule and nationalism taking deep
root there were influences which were con s tent I y at work
giving momentum to the national under-current that was
slowly but steadily surfacing. Mention should be made
of influences like westren education, library movement,
national literature, Vande Matharam movement, Home
rule movement, early associations though by modern
parlance were not political associations and the forma-
tion of the Guntur District Congress Committee.

1 Prof M. Venkatarangaiya : " Sociology of ihe Freedom Movement in Andhra-An
official view" (Published in Itihas, Journal of the Andhra Pradesh Archives
Itihas Vol. I p. 161.

2 Ibid

HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 5

WESTERN EDUCATION

Guntur district now in 1976 boasts of eighteen deg-
ree colleges, law college, teacher training colleges, medi-
cal college and Nagarjuna University offering instruction
in various disciplines, both sciences and humanities. 1
Nowhere else in Andhra Pradesh has there been such a
concentration of educational institutions.

However, introduction of western education in
Guntur district was the work of Lutheran and Baptist
missionaries of America. Though the missionaries arrived
in Guntur principally for the propagation of the Gospel,
they did substantial work in the field of education. Before
1842 there was a school in the Guntur town, which was
run under the patronage of collectors and other English
residents of the town. 2 But real foundation for higher edu-
cation in thedistrict was laid with the arrival of Rev. C. F.
Heyer of the Pennsylvania Synod Society. His life and
achievements remind' one of David Livingstone and
Dr. Albert Schweitzer. Dr. C. H. Swavely for many years
Principal and Bursar of the Andhra Christian College 3
gives a vivid description of the arrival of C. F. Heyer in
Guntur. "On October 15, 1841, Father Heyer sailed from
Boston, Mass., and landed at Tuticorn on March 23, 1842...
Travelling by Palakeen to Palamcotta, Tinnevelly, Madura"
Trichinopoly andTranquebar, he arrived at Madras on April
16, 1842. After a month of Telugu language study, he
started north on May 19th and arrived at Nellore on May
23rd. From Nellore the Rev. Stephen Van Husen of the
American Baptist Mission accompanied him in seeking a
suitable location to carry on his work. They travelled to

1. Unclassified Andhra Um'veriity recordi,

2. Rev. C. H. Swavely : Th? Lutheran Enterprise in India ,
(PJacc of Publication not mentioned, 1952), P. 3 t

3. Andhra Christain College Annual Calendar 1973-74
[Guntur, 1973), pp, 4, 5.

6 HISTOH.Y OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

Ongole, and later to Guntur, arriving on July 31, 1842.
At Guntur they were given a very cordial welcome by H.
Stokes Esq, the District Collector. Father Heyer decided
to begin his work at once". 1 Heyer organised schools in
Kottapet (Guntur), Prattipadu and Nallapadu, In Novem-
ber 1842 he started the first girls school in Guntur. The
number of schools at the end of Father Meyer's first year
had risen to seven with ten teachers and one hundred and
eighty pupils. 2 When Heyer left India in 1871 the numbe r
of pupils in the Guntur area rose to four hundred. 3

Dr. and Mrs. LL Uhl arrived in Guntur on March 26,
1873 and for fifty years did good work in the field of edu-
cation. In 1885 he raised eighteen thousand American
dollars for the buildings of educational institutions. 4

The first college in Guntur was also the work of
missionaries. In September 1885 The American Evange-
lical Lutheran Mission college, rechristened Andhra Chris-
tian College in January 1928, was started with Dr. L. C
Wolf as the Principal.

This was affiliated to the Madras University till April
1926whenthe Andhra University Act came into force. 5
The college had a series of efficient Principals, and of
them mention should be made of Rev. J. Roy Strock
(1919-1922, 1927-33, 1936-39) and Dr. H. F. Sipes
(1923-27, 1933-36, 1941-43)* during whose tenure
national movement in Guntur took a fast swing forward.

The American Baptist Mission also did good work in
the promotion of western education in the district. The

1. C. H. Swavely; Op. cit. pp 33, 34.
2 Ibid

3. Ibid. P. 34

4. Ibid

5. Unclassified Andhra Christian College [Guntur) records

6. Ibid

HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 7

A. B. M. School, Ongole, was started in 1880 by Dr. J. E.
Clough. Between 1894-1908 this institution enjoyed the
status of an Intermediate College, when colleges in the
Madras presidency were few and far between. 1 When

female education was a far-cry in Ongole till 1867, Dr.
and Mrs. Clough filled the void by starting a girls'
school that year. In 1892 a lower grade training school
was also started for girls by the Baptist missionaries.
These two institutions that promoted education among
the girls of Ongole and its surrounding areas had the
services of devoted missionaries like Miss. Berth Evans
(1911-15), Miss. Susan Roberts (1916-35) and Miss.
Helen L. Baillie (1930-53). 2

Thus, these Lutheran and Baptist Missions establi-
shed schools and colleges in Guntur district on western
lines. Soon the government stepped in, and they multi-
plied. By the end of 1913 there were seventeen hundred
and seventy schools attended by sixty thousand two
hundred and thirty four students. 3 These centres of
learning were responsible for the widening of intellectual
and political horizons of the peoples of the district. Most
of the leading lights of the freedom movement of the
district were the products of these institutions.

Konda Venkafappayya speaks extollingly of these
missionary institutions. 4 In these English educational

1. MemorajduiT^prcsented [_tg_Mr._Mfl UflJL|nclh v Secretary. International Committee
of the Young Peoples' Union of the BaptistJCJnicm of Sweden on the occasion of
his visit to the A^ B. M. J^

s ta f f . J? f the A. B. M. J un lor College Ongol e. (Ongoje, , 1 ffi ; 1)_

2. Ongole Girls' School Anniversaries (Ongole. 1957). pp. I, 2.

i ^^^-^i^-^^'^^p wn^vvii IMI i i*-*iFfc...-^iT.-*..-'H. 4 - h-Mu.i ..<.. .:lu ! .i'*MfiTi-i.nMv.>}i H .Qiifcwi>n4waA . t r.i* -"i 'HIM mir M tyr iH>m IIIUUULI

3 ' ?JL!L JjJSJLf A Jf**5H j iJQf* !.?J. nandu Jarigioa 23 va Gun t u ru _Ma nda la jSa bh a
yandu Sriyutu Vmjamuri Bhavunacharyulu garl Agrasanadhipatyopanyab-anm

HUM -M_H-* JTT I 1 - I .- ~ ..afrrfafc-AlMHl^K-*.:-! ^KV.-IMMl.h.W>.4^ ". . ..,..-.....,.,..,*.- , -l w(i -M l4 . WaH

(place of publication and year not mentioned (Telugu). P. 6. Hereafter this is
referred to as Vinjamuri Bhavanacharyulu'a Presidential Address in the Guntur
District Conference held at Ongole on June 4th and 5th. I'?l4.)

4. Konda Vcnkatappayya .' Op. cit. 24,25

8 HISTORY Of .FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

institutions the student came to grips with a wide range
of subjects like Politics and Economics. They learnt
about serfdom, slavery, American war of Independence,
Italian Unification Movement and their own plight under
the alien rule. Prof. N, G. Ranga writes that as a student
of Ponnur High School he had the opportunity to read
"Plutarch's Lives," a biography of Benjamin Franklin. "I
could see how the American Negroes were liberated from
their slavery and began to dream of the liberation of our
Panchamas-later to be known as Harijans-from untouch-
ability". 1 It was also as a student of F. A. class in the
A, E. L. M. College, Guntur that N. V. L, Narasimha Rao,
Chairman of the Guntur Municipality during 1922-30,
1933-34 2 and a leading participant in the freedom strug-
gle in the Guntur district since non-cooperation days
came under the influence of the social reform movement
launched by Kandukuri Veeresalingam and Unnava Laksh-
m'marayana, 3 The heated discussions that went on
between the social reformers and the orthodox sections
created not a little interest in the young minds like those
of N. V. L. Narasimha Rao. Some of the leading parti-
cipants in the freedom movement of the Guntur district
were also the products of the western universities.

N. V. L. Narasimha Rao and Duggirala Gopalakrish-
nayya took M. A. (Hons) degrees from the Edinburgh
University, 4 Unnava Lakshminarayana his Barrister's
degree from the Dublin University, 5 Tanguturi Prakasam
his Barrister's degree from the Gray's Inn of the Council
of Legal Education, London 6 and Prof. N. G* Ranga B. Litt

1. N. G. Ranga: Fight for Freedom (New Delhi, |968), P. 57

2. Daruvuri Veerayya (Editor): Guntur Mamiala Sarvaswamu
(Guntur, 1964) (Telugu), P. 153 " * " *" "

3. Unclassified and unpublished personal papers of N. V. L. Narasimharao. here-
after referred to as personnal papers of N. V. L. Narasimharuo.

4- Personnal papers of N V. L. Narasimharao.

5. Kanuparihi Varalakshamma; Unnava Dampathalu (Srimannarayanapuram. Krishna

district, 1963) (TeJugu) p, tt.
. T. Prakasam.-Na. Jeevitha Yatra (Madras, 1972) (Telugu), P. 93,

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 Q

(Economics) from the Oxford University. 1

Their stay in the west was their greatest eye-opener.
N. V. L. Narasimha Rao was impressed with the love of
freedom of the Scots. The Irish war of Independence
kindled much enthusiasm in his young student heart. The
elections for the Rectorship of the Edinburgh University
and the free air which the people were breathing incul-
cated in him a passionate yearning for the liberation of
his own mother-land. 2 Writing about England and
Western Europe, Prof. N. G. Ranga says, "We were bre-
athing and living in the almost heavenly atmosphere of
complete freedom and social equality of English and
European life. We owed a special duty to our masses to
help them to rise to such a status". 3 The creation of the
Irish Free State proved to be a ray of hope for him. As a
student at Oxford, Ranga read much about French and
American Revolutions and loved Thomas Paine and
Jefferson, the philosophers of the Declaration of Ameri-
can Independence. "I was under the spell of the writings
of Shelly, H. G. Wells, William Morris and Blotchford.
So, I decided to become a follower of Mahatma Gandhi
to work for national freedom". 4

The spread of western education was limited and
confined only to a few. There were also inherent defects
in the system. Bipin Chandra, Amales Tripathi and Barun
De list some of them like complete neglect of modern
technical education, emphasis on English as the medium
of instruction in place of Indian languages which created
a wide linguistic and cultural gulf between the educated
and the masses, extremely low level of education etc. 5

1. N G, Ranga: Op. cit. P. 93

2. Personnal papers of N. V. L, Narasimharao.

3. N. O. Ranga: Op. cit. p. 7^.

4. Ibid. P, 113

5. Bipin Chandra, Amtles Tripathi. Barun Do _Freedorn_S trugg I fl
(New Delhi, |972)* pp. 26. 27.

1 O HISTORY OP. FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

But in spite of these defects western education brought
new ideas to the young minds. With the modern knowle-
dge, they got, they were able to analyse and criticise the
imperialist and exploitative character of the British rule,
artd organise an anti -imperialist political movement.
Western education also raised in the people revulsion
against glaring social injustices inextricably ingrained
in the Indian caste-syst&m. But for his western educa-
tion it is difficult to imagine whether Tripuraneni Rama-
swami Chowdary would have led the 'Sirddhi' movement
or written "Vivaha Vidhi", wherein he denounced the
diobolical caste-system or championed the cause of
Harijans in Guntur district in general and Tenali taluq in
particular. 1 Thus the English educated elite, though nu-
merically not very strong, exerted considerable influence
in giving a shape and form to New India that was slowly

As now, so in the past, the student-community
-supplied to the leadership much raw and inflammable
material for agitation. During the Non-cooperation Mo-
\mmferit, Salt Satyagraha and Quit India Movement, the
role of the students in the district was really spectacular.
The Andhr.a Christian College, being the premier educa-
tional centre in the district, naturally took a leading role.
It is already pointed out that American missionaries
Were the founders of the college and the two important
principals of the college were J. Roy Strock and Dr. H. H.
Sipes. Bfeing Americans they knew tire value of freedom,
arid hbw hard won their liberty was. They came from the
land of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Rev
C. H. Swavely of the AndhVa Christian College, Guntur
regrets that due to Civil War in America the missionaries
could not bring more funds for their missionary and

1. Tapi Dharroarao's article -Tripuraneni Ramaswami Chowdary** In Vtgnann
jarvaswamu. Vol. Ill (Madras, 1959) (Tclugu) pp. |03I. 1032.

2. R. C. Majumdar: History of Freedom Movement in India,
Voll, (Calcutta 1963). p * '

HISTORY OF FREEDOM; MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 1 1

educational activity. 1 Prinicipal Strockafid Principal Sipes
were not averse to the national aspirations of the Indians.
T. Sivasankara Swamy, G. V. Punnayya Sastry and
S. V. L. Narasimham, when interviewed, said without
hesitation that Rev. Strock and Dr, Sipes had sympathies
for the Indian national movement. 2

LIBRARY MOVEMENT

Libraries are disseminating centres of knowledge.
This was more so in a rural country like India, whereedu-
catiorval institutions were limited. The Guntur
district libraries, besides disseminating knowled-
ge, set as their goal deepening national spirit of the people
and buttressing their patriotic sentiment against the
foreign yoke. Delivering the presidential address in the
Third Andhra Desa Library Congress held in Nellore on May
12, 1916, in which Guntur district delegates enthusiasti-
cally took part, 3 Kasinadhuni Nageswararao asserted that
libraries serve their purpose only when they inculcate
spirit of enquiry in the people. 4 Though in 1921 public
figures of the Guntur district concentrated their energies
more on the freedom struggle and less on other activi-
ties, the library movement still created in the people love
for selfless sacrifice for the country and carried the gos-
pel of freedom to the four corners of the district. 5 Saranu
Ramaswamy Chowdary and Adusumalli Srinivasarao,
both in the thick of the district library movement in the
pre-independence period, say that the first libraries in An-

1. C. H, Swavely: Op cit. p, 36.

0. Signed statements of T Sivasankara swamy. O. V, Punnayya Saatry and
S. V. L. Narasimham.

3. Andhra Dcsa Ggandhalaya Charitra (published in the name of Ayyuoki Venkata

^^^^^^^^"^^^^^^^^^i" rn in .^^Mi WUJJ-H* ^^^'HIIIMIIP imjuinrt-tmnftii '

Ramanayya, Secretary- Andhra l>esaCfrandha Bhandagara Sanghamt Author's
name not mentioned, fBezwada. l9l6)

4. Ibid p. 23

5. V. V. Sresty. Ounjturu Mandala Grandhalaya Charitr a 19 31*32
(Guntur, year of publication not montionedj (Telugu), p. 2*

1 2 HISTORY OF.FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

dhra in the modern times were those of the Gunturdistrict.i
The library started in Guntur town in 1882 in Sri Krishna
Theosophical Lodge and the C. V. N. Reading Room estab-
lished in Ongole in 1891 appear to be the earliest reading
centres. 2 The library movement, thus having a humble be-
ginning, gained momentum in the frist quarter of the
twentieth century. By 1914 there were thirty five libra-
ries in the district, and in 1916 the Guntur Mandala
Grandhalaya Sangham was started under the leadership
of Tadanki Venkayya. 3 In 1920 the Sangham held its
meeting under the chairmanship of the eminent patriot
Unnava Lakshminarayana.

By 1938 the Gunturu Mandala Grandhalaya San-
gham could boast of one hundred and seventy six libra-
ries scattered in the urban and rural areas of the
district. 4

Some of the libraries in the district were named
after the national leaders viz. Tilak Jatheeya Grandha
Nilayam, Chinapalem (Tenali taluq), Patel Pathana
Mandiram, Godavarru (Tenali taluq), Dadabhai Noaroji
Pustaka Bhandagaramu, Tsundur (Tenali taluq), Nehru
Grandhalayam, Gudavalli (Repalli taluq), Mahatma
Gandhi Vysya Grandhalayam, Bhattiprolu (Repalle taluq)
Andhra Ratna Grandhalayam, Peturu (Repalle taluq)'
Desodharaka Grandhalayam, Medikonduru (Sattenpalli
taluq), etc. 5 The founders of these libraries might have
attempted to imbibe something of the spirit of the natio-
nal leaders in whose names these libraries were founded
The libraries were the centres of discussion and debate.
They were definitely the symbols of national resurgence.

1. Gunturu Mandalamu lo Grandhalayodyamamn-Grandhala Charitra".
Anicic of Saranu Ramaswramy Chowdary ond Adusumaili Srinivasarao
in Gunturu Mandala Sarvaswamu. p. 505,

4, Ibid p. 506

3. Ibid

4. Gunturu Mandala Grandhalaya Charitra (Published by the Gunturu Man Jala
Grandhalaya Sangham, authors name not mentioned. Guniuru, 1938} n 50

5. Ibid, pp. 4.9, IS. 1721, 25,37.

HISTORY OP FREEDOM' MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 1 3

The Guntur Pat tana Grandhalaya Sangham had a
novel scheme of distributing among the sick and the
wounded books pertaining to cleanliness, literacy, natio-
nalism etc. This scheme was inaugurated on November
22,1936. Capt. Hopper of the Government Head-quarters
hospital and Buddhiraju Ramachandra Rao played a key-
role in this novel enterprise. 1

Seva Srama Vani Mandiram, Peddapalem of Tenali
taluq founded in 1919 by Malempati Rangayya, Putum-
baka Sreeramulu and Pathuri Nagabhushanam, who were
enthusiastic non-cooperators had magic lantern and
slides and educated the villagers in various political prob-
lems. 2 Patel Pathana Mandiram, Godavarru (Tenali taluq)
founded in 1926 had also magic lantern and slides. 3 Their
educative value on villagers cannot be under-estimated.

The technique of satyagraha which Gandhii nitiated
with success in South Africa formed the dominant ele-
ment in India's struggle for freedom since 1919. There
was general awakening of the masses to their political
rights and privileges from that year. The Gunturu Mandala
Grandhalaya Sangham contributed its mite to this great
awakening. In 1920 the Sangham published a series of
pamphlets touching changes in administrative set-up,
vote-voter, taxation and how it should be paid, the glory
of Ancient India, Acts and how they were enacted, natio-
nal awakening, coins-currency, untouchability, non-co-
operation etc. These pamphlets were distributed not only
in the district but also in far-off places like Burma and
received much appreciation. Kolavennu Ramakoteswararao
evinced much interest in their publication as an integral
part of thedistrict library movement. Tanguturi Prakasam,

1, Gunturu Mandala Grandhalaya Sanghamu-3 0-7-1938 nundi iO-8-i940 varaku

^^^Ul- -t f |tfn^-Mi sa. 1 Itr- -ft M **+ i ' Ji-.ll. -*~ii*rW-v ' . ' * . -* i" -** ffffmtfrtflii

Karyadarsi Kasiuri Kutmnba Rao Nivedika(K.anagala, 1940) (Tclugu). p. 15

2, Gunturu Mandala OrandbalayiT Churiira (Published by the Guntur Mandala
Grandhalaya SanBhara; Author's name" not mentioned, Guntur, 1938) (*TcIuu)p, (4

3, Ibid, p. 17.

1 4 HISTORY OF .FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN. GUHTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

Jagarlamudi Kuppuswami Choudary, Bellamkonda Ragha-
varao and N. V. L. Narasimharao financed this enterprise. i
Impressive work of this kind might have prompted N. G.
Ranga, who undertook an extensive tour of Britain and
greater part of the Continent in 1922 to assert, "The

British movement for rural libraries was only a

beginning, whereas the Indian rural library movement
had already passed its adolescence" 2

The impact of the libraries in the district on the up
and coming leaders was overwhelming. 1910 to 1916
was the village library phase of N. G. Ranga's life. Sitti-
ng in the library of his village, Ponnur, he familiarised
himself with the teachings of Veeresalingam and Brahmo
Samajists, evils of untouchability and caste-system,
traditional taboos and the political teachings of Lok
Manya Tilakand B. C. Pal, and ultimately introduced him-
self to the national movement for freedom. 3

The library movement in the Guntur district con-
tributed not a little in furthering the national conscious-
ness among the people. It enlivened rural life, and edu-
cated politically the not-so-much educated rural youth,
who had hitherto been only hewers of wood and tillers
of soil.

NATIONAL LITERATURE

History gives numerous examples, where a genuine
national reawakening is symbolised in literature, which
in its turn sustains and speeds up the national movement
so that one reacts upon the other. 4 For the out-break of

1. "Gunturu Mandalamu lo Grandhalaodyamamu-Oraiulhaluyji CharitM."
Ariticle of Saranu Ramaswamy Choudary and Adusumalli Srinivasa Rao in
Gtmturu MandaU Sarvaswaimii p. 507.

2. N. G. Ranga : Op. tit. p. 98.

3. Ibid* p. 17

4. R. C. Majumdar : Op. cit. Vol. II (Calcutta, 1963). p. 148

HISTORY OF FREEDOM' MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 1 6

the French Revolution the writings of Rousseau, Voltaire
and Montesquieu and for the Great October Socialist Re-
volution of Soviet Russia the writings of Marx and Engels
Gorki and Lenin had tremendous effect.

The cause of nationalism in India was also greatly
furthered by the emergence of national literature. Bengal
in this regard showed the way. Significant contribution
in the field of national literature was made in Bengal by
Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, the author of Ananda Mutt
which contains the national hymn Vande Mataram,, Mich-
ael Madhusudan Dutt, regarded as the Father of Modern
Bengali poetry, Dinabandhu Mitra whose Nila Darpan
was a scathing satire on the indigo. planters of Bengal,
and the great poet Ravindranath Tagore.

The influence of patriotic fervour animating Bengali
literature was not confined to the province of Bengal
alone. It galvanised the youth from Karachi to Calcutta
and from Lahore to Madras. Bankim Chandra's hymn Vande
Mataram had been the national anthem of India upto
1947. During the long and arduous struggle for freedom
from 1905 to 1947 Vande Mataram was the rallying cry
of the patriotic sons of India, and thousands of them su-
ccumbed to the lathi blow of the British police or moun_
ted the scaffold with Vande Mataram on their lips. 1 On
February 18, 1909, during Mahasivaratri festival there
was a serious confrontation between the police and the
festival revellers in Kotappakonda in Guntur district 1 ?
when the police beat up the people on a flimsy ground,
there was wholesale rioting and the air rent with the
slogan Vande Mataram. 3 Under the leadership of one
Chinnappa Reddy, whom the government tried and hanged

1. R. C Majumdar." Op. clt. Vol.1 p 341.

2. M. Venkacarangaiyya ; The Freedom Struggle in Anclhra Pradesh^ Andhra)
Vol II (Hyderabad, 1969)rp.""39:^ ~~

3. Ayyadevara ftaleswararao r Na Jcevitha K.atha. Navyandhrtmu

(Vijayawada, 1959)nreluBu). pp. 112, ||3:

1 6 HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN ;GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

later, the festival revellers that day bared their breasts
against the government bullets with full throated cries of
Vande Mataram. 1

Other non-Telugu nationalist literature that inspi-
red the district people appear to be the writings of Vive,
kananda and Rama Tirtha. Both of them condemned in
their writings all that was drossy in the Hindu religion.
N. G. Ranga was happy that he could find in their writi-
ngs "an explanation for all the confusing and contradi-
ctory social atmosphere with which I had been surroun-
ded almost to suffocation"- 2 Vivekananda and Rama
Tirtha created in him a revulsion against idol-worship,
casteism and sacrificial ceremonies.? As R. C. Majumdar
points out, "The revolt of the mind against the tyranny
of dogmas and traditional authorities, beliefs and custo-
ms is the first requisite for freedom of thought and con-
science which lies at the root of progress in social, reli-
gious and political spheres of life". 4

According to Nidadavolu Venkatarao, Vande Mata-
ram movement marked the beginning of national litera-
ture in Telugu. 5 In 1907 Bipin Chandra Pal undertook a
tour of the Andhra country, and as a part of it stayed in
Rajahmundry from April 19th to 24th. Chilakamarthi
Lakshminarasimham during the last meeting of Pal at
Rajahmundry composed a verse in Telugu and read it to
the audience:

India is a gentle milch- cow
And the starved calves are Indians
The subtle cowherds muzzle them
To snatch the entire store of milkt

1. Ibid.

2. N. G. Ranga ; Op. cit, p. 30

3. Ibid

4. H. C, Majumdar; Op. cit. Vol, . I 1 pp. 290, 291

5. N. Venkatarao's article "Adhunika Yugamu-Gandhi SahitynmiT*
^J^dlira^atrika (Vijayawada) Annual Number 1973 '74, p. 9.

t M. Venkatarangaiya quotes the translation of Amarendra.

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR. DISTRICT 1921-47 17

The verse subsequently became popular throughout
Andhra and was inscribed on walls in public places 1 The
national literature gained momentum with the advent of
Gandhi on the national scene and touched all branches of
Telugu literature-poetry, novel, drama etc. Mudali Naga-
bhushana Sarma who made a study of Gandhi's influence
on Telugu literature enumerates the titles of eight hund-
red poems, novels and dramas. 2 Some of the poems he
cites were on the lips of practically all Telugu people
during the national movement. Of them mention should
be made of Garimella Satyanarayana's "Makoddu e Telia
dora tanam" (We donot want this whiteman's rule).
Nidudavolu Venkatarao says that between 1921 -23 every-
one in the Andhra country hummed this tune. 3 Daruvuri
Veerayya writes how as an young man he was inspired
and jumped into 1941 Individual Satyagraha Movement,
when Pathuri Appayya Sastry went about the streets of
Sattenapalli singing this poem. 4

Damaraju Pundarikakshudu, Unnava Lakshminarayana
and Duggirala Gopalakrishnayya have a special place in
national literature, vis-a-vis Guntur district. They belong
to the district, and especially the last two, besides being
first ranking political figures of the district, were also
writers of eminence. They ably used their pen to rouse
national consciousness, and point out the glaring social
and economic injustices.

Damaraju Pundarikakshudu wrote simple poems
portraying the Chirala and Palnad people's struggle agai-

1. M. Venkatarangaiya : Op. cit. Vol-II, pp. 1$. 19.

2. Mudali Nagabhushana Sarma ; Tgjugu Sahiityamu ; Oandhiji Prabhavamu
(Hyderabad, |970) (Telugu)

3. N Venkatarao's article "Adhunika Yugamu -Gandhi Sahityamu"
in And_ hra Patrika (vijayawada) Annual Number i97J~'74, p. 17.

4. Daruvuri Veerayya's article "Ncnu na Jecvltam" in Qunturu Mandalu Sarvaswamu
P- 338

1 8 HISTORY or FHEEDOM'MOVEMENT IN,GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

nst the British government during the non-cooperation
days. 1 He wrote plays in Telugu like Swarajya Sopawmu,
Gandhi Vijayamu, Panchala Prabhavarnu, Swarajya Radhamu,

.etc. These were enacted by Tilak Nataka Samajamu
formed in Guntur in 1921. The actors played the
roles of Gandhi, Lajpat Rai, Malaviya and AM Brothers*
and inspired vast audiences. Sometimes the atrocities
committed by the martial law administration in the Pun-
jab were the themes of the pfays of Pundarikakshudu,
and when they were enacted, the people used to go home
fully convinced that in the ejection of the British from
India alone lay their salvation. The authorities, therefore

"created much trouble to Pundarikakshudu and the actors
of the Tilak Nataka Samajamu. Before one play was pro-
scribed by the authorities another was forthcoming from
the pen of Pundarikakshudu. He used the pen as his
sword, and that was why he came widely to be known as
the Andhra national poet. 2 The plays and poems of
Pundarikakshudu produced many patriots in the district. 3

Duggirala Gopalakrishnayya composed poems, recited
them at various meetings held in Guntur and inspired the
people. 4

Unnava Lakshminarayana during his internment in
jail for his role in the Palnad anti-forest law campaign
during the non-cooperation movement wrote Malapalli. 5
In this great novel Lakshiminarayana brought to light
how the toiling masses were subjected to very cruel

1, Damaraju Puudarikakshudu : Gunturu Goppa (Guntur, 1921)
(TelufiuJ, ppi 9 to 24.

f Mohammad AH and Shoukat AIL

2, Mandala Veerabhadrarao : Dcsabhmkta Jeevita Charitra
(Machilipatnam, 1966) [Telugu], pp. 6g. 697"*"*

3, Daruvuri Veerayya's article "Nenu na Jeevitam" injGunturu Mandala
Sarvaswainu- p. 339.

4, Duggirala Gopalakrishnayya ; Chatuvulu (Bezwada. year of publication not
mentioned) (Telugu), pp. 25, 28.

5, Kanuparthi Varalikshmamma ; Op. cit. p. 34,

HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 1 Q

exploitation. Kambhampati Satyanarayana vehemently
asserts that October Revolution of Russia had its pro-
found impact on Lakshminarayana, when he wrote

Malapalli. 1 It is difficult to accept this assertion, as
Lakshminarayana wrote much that was opposed to Mar-
xism in Malapalli. Still as Kasinadhuni Nageswara Rao
in his foreword to Malapalli says : "It is a peerless
work" and "Unnava Lakshminarayana's attempt to reco-
nstruct life on a new rational basis" is most commend,
able. 2

The press, especially Telugu press, ably supple,
rhentfed national literature in contributing to the growth
of political consciousness among the people of Guntur
district. Most of the newspapers "were crusaders against
the foreign domination of the country. It was their
mission to educate the people politically, help them to
assimilate progressive ideas, and carry to them the doct.
rines of the great political thinkers of the west. Topics
like liberty, democracy, self-government and nationalism
were discussed and examined in their columns. In the
next place it was their constant effort to expose the
misdeeds of the government and subject its wrong
policies to merciless criticism. They made the people
conscious of their rights and freedoms, and fearlessly
advocated popular causes/' 3 That is why the press has
been glorified everywhere as the Fourth Estate.

Among the journals that made impact on the dis-
trict were The Hindu (Madras), Andhra Patn'ka (Madras)
and Krishna Patrika (Machilipatnam). The people who put
themselves in tune with the national happenings through
their assiduous study of the national its newspapers

1. Khambhampati Satyanarayana ; Artha Satabda Kalamu Jo Andhrula JPaina
OctobaruJViplava Prabhavamu (Madrai?7f97byTffeluttuh p. 9 II

2. Unnava"Lakshminarayana : Malapalli (Sangha Vijayam) (Madras. |962),
p. viii (Tclugu) "'

3. S f P. Suda ; Indian National Movement (Meerut, 1973-74), p. 73.

2 O HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN.GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

followed with rising emotions the inspiring activities of
the national leaders. N. G. Ranga then an young man of
Ponnur trying to understand nuances of politics writes
that the editorials of the press "emboldened us, through
their courageous espousal of India's cause, and their
daring ..... made us all to think, talk and write openly
and bravely against the British regime". 1

The government in Fort St. George did not look
kindly at the news-papers. The Annual Report of Telugu
News- papers and Periodicals for the yeat 1921- '22' 2 gives an
idea of how much displeasure and anger Andhra Patrika
and Krishna Patrika created in the government. The report
says, "the Andhra Patrika of Madras, a comprehensive
and well conducted daily, and Krishna Patrika took the
lead as in preceding two years in the inculcation of the

principles of N. C. 0. Movement The extensive

circulation of these papers in the Telugu districts and the
considerable following, which they have secured for
their dangerous cause, have contributed not a little to
the phenomenal spread of very strong spirit of dissatis-
faction and hatred in them towards the present system
of government in the land. They were the redoubtable
champions of Civil Disobedience as the last and the most
necessary step in their struggle for independence".

The same report speaks about some of the papers
published from Guntur. Gunturu Patrika was the foremost
among them. Its editor "has given much trouble to the
government in Guntur and Palnad". The paper" professed
to abide by the Congress and further the spread of the
non-cooperation" in the district. The Swatantra also of
Guntur was "extremely severe in its criticism of the acts
of the government. It often placed before its readers
extracts from the objectionable speeches and writings of

1. N, G. Ranga ; Op. oit. p 20

2. Andhra Pradnsh State Archives Document Number

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 2 1

C. F. Andrews and others and had its own share in
inciting hatred and contempt among the people against
the government".

It should not be supposed that the press was useful
only for the educated of the Guntur district. G. V. Pun-
nayya Sastry says, "Some times the educated would
read out the papers to the uneducated, and thus all
important news was carried to the masses" 1 , and this
method followed by the enthusiastic educated young
men engendered in the people of the Guntur district con-
siderable national spirit and political awakening.

VANDE MATARAM MOVEMENT

i <

Close on the heels of the formation of the Guntur
district in 1904, the tragedy of the dismemberment of
Bengal took place in the year 1905, which left "a pro-
found and far-reaching influence on the public life of
.Bengal and the future of the country"2 As Tara Chand
remarks, "Curzon's utter contempt for Indian sentiment
and mischievous measures to disrupt the progress of the
national movement provided the match to the magazine
which was filled up with powder". 3 The partition of
Bengal acted as a catalytic agent which accelerated the
process of anti-British sentiment. The people everywhere
bestirred themselves and though the movement in the
South "was not as vigorous as in Northern and Western
India "it effected" almost all the disiricts" even in the
South. 4 And to quote Prof. S. Gopal, "Curzon's partition
of Bengal gave the unwitting initiative to events of

1. Signed statement of G. V. Punnayya Sastry.

2. Sir Surcndranath flanerjea ; A Nation in making (Oxford, 1963). p. 170.

3. Tara Chand ; History of the Freedom movement in India VoMH [Now DelhiJ
1972. p. 325,

4. Ibid' p 324

22 HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUHTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

magnitude, and returned many years later to port with
the cargo of freedom". 1

At a public meeting held at Ongole on 13th July,
1907 Mittadoddi Venkata Subbarau, Pleader, Ongole
mounted scathing criticism against the Bengal partition.
He called it "the standing monument of the administra-
tive incapacity the construction of which is entirely due
to the architectural skill of Lord Curzon and Mr, Bro-
drick". 2 In the same meeting he vehemently lodged his
strong protest against the repression let loose by the
government in the form of "deportations and prosecu*
tions in the Punjab, prosecutions and persecutions in
Bengal, punitive police and quartering of troops in
Madras, and stultifying students all over India". Espe-
cially, the deportation of Lala Lajpat Rai irritated him.
Every hook and corner of the Guntur district was con-
cerned with the way the government was treating the
national leaders and the rising tide of nationalism.
Mittadoddi Venkata Subbarau asks, "Gentlemen, who-
ever dreamt of shouting 'Lala Lajpat Rai ki jai f by masses
in the village of Kottapatnamt of our taluq (Ongole).
I know it is a most backward place of all backward
places, Who is responsible for all this stir....? The stir
is something like the growling and rumbling noises of an
earthquake!!" 3

The alien administration created such a revulsion in
the people that Kotu Jayarami Reddi, a native of Chima-

1. S. Gopal ; British policy in India. ia58-|QQS_fCambridgc. |S>65) p. 298.

2. Mittadoddi Venkata Subbarau : The present political situation in India.

An addreas delivered by Mittadoddi Venkata Snbbarau. Second Grade Pleader.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^**^^^ M "^ M ^^^^^^^*^^^^^**^^^^^^^^^**^^^^^^^^^* lip '*^ l ^^** p *^^^"^^^^"^^"^*w^^^*m^-*w>^M * J ** rtat *

Oagole Guntur District, Madras Preiidency at a public meeting held at Ongole

.. JIM. ..u-ma; ^nfsiHmfHto ,m, n.ani^d,, ,t m , mim*?utM**i,*ti WPIM** ..'*... . ..-_^

on 13th July, 1907. (Place of publication not mentioned. 1907J, p 11.

t Kothapatnam is a sea-side village about twelve miles cast of Ongole.
3. Ibid, p. 22.

HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 23

kurthi in Ongole taluq, despised everything British, and
began to don Khaddar ever-since. 1

The people of the district started putting on a new
political air. More than that, a fearless spirit was over-
taking them. It was at this juncture that Bipin Chandra
Pal, one of the national trinity - Lai, Bal and Pal t toured
Andhra in April 1907. By that time, Pal's name was
known throughout Andhra. As a part of his tour, Pal
visited Kakinada, 2 Rajahmundry, 3 Bezawada* 4 and
Guntur. 5 Some students headed by Darsi Chenchayya
and Nallamalli Varadarajam tried to get Pal to Ongole,
but Pal having prearranged lecture. programme in Madras
could not stop at Ongole. 6

Bipin Chandra Pal was a fiery speaker, and he incu-
lcated in the youth a burning faith in 'Swadeshi' and a
Passionate yearning for liberty. His phillippics against
the alien rule received the dithyrambic approval in all
quarters. More important, he drew the students to his
cause like a magnet. The result was electrifying. The
students in Guntur began attending classes with the full-
throated cries of 'Vande Mataram'. Though this was
nothing but a salutation to motherland, it sent a chill in
the spine of whitemen. 7

Pal's visit to Rajahmundry produced more far-rea-
ching results. There was a serious confrontation bet-
ween Mark Hunter, Principal of the Government Arts

cSSXnt;!?" 1 -^^ 1 ^ 1 !''^ 111 ^ 1 * " 0n B la Talulca lo Bahumulcha Jaiceya
Chaitanyamu in Gudlapalh Auduiarayanu Shastipurti Sunchika. COngole, 1972)
(Telugu) p. 104. -~

T Lai, Bal, Pal stand for Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Oangadhar Tilak

Bipin Chandra Pal.
2 The Hindu (Madras) dated April 20,i907,

3. The Hindu dated April 22, 23, 24, 25, 1907.

4. The Hindu dated April 29, May 3 and II, 1907.
* Bezawada is now called as Vljayawada

5 Personal papers of N. V. L. Narasimbarao.

6. Darsi Chanchayya ; Ncnu Na Desom. (Vijayawada, 1967) (Telugu;, p. 42.

7. Personal papers of N. V. L. Narasimharao.

24 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUMTUR DISTRICT 19X1-47

students headed by Gadicherla Harisarvothama Rao. In
spite of repeated instructions to the contrary the students
persisted attending classes wearing Vande Mataram
badges. 1 The government thereupon issued G. 0. No.
864 (Public) dated November 16, 1907 expelling one
hundred and ten students from the Rajahmundry Govern-
ment College- 2 Among them were three from the Guntur
district. They sought admission to the Government Arts
College, Rajahmundry, as it was one of the nearest
colleges to the district people seeking degree courses.

- : The student incidents of Rajahmundry sent ripples
round Andhra, and in a public meeting held at Qngole on
July 13, 1907 Mittadoddi Venkata Subbarau condemned
the action of Mark Hunter and the Madras Government
rusticating many students. He protested: "I can under-
stand the rustication of a student or two, but the rusti-
cation of almost all the students of a college - a first
grade college like the one under consideration - no
sensible man can for a moment understand. This is
unique in the History of Universities. Why not abolish

the college? Mr. Hunter could be

provided anywhere : what blunder is this? Sta-
tesmanship seems to have left, if there was any, all the
English politicians of the present day

i: T. T> Logan, Acting Director of Public Instruction to the Secretary to Govern-
ment (Education), Fort St. George, Madras, dated May 6. 1907. (Andra **rades>h
State Archives, Hyderabad History of the Freedom Struggle Section. The letters

pertaining to the freedom movement do not contain any serial number of the State
Archives. They are arranged in the flies date-wise in the History of the Freedom
Struggle Section The source of such leiters is hereafter referred to as A. P. State
Archives H. F, S, Section)

2. Government Order Number 864 (Public). Government of Madras, Fort St George
Madras dated November. 161907. (Andhra Pradesh State Archives, Hyderabad
History of the Freedom Struggle Section. The Government Orders pertaining to the
freedom movement do not contain any serial number of the State Archives They
are arranged in the files date-wise in the History of the Freedom Struggle Section

The source of such Government Orders is hereafter referred to a A, P, State
Archives, H, F. S. Section)

HISTORY OF,FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1021-47 25

Bahadurism is rampant. How far this Bahadurism
succeeds time alone should decide. I hope the time will
not be longer." 1

More than any thing, the Rajahmundry incident of
1907 unleashed a new force in the national movement in
the Andhra districts-the force of the student-community-
destined to play a vital role with far-reaching conseque-
nces in the subsequent stages of the country's fight for
freedom like Triple Boycott; Simon Commission Boycott,
.Salt Satyagraha, Quit India Movement etc.

* *

|n the wake of Vande Mataram movement an event
of political importance occured in the Guntur district -
the Kotappakonda riot of 1909.

Kotappakonda is a bare hillock. It is in the Nara-
saraopst taluq of Guntur district. On the top of the
hillock there is a shrine of Siva.t It has been customary
to hold a car-festival every year on the MahasivaratrW
Day. Manufacturers would bring their wares, and ryots
their cattle, especially their bulls for exhibition. K. N.
Kesari, who vividly describes the enthusiasm that
pervades the festival in his autobiography, calls it a
national fair. 2

As usual pilgrims assembled at Kotappakonda for
the Mahasivaratri festival in 1909. That year there were
unusually large crowds which were far beyond the expecta-
tions of the police, as a result of which police arrangements
broke down. The police were excessively severe in con-

Mi ttadoddi Vcnkata Subbarau : T h ,o J'resen tjpoli tic a I s it ua t i o a in In d I a . An
Address delivered by Mittadoddi Venkata Subbarau, Second Grade Pleader,

t Ongole

on i3thjq|y 1907. (Place of publication not mentioned. 1907), pp 29, 30.
t Siva ii one of the Hindu Trinity* the other two being Brahma and Vishnu.
ft Birth day of Siva,
K. N. Kesari ; Na Chinnu Nati Muehchatlu (Madras, l953HTeIugu) pp, 78.79.

W^MM^iMIU^^B4BMMV4t4*fal*^BWnt'*nr>t l - ll ~J-Ir f *^*+t*&-&-* l'p-TWBtf

26 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUHTUR DISTRICT 19*1-47

trolling the crowds. There was confrontation between
the government and the festival revellers under the lea-
dership of Chinnappa Reddy who brought his best bulls

for exhibition.

Mutually contradictory causes of the rioting appear
in the government documents on the one hand and in the
writings of the district and other Congress leaders on the
other. According to the C. I. D. report on the rioting
"a Reddy was drunk and that a constable trying to arrest
him was severely beaten and thrown down by him. A
rumour spread that the constable had been killed. Imm-
ediately some four or five constables from different
places of the vast camps went to the scene and arrested
the drunken Reddy and took him and the constable who
had fallen down to the police station which had been
improvised on the plain for that single day festival. A
crowd quickly gathered and demanded the release of the
Reddy. The constables at the police station (there were
only seven or eight in number) refused and there was
some altercation. The crowd began to pelt stones and
sticks; the constables fired in the air. Suddenly some
evil genius got behind the police station and set fire to
the palmyra leaves of the shed which formed the station.
The constables became panic-stricken and ran away. All
this happened in an incredibly short space of time, per-
haps in less than 15 minutes". 1 But, it is very difficult
to believe that the arrest of a Reddy, that too when he
was drunk and misbehaving could have led to a riot of
that magnitude. It was the Mahasivaratri Day, considered
to be very sacred for the Hindus. It is difficult to under-
stand how the police concluded that Chinnappa Reddy
was drunk. He was not arrested that day, and as such
no medical examination was conducted on him. It was
many days later that he was arrested, tried and hanged.

1. C. I. D. file No. 4 of the A >. Slate Archives. H, F, S. Section, p. 64.

HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN. GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 27

K. N. Kesari. 1 and Ayyadevara Kaleswara Rao 2 give
us the reason for the rioting. The bulls which Chinna-
ppa Reddy brought for exhibition became unruly, and
police who had been excessively severe opened fire on
the bulls and killed them. This infuriated the mob. With
full throated cries of 'Vande Mataram', 'Drive out the
British' and 'We want Swaraj' the mob made the police
and the police station the targets of their attack. Acco-
rding to the C. I. D. report cited earlier one constable
was killed, another burnt to death and One salt peon was
also killed. Two Reddy youths were found dead on the
spot. Many police officials were seriously injured.

Later on forty five persons were arrested and
committed to trial of whom twenty one were convicted
one being sentenced to death, four to transportation for
life and the rest to various terms of imprisonment. 3 The
person sentenced to death was Chinnappa Reddy r who
became the hero of the district. Ballads were composed
extolling his martyrdom, and even today they are sung
by the people of this area. 4 The Kotappakonda incident
can be claimed as a shot in the arm of the nationalist
leaders of the district.

HOME RULE MOVEMENT

The murder of an Austrian Crown Prince by a Serb
in 1914 sparked off World War I. Great Britain declared
war on Germany on August 14, 1914, and made heavy
demands on India for help in that hour of her crisis and
need. Annie Besant saw India's opportunity in England's
need. She organised the Home Rule Movement, and
started two journals for the purpose, The New India and

1. K. N. Kesari : Op. cit. p. 81

2. Ayyadevara Kaleswararao : Op. cit. pp. 112. 113.

3. M Venkatarangaiya ; Op. cit. Vol. II. p. 61:

4. K. N. Kesari : Op. cit* p. 8|.

28 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

The Common Weal. Bal Gangadhar Tilak also organised a
Home Rule movement of his own on April 28, 1916 in
Maharastra, Central Provinces and Berar with the aim of
educating, public opinion and carrying on intense agitation
for self-government.

Although there were two Home Rule Leagues of
.Besant and Tilak, they acted in close cooperation. There
was an informal understanding between them that Bea-
sapt's field of work wpuld cover the whole of India except
the provinces of Bombay and C. P, where Tilak's League
woulfl carry on the work. 1 . . .

Prominent leaders-apt the Guntur district joined the
League. Among them mention should be made of Konda
Venkatappayya, Unnava Lakshminarayana and Gollapudi
Sitaramasastry.a Besant undertook a tour of Andhra,
and as part of it visited Guntur town with Wadia and
some of her followers and .stayed with Kond Venkata-
-ppayya as his guest?. 3 <

.''

As the Home Rule Movement was gaining momen-
tum the government resorted to repressive measures.
Besant was not allowed to enter into several provinces.
At a public meeting of the Guntur Home Rule League on
November 17, 1916 the action of the Chief Commissioner
of the Central province and Berar prohibiting Annie
Besant from entering those provinces was condemned.
It strongly urged on the Government of India the imme-
diate necessity of providing effective safeguards against
the improper use of the Defence of India Act. 4 A worse
measure of repression by the Madras Government under
Lord Pentlancl was the arrest and internment of Besant

1 R. C. Ma ju radar Op. cit Vol-II, p. 367.

2. Ayyadevara Kaleswararao, Op. cit. p. 117,

3. Konda Venkatappayya, Op. cit, p* 204.

4. The Hindu dated November lz, 1916.

HISTORY OF .FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1021-47 29

and her two colleagues B. P. Wadia and G. S. Arundale.
The government's determined hostility against the Home
Rule League stirred the whole country. Protest meetings
were held at Tenali, Bapatla and Guntur. 1 The campaign
resulted, as Gandhiji put it, in Home Rule for India
becoming "a mantram in every village". In Qngole,
Mukthinutalapati Venkata Narayanasarma gave up his
studies in protest and r Panchagnula.Sivaramayya resigned
his job irt the Taluk Board Office. 3 S. Subrahmanya Iyer
wrote a long letter to President Wilson of the United
States drawing his attention to the repression let loose
by the Government of India, and one of the signatories
of the letter was Konda Venkatappayya. 4 When pressure
was thus building up against the government, Besant
and her colleagues who had been arrested on June, 1 5,
1917 were released on September 17, 1917.

At this juncture the enlightened public opinion in
England realised that the despotic and irresponsible rule
of bureaucracy in India needed a change and that a mea-
sure of responsible government should be introduced.
Montagu became the Secretary of State for India. Soon
after assuming office he made a historic pronouncement
in the British Parliament that responsible government
was the goal of British policy in India. He and othe r
members of his mission arrived in India on November 10

1917 and received many deputations in this regard.
Among others, the Home Rule delegation waited on him.
It was led by Annie Besant. Among the Home Rule
deputationists was Konda Venkatappayya of the Guntur

1. M. Venkatarangaiya : Op. cit Vol-H, p. U3

2. fl. Shivarao : Indj a's Fr eedj>mJMov^men t --_S omc ^otableJPigurei
(New Delhi 1972) p 45. " ~ ~ " "

3. Ramachandruni Venkatappa'i article "Ongolu Taluk a lo Bahumuka Jateeya
Chaitanyamu" in Qundlapalli Audinarayana Shastipurthi Sanchika (Ongolc,
1972) fTelugu), p. 107.

4 Konda Venkatappayya ; Op, cit, p. 205

3O HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

district. 1 In the address and memoranda presented by
the Home Rule League to Lord Chelmsford, Viceroy and
Governor General of India and Edwin Samuel Mantagu,
Secretary of State for India, the deputationists demanded
"self-expression self- realisation and self. development.
Our League, desires to press through you on the great
.British democracy the position that free and constitutional
forms of government are the sole means by which growth
and progress can be ensured to the masses of the popu-
lation/'*

; In the Home Rule phase of the freedom struggle
Guntur district played her part and contributed her mite.

Political associations and the formation of the Guntur
District Congress Committee.

The Guntur district was formed in 1904. Before
that, except Ongole taluq the other areas of the district
were a part of the Krishna district. Even after the forma-
tion of the Guntur district a separate district Congress
Committee was not constituted for almost eleven years.
In 1915 the first Guntur District Congress Committee
was formed with Patri Venkata Srinivasa Rao as President
and Vishnubhotla Suryanarayana as Secretary. 3

That some of the district people, however, kept
themselves informed of the activities of the Indian
National Congress even before the formation Of the
District Congress Committee is evident from the auto-
biography of Kondci Venkatappayya. In the third Indian

|. Konda Venkatappyya : Op. cit. pp. 204, 203.

2. The Home Rule League Demand ; Being the Address and Memoranda presented
by the Home Rule League to H. E. the Viceroy ^ndjte jUoratarvjof State
(Madras, M9 17) p. 45.

3. Vishnubhotla Suryanarayana's article "Gunturu Maodahimu lo Jaieeya Udyftmumu
in Gunturu Mandqla Sarvaswamu p. 308,

HISTORY OF.FftCEDOM MOVEMENT , IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1021-47 31

National Congress that met on December 27, 1887 in the
Pendal erected in Mackay's Gardens, Madras, presided
over by Badrudin Tyabiji 1 , Konda Venkatappayya then a
student of the Law College attended it as a volunteer and
closely followed the "inspiring speeches" of W. C.
Banerjee, Ma dan Mohan Malaviya and Bipin Chandras Pal
regarding the introduction of the representative institu-
tions in India; 2

. - '' . v ';. ; v * '..'.. / ,

Long beforethe formation of the district and the
constitution 6f the Guntur District Congress Committee
there were some associations in the Guntur town, which
though by modern parlance were not political associa-
tions, stiJI drew the attention of the government to the
public needs and grievances. One such was *Sadvichara
Divya Gnana Sabha* started in 1890 by Chunduru Kotayya
Sresti of Nellore. Gopalkrishna Gokhale sent to this
association literature relating to the 'Sarva Janik Sabha 9 of
Poona. People of Guntur town unaccoustomed hitherto
to attending any social or political meetings began to
discuss and debate various political problems of the day.
The members of the Sadvichara Divya Gnana Sabha started
Tax Payers' Association. 3 When in April 1892 the Gove-
rnor of Madras Presidency, Wenlock, visited Guntur,
Sanagapalli Ramaswami Gupta and Dupaguntla Purusho-
tham submitted a memorandum requesting him to
improve water-supply to the Guntur town and to increase
the number of elected members of the Guntur munici-
pality to ten. 4

With the popular support they were receiving Kol-
chana Appayya Dikshitulu, Nyapati Hanumantha Rao
Panthulu, Annavarapu Pundarikakshudu, Vavilala Ven-

1. Annie Besant: How India wrought for Freedom (Mad rat, 1 915;, p. 37 .

2. Konda Venkatappayya : Op. clt. pp. 89. 90.

3. Grandhi Venkata Subbaraya Sarma . Jeevita Dvayamu (Bezawada, 1933)
(Telagu). pp. 34>35.

4. Ibid' p. 36.

32 HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

kata Sivavadhanulu, Vinjamuri Bhavanacharyulu and
BuddirajuKanakaraju Panthulu started the Krishna District
Congress Committee on July 1, 1892. 1

Prior to the formation of the district committee
extensive preparations were made and meetings of the
Congress leaders of the Krishna district were held on
June 29, 30, 1892 in Guntur which was then a part of the
Krishna district. Tremendous work was done by Sana-
gapalli Ramaswami Gupta and other Guntur leaders in
the formation of Krishna District Congress Committee. It
was the first of its kind in Andhradesa, and no district
Congress committee was till then formed* 2 Thus, the
Guntur town showed the way for the formation of the
first district Congress Committees. 3

Though Guntur district was formed in 1904, the
Guntur district Congress leaders functioned a? an integ-
ral part of the Krishna District Congress Committee till
1915, in which year the Guntur D. C. C. was formed with
Patri Venkata Srinivasa Rao as President and Vishnubho-
tla Suryanarayana as Secretary, as stated earlier.

In the very first year of its formation the D. C. C.
sent Patri Venkata Srinivasa Rao, Eka Pandayya, Konda
Venjcatappayya, Neti Hanumantha Rao, Govindarajula
Srinivasa Rao and Vishnubhotla Suryanaryana as dele-
gates to the All India Congress meeting held in Bombay.*
Eversince, the Guntur District Congress Committee took

1. Ibid. pp.3*. 39

2. Konda Venlcatappayya : Op. cit, p. 9$.

3. 27va Quotum MandaU Sabha. SajteMi^j^j^ Srjyutha
Nyapathi Hanumaatharao Panthulu aari Upaoyasamu f G u n t u r7 1 9 7i) ,Te I u g uj
p. 19.

Hereafter this is referred to ai Presidential address of the Nayapathi
Hanumantharao Panthulu in the 27th Ountur Disidct Conference held at
Sattenapalli in 1918-

4. Vishnubhotla Suryanarayana's article 'Ounturu MandaUmu Io Jfatecya Udyamamu
in Gunturu Mandala Sarvaswamu p. 308. ju

HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVIMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1911 47 3 3

a leading part in all national, provincial and local stru-
ggles. It played a positive role in the formation of a
separate Andhra Congress Committee on January
20, 1918. J

Gandhi emerged on the national scene in 1919
after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the horrors of
martial law in the Punjab. Soon after when he blew the
conch of non-violent, non-cooperation against the alien
(rule, the Guntur district extended overwhelming support
to him. In some of the movements for national indepe-
ndence the Guntur district came forward and led other
Andhra districts.

1. Ibid. p. 308.

From Moderation To
Non - Cooperation

POLITICS OF MODERATION

In 1915 the first Guntur District Congress was
formed with Patri Venkata Srinivasarao as President and
Vishnubhotla Suryanarayana as Secretary. Eversince, it
became the rallying point for nationalists. It gave a
concrete shape to the aspirations of the people in the
district, and six years after its formation is completly
dominated the political life of the district.

However, thedistrict leaders till 1919 believed only
in prayers and petitions and in passing of resolutions.
The freedom movement was not still broad-based and
much less mass-based. It was confined only to the
intelligentsia. No doubt, delegates from the district used

to attend the annual sessions of the All-India Congress;

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUJ? DISTRl T IMI-47 35

but the resolutions passed in them do not appear to have
reached the masses.

Even in the Guntur District Political Conferences
and various other meetings the dominant strain was
praying for reform and passing of resolutions.

In a meeting held on May 10,1914 at Tenali the
ryots of the Guntur district requested the government for
irrigation facilities. l In the Guntur District Conference
held on June 4 and 5, 1914 at Ongole, Vinjamuri
Bhavanacharyulu, while requesting the government for
more agricultural facilities and pleading for more non-
officials in the local bodies, exhorted the people to attain
all-round development "with the help and the coope-
ration of the government". 2 Bhavanacharyulu regretted
that though Lord Ripon introduced local-self govern-
ment as far back as 1882, its benefits did not
percolate to the Guntur district. To substantiate his
assertion he gives a table to show the dominance
of the official element in the District and Taluq
Boards. 3 :

Ex-officio Nominated Elected Officials Non-
Officials

Guntur District

Board 5

Guntur Taluq Board 1

Tenali Taluq Board 1

1. Vinjamuri Bhavanacharyulu'i Presidential Address in the Guntur District Con-
ference held at Ongole on June 4th and 5th, 1914. p. 14.

2. Ibid, p 26

3. Ibid. p. 9

36 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUH DISTRICT 1921-47

Ex-officio Nominated Elected Officials Non-
Officials

OngoIeTaluq Board 1 8 8 4 11

Narasaraopet Taluq

Board 1 10 7 4 11

^_^_ -^^^ fc^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^M^MMM^^^^^^*****^*^^^^^^^*!^^

In the twenty seventh Guntur District Conference held
in 1918, the President of the conference Nyapathi
Hanumantha Rao Panthulu felt gratified that the British
government recruited soldiers from Andhra also
thereby giving them an opportunity "to exhibit theij
loyalty to the British government". 1 In the same confe-
rence he requested the government to introduce compu-
lsory primary education even by increasing land-tax. 2
Making some other such request Nyapathi Hanumantharao
Panthulu requested the people to take forward their
district "with the help of the government and the English
pefople". 3 In the special session of the Andhra Provin-
cial Conference held at Guntur on Angust 17,1918, the
President of the Reception Committee Eka Lakshmi
Narasimham Panthulu of the Guntur town, welcoming
the. delegates, appealed to the government to hold
examinations for the Indian Civil Service in India also. 4
This special session was presided over by Kasinadhuni
Nsgeswararao, and well attended by "the major Land-
holders". 5 The President remarked that "though many

1. Presidential Address of Nyapaihi Hanumantha Rao Panthulu in the 27th Guntur
District Conference held at Sattaoapalli in 1918 p. 3

2. Ibid. p. 16
3, Ibid, p 38

4 Avaaarandhra Rastriya Mahasabha i9|8 August J7 Aahvanft Sanghatlhyakshulu
SriyntaEka Lakshmi Narasimham Panthulu gari Swagaiopanyasimiu (Place and
year of publication not mentioned) (Telugu), p. |2

5. The Hindu dated August |9, i9|8, p. 3

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 19X1-47 37

benifits were conferred on the people by the British
government, the Indian nation was getting emaciated". i
The conference requested the government to pursue a
policy of "complete confidence in the capacity, intelli-
gence, ability and loyalty of the Indian people". *

The district leaders, especially Konda Venkatappa-
yya, busied themselves from 1913 to 1917 holding con-
ferences and carrying on intens propaganda for a sepa-
rate state for the Telugu districts in the Madras preside-
ncy. The district leaders were so seized of the issue that
the very first Andhra Conference was held at Bapatla in
1913 under the Presidentship of Bayya Narasimheswara
Sarma, The Chairman of the Reception Committee was
Konda Venkatappayya. 3 Choregudi Venk&tadri, pleader
and social worker of Bapatla, devoted all his attention
to make the conference a success. 4 In the second (1914)
the third (1915), the fourth (1916) and the fifth (1917)
Andhra Conferences held at Bezwada, Visakhapjtnam,
Kakinada and Nellore respectively Konda Venkatappayya
concentrated his whole attention and devoted all his
energy to the creation of a separate Andhra State. During
this period his autobiography does not speak of any other
major activity he undertook, 5 Though this movement
cannot be "regarded as inconsistent with Indian nationa-
lism" 6 , it should be noted that it was the major issue
with which the prominent leader of the district was
seized. Vishnubhotla Suryanarayana, the first Secretary
of the Guntur D. C. C. refers enthusiastically to only one

1. Avasarandhra Rastriva Mahasabha - Ountur 17.18 August 1918 Kasinadhuui
Nageawararao Panthulu gari Adhyakshopanyagarou (Place and year of publication
not mentioned) (Telugu). p. .19

2. The Hindu dated August 21, 1918.

3. Konda Venkatuppayya ; Op. cit. p. 171.

4. Ibid. p. 170.

5. Ibid, pp 170 to 193.

6. Sri. S. Radhakrishnan's article " The Andhra Movement " in the Twenty First
Andhra Mahasabha Souvenir.

(Place and year of publication not mentioned) (The souvenir is not paged;

38 HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN SUNTUR DISTRICT 1621-47

resolution passed by the D. C. C. It was the resolution
of February 12, 1917 passed under the Presidentship of
K. Kotilingam Panthulu. The resolution says that the
D. C- C. was of "the unanimous opinion that it is abso-
lutely necessary to establish a separate Provincial Con-
gress Committee for the Telugu districts in the Madras
presidency". Vishnubhotla Suryanarayana says with an
air of success that as per the demand of this resolution,
the Andhra Provincial Congress Committee was constitu-
ted on January -20,191 8 with NyapathiSubba Rao as Presi-
dent, Konda Venkatappayya as Secretary and C. R. Partha-
sarathy lyengar of Chittoor and Siva Sankaran of Penu-
gonda as Joint Secretaries, and that the head-quarters
of the Andhra P. C. C. till 1921 was Guntur. 1 It was only
after he plunged into the non-cooperation movement that
Konda Venkatappayya stopped devoting his attention to
the Andhra movement.

The activities of the Congress were confined only
to a few, and the masses were definitely not associated
with them. The Home Rule Movement made some impact,
and though protest meetings were held at Tenali, Bapatla
and Ongole over the internment of Besant and her
colleagues, the movement did not acquire the character
of a mass movement. The Home Rule phase of the free-
dom movement came to an end with the termination of
World War I on November 11, 1918.

The political activities of the year 1918 in the
Madras presidency did not perturb the government in
Fort St. George. In the Government Fortnightly Report
dated June 1 r 1918, the authorities could record with
satisfaction that " there was comparatively ttttle

1- ViihnubhotlaSuryanarayana's article "Guniuru Mandalamu lo Jaiceya Udyamarau
in Guntura Mandate Sarvaswamu. pp, 309, 3|0.

HISTORY OP FRCEDOK MOVEMENT IN GUMTUfi DISTRICT 1921-47 39

political activity in the mofussil". 1 That the Congress
did not make an impact till then on the people prompted
Konda Venkatappayya to record his deep dissatisfaction
over its activities. In his autobiography he records that
though the Congress was established many years ago, its
programme did not confer any benefit on the people, 2 It
was by and large so on account of the non-association
of the masses with the English educated class. 3

EMERGENCE OF GANDHI

A true national movement does not remain sluggish
for long, and as R. C. Majumdar observes, history shows
that genuine national movements have seldom failed to
throw up a great leader in the course of their progress,
not unoften from the most unexpected quarter.* In India
the leader was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who was
the most dominant figure in Indian. politics and was the
sole guide of the national movement from 1919 to 1947.
With his emergence on the national scene in 1919-'Annus
mirabilis' - a new chapter began in the history of freedom
movement. "Never before had a leader emerged of
Gandhiji's incomparable quality". 5 The year 1919 saw
the end of petitioning, praying and passing of mere reso-
lutions of the Indian National Congress. The year also
witnessed the beginning of a new era, the era of
Satyagraha which radically changed the texture and tenor
of the freedom movement throughout the country. Guntur
district was no exception.

1. L. Davidson. Acting Chief Secretary to the Government of Madras,

Fort St. George to S. R. Htgnell, Secretary to H the Government of IndU, Homo
Department dated June 1. 1918 Letter No. 1551 W-i (A P. State Archives,
H. F. $ section)

2. Konda Venkatappayya: Op. cit, p* 221,

3. Ibid

4. R,C. Majumdar: Op. oil. Vol~I. p f 27[,

5. Hircndranath Mukerjce ; India Straggles for Freedom (Bombay, |947A p, 1*9,

4O HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN SUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

REACTION TO THE ROWLATT BILL

Gandhi, who had earned great name for success-
fully leading satyagraha movement in South Africa, Cha-
mparan district in Bihar and Khera district in Ahmadabad,
reacted sharply to the Rowlatt Bill which was passed in
the first week of March 1919 by which the British gove-
rnment in India armed itself with wide powers to intern
people and to put down the national movement that was
building up. Gandhi drafted a satyagraha pledge, which

he wanted everyone that was prepared to suffer and
sacrifice for the cause of the country to sign. The pledge

ran as follows: "Being conscientiously of opinion that
the Bills known as the Indian Criminal Law (Amendment)
Bill No. 1. of 1919 and the Criminal Law (Emergency
Powers) Bill No. 11 of 1919 are unjust, subversive of
the concepts of liberty and justice and destructive of the
elementary rights of individuals on [which the safety of
the community as a whole and the State itself is based,
we solemnly affirm that in the event of these bills beco-
ming law and until they are withdrawn, we shall refuse
civilly to obey these laws and such other laws as a com-
mittee, to be hereafter appointed, may think fit and we
further affirm that in this struggle, we shall faithfully
follow truth, and refrain from violence to life, person or
property". 1 This move for satyagraha evoked popular
enthusiasm in Andhra as in other parts of the country,'

The Rowlatt Act described as a monstrous act by
Konda V3nkatappayya 3 was placed in the statute-book
in spite of countrywide protests. Thereupon, Gandhi
called upon the people to observe April 6th as a day of
fasting, prayer and national humiliation. In his appeal,
which he issued from Madras on March 23, 1919, he

I T. G, Tendulkar: Life of Mahatma Gandhi. Vol-1 (Bombay. 195a), p. 293,

2. Konda Verikatappayya : Op, ait. p, 1-6'

3. Ibid.

HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT INtfUMTUR DISTRICT, 1021-47 4 1

advised the people to observe 6th April as "a day of
humiliation and prayer ...all work, except such as may
be necessary in the public interest, should be suspended
for the day. Markets and other business places shoul^l be
closed ..I do not hesitate to recommend these two

suggestions for adoption by public servents public

meetings should be held on that day in all parts of India,
not excluding villages, at which resolutions for the
withdrawal of the two measures should be passed/' 1 In
pursuance of thtjs appeal a complete hartal was observed
on April 6th in Guntur. All work in factories, business
houses and shops came to a standstill. A meeting held
in the evening called upon the government to repeal the
Rowlatt Act. 2 The Government in the Fort St. George
was forced to accept that in "Guntur shop-keepers
were induced to close their shops as they were told that
under the Rowlatt Act, any Police Officer could imprison
any person without trial for any offence 3

This marked a definite break with the past. The
days of protest by petition, prayar and mendicant reso-
lution were over for the people of the district. Political
work was no more confined to the educated elite, and

Indian nationalism ceased to be purely intellectual. The
factory worker, the peasant, the merchant, the student

and above all the ordinar/ person, who had hitherto
evinced no interest in politics, came to be vigorously
associated with the national struggle for emancipation
from the foreign yoke. ; With this change the national
movement acquired robustness. It was indeed a stirring
spectacle to see hundreds of the district people hitherto

1. The Hindu dated April 2. 1919.

2. The Hindu dated April 7. 1919.

3. A. V. Campbell, Acting Secretary to the Government of Madras Revenue
(Special) (War; Department. Fort. St. George, Madras to Sir James Duboulay.
Secretary to the Government of India. Home Department dated April 21, i9i>,
Letter No.2998-W-I (A. P. Stau Archives, H, P. S. Section)

42 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

bound heart and soul to their professions and occupa-
tions coming into the streets and taking part in political
activities, some times legal and some times illegal, at
the behest of the leaders, national and local. This par-
ticipation of the masses was to unfold itself in the sub-
sequent stages of the national movement with far-reach-
ing results. This great psychological change in the
society was wrought by the personality of Gandhi. 1

JALLIANWALLABAGH MASSACRE
AND ATROCITIES IN THE PUNJAB

Though April 6, 1919 passed off peacefully in
Andhra, tragic events took place in the North. On April
10th Dr. Kitchlew and Dr.Satyapal, the two important lea-
ders of Amritsar, were arrested and taken to an unknown
place. This angered the people of Amritsar, and they
marched to the Deputy Commissioner in large numbers
to demand the release of their leaders. The mob was
turned back and fired at, as a result of which there were
several casualties. The crowd carried the victims in
procession and on their way set fire to a bank, a railway
goods-shed and some other public buildings. The mob
violence was also responsible for the death of five
Englishmen. 2 There were also disturbances at Gujaran-
wala and Kasur. Hearing of the disturbances in the
Punjab, Gandhi started for Delhi; but on his way he was
arrested and turned back on April 10th,

The Government struck in a ruthless manner at the
nationalists. When emotions were thus working up, a
meeting was held on the 13th of April in Amritsar at the
Jallianwallabagh to protest against the repression let

1. Sarojini Regani : HiflJiihti j _cMhe__PfMdom Movemen^n
Hyderabad, 1972), p. 66, "

2, B, Pattabhi Sitaramayya : History of the Indian National Congresi. VoII
(New Delhi. 1969). p- 163. '

HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT '|N GUMTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 43

loose by the government. When 20,000 people-men,
women and children-gathered at the venue General Dyer
entered the place at the head of a force consisting 100
Indian troops and 50 British soldiers, while one Hansraj
was lecturing the audience. After closing the entrance
to the Jallianwallabagh, General Dyer ordered his troops
to fire. In all ammunition of 1,600 rounds was fired at
the people, as a result of which 400 people were killed
and scores of others injured. 1 "The greater tragedy really
was that the dead and dying were left to suffer the whole
night without water to drink or medical attendance, or
aid of any character." 2 Martial law was proclaimed in
Amritsar, Lahore and other places in the Punjab. Sir
Michael O'Dyer, Lieutenant Governor of the Punjab
perpetrated untold misery, and the people of Amritsar,
Kasur, Gujaranwala and Lahore were the special targets
of his attack.

Though the government tried to suppress the news
from the Punjab, it trickled down to far-off places like
Guntur piece-meal. Leaders like Konda Venkatappayya
were horrified at the British atrocities. Their confidence
in the British government was completely shaken. "The
British government in India is becoming tyrannical every
day and it is rendering the people illiterate and poor, and
subjecting them to worst repression. 3 The atrocities of
Michael O' Dyer in the Punjab became the theme of
Damaraju Pundarikakshudu's play Panchala Parabhavamu.
The play r where-ever it was enacted, created a chill Of
horror in the people. The Guntur Bar Association dema-
nded the impeachment of General Dyer. It also decided
to collect funds for the rehabilitation of those, who
were the victims of harassment at the hands of the gove-
rnment. Konda Venkatappayya undertook the responsi-
bility of raising the fund. 4

1. Ibid, p | 64

2. Ibid.

A V %*

3. Komla Venkatappayya : Op. cit, p, 221

4. Dr. Sarojini Keyani ; Op, cit. p, 65

44 HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUH DISTRICT 1921-47

KHILAFAT MOVEMENT

Another factor that contributed to the tempo of
the anti-British feeling among the Indians in general and
the Muslims in particular was the publication of the
Treaty of Sevres in May 1920 by which Britain and other
European powers desired to dismember the Turkish Empire.
This led to the Khilafat agitation in India under the lea-
dershipof Moulana Muhammad Ali, Lhoukat Ali Dr. Ansair
etc. Gandhi who was thoroughly dissatisfied with the
Montagu-Chelmsf ord Reforms identified himself with the
Khilafat movement. Time was propitious for him to
launch the non-cooperation movement in the country
with the active participation of the Muslims. Dr. Patta-
bhi Sitaramayya says "The 'Triveni* of Khilafat and the
Punjab wrong and the invisible flow of inadequate refo-
rms became full to the brim, and by their confluence
enriched both in volume and content tha stream of
national discontent. Everything was ripe for non-coope-
ration. 1 The Desabhlmani of Guntur endorsed the non-vio-
lent non-cooperation movement of Gandhi. It wrote:
"Just as Lord Krishna saved Arjuna, Gandhi has sounded
his conch of non-cooperation to save the whole world.
His message is a novel one. This win enable not only the
Indians, but the whole world to attain salvation".* As
Jawaharlal Nehru, pointed out, "a demoralised, back-
ward and broken-up people suddenly straightened their
backs and lifted their heads and took part in. ...... a joint

action on a countrywide scale. This action itself, we
felt, would give irresistible power to the masses. "*

THE CALCUTTA SPECIAL CONGRESS

With the back-drop of the Punjab wrongs, the
Khilafat agitation and the dissatisfaction generated by

1. B, Pattabhi Sitaramayya: Op. cit. Vol I, p, 199,

2 - Pesabhimaai (Guntur) dated August 29, 1920,

3. Jawdharlal Nehru: An Autobiography (London, 1936). p.76.

HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT I2h47 4 5

the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms the Special Session of
the Congress met in Calcutta from 4th to 9th September,
1920 "in the midst of most enthusiastic scenes." 1
Konda Venkatappayya, Duggirala Gopalakrishnayya and
Gollapudi Sitaramasastry attended the session from the
Guntur district. 2

The special Congress took momentous decisions.
Among them the most important one was^with rfegard to
npn-cooperationvThe resolution on non-cooperation was
moved by Gandhi. The approved resolution runs as

follows : "This Congress is of opinion that there is

no course left open for the people of India but to approve
of and adopt the policy of progressive non-violent non-
cooperation inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi until the...
wrongs are righted and Swarajya is established". 3 The
Congress earnestly advised the people to surrender titles
and honorary offices, not to attend government levees,
durbars and other official and non-official functions, to
withdraw children from schools and colleges aided or
controlled by the government, to establish national
schools and colleges, to boycott British courts, to boy.
cott election to the reformed Councils under Montagu-
Chelmsford Reforms and to boycott foreign goods. The
non-cooperation resolution was carried by 1886 delega-
tes against 884. 4

Thirty Andhra delegates opposed Gandhi's resolu-
tion. Among them was Konda Venkatappayya. The
remaining delegates from Guntur stood solidly behind
Gandhi at the Calcutta Special Congress. Venkatappayya
opposed Gandhi's resolution "not because it was
irrational" but because he thought that "there would

1. B, Pattabhi Sitaramayya Op.cit, p, 200.

2. A. Kaleswararao Op. cJt, p. z95,

3. fi. Pattabhi Sitaramayya Op, cit. Vol-I. pp, a02, 203,

... Ibid.

46 HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN UNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

not be many who would practise it, and hence it was
impracticable". 1

On his way home from Calcutta, Konda Venkatppa-
yya was persuaded by Gollapudi Sitaramasastry and
Ayyadevara Kaleswararao to join the non-cooperation
movement. Venkatappayya had given up practice as a
lawyer on December 31,1915, and had been devoting
himself to public causes. He now gave up his membership
in the Madras Legislative Council and decided to join
the non-cooperation movement, 1

THE NAGPUR CONGRESS

The Nagpur Congress that met in December, 1920
presided over by Salem C. Vijayaraghavachariar that
''intellectual-giant from the South, imbued with the spirit
of nationalism" 3 put its "imprimature. with almost rare
unanimity" 4 on the resolutions of the Calcutta Special
Congress. Gandhi declared in the Nagpur Congress that
Swaraj should be the aim of people and that it should be
achieved by all legitimate and peaceful means. A new
Working Committee of the Congress was elected with
Lala Lajpat Rai, Vittalbhai Patel, Kalkar and others.
Konda Venkatappayya found a place in the Working
Committee. 5

With the Nagpur Congress "an intriguing problem
of Indian politics was settled for good; the Congress
which had always discourged agitational politics was

1. Kouda Veitkatappayya : Op, oit. p, 223

2. Ibid, pp 224, 225.

Ayyadevara Kaleswararao alto refert to this in his auiobit graphy Na jeevitha
Katha. Navyandhramu - (Vijayawada.1959) (Telugu), p, 20S 4

3. M. V. Ramarao: A short hiitory of the Indian National Conqrrt*
1959) p. 95, """"

4. Re. C. Majumdar: Op, cit, Val-HI, p- 101,

5. Konda Venkatappayya : Op, cit. p. 226,

HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVIMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1021-47 47

now to preside over the non-cooperation movement. No
more would the so-called people's representative orga-
nisation bear a complexion strikingly different from the
awakened urge of the people" 1 Guntur district achieved
the distinction, as we would see in the subsequent pages,
of emerging as an important national laboratory for
Gandhian political experiments under the guidence of her
eminent leaders like Konda Venkatappayya.

BEZAWADA ALL INDIA CONGRESS
COMMITTEE MEETING

In pursuance of the Nagpur resolution, the Working
Committee of the All India Congress met almost from
month to month in 1921 at different centres. The Wor-
king Committee that met in Bezawada on 31st of March
and 1st of April, 1921 2 made tremendous impact on the
progress of the freedom movement in the Guntur distinct.
Hearing that important Congress leaders like Gandhi,
Motilal Nehru, C. R. Das, Moulana Muhammad Ali, She-
ukat Ali etc. were attending the meeting large numbers
of people from far and near including the Guntur district
poured themselves into Bezawada. Gandhi was escorted
to Bezawada from Puri by Konda Venkatappayya and
Gollapudi Sitaramasastry. 3 The crowds became unma-
nageable, and when arrangements in Bezawada were on
the verge of total collapse, Duggirala Gopalakrishnayya
from Chirala stepped in with his Ramadandu volunteers
numbering a thousand strong. The volunteers restored
order and contributed considerably to the success of the
meeting. Everyone was pleased, and all praised Gopala-
krishnayya 4 who formed the Ramadandu volunteer corps

1. RamGopal; How India struggled for freedom ^Bombay. 1967), p, 319,

2. B. Pattabhi Sitaramayya: Op. cit. Vol-I. p. 212.

3. Konda Venkatappayya: Op* cit, p. 254.

4. Oummidhhala Venkata Subbarao : Andhra Ratna D. Gopalakmhnayya : Life

i w i| 1 ,rF'. 1 *'*rtl* *"'!*< But ..,-,. vi- .*tmy n fat m I MiEiUfri^flaMfc^^g*g^jt ! Hil*l*^^^M^i^^ji^p^^^^g^^

and message (Bezawada, 5035 Sravanum), p. 106,

48 HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN SUNTUft DISTRICT 1021-47

with the object of inculcating in the people selflessness,

wisdom, perseverance and non-violence, and to make

them ready for the movement on which the country
was embarking. 1

At the Bezawada meeting of the A. I. C. C. the
collection ofonecrore of rupees for Tilak Swaraj Fund/
enlistment of one crore of Congress members andjntrodu-
ction of twenty lakhs of Charkhas ware enjoined upon the
nation. The organisation of the panehayafs and dis
couragement of drink were singled out for commenda-
tion. 2

GANDHI'S TOUR OF THE GUNTUR DISTRICT

After the meeting in Bezawada, Gandhi undertook a
tour of Andhra and as a part of it visited Guntur town,
Bapatla, Chebrole, Munipalle, Ponnur, Chirala and Veta-
palem in the Guntur district. In these places he received
overwhelming support to his cause. People everywhere
enthusiastically welcomed him. He received liberal
contributions towards the Tilak Swaraj Fund and it was
a sight to see women in Guntur town parting with their
jewellery. 3

GENERAL FEATURE OF THE NON-
COOPERATION MOVEMENT

The decisions of the Calcutta Special Congress,
which the Nagpur Congress ratified, found enthusiastic
response from the people of the Guntur district. The non-
cooperation movement in the district manifested itself in
the following forms : boycott of elections, boycott of
government educational institutions and establishment

1. Duesirala Gopalakrishnayya Sri Ramadandu (Bezawada. 1*34.) CTelugu), p, 5,

2. B. fattabhi Sitaramayya : Op* cit. Vol. -I, p. 212,

3. Konda Venkatappayya ; Op. cit. pp. 259 to 262,

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1*11-47 49

of national schools, boycott of law courts, boycott of
foreign cloth and promotion of temperance. Special
mention should be made of defiance of forest laws in
Palnadu, boycott of municipality in Chirala-Perala and
the no-tax campaign in Pedanandipadu firka in Bapatla
taluq and Addanki, Santhanuthalapadu and Duddukur
firkas in Ongole taluq. These three attained countrywide
publicity. They contributed to the growth of national
movement so much that they are discussed in seperate
chapters.

BOYCOTT OF ELECTIONS

At the time of the Calcutta Special Congress,
Konda Venkatappayya was a member of the Madras Legi-
slative Council. He was the only delegate to the Cal-
cutta Special Congress from the Guntur district that
opposed Gandhi's resolution on non-cooperation move-
ment on grounds of impracticability. But when some
lawyers of Guntur gave up their lucrative practice, as a
loyal and disciplined Congressman, he tendered his resi-
gnation for membership in the Legislative Council. 1 He
also withdrew his candidature for a seat in the reformed
Council under the 1919 Act. 1 Later, he undertook an
extensive tour of Andhra which took him to far-off places
like Kurnool, Cuddapah, Ananthapur, Bellary, Tadiparti,
Hosepet etc. He exhorted the voters every where to boy-
cott the coming elections. 3 A Vy*ya youth Mattampally
Bala Subrahmanya Gupta making Bezawada his centre of
activity extensively toured the Guntur district, and appea-
led to the voters to boycott the elections. He veheme-
ntly attacked in colloquial language the moderates and
followers of the Justice Party. His lectures, which were
delivered in the language of the people, had a tremendous

1 Konda Venkatappayya: Op. cit p 2.25.

2. The Hindu dated October 2, 1920 (Konda Venkatappayya's Statement)

3. Konda Venkatappayya Op, cii. p. 243

50 HlfTOY OFXRHDOM MOVEHWIT IN CUNTUR DISTRICT 1021-47

mass appeal. 1 Because of intensive propaganda of this
kind most of the polling booths in Andhra returned pra-
ctically empty ballot boxes. 2 At the Chirala centre only
two votes were cast in favour of J. Kuppuswamy Chow-
dary, an influential candidate. The two votes were
those of his two clerks. 3

BOYCOTT OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

The programme of boycott qf the government
schools and colleges and the establishment of national
schools evoked much response. Duggirala GopaNu
krishnayya delivered lectures inTenali about the boycott
as a result of which the students of Tenali Taluq High
School went on strike on February 2, 1921, The authori-
ties closed the school for a week. There was a strong
demand from the students to convert the Tenali Taluq
High School into a national school. 4 On the day of reopen-
ing after the striken big procession wastakan out by the
students and the local leaders with a large picture of
Mahatma Gandhi on a cart, and everywhere offerings
were made with comphor. After the procession a public
meeting of 5,000 strong was held, D. Gopalakrishnayya,
G. Sitaramasastry and Bh. Prakasarao addressed the
meeting. Brahmandam Narasimharao a teacher took great
pains in keeping up the strike. 5 In Bapatla also there was
a student strike. Enthusiasm among the students in Bapa-
tla was unabated for many days. The attendance in the
school was miserably poor. 6

Several students of the district gave up their stu-
dies and plunged into the national movement. Dhenuva-

1. Ayyadevara Kalcswararao Op eit. p. 296

2. Konda Venkatappayya : Op, cit. p 250

3 Gummidithala Venkala Subbarau : Op t cit, p' 127

4. The Hindu dated February 4, 1921

5 The Hindu_ dated February 11, 1921

6 The Hindu dated February 4, 1921

HI a TORY OP FRElDOtt ItoVlttEMT IN GUHTUR DriTRiCT ltll-47 5 1

konda Subba Rao, Kota Viswanadham r Damaraju Ven-
kateswarlu and Tanguturi Lakshminarasimham of the
Ongole taluq gave up their studies. Chivukula Radhakri-
shnayya and Janjhala Venkatappayya of Ongole, as stu-
dents of the Medical College, Visakhapatham quarrelled
with the Principal over the issue of wearing Gandhi caps
and gave up their studies. Chivukula Krishna Parabra-
hmasastry also of Ongolesang Garimella Satyaharayana's
"Ma koddu e tella doratanam" (We do not want this
Whitemen's rule)and was imprisoned. Ramachandruni Ven-
katappa of Tangutur of Ongole taluq gave up his studies,
went to Visakhapatnam, changed his name to Achyutuni
Venkata Rao and was imprisoned in 1922 for five months
for doing Congress? propaganda. 1

In pursuance of the resolution of the National Con-
gress on non-cooperation many teachers in the district
resigned their jobs. In Tenali, K. Satyanarayana sarma,
B. Punnayya Sastry, Bh. Subbaiah, K. Sambayya and
M. Devendrudu of the Tenali Taluq High School resigned
as teachers and placed their services at the disposal of
the Guntur District Congress Committee. 2 In Ongole,
Ramayanam Lakshminarasimham, Dovala Rama Durgaiah
Naidu and Malladi Subrahmanyam resigned as teachers
and became non-cooperators. 3 Gullapalli Ramakrishn-
ayya gave up his professorship in the A. E. L. M. College
Guntur and devoted his time and energy for the Con-
gress work. 4

1. Ramachandruni Venkatappa's article "Ongolu Taluka lo Bahumukha Jatceya
Chaitanyamu" in Gundlapulli Audlnarayana Sbstipurthl Sanchika. (Ongole.

1972) CTelugu), pp, 110, Ul

2, The Hindu dated January 27,

3, Ramachaadruni Vcnkatappa's article "Ongolu Taluka lo Bahumkha Jateeya
Chaitanyamu ^n GujcIlapalU Audiaarayana Shastipurthi Sarchika (Ongolc 1972

(Telugu) p, 111

4, Konda Venkatappayya : Op* oit, p. 251

52 fUSTOHY OF/RESDOM MO.VEMINT IN SUHTUK DUTBICT IB2I-47

NATIONAL SCHOOLS

.".*

,: To provide instruction to those who left the
.government educational institutions and to play the role
of nurseries of patriots several national schools were
.started in itheGuntur district. Of them mention should
.be made of the Qngole National School and Tenali
National School.

u. .. _ ^

"*;-.* . '

w , ; The genesis of a national school in Ongole was a
monster meeting held there on February 8,1921 addre^
ssed by Tanguturi Prakasam, who spoke at length on the
importance of national education. The local leaders.

r * . ' * '..' . B- i .

thereupon, in consultation with him resolved upon
starting National High School on 9th February. As there
wa no building .available for locating the school,
Prakasam placed his newly constructed spacious build-
ing at the disposal .of the local leaders. 1 The national
school named Jateeya Vidyalaya, Ongole was started on
9th February by T. Prakasam in his new building on the
western side of the town. The school made rapid pro-
gress and by the middle of March there were one hundred
and forty five students of various communities including
Muslims. There were eighteen members of the teaching
staff. 0. M. Subrahmanyam was appointed Honorary
Principal and P. L. Narayanarao, B.A.,LL.B. (Allahabad)
was the Chief Professor in Hindi. Besides formal educa-
tion, vocational training was also imparted to the
students. Commercial subjects like short-hand, type-
writing and banking were also taught. 2 An industry was
started in the Vidyalaya - cutlery - comprising of the
manufacture of peri-kniVes, razors, scissors and locks.
This had been a traditional industry of a small family of
goldsmith? in the neighbouring village of Cheruvu-

1. The Hindu dated February 10, 1921

2, The Hindu dated March 18, 19zl

HISTORY OF FREIDOIf MOVIMINT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1011-47 53

kommupalem (Ongole taluq). Sutaram Kotilingam of
this family was invited to this school and was appointed
teacher. 1 Some other teachers like Panchagnula Surya-
narayana, Nayani Subbarao, Kuruganti Sitaramayya,
Malladi Subrahmanyam and Dovala Ramadurgaian Naidu
yvere nationalists and enthusiastic non-cooperators.*
Neelamraju Venkata Seshayya r who received instruction
in Telugu short-hand in the Vidyalaya, blossomed into a
first grade journalist and retired as the Editor of
Andhra Prabha, a leading Telugu Daily. 3

Another important national school of the Guntur
district started early in 1921 was Tilak Jatheeya Pathasala
Tenali. It was located in the compound of Chundurj
Hanumantha Rao, a Vysya. Students, who gave up
their studies in schools wedded to government curri-
culum, joined this institution and the total strength of
the school since its inception was more than one hun-
dred. 4 Gullapalli Ramakrishnayya who resigned his Pro-
fessorship in the A. E. L. M. College, Guntur, was the
first Head-master. 5 T. Siva Sankara Swamy, the eminent
Telugu Writer, resigned his job in the U.L.C.M. College,
Guntur r joined the institution, and taught Hindi, Sans-
krit and Telugu. 6 K. Satyanarayana Sarma and B. Punn-
ayya Sastry, who resigned their jobs in the Taluk High
School on January 26, 1921. joined this national
school. 7 The school followed a national curriculum
drawn by Duggirala Gopalakrishnayya 8 , who made a

1. Ramachandnini Venkatappa's article 'Ongolu TaJuka lo Bahumukha Jateeya
Chaitanyamu in Oundlapulli Audinarayana Shastipurthi Sanchika, (Ongole

1972) (Telugu;, p' I2|.

2. Ibid. p. 120

3. Ibid.

'.. Signed Statement of T. Sivasankara Swamy.

5 4 Signed Statement of C, V. Punnayya Sastry.

6. Signed Statement of T, Sivasankara Swamy.

7, The Hindu dated January 27* 1921,

8 Signed Statement of T. Sivasankara Swamy.

54 HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1 921-47

stint as teacher in Andhra Jatheeya Kalasala Machili
patnam founded in 1910 by Kopalle Hanumantha Rao. J
Besides general education instruction on nationalism
and national movement was also given in the Tenali
National School 2 .

By February 18, 1921 there was a national school
in Bapatla with more than a hundred students. Konda-
nadu Hanumantha Rao trained the students who left the
government schools.? Unnava Lakshminarayana after
serving the one year sentencejpassed on him in July 1 921
returned to Guntur, and with the active cooperation of
his wife Lakshmibayamma started a national school
called Saradaniketan in Guntur for girls. The Zamindar
of Munagala gave financial assistance to this venture.
In addition to Telugu, Sanskrit, Hindi and English the
girls were taught sewing, weaving, carpentry, painting,
music etc. 4

* '

At the height of the non-cooperation movement
there were eighteen^national schools in Guntur district
and the National Education Committee - Gunturu Mandala
Jatheeya Vidya Parishad - was constituted with Gullapalli
Ramakrishnayya as President and Brahmandam Narasim-
ham as Secretary.? ; . .

I 4 '

Interest thus engendered in the district f or^national
.education in the wake of, the non->copperation movement
survived even after the movement was called off after
the Chauri Chaura incident in February 1922. In 1925
Guntur Mandala Jatheeya Vidya Parishad brought out a com-
pact work called 'Jateeya Vidya 9 in which the writer Gulla-

1. Gummidithala Venkata Subbarau : Op cit.-pp, 28, 30.

2. Signed Statement of G. V, Punnayya S as try-

3. The_ Hindu dated February 18, 1921.

4. Kanuparthi Varalakshamm*; Op. cil, pp. 35. 16.

5. Ayyadevar* Kalcswararao : Op, cit. p f 328.

HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUHTUR DISTRICT 1911-47 5 5

palli Ramakrishnayya made a comprehensive study of edu-
cation, which included aims of education, curriculum,
attitude of the students towards the teacher, elementary
education, youth and woman-education etc. Even atti-
tude to sex finds a place in his analysis." The writings
of eminent educationists like H. A. L. Fisher of Britain, 2
Aurthur Guiterman, 3 Justice Hughes, 4 Dean Burgess of
U. S. A. 5 etc. were extensively quoted in this work of
one hundred and fifty six pages.

That the national schools 'in the Guntur district
inculcated in the students intrepidity towards the
government can be illustrated by a small incident that
happened in Tenall. T. G. Rutherford, the District Magi-
strate and Collector of Guntur, on 3 day came to visit
the school without prior intimation. T. Sivasankara
Swamy, engaged in teaching work, saw Rutherford
entering the school smoking a cigar. He atonce sent a
boy to tell the Collector that it was improper to smoke
in the school campus. The boy went quickly and infor-
med him. Rutherford threw away the cigar, came to the
class and "sauntered a little. I asked my students not
to look at him which they dutifully obeyed. The White,
man went away some what piqued". 6

That is why "in all ages and countries, despots
and tyrants, as well as those who rebel against them
make it one of their chief objectives to control education
and enlist the sympathy and support of the students on
their side."*

1. Gullapulli Ramakrishnayya.- Jateeya Vidya (Guntur. 1925) (Teliiffu) p. 137.

2. Ibid p 39.

3. Ibid p 40.

4. Ibid p 43.

5. Ibid p i07,

6. Signed statement of T, Sivasankara Swamy,

7. R.C, Majumdar::Op cit. Vol-IIf. p 61.

56 HISTORY Of FREEDOy HOVEMINT IN SUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

BOYCOTT OF LAW COURTS

Immediately after the Calcutta Special Congress,
Unnava Lakshminarayana, Gollapudi Sitaramasastry,
M:adabhushi Vedantam Narasimhacharyulu, Nadimpally
Venkata Lakshmi Narasimha Rao and Polisetty Hanu-
mayya Gupta gave up their lucrative practice in the
District Court of Guntur 1 . As stated earlier Konda Ven-
katappayya five years earlier i. e., on December 31, 1915
had given up his law-practice andeversince he had been
devoting his energy and time for public causes.*

.... .

r '

At a meeting of the Guntur Bar Association held
on Janutry 21, 1920, it was resolved that in pursuance
of the Congress resolution Vakils shoud suspend practice
for eleven months from 1st February. The following
Vakils immediately announced their willingness "to sus-
pend their practice and engage themselves in non-coope-
ration": Aka Lakshmi Narasimham, Madhavapeddi Hanu-
mantha Rao, Chinthalapati Dakshina Murthy, Aka Dan-
dayya (Government Pleader), Kotamraju Hanumantharao,
Patibanam Satyartarayana, Nadimpalli Sitaramayya and
Gollapudi Ramanadhayya. Including Gollapudi Sitarama-
sastry, N. V. L. Narasimharao, Madabhushi Vedantam
Narasimhacharyulu, S. Parvatheesam and Barrister Hanu-
mayya Gupta^ who had suspended practice immediately
after the Calcutta Special Congress, the total is fourteen. 3
> ' ' , .

N. V. L. Narasimharao and Gollapudi Ramanadhayya
went to Ongole and exhorted the vakils there to give up
practice. In response to their appeal and exhortation
twenty vakils of Ongole declared their intention to give

1. Konda Venkatappajya : Op. cit. p, 225

2. Ibid, p 188 A, Kaleswararao alao refers tO this in hia autobiography, p, 226
Kaleswararao says that when Konda Venkatappayya gave up his practice* he
was only 49 years old and that he was at the height of hi profession.

3. The Hindu dated January 31, 12I.

HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DUTRlCT lfll-47 57

up practice, and issued a statement to that effect. Among
them Neelamraju Chalapathirao r Valluri Narayanarao,
Kondapi Ramakrishnarao, Sriramula Radhakrishnayya,
Mallavarapu Subbaraoand Throvagunta Nandikeswararao
carried on intensive Congress propaganda in Ongole and
the surrounding areas. 1 Valluri Narayanarao was senten-
ced to one year imprisonment for his role in the Duddukur
no-tax campaign. 2

In Narasaraopet, Kolavennu Ramakoteswararao
gave up his practice. Later on he started Triveni, an English
journal, and used it as a vehicle to propagate Congress
ideals. 3

Though it does not directly concern the Guntur
district mention should be made of Tanguturi Prakasam
giving up his legal profession in the city of Madras in
January 1921. 4 After completing his Barrister's course
in London and returning to India he set up practice in
1907. Overcoming stiff competition from eminent law-
yers like Bhashyam Ayyangar, Krishnaswami Iyer, Sun-
dara Iyer, Alladi, N. Varadachari, TV R. Venkatarama-
sastry and V. V. Srinivasa lyyangar, 5 he picked up good
practice, and by 1919 he was taking from his clients one
thousand rupees as fees for one day's arguments. 6 When
he gave up such a practice and joined the non-coopera-
tion movement, the prestige of the Congress organisation
shot up in Andhra, 7 and as he was a native of the Ongole

1. Ramachandruni Venfcatappa's article "Ongolu Taluk* lo Bahumakha Jatceya
Chaftanyanui" in OundtupalU Audinarayana Shasxlpurthi Sanchika. (Ongole.

M*tfMMmNMUt.W IBlillll ! I !!! \.r l^n^W MMMHM^HM*B^*lt-l*.l".4a . tjt H-TVM-lv%vpf ... -bl . .._, *-nifr*~r**

1972). (Teluu), p. 1 10

2. The Hindu dated January 15. 19a2,

3. Kernel a Venkatappayya : Op. oit, p, 252

4 T Tanguturi Prakasam: Najkeyiu .Yatra^ (Madras, 1972; (Tetugo), p 4 H3.
$ t Ibid p 115
6, Ibid p 125

7* V Vcnkateswarlu: Andhra Keiari Taaguturi Frakaiam Panthulugari Jeevitamu
(Madrai. 1951) (Felugu). pp. 76 to 78.

58 HISTOdY OP FREEDOM NOVMftNT IN GMNTUR DISTRICT l2|-47

taluq, his action was a tremendous moral -booster to the
non-cooperation movement in the taluq. 1

! " ...

Merchants of the Guntur town took care to see
that they did not go to government courts when dispu-
tes arose between them. A panchayat court was formed,
and the leading merchants became members, and pledged
to refer all disputes to it. 2 The Andhra Congress
Committee appointed Digumarthi Venkatramaswamy Pre-
sident pf this panphayat court which settled disputes
satisfactorily. 3 This panchayat court attracted the atteru
tion of the, government. 4

BOYCOTT OF FOREIGN GOODS

The Congress decided upon boycott of empire
gocds especially cloth. By this method it aimed to "'hit
theempirein weakest part viz., the Achilles heel of
business the only part that is vulnerable and this does
not require anything but will, wish and dtsire to do it
and when this is done the will of British empire is sealed,
signed and delivered". 5

the government in the Fort St. George, Madras
was shaken, and by threats, it. wanted to cow down

. . t . , . * - ' .

people's enthusiasm for boycott of foreign goods. It
announced: "The Government wish their attitude towa-
rds the movement for the boycott of foreign cloth shops

1. Ramachandrtini Vankaiappa's article "Ongolu taluk* lo Bathumukha JaUcya
Chaitanyamu In Gundlapalli Audinarayana Shasiipurthi Sanckika (Ongolc.

1972) (Telugu) 4 p,

2, The Hindu dated July 30* 19zl

3, A, Kalcswararao : Op cit pp 338. 339*

4. Report of the Inspector General Folice. Madras on (he iltuation in ihe
East coast Districts, dated August 27. 1921 (A. P, State Archives. H. F. S,
Section.)

5. JL,. R Tairs^ : Boycott of British Empire Gooda^Aaa Buiincsaman Sew
(Bombay, year of publication not raentionid), p, 16*

HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUMTUR DISTRICT 1811-47 59

to be clearly understood The government do not

intend to tolerate disorder, and they assure merchants
and importers of foreign cloth that they count on the
support of the Government in opposing all unlawful att-
empts to coerce them in this matter. To this end inst-
ructions have been issued to all District Magistrates....*
to take legal steps necessary to stop illegal picketing
and to protect merchants, traders and their customers
in the pursuit of their lawful avocations".!

But the threats of the government and their att-
empt at 'divide et impera' did not dampen the enthusiasm
of the people. In fact, the merchants themselves came
forward and decided not to trade in foreign cloth incu-
rring considerable loss. The Guntur cloth and yarn
merchants without any exception signed a statement not
to import foreign goods any more. The weavers also
signed not to weave foreign yarn. 2

In Tenali the student and the youth raised an orga-
nisation of volunteers numbering sixty. The students,
youth and the volunteers picketed before foreign goods
shops, and The Hindu dated December 22,1921 described
the results achieved in Tenali as "phenomenal. During the
month of December 1921, there was a steep fall in the
purchase of foreign goods. Not even a yard of foreign
cloth was bought" in spite of the counter importunities

1. Order NO. 517 dated August 16, 1921 issued in the name of E. N. Marjoribanks.
Acting Chief Secriary to the Government of Madras. Fort St. George
(Andhra Pradesh State Archives. Hyderabad, History of the Freedom Struggle
Section. The Government Orders, Communiques, Press Publicity Statements
etc, pertaining to the freedom movement do not contain any aerial number
of the Staid Archives, They are arranged in the files date-wise in the History
of the Freedom Struggle Section,

The source of such Government Orders, Communiquei, Press Publicity
Statements etc* is hereafter referred to as A. P. State Archives. H, F. S, I
Section)

2, The Hindu, dated October 3,

6O HISTOHY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN 8UHTUR DISTRICT 1021-47

of the local police, who had been deputed to the scene of
picketing. The work was done with such self-restraint
and remarkably non-violent persuasion that not one unto,
ward incident occured, and many of the merchants meet.
Ing the situation in good grace closed their shops, and

returned

PROPAGATION OF KHADDAR

Substantial work was done in Ongole taluq in the

manufacture of Khaddar. Kpta Viswanadham and Kappara

Narasimham did good work in the propagation of Khaddar

jji Ghekurapadu, Madduluru and Uppugunduru of the

Ongole taluq. 2 A Khadi Development Centre was started

by Tanguturi Prakasam in Guravareddtpalem. Dhara

GiQpala Sastry was appointed its supervisor. The AH

India Spinners' Association (A. I. S> A.) gave a loan of

Rs. 10,000/- to the centre. This centre did such a good

work that it received the appreciation of A. 1. S. A. and

Congress leaders like Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Jamanlal

Bajaj. 3 There were half a dozen shops in Tenali dealing

in khaddar. 4 Maddi Radhakrishnayya and Pendam Kesa-

vulu toured Guritur, Mangalagiri, Bhattiprolu, Repalle

and Pal nad to stimulate the production of hand- spun yarn

and cloth and in every way to carry out the Congress

resolution on swadeshi.*

Khaddar, though coarse and rough, was accepted
by the people in the true national spirit. Writing about

1. 'The HlDdu datcid D'ecember 22. f92l.

2. Ramachindruni Veiikatappa*8 article "OngoTu Talutc* lo Bahumukha Jatecya
Chattaayamu^ in Gundtapalli Audinarayana Shastipofthi Sanchika

(Ongolu.l972/ J (Telugu),p U2.

3. Dhara Gopala Sastry's article "Andhra Ketari Panthulu gari to na parichayamu'
in The ;Praka^aia pjrth Gcpiepary Souyenir (Andhru Pradesh. Hyderabad),

Tel ug4i Seat ion. p; 42 .....

4. The Hindu dated December 22. 1921.

5. The Hindu dated Augutt 15. 121.

HISTORY Of FREEDOM HO VI MINT IN 6IMTU* DllTHlCT IUl-47 6 1

the picketing before the foreign cloth shops in Tenali,
The Hindu dated December 22, 1921 commented that it
was encouraging to see" rough Khaddar becoming more
fashionable than Brummagem fineries of the West, which
had lost their veneer for the youth".

ANTI-DRINK CAMPAIGN

Anti-drink campaign made good progress in Guntur
on account of the activities of temperance workers. The
Hindus as well as the Muslim? cooperated whole-hear-
tedly to organise anti-drink campaign. Volunteers appea-
led to the contractors in the nameof patriotism and tem-
perance to boycott Abkari sales. The volunteers proceeded
to places where sales were conducted, and despite the
vigilance of the police succeeded in persuading the inten-
ding bidders not to bid. As a result of this sales had to
be stopped.

* .

In the taluq centres of Guntur, Sattenapalli, Naras-
araopet, Qngole and Repalli the people completely boyc-
otted the toddy resales, when they were held in August,
1921. l At Vinukonda. Patfbanda Satyanarayanarao, Bar-
rister Dasaradharamayya and Anantachari were present,
when the government conducted the Abkari re-sales on
13th August. There were no bidders except one Christian,
who subsequently applied for cancellation.* On the 29th
August Palnad taluq resales at Gurajala attracted hun-
dreds of people from surrounding villages to the ialuq
office. Volunteers entreated bidders not to go in for
toddy sales. All abstained from bidding, but the Muslim
Salt Assistant Inspector dragged in two Muslim ryots
standing by, and induced them by threats to bid. On the
whole six shops were sold which fetched to the govern-

1. The Hindu dated September 2. 1921.

2. The Hindu flatcd August 12. 19ii,

62 Hl*f OHY OP PRIfiDOM MOVEIWIIT IN 5UMTUR DUT*ICT IB2I-47

ment a revenue of R$. 12/- per month as against Rs.
1/200/- per annum last year. 1 Dr. Syed Muhammad/ Sec-
retary of the Bihar Provincial Khilaf at Committee arrived
on Augnst 6th and addressed a large meeting in Guntur.
He raised great enthusiasm among Muslims with regard
to temperance. Among Muslims Shaik Fareed, a non-
cooperator, did good work in preaching temperance.
Unnava Lakshmibayamma was active in Guntur in appea-
ling to the Contractors to boycott Abkari sales. 3

RESULTS OF THE. NON-COOPERATION
MOVEMENT

* t .... j

.:.:'' '."'' '

Thus, the boycott of the Council, law courts,
schools and colleges aruj- the constructive programme
parked by the establishment of national schools ahd
anchuyat .courts, temperance and propagation of Khaddar
on which Gandhi and the Congress wanted to raise the
edifice of Swaraj was strongly laid in the Guntur district
the whole year of ; 1921 .

.,,... However^ it may b$ argued that the number of boy*
cotting lawyers and. students was rather small and that
the British courts,, educational institutions and govern-
ment offices were not crippled in any way. The resigna-
tions from government jobs were also insignificent.
Kan da Venkatappayya under a separate chapter in his
ajutobiggraphy refers to the resignations of Digumarthi
Venkata Ramaswamy, Ravuri Ranga Rao, and Wadlamudi
Mukteswara Prasada Rao and Brahmajosyula Subrah-
.fnaiiy9m..Vfl&n$aoha4dru.nt V^nkatappa refers to the

1. The i^ipdtf dp led Septem bet 2 ;

2. The Hinda dated August 15. 1921,

3. Madala Veerabhadrarao : Gun turn Zilla Swarajya Udyamamu
Ujvala Ghattalu (Published by the author. 1974) (TeluBu), p. 39.

4. Konda Venkatappayya : Op, ci, p. 250,

HISTORY OP PR1IDOH MOVIMENT IN GUMTUR DISTRICT 1111-47 6 3

' ' ' ' . . ' :' '

nation of Kappara Narasimham, Panchagnula Srikrishnaih,
Achyutuni Govinda Rao and Achyutuni Pitchayya Sarma. 1

The resignations of the government officials might
be limited* The lawyers and the students that boycotted
court and schools might also be small in number. But,
it should be noted that for the first time in the Guntur
district th3re emerged on account of these resignations
and boycott-programme a band of whole-time leaders and
workers who made attainment of freedom for the mother-
country their only goal in life.

They consecrated themselves'wholly tojts realisa-
tion. A study of the lives and activities of those that
gave up their professions, jobs and studies amply proves
this. Before the emergence of Gandhi and the Calcutta
Special Congress, Vinjamuri Bhavanacharyulu, Sanaga-
palli Ramaswamy Gupta, Vishnubhotla Suryanarayana
and for that matter even Konda Venkatappayya did not
take up service to the country as a whole-time job but
only as a pastime of leisure. Further, political work
before Gandhi had been carried on so long as it did not
hurt the pockets of those that were in it. But from 1920
when Eminent lawyers, other professional people and
enthusiastic students took to the freedom movement on
whole-time basis Incurring considerable loss, the masses
were galvanised. Politics ceased to be intellectual cal-
listhenics; it came to be the business of common man.
This .marks a definite break with the past. Moreover, it
should be noted that it was not a mere boycott of British
schools, colleges, courts and jobs. It was a boycott of
the British Government,

I. RamchsutdrAi Vcnlciiiappi'* article" Ongftlu T^lukd to SjUnmttkha Jaceeya
Ch.itany*i*u" ia Gimaiapalti AuJinarayana Shmtipurthi Sanchika (Ogol.

*. ,w MiWfJ.jwwwii.B- ' -^.. j - ,,^^^-,^-r,-r. W >^^-^'.^-*'^'--"^ '* "'> "" '

I97i) fTalUftu), p. Ul.

64 HISTOtY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN SUNTUR DISTRICT 1B2I-47

1 .

" The' success .of the boycott programme can be
summed. up with the following observation of Netaji
Subhas Chandra Bose: "The Triple Boycott had been
fairly successful. Though the Legislatures were not
empty, no Congressman had gone there. The Lawyers
on the whole made a good response and the student
community had come out of the ordeal with flying
colours". 1

: ^

Another important feature of the movement of 1921
was that "the narrow domestic walls gave way" 2 and
the women were drawn into the vortex of the freedom
struggle.

In the propagation of temperance Unnava Lakshmi,
bayamma played a key-role in Guntur. After the Con-
gress Working Committee meeting in Bezawada, when
Gandhi undertook a togr of the Guntur district, women
came forward and contributed their jewellery to the Tilak
Swaraj Fund, 3 Patibandla Kotamma and Vasireddi Rajya-
lakshmamma of Bapatla gave away their gold jewels to
ajya Nidhr, When women, who for centuries chained
narrow domestic life under the weight of tradition and
custom, stepped into the streets, 5 and attached greater
value to freedom than to their gold jewels, one can with
cenainiiy say that Gandhi's call for independence reached
every nook and corner of the district.

; More than anything* the district people became
intrepid and learnt the first scientific lessons to carry on
an organised agitation against the government for the
attainment of Swaraj. The Government let loose repres-

1 . Subhas Chandra ISose -. The Indian Struggle 1 9aO~42 (Bombay, 1064). pp 55, 5<S.

2. Pratima Asthana ; Women*! Movement in IndU (Delhi, 1974], p, U7*

3. Konda Venkatappiiyya : Op. cit. p. 259,

4. The Hind a dated Febraaro 18,

5. Sarojioi Regaoi : Op 4 cit. p, 68,

HI9TORT ;OF FMIiDOH'MOVIMENT INJQUHTUR DISTRICT 1*11-47 65

sion, and prosecutions were levelled against the people
on flimsy grounds. According to the government acco-
unt the highest number of persons who courted imprison-
ment during the non-cooperation movement came from
Guntur district "in respect of events arising out of
N. C. O. and Khilafat agitation since the end of Qctober
1921". 1 Still the people carried on the boycott progra-
mme and constructive activity with great resolve and
nerve.

! .

. ' I*"

This intrepidity in the face of personal loss to life
and property manifested itself in the defiance of forest
laws in Palnad, the boycott of municipality in Chirala
and the withholding of the payment of taxes in Peda-
nandipadu firka of the Bapatla taluq and Duddukur,
Addanki and Santhanuthalapadu firkas of the Ongolo
taluq. In these places the freedom struggle passed from
the stage of non-cooperation to the stage of civil dis-
obedience. These three episodes made great history and
they are separately dealt with in three chapters.

The Guntur District Congress Committee shed its
former attitude of prayer and petition and the passing of
mere resolutions, and became so emboldened that in
its General Body meeting held on October 13, 1921,
Kolavennu Ramakoteswararao presiding, it appealed to the
Indians not "to join the army, navy, police and other secu-
rity services as it is detrimental to the honour of the coun-
try and ideal of Swaraj".* Again the General Bodyof the
Guntur District Congress Committee meeting on Novem-
ber 10, 1921, Anche Sivayya presiding, appeal to the

1. Acting Chief Secretary to the Government of Madras. Fort Sfc, George, Madras
to the Secretary, Government of India, Home Department, New Delhi
dated October 17. 1922, Letter No. 191-4 [A. P. State Archives, H. F.S.
Section].

2. Resolution of the General Body of the Guntur District Congress Committee
passed on U-10~'21 (available in its printed form in the Saras wathiniketan,
Vetapalem)

66' HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN SUHTUR DISTftlCT 1*21-47

rawyers arid students, who persisted in attending the
courts and schools, to desist from doing so. It threatened
them w?th social boycott if they did not heed to its
advice. 1 The Guntur District Conference held on June 10th
T921 with M. Ramaswamy Gupta in chair unanimously
accepted the resolution proposed by K. Ramakoteswara-
rao that the time was ripe for the withdrawal of govern-
ment servants, crvi I and military. 2 The Guntur D.C.C.'s
call to the army to abandon service was true to the mani-
festo of Gandhi which said, "It is contrary to national
Fnterest for any Indian to serve as civilian, and more
espec ; iafly ; as a soldier under the Government". 3

The willingness on the part of large numbers to
make sacrifices for the sake of the country and the intre-
pidity which the non-cooperation movement engendered
ma cross-section of the people of the district created
quite a deal of flutter in the bureaucratic dove-cots as
is evident from the fortnightly reports prepared by the
government. The report of 4th August 1921 says: "The
situation in Guntur is threatening and strong measures
&fllbfc required to counteract the prevalent contempt
fbr authority-'. 4 The report of December 6, 1921 concl-
uded that "Guntur continues to be centre of propaga-
nda 1 ** the Inspector General of Police, Madras formed
the opinion that the "demand for swaraj has been very
widely and firmly implanted in the district of Guntur". 6

1- Resolution of the General Body of tl> Ountiir District Congre Committee
pasted OQ lCMl-21 (available ID its printed form in the S.rwwttlhinikeian,
v Vetapalcm)

2, The Hindu dated June la. 1921-

3, D, G Tendulkar: Op. clt, Vol-H, p. 2,

4, Quoted ia M, Venkatarangaiya's TheJFreedom Struggle in Andhra Pradesh

*: ' " ^*"^^^"^ifc^iiPB*>i.^*-Tvi^. | ^.-nin , a , , fc ,^^^ MI1 ,, . Jrt -a^p^rt. L-..-ik . .%!-. - .' : T ' i . ..

CAndhra) Vol-IH (Hyderabad. 1965> p, *0,

5 * A Qrahaml. C, S t Acting Chier Secretary to the Government of Madrai,
Fort St, George, Madras to S. >. O' Donnel. C. I t k. I. C S . Secretary to
the Governnwnt of India Home Department dated December 6, W2I. (A, F.
State Archives, H.F.S. Section')

6. Report of'the Inspector Genetat of Police, Madras on the situation in the East
Coast Districts dated August 27. 1921, (A, P, State Archives. L fVS. Section)

HISTORY ;OF PRKI DOM MOVEMENT IN QUNTUR DISTRICT 19*1-47 67

The Government of India also had to conclude that "Mr.
Gandhi's intensive movement during 1921 and 1922 had
diffused far and wide among classes previously oblivious
to political considerations a strong negative patriotism
born of race hatred to the foreigner. The less prosperous
classes both in the town and the country have become
aroused to certain aspects of the existing political
situation". 1 This was so inspite of the fact that the
agitators were "dealt with frequently enough and prom-
ptly enough " 2

Gandhi's endeavour in the non-cooperation move-
(nent was "to involve as many men as possible, and
make sure of the ground he was traversing". 3 This was
largely accomplished in the Guntur district.

JUSTICE PARTY VIS^A-VIS GUNTUR DISTRICT

The Government made effort to build up an anti-
non-cooperation campaign in the Guntur district with the
help of one P. V. Krishnaiah Choudary "who was the only
non-official who was making the slightest attempt to
start an open and public anti-N.C.O, campaign*...." 4
Such efforts on the part of the governmet did not make
much headway. The Justice Party which was opposed to
the non-cooperation movement did not get any response
from the district. Sir. K. V. Reddi Naidu, its leader and a
minister for one of the 'Transferred subjects* in the
Madras presidency visited Tenali on September 15, 1921.

1 India ial9zl-2. pp. 107. 108.

2 oavidfion. District Collector. Guniur to Marjorlbanks, Chief Secretary,
Government of Madras, Fort St, George Madras dated August 20, I9zl,
(A, P, State Archives, H, F, S, Section)

3, Nirmal Kumar Bosc & P.H, Patwardhan : Gandhi in Indian Politics
(Bombay, 1967K p. 26, "" ""

4, Robertson, District Collector. Guntur to Marjoribanks, Chief Secretary to
the Government of Madras. Fort St, George, Madras dated June 26, 1921,
(A. P. State Archives. H.F.S. Section)

68 HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN OUHTUR DISTRICT 1921*47

In a public meeting there, he referred to the non-coope-
ration and said," by following the ways of the non-co-
operators India would not gain what she wanted. Boy.
cott of schools would only serve to steep India in igno-
rance Again to give up foreign trade would also

be a piece of madness. Foreign trade meant the increase
of India's wealth".! His was a cry in wilderness, for the
Tenali people whole-heartedly tried to implement the
boycott call of the Congress, The neighbouring Guntur
town gave a devastating reply to the entreaties of Sri-
K. V. Reddi Naidu. P. C. M. Yathirajula Naidu leader of the
Justice Party in the Guntur district* and Chairman of
the Guntur municipality during 1918-21* lost the elec-
tions to the non-cooperators in 1921 and in his place
Muhammad Raza KhaqSaheb Belgani, an enthusiastic
non-cooperator was elected Chairman. 4 The Congress
in Guntut made its debut in municipal elections as the
boycott resolution of Gandhi in the Calcutta Special
Congress excluded the local bodies from its purview, 5

-/'.

True to the Khilafat spirit, the Muslims enthusia-
stically took part in the non-cooperation movement.
GhouseBeg, who was sentenced to twelve month impri-
sonment in the 1921 movement/ testified to this com-
munal harmony. 7 The election of Muhammad Raza Khan
Saheb Belgani as Chairman of the Guntur municipality
during the days when non-cooperation was at its height
speaks 6f communal harmony permeating the district.

1- O. V. Subbarao; Life and times of K. V, Reddi Naidu (Rajahmumlry* 1957)
pp. 112*113.

2. Personal papers of N, V, L. Narasimharao.

3 Guntitru Mandala Sarvaiwamu (Telugu) p, 153,

4. Personal papers of N. V. L. Naraaimharao,

5. Bi Pattabhi Sitaramayya: Op cit Vol-I p 204

6. Madala Veerabhadrarao : Op, cit, p, 182
7- Signed statement of Ohouse Beg

Ill

Ghirala -Perala
Satyagraha

DIFFERENT FACTS OF
NON-COOPERATION MOVEMENT

India witnessed unparalleled political movement
after the Calcutta Special Congress. The whole nation
was galvanised, and "an unprecedented wave of enthu-
siasm ran through India's teeming millions. Unparal-
leled scenes of fervour, devotion and sacrifice were
witnessed everywhere". 1 During this upheave! when
"the old feeling of oppression and frustration was
completely gone", 2 there emerged local variations of
the non-cooperation movement. As Judith M. Brown
observes: "Gandhi saw non-cooperation as a way of
involving the whole spectrum of Indian society in a

1. Tara Chand : Op- cit. VoI-HI, p. 493

2. Jawaharlal Nehru ; Op. clt. p. 69

7O HISTOHY F FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN 8UNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

political movement. His vision was achieved on a scale
far beyond that of theRowlatt Satyagraha, because of the

first time he made contact with groups who found

in the techniques he offered ways of defending or pro-
moting their local interests. The result was no mono-
lithic political movement. Instead, non-cooperation
became a chameleon campaign, taking colour from its
^surroundings as it was shaped in each locality by the
particular forces at work and the strains and stresses
of the local power structure. Every province, indeed
every district, in India would provide evidence of this,
but a few examples will show not only how a continental
campaign took on a variety of local faces but also how
it ryvas precisely this flexibility which attracted men out-
side the old political nation, whether in the presidencies
or in the backward political areas". 1

Dr. B. Pattabhi Sitaramayya also refers to the local
variations of the non-cooperation movement. He writes:
"In the year 1921 a spirit of resistance to authority was
the dominant factor of publicise, and people practised
this in different parts of the country in relation to the
conditions of life around them and the local and civic
.problems that confronted them". 2

One sticlrepisode to resistance to authority of the
year 1921 in the Guntur district was the struggle of the
people of Chirala-Perala when a municipality was impo-
sed on them much against their wishes.

1, Judiih M. Brown : Gandhi's Rise to Power. Indian Politics 1915
[Cambridge, 1972] p 322

2, B. Pattabhi Sitaramayya Op. cit. Vol. I, p, 219.

HISTORY OF nrCEDOlTlfOVlMEMT IN 8UHTUR DISTRICT 1111*47 7 1

ESTABLISHMENT OF A MUNICIPALITY IN
CHIRALA-PERALA AND THE PEOPLE'S
REACTION TO IT.

In November, 1919 the Government of Madras
issued a notification to the effect that Chirala and 'Per a la
should henceforth be formed into a municipality and
Jartdrapet and Old Chirala should be separated from Chi-
rala and Perala and should constitute themselves as a
Panehayat Union, and if there were any complaints
a^aifist this decision, they might be notified to the
government by a certain date. 1

* i

As matter of fact, the government for various rea-
sons had been trying to form a municipality for Chirala
from the year 1914. When there was an out-break of
plague in the Guntur district in 1914, Chirala was also
afflicted and there were many deaths. 2 Asa result of
this, the Sanitary Commissioner recommended a munici-
pality for Chirala in place of the Panchayat Union. 3 But
since the people were not in a position to bear the burden
of taxation that the municipality would involve them,
the District Collector of Guntur ftirmed the opinion that
there was no need for a municipality for Chirala.

In fact, though Ongole came under municipal
administration even from 1876*, it was a victim of pla-
gue in 1914, and the people of Ongole town in large
numbers had to leave municipal limits and live on the
out-skirts in palmyra sheds. 5 Whole streets of Pngole

1. CJ . V. KrisKtur&o; Chirala and PeraU Tragedy .' An Episode of Voluntary Exile

Kl -jjfc . ^- -..nr : -a -UhMCi. ie_ '***.- I.AOV- A T..-I ~i-. T i>ii li~ n^n i *- j*iJ-!*ft- -'H--*---^^"w*

f Madras, 1922), p, 8

2, Bsuvaraju Apparuo Sri Andhr- Ratna Dyutulu (Vijayawadt* 1963;

(Telusu), p. 67
3< Ibid, p, 68.

4. Unclassified OnifOlc Municipal Administration fRccords.

5. Ptsupttti Chidumbara S as try: Ongole Muhaminari (Ongolc, year of publication

not mentioned) (Telugu), p. 4

7 2 HISTORY er PRIEDOM HOVEMK NT IN CUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

wore a desolate look. 1 That the towns under municipal
administration were not pictures of good sanitation and
cleanliness is evident from the condition of Ongole.

M. Ramachandra Rao who reviewed municipal
administration in South India beginning from 1888 and
ending with 1905 brought to light many glaring defects.
In matters of sanitation there was a cumbersome proce-
dure. When the expenditure exceeded Rs. 200/-, even
the most urgent schemes could not be undertaken
without the prior approval of the Sanitary Board. 2 As the
strangle-hold of the government officers was complete?,
the municipal administration in the Madras presidency
yielded very poor results. Moreover, Chirala then was
not confronted with any major problems of sanitation.
The soil was sandy and porous. There was no need on
the part of the British officials to think of a permanent
drainage scheme, Plenty of sweet drinking water was
available in the. village, and hence it did not require a
water scheme. 4

. ' ' . . ' ' ; '' . '

Further, when the government contemplated a
municipality and thrust it upon the people of Chirala r the
towns of Bapatla and Ponnur, though bigger than Chirala
did not have municipal councils. 9

In spite of all these factors a municipality was
duly constituted in Chirala-Perala in January 1920 with
eleven councillors and a Chairman. 6

I Ibid. p. 1,

2. M. Ramafcfrandrarao, Municipal Reforms in South India (Madras year of

publication not mentioned), p. 6,
> Ibid, p. 5,

4. G, V. Krishnarao, Op tit. p, 4. ;

* " ' " ' '

3< fiasavaraju Apparao. Op. cit^ p> 70 . ,

6* G. V ( Krishnarao, Op, oit, p, 8.

HISTORY OP FREEDOM If OVIMENT IN GUNTUft DISTRICT lfll-47 7 3

The inhabitants vehemently protested, when a
municipality was forced on them much against their will.
The reasons for the people to oppose the municipality
were not far to seek. D. S. R. Rao, special Correspon-
dent of The Hindu (Madras), who paid a visit to Chirala
at the beginning of May 1921, found the villagers very
poor. Under the Panchayat Union they were paying a
taxation of Rs. 4,000/- When Chirala and Perala were
formed into a municipality it was raised to RS. AtXOOO/-. 1
About 90% of the population lived by dyeing and weaving
which brought them bare wages 2 of 4 or 5 annas per day*
(twenty five to thirty paise in the present denomination).
The agricultural lands were not of good quality. Manu-
facturing activity was little. There was only one rice-
mill and fiothing else. 4 D, S. R. Rao says that when such
poor people were suddenly called upon to pay about nine
or ten times the amount that they had hitherto been
paying, they felt the taxation to be "very oppressive*,.
Added to that when the municipality was constituted,
the councillors indulged in petty oppression. 5

The people made known their dislike of the munici-
pality in many ways. They formed the Rate Payers'
Association on February 18, 1920 to protest against the

. >.. w . ......

heavy taxes. 6 When the Minister of Local Self-Govern-
ment visited Chirala in February 1921, the villagers sent
a deputation to him to dissolve the municipality. The
Minister never cared for the strong public opinion. He

1, D. S. R< Rao's article "Chirala and self- determination" in The Hindu
(Madras) dated May 27, 1921.

2. G, V. Krishnarao: Op. cit, p. 52.

3 D.S. R, Rao's article "Chirala and self-determination" in The Hindu
(Madras^ dated May 27, 1921.

4. G. V. Krishnarao: Op, cit. p. 52.

5. D, S. R. Rao's article "Chirala and self-determination"' in The Hindu
(Madras) dated May 27. 1921. , ^

6. G. V. Kriihnarao, Op cit. p. 53.

74 HISTORY OF FHIIDOM MOVEMINT IN 6UNTUR DISTRICT 1021-47

threatened to post punitive police, to remove the railway
station, post office and the hospital, and to station the
military, if they did not agree to have the municipality. 1

David Washbrook, who made a study of the country
politics 0f ^Madras from 1880 to 1930, found out that
from 1921 the government attached great importance
to the Ministry of Local Self-Government. The Chief
Minister acted as the Minister for Local Self Govern-
ment also. 1

The Chief Minister and the Minister of Local Self
Government was Raja Ramarayaningar, the Roja of
Panagal and one of the foremost leaders of the non-Bra-
hmin movement. 3 When he saw the Chirala-Perala
movement slipping into the hands of the non-cooperaters
andDuggirala Gopalakrishnayya, a Brahmin, the Raja of
Panagal did not budge an inch on the issue of Chirala-
Perala municipality. On April 1, 1921 he superseded the
council and appointed a paid Chairman on a fat salary of
Rs. 390/- a month. 4 The people thereupon became rio-
tous, burnt the toll-gate, placed the toll-bar across the
rail-road and stopped the Calcutta Mail for sometime. 5

PUBLICITY BUREAU'S STATEMENT

'' ' ' H . .

.When agitation wad building up against the muni-
cipality, especially after the supersession of the council,
the Publicity Bureau of the Government of Madras issued
a statement. 6 The Bureau tried to make out that muni-

1. Ibid. p. 10.

2. John Gallagher, Cardon Johnson & Anil Seal (Editors) JLocuJiiy, Province
and Nation (Cambridge. 1973 >, p, 185, - < *-.

3. Gummidithala Venkata Subbarau, Op, cit pp 76,77.

4. G V. Kri&fanarao Op cit p 10

5. Ibid. p 11,

6. The Statement of the Publicity Bureau is entirely reproduced In O. V. Krtalma-
rao's Chirala and Perala Tragedy; An Episode of Voluntary Exile, pp* 43 to 48,

HISTORY OF FmiDOH r HOVIilET III QtlNTUR DIBTff|T lilI-49 76

cipality was established in order to confer on the people
benefits and the privileges of local self-government.
The statement among other things pointed out that Chi-
rala had a flourishing weaving and dyeing industry, and
that it was one of the biggest trade-centres in the diet-
rict of Guntur. It had the capacity to pay th3 additional
taxation. According to the Publicity Bureau, the town
was in an insanitary condition, and the situation would
improve only by converting the Panchayat Union into a
municipality. But, the statement of the Bureau did not
appear to conform to facts. Chirata was not in a flou-
rishing condition. D. S. R. Rao. Special Correspondent
of The Hindu who made a survey of the scene bears
ample testimony to the poverty of the people. His con-
clusion was corroborated by G. V. Krishna Rao 1 and
Basavaraju Appa Rao.* Regarding the sanitation of the
town D. S, R. Rao writes/' So far I can judge, Chirala
did not look particularly insanitary. Granting that the
situation could be improved, the turning of the Union
into a Municipality at a stroke against the wishes of the
people was no solution to the problem. In fact, great
many municipalities in this country are a disgrace to
civilisation".

GOPALAKRISHNAYYA TAKES UP

THE LEADERSHIP OF THE MOVEMENT

At this juncture had not Duggirala Gopalakrishna-
yya stepped in and taken the leadership of the movement
the people would have definitely embarked upon civil
disobedience and withheld payment of municipal taxes.
There would have been an open conflict between the
people and the bureaucracy, and violent incidents might
have taken place, Gopalakrishnayya joined the non

1. G. V, Kriftkturfto; Op, cit. p, 50,

2, Basavaraju Apparao; Op, cit, p* 68,

76 HISTORY OP FREEDOM tfOVEMINT IN GUNTUft DISTRICT IS2I-47

cooperation movement in 1920 hoping to get Swarajya in
pne year, and Chirala Was the arena for his fight. 1 As
Gummidithala Venkata Subbarau observes, "he decided
to go the whole-hog for Chirala and through Chirala to
establish Swaraj for India ". 2

" *

We have seen how Chirala had come under the
spell of non-violent non-cooperation of Gandhi. In
pursuance of the Calcutta Special Congress resolution
the people overwhelmingly boycotted the elections to
the council under- the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms.
Only two persons cast their votes, and they were the
clerks of Justice Party candidate J. Kuppuswamy Chow.
dary. 3 We have also seen how the Ramadandu volunteers
of Gopalakrishnayya restored order and maintained per.
feet discipline at the Bezawada All India Congress Com.
mittee meeting. Theppople of Chirafa-Perala gave to
the Congress over Rs. 9,OQO/- by way of donation to the
Tilak Swaraj Fund. 4 Now that a municipality was impo-
sed much against their wishes, the people and their
leader, took it as an issue to fight, against the British
government. Thus, thgy wanted to contribute their mite
for the attainment of Swaraj for the nation.

At the time of the A. K C. C. rpeeting at Bezawada
the Chirala.Perala movement had already taken some
shape. In ft/larch 192t twelve of those, who refused to
pay the taxes, including an elderly Udy-Ravuri Alamelu
ManganfifTia 5 were arrested and sent to jail. She wa$
perhaps the first wpi^an in the whole country to be sent
to p* tson fa; a political pffence* after Gandhi took com-
mand of the national movement.

' .

1. Gummidithala Venkata Subbarau. Op; cil, p, 80

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid, p, 127,

4. Ibid, p, 118,

5. Aehyutuni Balakrishoa Murthy: Chirala Charitra - Jfateeya
fChirala, 1970) (Telugu), p, J4. *

6' M, Venkatarangaiya i Op. cit. VoMlI, p. 32,

HISTORY OF fail DOM MOVIMEKT IN 6UMTUR DISTRICT 1111-47 77

GANDHI'S VISIT TO CHIRALA
AND HIS ADVICE TO THE PEOPLE

<3andhi's visit to Chirala on April 6, 1921 was a
turning point in the movement.

Gandhi garlanded the twelve patriots, including
the lady, who had been sent to prison for not recognising
the municipality. He said he had himself gone to jail a
number of times in South Africa* He was jealous of those
who had the privilege of going to jail, because he found
greater freedom within the prison walls. He congratula-
ted the women of Chirala on producing one lady atleast,
who could goto jail. In his opinion the government
grievously erred in imposing a municipality against the
unanimous opinion of the people.'

When Gandhi's advice was sought as to the course
of action left for the people of Chirala. Perala, 2 he told
them that two courses were open for them - either to
offer non-cooperation with civil disobedience or to
perform Hizrat as the Mussalmans, or as Tulsidas had
"Desatyag"* Both weapons in his opinion were equally
powerful and equally effective. He asked them not to
depend upon the support of Congress, but to rely on
their own strong arm, that was self-suffering, 3 "If the
movement succeeded the glory would in part go to the
Congress, but if it failed, the discredit of it should not
attach to the Congress", he said. 4

Gandhi laid the foundation-stone of the Ramnagar
village and after the ceremonies were over, Gopalakri-
shnayya saw him off, when the future of Chirala cam-

1, The Hindu dated April K.

*nr..4if *.

2, B, Pactabhi Siiaramayya, Ojn cii. Vol. I, j> 4

3, The Hindu dated April 8 t921,

^B^^dMtWbltrilMVMVKV. TTtt, 1

4 B Pattubhi Stur&mayy* Op eil VoM p 219 Konda Venkatappayya also
refers to thU in his Swceya Cbarhra pj> *63 &264

78 HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN tUNTUR DISTRICT \92l-47

paign was discussed and settled. 1 Civil disobedience in
this case meant refusal to pay taxes and readiness to
submit the attachment of property/ and if necessary to
go to jails, in large numbers. Duggirala Gopalakrishna-
yya and the other leaders "apprehended that if they adopt
civil disobedience, they might at any moment lose their
patience and come into conflict with the bureaucracy,
which watts with glee for an opportunity 'to make them
[earn a lesson which they might not forget for another fifty
years.' 2 According to the Historian of the Indian Natio-
nal Congress, B. Pattabhi Sitaramayya/ -'Gandhi sugge-
sted that if the people did not care for a municipality,
they might leave the precincts thereof and live outside**.*
If the evacuation was complete and successful, the
municipality would automatically wither away. This was
Gandhi's prescription to the people of Chirala-Perala.
This conformed to the non-violent non-cooperation,
which he had earlier inaugurated. It would avoid a direct
confrontation between the people and the government.
GopaJEkrishnaVya, who was "a great visionary" 4 and
who wanted "to attain Swaraj for India, perhaps in Chi-
rala by the help of the Andhras at least in the year of
Christian Grace 1921" 5 decided upon people's evacua-
tion of the town. The people, permeated with Gandhi's
spirit of non-cooperation, readily responded to the cal|
of Gbpalakkrishnayya to leave hearths and homes of
their fore-fathers and to settle down in thatched huts
^pttrnasalas- oh the outskirts of the villages of Chirala
Perala 6 .

1. Gummidithala Venktia Subbarau; Op. cil, p. JQ6

2. G. V. Krishnarao; Op, cit. p. 12

3. B. Pattabhi Sitaramayya; Op. cit 4 Vol-I, p, 219

4. Sarojini Regani: Op. cit, p. 85

5. Gummidithala Venkata Subbarau. Op, cit. p, 83

6. Sarojini Regani. Op, cit p. 84

HISTORY Of >tl DOM MOVEMENT |* fttUITUR DIITRtCt 1121*47 79

THE GREAT EVACUATION

The evacuation started on the night of April 25th
with the beat of drums, and the night rent with the cries
of 'Mahatma Gandhi ki Jai* : Basavaraju Apparao, was a
personal witness of this high drama that night, records
that all people without any distinction evacuated the
town and expressed their determined opposition to the
municipality, "When I saw that mid-summer night men
and women, old and young carry their articles of every-
day life to their new places of residence leaving their old
Homes, 1 could not restrain myself. Tears trickled down
my cheeks". 1

The Hindu dated Aprih 26, 1921 also give a pen
picture of the Chirala evacuation. "Chirala and Perala
evacuation is proceeding rapidly. Rows of country
carts, laden with furniture, traders and their goods are
constantly the villages'. Poor men and women are
carrying their belongingson head-loads. All classes of
people are cheerfully partaking. Mahatma's advice is
strictly followed, though the paid Chairman is causing
petty oppression .Chirala and Perala are really abodes

of heroes These places and their leader Gopalakrish-

nayya deserve congratulation".

D, S, R. Rao, Special Correspondent of Tfce Hindu
visited Chirala-Perala about the beginning of May 1921
and found out that "nearly 75 percent of the inhabitants
of Chirala and 50 percent of those of Perala had evacu-
ted their old homes. Those who could afford have rented
houses in the neighbouring villages, but the vast bulk
of the people were being sheltered under parnasalas, built
of the bamboo and the palmyra. It was a sad sight to
watch them and their furniture moved from their old
homes to their new parnasalas. Street after street of

1, Baiavaraju Apparto' Op. eit pp. $2.

8O HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN 9UNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

Chirala was deserted and hardly a voice was heard along
the lovely thoroughfares. The creek of the heavily laden
carts, the din of the hammer strokes, the odour of the
sun-dried palmyra leaves and the sight of the patient
men, women and children trudging the dusty paths to
their new homes sweating under the weight of their
belongings were an overwhelming phenomena-they were
indeed an inspiration". 1 The evacuation was the cro-
wning consummation of Duggirala Gopalakrishnayya's
political career.

That the revenue officials and the police tried to
foil the evacuation-programme was borne out by the
testimony of Gummidithala Venkata Subbarau, the bio-
grapher of Duggirala Gopalakrishnayya. But such was
the ingenuity of their ever-resourceful leader, and such
was the vigilance of its ever-watchful Ramadandu, that all
those efforts were of no avail. 2

; The shifting greatly disturbed the economic life of
the people. The poor villagers lost their wages for days
on account of the dislocation of labour. The parnasala s
cost them from Rs. 20 to 40 each, depending upon the
size of the family to be accommodated, The temporary
wells which were an immediate necessity cost about
Rs. 5/- each, the more permanent ones about Rs. 50/-
each. AM told the new settlement cost them not less
than Rs. 30,000;-. In spite of these economic hardships,
the evacuation was carried through, and the people bore
their burden nobly. 5 As Dr. Pattabhi Sitaramayya put
it, vAndhra Ratna D. Gopalkrishnayya put his whole
heart .and conducted the exodus which reminds us of

.....

1. D. S. R. Rao's Article "Chirala and self-determination!' in The
( Madraa) dated May 2 7, 1921

2. Gummidithala Venkau Subbarau: Op; cit, p. 109

3. D, S R. Rao's anicle "Chirala and self-determination" in The Hin<lu
(Madras) dated May 27. 1921.

HISTORY OP PHI! DOM M0VMMINT IN GUnTUH DISTRICT 1111-47 8 1

the earlier Hijrat of the Muslims of Sindh into Afgha-
nistan". 1

PARALLEL GOVERNMENT IN THE
'PALMYRA CITY'

It was in the 'Palmyra City' that people of Chirala
spent nearly eleven months* Gopalkrishnayya practically
ran a parallel government. His biographer says that
there was complete order in the place. Panchayats were
held to dispense justice effectively to the delinquents,
and more than one loyalist was levied 'a handsome fine'
for the benefit of the 'Exchequer'. Government officials
were boycotted and had to return for want of bare food
and even water. In the new "Palmyra City" Gopal-
krishnayya's word was law.* "Everyday there were judi-
cial tribunals, legislative enactments and administrative
orders; and almost every affair of every individual
citizen was within the purview of the Pane hay at over
which Gopalakrishnayya presided". 3 News of this Pan-
chayat administration reached far-off places. At a mee-
ting in Allahabad, George Joseph of the Independent
remarked "who is the Governor of Chirala? Gopalakri-
shnayya or Lord Willingdon? It seems to me Gopalakri-
shnayya is the Governor of Chirala and not Lord Wil-
lingdon", 4

I. B. Ptiubhi Suuramayya Op, cit, vol, 1 p, 219

2 GumtnidiihaU Venkaia iiubbarau Op. oit, pp, 109. 110

3, Ibid* p. 117,

4, Qnotd in Ba-iavaraju App**ao** Andhra JUtna Dyutulu, p. 87.

*. : = riw-.h

Even before the cvacaaiion DugglraU Gopalakn'sUiuyya's leadership in
CUirala-Pcr*U WM unchillengeil, C, R. Dai during one of hit impromptu
specchca 10 tb vasi concourse of people that curae to Bezawada duriog ihc
A.l.C, C, Ssion on March n> 19il remarked that in Chirala-Perala the
authority of the Madras Governor had evaneiced end that Copula kriahnayy a
had taken over the reins of administration. See Ayyadevara Kaleswararao'i
Na Jeevitha Katha. Navyandhramu (Vijuyawada, 1959) (Telugu) p. 321

82 m*TO|Y *F rMIDO* UOVIMINT IN SUMTUR DltTRICT liil-47

SYMPATHY FROM FAR AND NEAR

Chirala-Perala people's determined bid to oppose
the formation of the municipality and their subsequent
evacuation of the town received the approval of natio-
nalists. At a public meeting held at Bapatla it was
resolved: "The public of Bapatla do hereby approve the
procedure adopted by the people of Chirata and Perala in
opposing a municipality forced on them and they extend
their sympathy in .their difficulties" .' The citizens of
Madias assembled in Iqrge numbers at the beach opposite
the Presidency College 0;n August 2, 1921 to condemn
the action of the government in forcing a municipality
on an unwilling people and to express their sympathy
with the people of Chirala "in their manly fight, suffering
innumerable hardships". Among those present were
S, Kasturi Ranga lyengar, S. Satya Murthy, Alladi Krish-
nas.wamy Iyer, V. Ramadass, V. Venkateswarlu, V. L.
Sastry, K. Bata Subrahmaaya Iyer and M. K. Achary. The
meeting was chaired by S. Srinivas lyengar. Alladi
Krishnaswamy Iyer moved the following resolution: "This
meeting strongly condemns the action of the Government
of Madras in persisting to impose a municipality on the
people of Chirala-Perala against the wishes and the best
interests of the people". S. Kasturi Ranga iyengar moved
the second resolution. "This meeting expresses the
sympathy of the people of Madras with. ...... the heroic

conduct of the people of Chirala and Perala*'. The two
motions were put to vote and carried unanimously. 2

Small contributions poured in for the relief of the
people. S, Srinivas Iyengar, Luz, Madras sent Rs. 1,000
for the ChiraJa Relief Fund. 3 The Guntur District Cong*

1, The Hindu dattd July 1?, 1921

2. The Hindu dated August 3. 1921
9. The Hindu dated April. 24 4 l9ftl

HISTORY OF PHI! DO H MOVtMINT IN QUHTUft DISTRICT 1121-47 83

ress Committee sent a donation of Rs. 250/-.? The
Andhra Provincial Congress Committee granted a sum of
RS. 3,000/- for the Chirala campaign. 2 Tanguturi Praka-
sam arrived in Chirala on May 3rd and a meeting was held
jn the evening in which Prakasam and P.Krishna Murty
of Bobbili spoke extollingly of the determination and the
nerve the people were exhibiting in the face of many
hardships. A relief committee was formed with K. Ven-
katappayya as President, Desiraju Hanumantha Rao as
Secretary and Narasimha Rao as Treasurer, 3

GOVERNMENT ADOPTS STRONG-ARM TACTICS

When enthusiasm was thus building up in and for
the 'Palmyra City' the government officials and the paid
Chairman resorted to repressive measure. They devised
various methods to break people's determination. Chirala
Rangayya, Raghavayya and Peraiah were arrested for
driving an unlicensed cart with two men thereon, and
prosecution was launched against them* The municipal
and the police officials were the only prosecution witn-
esses. The accused refused to defend themselves acco-
rding to the creed of non-cooperation. Rangayya was
sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment and
Raghavayya and Peraiah to six months. 4 The Guntur
district revenue authorities were also harden the Chirala-
Persia people. The two hundred palmyra huts erected by
the people were alleged to be encroachments on the
government poramboke lands. The revenue officials resor-
ted to levying penal assessment, and notices for forcible
eviction were issued to the owners. Exhorbitant penal
cesses were levied. The rate for each palmyra shed was

f 'Wiiit~4t . -..i-u*. -.CMai^fcy^J-:*:- -.JtCKf:4Hv.t*P,3

1. The Hindu tbud April 24, 1921

2. GiunmidUhuU Vcnktu Subbaniu : Op. cit, p. lift

3. The Hindu dated May tf,

4. The Hladu ditcil June

84 HISTORY OF PFIIDOM MOVEHINT IN CUNTUR DIITBICT |2|-47

Rs.1026/^ though the shed itself did not cost more than
Rs. 25/-

BERHAMPUR ANDHRA CONFERENCE AND
IMPRISONMENT OF GOPALAKRISHNAYYA

! '

The problem of finance was very acute for Gopala-
krishnayya. Small contributions were received and
Gopalakrishnayya himself made door to door collections.
But soon the 'Treasury'Df his 'Palmyra City' ran out,
and Gopalakrishnayya had to go to Berhampur the venue
of the AndHra Gonfererice held in September 1921 in
quest of Sanjeevi the vital coin. 2 Basavaraju Appa Rao,
who participated in the Berhampur Andhra Conference,
says that Gopalakrishnayya delivered fiery speeches on
27th ahd 28th September. He condemm&d the action of
the Madras Government for the continued enforcement
of a municipality inChirala against the will of the people,
He made a frontal attack against the Minister for Local
Administration Ramarayaningar. 3 On the evening of
September 28th, when Gopalakrishnayya, accompanied
by Basavaraju Appa Rao and some other friends, was
coming put of .the house of Gurazada Krishnamurty
PanthulUr 3 police officer served him with a warrant
issued by T. G. Rutherford, District Magistrate, Ganjam,
restraining him from delivering public speeches for a
period of two months under Section 1 44 Cr. P. C. 4 Tho-
ugh Pattabhi Sitaf anvayya and Tanguturi Prakasam advi-
him not to defy the warrant, 5 a true non-cooperator

1 The Hindu dated July 27, 1921,

2. Gummidithala Venkata Subbarau : Op. cil p,

3. Sasavaraju Apparao i Op, cif. pp t 91, 100,

4. Ibid, p, 101.
5 t Ibid.

HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 85

that he was, Gopalakrishnayya sent a wire to the District
Collector which ran as follows: 1

"To

T. G. Rutherford Esq.

Collector,

Ganjam.

Ramadas Duggirala Gopalakrishnayya will
address, in due disobedience of your order
dated 28th instant, a meeting this evening.
Please take notice".

Before he actually defied the order of the District
Magistrate, Ganjam, he sent a message to the people of
Chirala-Perala in which he appealed to them to continue
their struggle and discharge their duty to Andhra Desa
and India. 2

On 29th September, Gopalakrishnayya disobeyed
the order of the District Magistrate, Ganjam, by addres-
sing a meeting in Berhampur, 3 attended by large sections
of people including women. The student community was
also present in large numbers.* He exhorted the people
to participate in the non-cooperation movement, and rid
the country of foreign rule. He spoke at length of the
valiant struggle which the people of Chirala - Perala
were carrying on against the British government.
He told the people that the government educational
institutions were reducing the students to sycophancy.
The teachers were liku Chandamarkulu* of Hiranya-

1, Quoted in Basavaraju Appurtt*tt Amfhni R*ciui Dyuculu, p. 103

G. V. Kruhnarutt uKa wriU'S ubtnn the advance intimation which Gopalakrishnayya
gave to Rutherford fft#tditt his intention to defy the order of the Government
See o, V. Krfrbniircio** t luriitti tint! Peril* Trujiedy; An Episode of Voluntary Exile

1SW -. .-..- .U .<..-. .. fJ!PAMLS.-Jt=:,^- C>- .!-* :.t :. .: ^Wi'i -! .. ;- rt"X-.l-.i -WWK-. i74M-^LAn-rtBtWM^IIBa*>B^H.iii I irA^IMA^B^B^^HM^^p^^^

(Mlr* ). P. 3*

2. Basavaraju Appufuc* : O|. vii p, 107.

3. G. V, Krbhnarao - Op, eii p 33

4, Busavaraju Apptruo Op* <?it p, n2

t According u the Htn4u tnyihulogy Chtioilftinarkulu were the mentors of ihe
dennwt

86 HISTORY OF FREIDON MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1821-47

kasyapu's* times. There was no justice in the law courts
he said. He appealed to the students and lawyers to come
out of the schools and courts. 1 His appeal made such an
impression on the audience that four teachers, one law.
yer and one clerk rose up and announced their resolve to
give up their jobs immediately. One student doing his
law course also announced his intention of giving up
studies. 2 The noble patriot of the Guntur district besides
making Chirala-Perala house-hold names throughout the
Ganjam district, carried the gospel of Gandhi there and
buttressed the people's resolve to fight the alien rule.

On October 1 when Gopalakrishnayya, Basava
raju Apparao and Ghouse Beg were about to entrain at
the Berhampur Railway Station for Chirala, Gopala-
krishnayya was served with an arrest warrent, and on
October 2 he was put on trail in Srikakulam before T. G.
Ruthurford. 3

The Hindu dated October 7, 1921 gives an account
of the trial-sence. Some of the exchanges that took place
between Gopalakrishnayya and T. G. Rutherford, the
Magistrate are worth reproducing. 4

Magistrate :- You made an obscene remark about
the King Emperor?

Gopalakrishnayya:- What is that?

Hiranyakasyapu was a demon-king His son, Prahlada, was a devotee of
Lord Vishnu, and hence incurred the wrath of his father. Ultimately when
Hiranyakasyapu questioned the mnipresence of God out of * pillar He apptarej
in the form of a lion and killed him.

1. Ibid. pp. 115, 116

2 Ibid' p. 116

3 Basavaraju Apparao ; Op. cit. p, 120

4. G. V. Krishnarao also gives an account of the trial scene of Duggirala
Gopalakrishnayya and the exchanges that took place between Kim and
Rutherford. See G. V, Krishnarao's Cherala and Pcrala Tragedy- An
Episode of Voluntary Exile (Madras, 1922). pp* $2 tol>l

HISTORY OF fftEEDQM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 87

Here the prosecuting Inspector read out a passage
from Gopalakrishnayya's speech, which the ace-
used denied.

Gopalakrishnayya :- I compared the government
to Ravana t, Bali tt and Hiranyakasyapu. I have
been doing so for the last six or seven months
particularly because they present the exact analo-
gies to the different aspects of the existing
government from the Puranas which alone are
competent to be presented to the masses so as
to help their understanding --_-- ... -
"that the present government have ruined the
country is true and not false. My assertation that
it must and will be destroyed hold true. I never
mentioned any months in the absolute sense,
though it is our hope to attain Swaraj in three
months according to Mahatmaji's gauging of the
situation/'

The Magistrate > You seem to be an exceedingly

popular preacher. You raise laughter.
Gopalakrishnayya:. Laughter prevents people

from becoming morbid. It lubricates soul ......

about the mythological statement, I shall make
a general remark to dispel delusion. First about

Ravana I prefaced it with a correct thesis

of Rakshasa's country according to the current
notion, I said Rakshasas are not devils or demons
but may be humans with an emphasis on a

f R* van* was llu ten-headed demon-king Ho developed wild passion
for Siu, consort of Lord Rama, which ultimately led to his destruction
Thlt i$ the theme of aattmyjina. popular epic of India.

ft Bali waa demon-king with a generoiw disposition, According to the
Hindu mythology, h pestered Gods and Goddesses, Ultimately Lord Vishnu
one of the Hindu Trinity, Jo the incarnation of Vamatta. the pigmy sized
Brahmin, took advantage of BalPs generous nature, asked for three feet
of land and cru&licd him into the nether-world.

88 HISTORY OP MEEDOft MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921 47

particular manifestation of egoism. That is why
I instanced Ravana's snatching away of others'
women and contrasted it with existing govern-
ment snatching away other's wealth in a

similar manner while bringing the analogy of
Hiranyakasyapu I scid British Government stood

to us in the relation of a father In the case

of Bali, he gracefully and graciously offered
what was asked of him and I said that it was a
genuine relation which we all hoped for as an

ally in an imperial brotherhood Generally

speaking my view is in accordance with the
Congress view and particularly I follow Mahatma
Gandhi's precepts ...... Lord Willingdon resem-
bled Havana with his ten heads, The eight
ministers were the eight heads. Lord Willingdon's
own head was the ninth and on the top of it all
Sir P, Thyagaraya Chetty's* was the tenth.

At the last remark the Magistrate burst out laugh-
ing. The case was posted for judgement on Octobers,
1921. The Magistrate sentenced Gopalakrishnayya to
one year simple imprisonment as the latter refused to
sign the bond and furnish security. Gopalakrishnayya
told the Magistrate that as a Congressman, he could not
do it and that he would "give security to a Free
Government". 1 After the sentence was pronounced
Gopalakrishnayya was removed to the Berhampur Sub-
jail. 2

On October 10, the police brought him to the
Berhampur railway station to shift him to Trichinopoly
Central Jail. Malladi Krishna Murthy Panthulu, V, V. Giri,

t Sir P. Thyagaraya Chetty was the leader of the non-Brahmin movement
of South India* He was a loyalist of the British government and a
enemy of the Congress,

1. G V, Krishnarao; Op cit. f* 90

2, Basavaraju Apparao i Op, cit. j>, Ii4,

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVFHENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 19*1 47 89

Nyapathi Narayana Murthy, K, Ramakoteswararao and
Muhammed Hyder Saheb met him on the platform.
Gopalakrishnayya anxiously asked Giri about the condi-
tion of Chirala-Perala movement. Giri told him that
everything was safe. 1

After being removed to the Trichinopoly Central
Jail another case was brought up against Gopalakrishna-
yya under Section 124 A Indian Penal Code. The case
was posted for trail at Machilipatnam on 10th November.2
The subJBct of the prosecution was a speech which
Gopalakrishnayya delivered at Ellore on June 26, 1921. 3
The trail which started on November 10,1921 before
H. H. F. M. Tyler C, 1. E., LC. S., the district Magistrate,
Krishna 4 concluded on November 14th. 5 Gopalakrishna-
yya was sentenced to nine months simple imprisonment
running concurrently with the old one, 6

G. V. Krishnarao who was present throughout this
trial says that Gopalakrishnayya issued a message to the
nation from the Machilipatnam sub-jail in which he
said, "the Punjab wrong, Khilafat treachery and Chirala-
Perala tragedy are but the Avarohanas - the descending
notes - in the song of Swaraj whose Arohanas - the
ascending ones - are the establishment of Swaraj in
Iqdia and also in England, which awaits you in your
oncoming struggle". 7

WITHDRAWAL OF THE MOVEMENT

In the great enthusiasm which the non-cooperation
movement of Gandhi created throughout the country

1, Andhra Ptrlka (Madras) dated October 14, 1921.

2 Krishna paints.* (MuchiHpatnumJ dated November 5, 1921,

3i "o."V. Krithitaruo: Op,

4. Ibitl, p, 100,

5, Ibid, p* 150,
6 4 ibid.

7 t Ibid, p, 133.

90 HISTORY OF FREEDOM WOVEMCNT IN GUNTUK DISTRICT

Gopalakrishnayya thought that Swaraj was round the
corner and that the Chirala-Perala municipajity would
automatically wither away. But on account of eruption
of violence in Chauri Chaura, Gandhi suspended the civil
disobedience movement, and when Gopalakrishnayya was
gaoled, the people of Ramanagar were demoralised.
Though Dr. Subrahmanyam, Secretary of the Andhra
Provincial Congress Committee had undertaken to
continue the work of Andhra fiatna Gopalakrishnayya,
staying in Chirala, and though Tanguturi Prakasam
promised to visit Chirala frequently, 1 in course of a few
months, "the movement slowly ebbed away and died". 2

CAUSES FOR THE COLLAPSE OF THE
CHIRALA-PERALA MOVEMENT

The people of Chir&la-Perala pmbarked upon the
evacuation of the two places to compel the government
to withdraw the municipality. They thought that if they
stayed out of the municipal limits, the municipality
would automatically wither away. In this process they
were subjected to untold suffering. Their economy was
Chattered. While engaged in raising the new township,
they lost wages for severe! days- The police and revenue
authorities and the paid Chairman were hard on them.
They exposed themselves to the rigours of weather in
their palmyra sheds. They passed one of the worst
summers, when temparature reached 1l3o> They braved
10" of rain. 3 During their stay in the 'Palmyra City'
Chirala - Perala became mostly depopulated. Houses
became dilapidated. Thieves knocked off wooden stru-
ctures of the abandoned houses. 4 But, within eleven
months of their resolve they became demoralised, came

l - The Hindu dated October aO 1921,

2 Guromiditbala Venkata Subbarau; Op. cit p. 118.

3. TheJHindu dated July 27. 1921.

4 Baaavaraju Apparao: Op. cit. p, 88.

HISTORY Oi FflEaDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT t2l 47 91

back to their old places of residence and accepted the
municipality.

The causes for this are not far to seek. The issue
was confined only to a small area with a population of
15,000. When Chirala-Perala people started evacuating
the villages on April 25, 1921, the Indian National
Congress did not yet give green signal for any area to
start civil disobedience. The Congress gave people
permission to start civil disobedience at the Ahamada-
bad Congress session held in December 1921. Though
Gandhi and Gopalakrishnayya decided to evacuate the
people from the municipal limit to avoid direct confron-
tation with the government, it was civil disobedience
they prescribed with all attendant risks - persecutions
and prosecutions. Since the sheds were pitched in
government lands, the revenue authorities resorted to
levying penal cesses. Though the people evacuated the
villages, still the government had the right to collect
all municipal taxes, wherever they resided. In limited
areas, where communities small in numerical strength,
resort to direct confrontation with government on small
issues, the latter have always an edge to win. Rama-
rayaningar, the Minister for Local Self - Government
never cared for the public opinion. He was the leader of
the Justice Party and the non-Brahmin movement. He
was the sworn enemy of the Congress and the non-co-
operation movement, He resorted to all means to break
the will of the people. A small group of people, however
much determined they might be, could not put up pro-
tracted resistance against a government that was totally
oblivious of the difficulties of the people.

Though the national and provincial leaders here
and there expressed their solidarity with the people of
Chirala-Perala, it was a lone battle that they and their
leader fought. The Congress did not make it a major
ssue to fight with th government at different levels.

92 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUN1UR DISTRICT 1921 47

Gandhi himself warned that it should not be taken up
under the aegis of the Congress. No national or provin-
cial leader visited Chirala to guide the movement and
give encouragement to the people. Gopalakrrshnayya

himself said, "Why Chirala failed was that ever-

since they started the Chirala affairs, the leaders-all
honour to them, honour for their valour and death for
their ambition-had exhibited indecision and want of
self-confidence ..... Except Mr. S. Srinivasa lyengar of
Madras, none came there. No Congress committee came

to enquire into their conditions They lacked the

sense of responsibility". 1 G V. Subbfau also attributes
"jealousy of fellow Congressmen of Andhra" for the
failure of the movement. He says : "The foremost leaders
of the province were either lukewarm or a fully jealous
of Gopalakrishnayya and his work". 2 G, V, Krishnarao
also speaks of his-Gopalakrishnayya's-enemies and theif
jealous hearts. 3 N. V. L. Narasimharao writes about the
misunderstanding that grew up between Gopalakrishna-
yya and Pattabhi Sitaramayya. 4 Gopalakrishnayya him-
self said that "in spite of one of their leaders. Dr.

Pattabhi Sitaramayya, the Congress ultimately gave
Rs. 3,000/- to carry on the movement*'. 5

^ ' '

Another factor that contributed to the collapse of
the movement was lack of adequate funds. Chirala-Perala
people were poor. The evacuation considerably dislocated
their economic life. The tempo of the struggle could not
be maintained without adequate financial assistance
from outside. Only small contributions were received,
and the Andhra Provincial Congress Committee sanc-

1. Quoted in Gummidiihala Venkata Subbarau's Andhra fUtna

; - . V -...", ;.,- .v-.i-i - . f i. ^ ***

Gopalakrishnayya: Life and Message (Bezawada* 5635. Sravanam) pp. 120, 121*

2 Gummidithala Venkata Subbarau; Op. cit, p. 120,

3. G V Krishnarao. Op. cit, p. 37.

4. Personal papers of N. V. L. Narasimharao.

5. Gammidithala Venkata Subbarau: Op, cit, p. 121 <

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN CUNTUR DISTRICT !9Zt47 93

tioned a paltry sum of Fs. 3,OCO/-. ;it was mainly for
funds that Gopalakrishnayya visited Berhampur, where
he was jailed.

In the early days of the evacuation programme there
was great enthusiasm in Rcmnagar. In the first flush of
their scoring a point over the authorities, the people
never thought of developing a second line of leadership.
D. S. R. Rao, Special Correspondent of The Hindu found
"deep conviction on the part of the people". "What would
occur if something happened to your leader?" he asked a
man,A/vho did not look particularly educated. "There are
ten ready to jtake up his place" was the quiet and reassu-
ring reply. 1 But unfortunately that was not so. It was
largely a one man's show. When Gopalakrishnayya was
sent to jail, no other person came forward to take up
his place, and^as a result the movement collapsed.

Gopalakrishnayya was jailed in October 1921, when
the movement was at its peak- In February 1922, a mob
attacked the police station at Chauri Chaura, 15 miles
from Gorakhpur and set fire to it. The policeman who
were inside the station were roasted alive, Gandhi was
taken aback at the outburst of violence, and he suspen-
ded the non-cooperation movement* The withdrawal of
the movement resulted in a great slump of political
activity throughout the country, and Chirala was no ex-
ception. With Gopalakrishnayya's imprisonment in Octo-
ber 1921 and the withdrawal of the non-cooperation
movement throughout the country in February 1922, the
struggle of the people of Chirala-Perala became weake-
ned, and it slowly died. The people returned to their
hearths .nd homes, which they had abandoned eleven
months ago,

1. D.S.R, Rao's ankle "Ohinila and sc'f deicrmniuiion" in The Hindu [Madras
UtticU May 27,

94 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

CHIRALA-PERALA MOVEMENT VIS-A-VIS
INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT

Now the question arises whether the movement
was a total failure or whether the national movement
for independence gained anything from this experience.
It should be noted that for full eleven months there was
no municipality in Chiraia - Perala. Gopalakrishnayya
organised a parallel government in Ramnagar. Dr. B. S. L.
Hanumantharao remarks, "Ramnagar looked like a self,
governing island in the ocean of British imperialism". 1
In the history of the Indian national movement it is hard
to recall any other episode when people in such large
numbers evacuated their places of residence, raised a
new township, ran a parallel government and defied the
might of the British for full eleven months. A move-
ment of this kind had never bean attempted before any-
where; it was a pioneering and in a sense revolutionary
concept. The Chirala-Perafa movement anticipated the
far greater mass movements later under Gandhi. That
itself was a mighty achievement.

Chirala-Perala became house-hold names throughout
the country during the non-cooperation movement. It
was the hour of glory for the Guntur district. Move-
ments of this type were the great rehearsals for the
attainment of Swaraj and that of Chirala-Perala should
be ranked as one of the foremost of them.

The Chirala-Perala struggle ripened the experience
of the people of Andhra in general and Guntur district
in particular. It threw the Guntur district into a ferment.
As Gummidithala Venkata Subbarau remarks, "Under
this inspiration, whole areas began to prepare themsel-

1, Dr< B S L Hanumantharao : Guntur thro"jjh Ages (Brochure issued by ihe
A, I. C. C during its session in Nchruaagar, Guntur on November 7,8 9, 1964. J

39,

HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 96

ves for mass civil revolt, including the non-payment of
Governmental revenues." 1

The simple village folk of Chirala-Perala showed
their determination for full eleven months "not to be
ruled against their will. Chirala is only an index of what
India may do when she realises her plight and makes up
her mind to act. This heroism does indeed deserve the
admiration of those, whose goal is Swaraj and whose
watch-word is 'non-violent non-cooperation'. 2

\ t Gummidiihala Vcnkata Subbarau ; Op, cit, p, 179,

T D, S f R, Rao ? a article "Chirala and self-determination" in The Hinnu (Madras J
dated May 27. 1*21.

Palnad Forest
Satyagraha

ECONOMIC BACKWARDNESS OF PLANAD

In the Palnad taluq of Guntur district the non-coop-
eration movement manifested itself in the defiance of
forest regulations. The taluq though "traditionally
known as the land of heroes"' remained economically
stagnant under the British administration. The system
of communications was primitive. The railways did not
yet reach Palnad, and people had to trek twenty five to
thirty miles to take a train.* The land was parched, and

1. M Venkatarangaiya : Op. cit. Vol-III. p. 36.

2. Dandu Narayenaraju, C, V, Rangam Sresti and Gonuguntla Vcnknta
Subrahmanyam; Palnati Durantam ulu * __ AndhraJR as t r a^J a t e c yp p a_S angh^a
Niyamita Vicharana Sangha Sabhyula Nivedlka [Place of publication not
mentioned. 1923] [Telugu], p, 10.

Enquiry Commission Report submitted by Dandu Narayanaraju. C. V Rangnm
Sresti and Gonuguntla Vcnkata Subrahmanyam on the atrocities coinmlucd by
the government in Palnad. Hereafter this report is referred 10 as 'Three
M ember Palnad Enquiry Commission Report/

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT I9H-47 97

irrigation facilities were few. Most of the land was un-
fit for agriculture. Heaps of stones and pebbles were
the scenes that came strikingly to sight to persons from
the delta regions. Agriculture was confined to small
areas around tanks. So even this was dependent upon
the vagaries of weather. In 1919, 1920 and 21, when
rains failed, the people were subjected to severe econo-
mic hardship. They subsisted on leaves, roots, bark, and
jungle berries 1 . Conditions did not improve much since
the times of Poet Srinotha, who described Palnad as the
land of small stones and little temples, scorpions and
snakes. 5

In this land of limited agriculture and practically no
manufacture or industry, people took to rearing of cattle.
Fodder was no problem, as the place abounded in forests.
Though not dense or extensive, the forests provided
ample fodder for the cattle. But most of them were
declared 'Reserves' by the government, which levied
exhorbitant grazing tax called Pullari*. As David Wash-
brook observes, "From its creation in 1878 the forest
department sought to control the use made of jungles

and lands unfit for cultivation. This meant that it

restricted access to land from which ryots traditionally
obtained grazing for their cattle, crude fertilisers, fire-
wood and various food stuffs Relations between

the forest department and the ryots under its jurisdic-
tion were always strained/' 4 Legislative Councillors
from the dry districts, such as P. Kesavapil I ai, continually
pressed Fort St. George to reform forest administration, 5
but it was of no avail.

1. Ibid. p. U.

Madala Vccrabhadrarao also refers to the failure of rains during this period and

the resultant economic hardship of the people.

See his Deflubhukta Jecvint Charitra [Machilipatnam, 1966] [Telugu] pp. 81, 82

1 ' -' ..-... , * '. - -, 1 !*

2. Three Member Pitlnad timiuiry Commission Report, p, II.

3. Ibid. pp. H, \2.

4. John Gallagher, Gordon Johnson ami Anil Seal: Op. cit, p, 184.

5. Ibid.

98 HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

IMPACT OF NON^CO-OPERATIQN MOVEMENT

The result was confrontation between the people on
one side and the forest administration and the police on
the other, Especially after the Nagpur Congress, the
people of Palnad became extremely defiant of the gove-
rnment. 1 Goli Mallikarjuna Sastry carried the gospel of
non-violent non-cooperation movement to the four cor-
ners of Palnad. 2 In the Mutukur village under the leader-
ship of a person called "China Gandhi" people organi-
sed themselves to defy the governmant.* Ranga Chen-
chayya, a Vysya, did intensive propaganda and made
social boycott of the government officials a success. 4
In Rentachintala, Nalam Mattupalli Sresti did Congress
propaganda. 5 The Guntur District Congress Committee
also evinced keen interest in the forest affairs of Palnad.
In its General Body meeting held on November 10,1921,
Anche Sivayya Chowdary presiding, it was resolved,
that the defiance of forest laws in Palnad should hence-
forth be conducted under the auspices of the Congress. 6
The executive of the Guntur D. C. C. meeting on Novem-
ber 14, 1921 resolved to start panchayals in Palnad to
prepare the people for civii disobedience and send thirty
enthusiastic people to do Congress propaganda. Goli
Mallikarjuna Sastry as an observer took part in the de-
liberations. 7 The Palnad Conference was held on August
15, 16, and 17, 1921 at Karampudi. Thousands from all

1. Three Member Palnacfu Enquiry Commission Report, p. 12

2. Gadde Rangaiah Naidu : Palnadu Duranta Vicharunopa Sangha Nivediha {Place
and year of publication not mentioned] [Telugu], p. 12.

Enquiry Commission Report submitted by Gadde Rangaiah Naidu on the atroci-
ties committed by the government in Palnad, Hereafter this report is referred
to as Single Member Palnad Enquiry Commission Report

3. Three Member Palnad Enquiry Commission Report, p. 13

4. Konda Venkatappayya Op. cit. p. 231.

5 Single Member Palnad Enquiry Commission Report, p, 3,

6. The General Body meeting resolutions of the D.C.C-, Guntur, held on October
10. 1921 are available in Saraawathiniketan. Veiapalern Guntur District

7. The Executive Committee meeting resolutions of D,C,C., Guntur held on Novem-
ber i4 1921 are available in Saraswathinikeran, Vetapalem, Guntur District.

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 99

villages assembled to hear the leaders and obtain advice
regarding their confrontation with the government. The
villagers were prepared to graze cattle in the forest
without paying grazing fee, thus inaugurating civil dis-
obedience. Social boycott of the government officials
was ultimately decided. 1

The government itself accepted that the cause of
trouble in Palnad were unfavourable season, great
shortage of fodder and water, strict enforcement of
forest rules and the non-co-operation agitation. 2

REGOROUS IMPLEMENTATION OF
FOREST REGULATIONS

With the rising tide of non-co-operation in the dis-
trict the government wes determined to implement forest
regulations rigorously in Palnad In the 'Reserves' a
grazing tax of Re. 0-12-0 (Re. 0.75) on each cow and
Re. 1-8-0 (Re. 1.50) on each buffalo for every six
months was imposed. The goats were declared as
enemies of the forest and they were not permitted to
enter them. 3 Any person found in the forest without a
permit was prosecuted. 4

1. The Hindu dated August 22, 1 02 1,

2. Robertson, District Collector Guntur to Marjoribar.ks, Acting Chief Secretary,
Government of Madras, Fort St. George. Madras dated June 17, I92L.

(Andhra Pradesh Slate Archicves, Hyderabad, History of the Freedom Struggle
Section. The letter* of the District Collectors to their superiors in the Fort
Si, Cjcorge. Madras do rmi contain any serial number of the State Archieves.
'I hey arc urranp.eit in the les date-wise in the History of the Freedom Struggle
Section. The source of such letters is hereafter referred to as A. P. State
Archieves, II. F, S. Section J

3 UnnavAjUtkshmimiruyanu and MuUabhushi Vedantam Narasimhacharyulu:
Palnati Adaci Ibhaiululu Place and year of Publication not mentioned)

"' ; .-Jw.

(Telugu), |> i

(Enquiry Commission Ki'pcn submittrd to the Andhra Provincial Congress
Committee on the grievances of the people of l alnud)
4. Ibid.

1 OO HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

In Julakallu and Kallagunta people could not pay
grazing tax, and they had to sell their cattle at cheap
rates. As they had no other occupation, they were
reduced to utter poverty and begging. The forest offi-
cials were mostly corrupt. The villagers of Wutacherla
had to spend most, of their income towards bribing the
officers and also towards fees to the lawyers to wriggle
themselves out of the prosecution cjses which the police
brought against them, 1 On February 16 and 17, 1922 the
revenue authorities, accompanied by the police cons-
tables, went to Ramapuram and Jangameswarapuram
and insisted upon the people paying taxes of three inst-
alments within twelve hours. When the villagers pleaded
helplessness and requested for more time, the Tahasildar
indulged in foul language and threatened the people
with dire consequences^ In Jattipalem, the people were
denied access to water in the forest stream. When their
cattle were drinking water, they were impounded by
the forest authorities.-' When the villagers of Jangame-
swarapuram, Ramapuram, Jettipalem and Minchalapadu
were unable to pay grazing tax, the Collector of Guntur
proceeded to these villages with Armed Reserve and
Mounted Police in February 1921 and distrained their
cattle in very large numbers/

SOCIAL BOYCOTT OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

With the government attitude towards grazing tax
becoming stiff the people decided upon social boycott
of not only forest officials but also of revenue officials.
The Deputy Tahsildar in Macherla could not obtain milk
for his children. When the District Collector of Guntur
camped at the outskirts of Macherla, his peons could

1. Ibid, pp. 2, 3.

2. Three Member Palnad Enquiry Commission Report, pp. H. I 5

3. Ibid p. 1 6.

4. Single Member Palnad Enquiry Commission Report, p. 2.

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUS DISTRKT 1921-47 1O1

not secure eggs for him, and they had to get them from
Guntur, When the Collector wanted to make his orders
known by the beat of drums, the village Munsiff made
the submission that all the drums in the villages were
either damaged or out of order. 1 The Deputy Tahsildar
Ponnada FUma Koteswararao, tried his best to secure
coffee for the Collector but all his attempts proved
futile. The forest and revenue officials could not secure
food anywhere in Macherla as the hoteliers refused to
serve them.Th3 re venue 'officers could not secure carts to
carry their effects back to Guntur. In the beginning the
social boycott was confined only to the forest officials*
but as the revenue officials secretly passed on some of
their supplies to the forest officials, the people
extended social boycott to the revenue officials also,, 1
The social boycott became such a great success that the
District Collector, Guntur, had to ruefully report to his
superiors in the Fort. St. George that "It was impossible
to get either supplies or 'Bundles' either for the Collector
or for the District Superintendent of Police'V

THE P.C.C. DEPUTES LAKSHMINARAYANA AND
NARASIMHACHARYULU TO PALNAD

The situation became grave with the passing of every
day. The people resorted to withholding of the gra-
zing tax. The Andhra Provincial Congress Committee
met in July 1 921 in Venkatagiri at rhe residence of the
prominent Congress leaders Katikineni Venkata Ramarao
and Kalyanarao to take stock of the situation in Palnad.

1. Komlii Vvnkatuppayya . Op. cit, pp. -K.;l. JS ,!.'..

2. Unnuvu Lalcvliminarayuna and Madubhushi Vodantana Narasimhacharyulu. Op.
cit. pp. fi, /.

3. Daniel Collector, Guntur to R.A. Graham, Chief Secretary to the Government
of Mutlr.is, I^ir i ,St ifeorKc. M:iJruB dated February 2!i, I912.

(A. P. State Archive-;, UK S .St-ccion)

102 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN SUNTUR DISTRICT I92I 47

The Andhra Provincial Congress Committee resolved to
depute Unnava Lakshminaravana and Madabhushi Ve-
dantam Narasimhacharyulu to make en on-the-spot
study and submit a report to it. 1

In pursuance of this resolution of the Andhra Provin-
cial Congress Committee Unnava Lakshminarayana and
Madabhushi Vedantam Narasimhacharyulu visited Karem-
pudi, Guttikonda and Julakallu on 17th July and enqui-
red about the difficulties of the people of these places. 2
Later Lakshminarayana proceeded to Macherla. As the
District Collector, Guntur was camping at Macherla
then, Lakshminarayana thought it proper to represent
the long-standing demands of the people of Palnad to
him. He represented to the Collector that 1) half of the
forest should be declared reserved forest and the other
half unreserved, 2) the rates of the grazing tax should
be reduced, 3) the ryots should be allowed to cut wood
in the forest for agricultural implements, 4) head-loads
of fodder should be allowed to be taken out of theforest
after obtaining permits, 5) people should be permitted
to collect leaves, 6) with the payment of one instal-
ment of taxes the cattle should be allowed to graze
anywhere in the forest of the district for one full year,
7) forest lands fit for agriculture should be allotted to
the ryots on application and 8) if the cattle were found
grazing without the payment of taxes in the 'Reserves'
they should be impounded, but compound fees should
not be collected from their owners. 3 But the Collector

Ayyadevara Kaleswararao Op. cit, p. 336.

Konda Venkatappuyya also refers to this, Sec his autobiography Swceya_ Charitr_a

pp. 230, 23 I.

Katikineni Venkata Ramarao and Kalyanrao famous then in Amllua political

circles as Katikineni Brothers were the sons of Vijaramayya They were closely

related to the Venkatagiri Zaminclar, a loyalist. See GuUdeti Vcera Subrahmanyam't

Satyagraha Samara Charitra (Gudur, I9S6J (Telugu), pp KM, lOii

Unnava Lakshminarayana and Madabhushi Vedantam Narasimhacharyulu
Op. cit p, I.
Ibid pp. 5, 6.

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 103

replied that the government would not change any forest
rules, and if the ryots would abuse or manhandle forest
and revenue officials or cut their supplies, he would
bring in Armed Police, and collect punitive tax. This
attitude of the Collector greatly disappointed the
people.'

When talks between Lakshminarayana and the Col-
lector failed, social boycott against forest officers was
organised more vigorously in Macherla and the surroun-
ding villages. In fact, the presence of Lakshminarayrna
and Narasimhacharyulu, the two popular leaders of the
Guntur district, added high-octane fuel to the flames of
protest that were engulfing Palnad. The Muslims also
began to take part enthusiastically in the social boycott
of the government officials. On July 21st when two fo-
rest-guards were taking food secretly in a house in
Kothapalli, a village near Macherla, three Muslims
namely Nabi Saheb, Chintapalli Hussain Saheb and John
Ahmed entered the house and threw theguards out when
they were half-way through their meal. On the next day
(22nd July) the three Muslims were tried under Sections
352, 452 Cr. P. C. (Assault, Trespass) and convicted to
two months imprisonment under the first section and
six months under the second section. 2

IMPRISONMENT OF LAKSHMINARAYANA AND
NARASIMHACHARYULU

When the trial of the Muslim leaders was going on,
the police served a notice on Unnave Lakshminarayana
under Section 107, Since Madabhushi Vedantam Nara-

1. Ibid. pp. (>, /.
2 IbiU pp. ( i. in.

1 O4 HISTORY Of FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUH DIsTPICT 1921 47

simhacharyulu was away on tour in other villages, a
similar notice could not be servtd on him immediacy.
Later both of them were tried on charges of inciting the
people of Palnad to defy forest laws, organising social
boycott of revenue and forest officials and acting in
such a way as to creat law ^nd order problem.

Lakshminarayana was taken to the Magistrate's
Court in procession on horse-back to the beat of drums,
the very drums which the Collector could not secure
anywhere in Wlacherla to make his orders known to
the people, When the Collector saw the enthusiasm of the
people and their respect for Lakshminarayana, he re-
marked to those around him: "They say that Swaraj
would come some day, but now 1 see Swaruj around me l "

As Lakshminarayana and Nar&simhacaryulu refused
to excute a bond and give security, both of them were
convicted to one year simple imprisonment. 2

On the imprisonment of Lakshminarayana and Nara-
simhacharyulu, Krishna Patrika wrote: "The Collector
after a trial of five minutes gave them each one year
simple imprisonment. The fire of fury kindled in the
people of Painad by the imprisonment of these two
patriots defies description, Who can say that, if they had
not previously enjoined Mahatma Gandhi's 'Ahimsa' on
the people, the pure waters of Chandravanka, which was
flowing by, would not have become purple? These heroes
of Palnad shed lustre on the non co-operation movement

Konda Venkatappaiah: Op. cit. p, 232

Unnava Lakshminarayana and Madabhushi Vedantam Narasimlu chary ulu
Op. cit. pp. 10, II.

Konda Venkatappayya also refers to the trial and imprisonment of the two leader:;
See hisSweeya Charitra. p 233. Most of the these points are corroborated by

Ayyadevara Kaleswararao. See his Na Jcevijha Katha Nuvyimdhramau, p . 6

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT I9ZI-47 1O5

by their patience and self-control". 1 News of the
imprisonment of the two leaders reached other parts
of the Guntur district, and protest meetings were hold
at many places. Narnsaraopet observed a complete
hartal. Pleaders did not attend the courts. The officials
tried their best to induce the shop-keepers to end the
hartal, but everywhere they met with the determined
reply : "Release our leaders". 2 In Bnpatla vakils boy-
cotted courts. AH shops were closed. In Ongole
courts wore a deserted look. Complete hartal was
observed/ 3

In Guntur town the hartal was observed for six days
from 24th July. 4 Konda Venkatappays, Gollapudi Sita-
rama Sastry, Duggirala Gopalakrishnayya, Chatti Nara-
simharao, N. V- L. Narasimha Rao, Barrister Gupta,
Maddi Venkata Subbayya and Chimakurthi Basavayya
went round the town daily for six days and saw to it
that the town observed complete hartal. All educational
institutions, shops and factories were closed. The
Collector and the District Superintendent of Police
exerted all their power and influence to break the spirit
of the people, but their efforts did not fructify. 5 "Such a
thing was not known to the people till then. It stupefied
all government officials." 6

On 29th July there were violent incidents in the
Guntur town. When Bhattiprolu Surya Prakasarao was
calling students out of the Town High School, the Sub-

I. Krishna Patrika duted AuKiist (> 19'.' I .

'*- !!. If A uI M dutud J uly 2U, \ W I ,

. Thciiiiidu dated July VJ. 1921,

1 The Hindu dated July -Kh rr^!I.

!.i. Konda Vutikatuppuyya ; Op. cit. p. 237.

6. Ibid. pp. 7.J5, 2.i6.

The Hindu dated July ,n v I92I writes: "for organisation, orderliness and duration

the hitrtal is unprecedented"

106 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DFSTfUCT 19*1-47

Inspector of Policfe Subbayya Naidu arrested him. 1
When several young, boys followed Surya Prakasarao
to the police station the Sub-Inspector of Police whipped
them. Some young boys sustained serious .injuries. 2
When tempers were rising high, the Deputy Collector,
Gundurao, arrived at the High School in a horse-driven-
cart. The presence of the Deputy Collector incensed
the people who threw mud clods and small stones at
him. 3 Konda Venkatappayya appeared on the scene
and did all he could to disperse the crowd peacefully/
As he stood between the crowd and the Depu-ty Colle-
ctor's cart, some of the stones hit him, and he sustained
bleeding injuries on his fingers. But for Konda
Venkatappayya, Deputy Collector Gundurao might have
been seriously injured. In spite of this the Deputy
Collector wrote to the District Collector a report that
Konda Venkatappayya was responsible for all the violent
incidents of the day, and on the basis of this report
Venkatappayya was arrested along with Maddi Venkata
Subbayya, Chimakurthy Ramaswamy and Barrister
Gupta. 6

The arrest of Konda Venkatappayya and other leaders
created tremendous indignation among the people of
the Guntur district. Many lawyers gave up their practice,
The clerks of the Collectorate decided to resign their
jobs immediately after taking their salary for the month
of July 1921. 7 Many news-papers in the country con-
demned the arrest of Konda Venkatappayya. Krishna
Patrika in a long article under the heading 'The rise of

1. Hindu dated July 30. 1 92 1,

2. The Hindu dated J uly 30, 1 921 .

3. Konda Venkatappayya: Op cit. p, 238,

4. The Hindu dated July 30. 1 92 1 .

5. Konda Venkatappayya: Op. cit p. 239.
6 Ibid p. 243.

7. Ayyadevara Kaleswararao Op cit, p, 3i8.

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921 47 1 07

popular power in the Guntur district' wrote: "Gundurao
shamelessly swore and deposed in the public court that
Konda Venkatappayya, who had saved him from danger
and his wife from widowhood, got a crowd to throw
stones at him What remains to be said? The

whole of the Andhra Country was in great commotion....
The people began to say that war had broken out. For
those four forty thousand were offering togotothejail...
Section 107 which was intended for bad characters,
badmashes and rowdies was applied to Venkatappayya
Panthulu, who was venerable and like a saint. Thirty six
lawyers gave up their profession. Well done, Guntur:
From now on courts of justice have become dark cells....
When courage, hope and daring spring up in the hearts
of the people, instead of despire, on the arrest and
imprisonment of innocent patriots, one need not hesitate
to say that Swaraj has been established".'

The news of the arrest of Konda Venkatappayya
reached Gandhi who exclaimed: "I wish he was shot
down" 2 Ayyadevara Kaleswararao says that Gandhi's
opinion was that with the supreme self-sacrifice of
Konda Venkatappayya there would be unparalleled politi-
cal awakening in Andhra Desa to fight for national
freedom. 3

Thecollector sensed thetension created in the whole
of Guntur district on the arrest of Konda Venkatappayya.
During Venkatappayya's trial thousands of people thro-

Krishna |atrika dulcet August 6, I 92 I ,

Ayyadevara Kalcswurarao Op cit. p, 338.

Konda Venkatappayya writes that Gtindhi made this remark during the A.I.C.C.

meeting in Bombay. Tanguturl Prakasam who was present at the meeting later

informed Venkatappayya about this

See Konda Vcnkaliippayya's Swccya Churitra^p. V.

Ayyudevaiu Kalcswararao Op- cit p 338,

1 OS HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT I92I-47

nged the court precincts. The government had to bring
in additional police even from far-off places like Visakha-
patnam. After a trial of two days Venkatappayya was
acquitted. The Collector in his judgement felt that
Venkatappayya and others that were arrested along with
him did not conduct themselves in isny way prejudicial
to the maintenance of law and order .

During the hartal following the arrest of Unnava
Lakshminarayana and Madabhushi Vedantam Narasimha-
charyulu and during the commotion caused by the arrest
of Konda Venkatappayya, Unnava Lakshmibayarnma wife
of Lakshminarayana took an active part. Lakshmi-
bayarnma and Yannini Puma Tilakam 1 " led processions of
ladies, held protest meetings in Guntur and collected

large amounts of money towards the Tilak Swaraj Fund 1 ,
She went to distant places like Visakhapotnam and
Vijayanagaram, distributed Gandhi caps among the
students there and was responsible for many students
quitting government educational institutions. During
the jail term of one year of her husband, Lakshrnibayamma
loured extensively and carried on intensive Congress
propaganda. 1

NO-TAX CAMPAIGN

The imprisonment of the three Muslims viz. Nabi
Saheb,Chintapalli Hussain Saheb and John Ahmed andthe
sentence of one year simple imprisonment passed on

!. Konda Venkatappayya Op. cit. p. 245.

t Yamini Puma Tilakam belonged to the Dcvadasi community IK-vadasis were
professional dancing girls. In 1919 Yamini Puma Tilakam became a di.v-iple of
Gandhi, participated in the national movement ami went lt> jail huvcral times.
Working closely with Darsi Chenchayya and Yarramilli Nurayana Murtliy
Panthulu, she arranged marriages for dancing girls and did good work for their
social upliftmcnt. See Darsi Chcuchayya'a Na_Divya Siwruthulu (Vijayuwada,
1961 ) (Telugu), pp. 78 to 83
2 The Hindu dated July 30. 1921.

3. Ayyadevara Kaleswararao: Op. cit. p. 337.

4. Kanuparthi Varalakshamnia: Op cit. p, 33.

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GLJNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 '1 09

Unnava Lakshminarayana and Madabhushi Vedantam
Narasimhacharyulu infuriated the people They practi-
cally launched a no -tax campaign by sending their cattle
jn to the reserved forests without paying the usual Pullari.
Many clashes occured between the people on one side
and the police and the forest officials on the other. When
the cattle was impounded, the people overpowered
the police and rescued their cattle. The inhabitants of
Jattipalem forcibly rescued from the pound over a hundred
cattle which had been found grazing without permits
and had been impounded by the Forest Department. 1 In
Mutukur the people c:irne frequently in to clashes with
forest officials. Forest rules were constantly defied by
the inhabitants of this village. 2 In Jangameswar apuram
a person who had been arrested under Section 188O.P.C.
was forcibly rescued by the villagers. The condition of
Palnad created a great problem to the government, and
the District Collector conceded that in Palnad
"Several villages have proclaimed Swaraj". 4

MINCHALAPADU INCIDENT

But the most serious confrontation between the
people and the government occured on February 26, 1921
in Minchalapadu, which was a hamlet of Kolagutla
village. 2 The people of this village wete of Telega,
Golla, Odiga and Harijan castes, Telega being the domi-

1. District Collector, Guntur to tt A. Graham, Chief Secretary to the Government of
Madras, Fori St George Madras dated February 2i>, 1 922,

(A P. State Archives U.F.S. Section)

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid

4. Guntur District Collector's D,O. No. I to R.A. Graham, Chief Secretary to the
Government wf Madras, Fort St.George. Madras dated February H, I922,

(A. P. State Archive*, H F,$. Section)

5. Cfuntur District Collector's D,Q. No, I & to R,A, Graham, Chief Secretary to the
Government of MUulra Fort St.Georue, Madras dated February 27 r

(A. P. Sutc archives H.F.S. Section)

110 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTTKT I9JI 47

nant caste. Their main occupations were agriculture
and cattle rearing. 1 There were so many cases of people
rescuing their cattle seized by the Forest Department
that the forest officials expressed their complete help-
lessness to deal with the situation.*- So a party of Reserve
Pol ice consist ing of twenty men and two Head Constables
under a Sub-Inspector, G. V. Raghsvayya, were sent to
standby the forest officials. The forest party found one
hundred and twenty buffaloes and fifty goats in the rese-
rve forest to the south of Minchalapadu, and intended to
drive them to the Mutukur pound They arrested two
grazers and a woman who were in charge of the cattle,
But as the party was passing Minchalapadu with the
cattle the villagers stopped it and rescued one arrested
person and thirty buffaloes. They also succeeded in
driving away all the goats.^ At this stage the Karanam
of Kolagutla of which Minchalapadu was the hamlet
persuaded the villagers to withdraw from the scene and
stop their attempts to rescue their distrainsd cattle,
According to the Collector of Guntur, H, A. B. Vernon,
the people regrouped and attacked the government party
with greater force. About two to three hundred people
including women began pelting stones. The govern-
ment version runs thus : "As this particular locality
....abounds in sharp stones, whir;h are very dan-
gerous missiles and as the Sub-Inspector was of

opinion that the situation was becoming serious, he
drew up the Reserve Police in line with the cattle and
the forest officers behind them and ordered them to fix
bayonets for 'rnob firing', and all to load with buck-
shot. He then warned the crowds three times in an
audible manner to disperse, as they were an unlawful

I Single Member Palnad Enquiry Commission Report, p, II,

2. H A B, Vernon, District Collector, Guntur to the Chief Secretary to the Govern-
ment of Madras, Fort St, George, Madras dated March I, 1922,

(A P. State Archives, H.F S. Section)

3. Ibid.

HISTORY OF FREEDOM WOVEMFNT (N (SUNTUR DISTRICT 1921 47 1 1 1

assembly, and warned them that he would fire. As this
had no effect on the mob who persisted in their assault,
the Sub-Inspector ordered the Reserve to fire a volley
and one man was observed to fall. The mob, however,
did not disperse and still kept on pelting the police with
stones. The Sub-Inspector therefore ordered six con-
stables to load with ball and the remainder with buck-
shot and ordered the six men who had loaded the boll
to fire a voliey. As a result of this two more men were
observed to fall, and the mob ran away. This occurence
took place between 4 and 5 in the after-noon". 1

The first man to fall at the police firing was Kanne-
ganti Hanumanthu. The second who fell dead was
Ellampally Seshudu, agricultural labourer and servant
of Hanumanthu. The third casualty was the syce of the
Sub-Inspector of Police. 2

When the news was communicated to the District
Collector, H A.B.Vernon, he proceeded to Minchalapadu
between 3 and 4 in the morning of February 21. 1922,
accompanied by the District Superintendent of Police,
District Forest Officer, Captain Machonochie and the
Military force. The village was surrounded and an
identification parade was held. Twenty eight men and
nine women were identified as having taken part in the
affray. They were arrested.'

A, P. C, C. SETS UP ENQUIRY COMMITTEES

The Andhra Provincial Congress Committee was
much agitated over the events in Palnad in general and

H A.B Vriu>a Di&trtut Collector. Guntur to the Chief Secretary to the Govern-
ment of Madras, J'Ort Si George, Madras dated March 1, 1922.
A.I* Staur Archives. H F S. Section

Single Member l\tlu;ul I-itquiry Commission Report, p. 16.

H.A 0. Veriion, niunct Collector Gumur to the Chief Secretary to the Govera-
nicut of Madras. ! ui t Si George, Mudrui dated March 1 ,
(A, P. Statft Archive*, H F,S. Section)

112 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR D1STWKT J02I 47

Minchalapadu in particular. The Andhra P. C. C.
meeting in Guntur on April 30, 1 922 constituted a sub-
committee with Panguluri Venkata Subbarao and
S. Srinivas lyengar to make an enquiry into the police
firing of Minchalapadu. But the sub-committee
constituted, however, could not go to Palnaci So the
P. C. C. at its meetting inTirupati on July 22, 1922 set
up another sub-committee with Dr. Dharvada Rama-
chandrarao end Gadde Rangayya Naidu to enquire into
the police firing. Since Charvada Ramachandrarco
could not go to Palnad. Gadde Rangayya ISIaidu alone
proceeded there in the last week of October 1 922, con-
ducted enquiry in Minchaiapsdu and submitted a report
to Tanguturi Prskasam, President, Andhre. Provincial
Congress Committee. 1

Gadde Rangayya Naidu visited only Minchalapadu,
and so the Andhra Congress Committee felt that the
report submitted by him w^s not comprehensive. It
constituted another sub-committee on June 14th, 1923
with Dandu Naroyanareju, C. V. Rungam Srasti, Gonu-
guntla Subrahmanyam and Kanneganti Suryanarayana
Chowdary. Since Suryanarayana Chowdary could not
make himself available to go to Palnad, the other three
members of the sub-committee toured Palnad, between
June 21st and 26th and submitted a report to Tanguturi
Prakasam, President, Andhra Provincial Congress
Committee on September 6, 1923. 2

Both the enquiry committees squarely found fault
with the police for the incident of 26th February 1922,
Gadde Rangayya Naidu says that when the cattle was
distrained there was altercation between thu police and
Pasupuleti Chennayya, son-in-law of Hanumanthu in

1. Single Member ?alnad Enquiry Commission Report, pp.2, 4,

2, Three Member Palnud Enquiry Coinmisjiiou Report p. 2,

HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 113

which a police constable beat Chennayya with the butt-
end of his gun. A woman then ran into the village and
informed Hanumanthu that his son-in-law -was being
killed by the police. Hanumanthu then ran to the scene
of fracas. Police, thereupon, fired at him, and felled him.
Though fallen to the ground wounded, Hanumanthu was
alive, but the police fired at him a second time. The
secondfiring also did not take away his life. Hanumanthu
became delirious and cried for water. 1 Neither the
police brought him water, nor allowed any villager to
do so. The firing took place at six in the evening and
Hanumanthu died at twelve in the night. 2 The Three
Member Palnad Enquiry Commission also corroborates
this. 3 Gadde Rangayya Naidu personally interviewed
Kanneganti Gangamma, wife of Hanumanthu, Miryala
Pitchamma, Hanumanthu'sdaughter, Pasupuleti Chenna-
yya, Hanumanthu's son-in-law, and five other villagers
of Minchalapadu - Miryala Pitchayya, Nallabothula
Yellakondayya, Kanneganti Nagayya, Kanneganti Venka-
tayya and Beerneedu Rosigadu on October 27, 1922.
All said in one voice that the police did not make any
attempt to give medical aid to Hanumanthu who was
alive many hours after the shoot-out, None was allo-
wed to bring him water when he cried for it deliriously.

That the police made indiscriminate firing was evi-
dent by the death of the syce of the Sub-Inspector.
The Collector reported, "'It cannot be stated with
certainity how he came to be in the line of fire, but it is
known that the horse of the Sub-Inspector broke away
and he probably ran towards the crowd in order to
catch it." 4 But the Collector stated earlier that the

I Single Member Palnatl Inquiry Commission Report, pp.1 b, 16

2, Ibid.

3, Three Member Palnad Enquiry Commission Report, p. 17.

4, H.A.B Vernon District Collector. Guntur to the Chief Secretary to the Govern-
ment of Madras, Fort St. George* Madras dated March 1, 1922.

(A,P, Suto Archive:; U F.S, Section)

114 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 19^1-47

Sub-Inspector gave sufficient time for the mob t
disperse. But could he not wait till his own syce
returned with the horse which had broken loose and ran
towards the mob?

GOVERNMENT MOUNTS UP PRESSURE

The next morning the Collector and the District
Superintendent of Police accompanied by the militarv
surrounded the village to mske arrests. All malepopu
lation was taken out of the village. Then some police
people entered the houses of the villagers and carried
with them whatever they found there - cash, jewels
cfothesetc. Even ghee and rice were not left behind i
Kanneganti Gangamma reported loss of articles
worth Rs. TOO/-.' The Mounted Police terrorised the
people who were subjected to all sorts of atrocities
Most of the famale members of theviliage sought refuae
m the jungles to spare themselves from the ire of the
t p '"; e - Those that could not "cape were treated with
the butt-ends of the guns, and their feet were crushed
under the jack-boots. The women were subjected to
every humiliation. 3

Some of.the Government officials themselves were
taken aback at the atrocities of the police and the mili
tary, and reported the matter orally to the District
Collector, Vernon. Instead of bringing the guilty to
book the Collector replied: "They came here on y

086 '' ' ln

h Hr a man ^r high.y reminiscent of

the Hunter Comm.ttee findings on the Jalllanwalaba 9 h

1 . Single Member Palnad Enquiry Copuntalon Repor,. D . '..>

2. Ibid. p. 26

Palnad Enquiry Commission

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT I9PI 47 115

massacre, Collector Vernon exonerated the Sub-Inspe-
ctor of Police for the shooting order. The Collector
wrote to his superiors in the Fort St. George : "I am of
opinion that the Sub-Inspector carried out hisduty with
bravery and discretion; that he refrained from firing
until the last possible moment and when he did fire, did
not continue) longer than was absolutely necessary". '

Later, the government made large scale arrests.
The arrested were lodged in Macherla sub-jail for two
months and Narasaraopet sub-jail for another two
months. They were later brought to trial in the court
of Deputy Collector Jambunatha Iyer, Kanneganti Na-
gayya,Nallabothula Venkayya, Enugula China Narasayya,
Miryala Narasayyu, Miryala China Krishnamma, Miryala
Pitchayya, Nallabothula Yellakondayya, Enugula Vee-
reyya, Kanneganti Venkatayya, Oddi Venkataswamygadu,
Kosani Kotayya, Kandarapu Venkatesugadu, Kandarapu
Gurivigadu, Beerneedu Rosigadu, Beerneedu Yellamanda
and Baerneedu Venkatesamgadu were convicted and
sentenced to various terms of imprisonment ranging from
one month to one year. Seven women-Polapula Kotamma,
Miryala Mangamma, Yerragorla Balamma, Kota Aude-
mma, Enugula Ramamma, Miryala Kotamma and Konda
Venkamma were fined Rs. 75/- each. Even young
children, Miryala Chinnayya aged sixteen years and
Miryala Bangarayya aged ten years, were fined Rs. 75/-
each. China Ammigadu, another boy of very young age,
was sentenced to one and half months imprisonment. 2

Atter the autopsy was, conducted Hanumanthu's
body was buried on the outskirts of Kolagutla village
on 27th February, 1922. Four days later it was exhumed

I H.A.B, Vernon, District Collector, Guniur to the Chief Secretary to the Govern-
ment of Madras, l-ori Si.Geortfe, Madras dated March I, !922.
(A P, Stale Archives, II.F.S. Section)

1 Single Member Ptilnad Enquiry Commission Report- pp.

116 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

by the members of Hanumanthu's family and after
religious rites was buried in Kolagutla village near the
banks of the stream Dantaiavagu. fifteen yards away
from the Local Fund Road. 1 A memorial inscription on
stone was raised at the grave. It ran as follows:
"On Vijayabhyudaya Salivahana Saka 1844, i. e., on
26-2-'22 which is equivalent of the year Durmatinama,
month Makha, tidhi 30 at 12 A. M. the District Collector
of Guntur, Vernon, determined to crush non-coope-
ration movement arrived in Palnad taluq and sent the
Sub-Inspector of Durgi, Raghavayya Naidu, with mili-
tary to Minchalapadu hamlet of Kolagutla to impound
the cattle of people who did not pay grazing tax. There
was altercation between the officers and Kanneganti
Hanumanthu. Thereupon, the police fired at him and
twenty six pellets were lodged in his body. Later, after
a wordy duel he died at 12 in the night", 2 This inscrip-
tion was raised by Atmakuri Punnayya on the explicit
wishes of Hanumanthu's wife. 3

The contents of the inscription were published in the
Guntur Patrika and received wide publicity. The govern-
ment thought that the tablet would be a standing monu-
ment of defiance of authority. Through the Karnam of
Kolagutla, the government got it removed to the house
of Hanumanthu's wife. Later, on January 22, 1923
revenue officers appeared at the house, broke the tablet
into pieces and got them scattered in the shrubs in
which this village abounded. 4

The Andhra Provincial Congress Committee meeting
in Cocanada on December 16, 1923 condemned "the
unjust conduct of the British officials who during the

1. Ibid pp 13, 14.

2. Quoted in the Single Member Palnnd Enquiry Commission Report p 2'A.

3. Three Member Palnad Enquiry Commission Report D 1 9

4. Ibid, p, 34. '

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUf? DISTRICT f92I 47 117

height of nonco-operation in Andhra Desa cruelly shot
dead Kanneganti Hanumanthu of Minchalapadu in the
Palnad taluq, Guntur District on the ground that forest
dues were not paid up", it conveyed its sorrow to the
members of his family. Regarding the destruction of
the memorial inscription the P. C. C. passed the follow-
ing resolution proposed by Gadde Rangayya Naidu :
"The conference condemns the perverse act of certain
other officers who destroyed the tablet erected at the
site of Hanumanthu's tomb by his wife and other rela-
ation describing how his life came to end and resolves
the tablet be put in again writing thereon the further
conduct of the destroyers and that for this purpose
calls upon the Provincial Congress Committee to make
necessary arrangements risking satyagraha if it should
become necessary in resetting the tablet". The resolu-
tion was carried unanimously, 1 But nothing appears
to have come out of this resolution. The newspapers,
the government reports and the contemporary writings
are silent about the issue.

COLLAPSE OF THE MOVEMENT

With the repression let loose by the government
and with the withdrawal of the civil disobedience move-
ment in other parts of the Guntur district, especially in
Pedanandipadu, the Palnad Forest Satyagraha was
considerably weakened. Slowly normalcy was restored.
By March 4, 1922, the government in its communique
issued for publicity could say that most of "the villa-
gers are now paying up their grazing fees". 2

, December I ft,

2 Communique for publicity issued by the Government of Madras, Fort St. George
Madras dated March *1, 19^2.
(A.I*. State Archives, H.F.S, Section)

No-tax Campaign

DELHI AND AHMADABAD CONGRESS RESOLUTIONS

Throughout the year 1921 the non-cooperation
movement was in full swing. According to Pattabhi
Sitaramayya, over twenty thousand individual civil
resisters were in jail, and their number was soon to

rt*

swell to thirty thousand. 1 Madala Veerabhadra Rao
gives the names of more than a hundred who courted
imprisonment during the non-cooperation movement in
the Guntur district. 2 By the end of the year all the
prominent national leaders save Gandhi were serving
various terms of imprisonment. Gandhi had promised
swaraj in one year, if his programme was adhered to,
but the year was about to come to a close, it was in
this tense atmosphere that the A. I. C. C. met at Delhi
on 5tK> November. There for the first time the pro-
gramme of a no-tax campaign was discussed. It autho-
rised every province, on its own responsibility, to
undertake mass civil disobedience including non-pay-

1. B Pattabhi Sitaramayya; Op. cit, VoJ-I. p 'm.

2. Madala Vecrabhadrarao Gunturu Zil la Swarajyotlyamamu ! 920 -' Ujvala Ghattalu
(Published by the author, 1974) (TeJugu), pp 173 to I 1 ?!*.

HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT IJ2I-47 119

merit of taxes in the manner considered suitable by the
Provincial Congress Committee subject to several condi-
ions. The conditions were as follows : every indi-
vidul civil resister must have fulfilled that part of the
N. C. 0. programme applicable to him, should know
spinning, must have discarded foreign cloth and taken
to Khaddar, must be a believer in Hindu-Muslim unity
must believe in non-violence as absolutely essential for
the redress of the Khilafat and the Punjab wrongs and
the attainment of Swaraj, and if a Hindu must by his
personal conduct show ttuit he regarded untouchability
as a blot on the nation's life. 1 These conditions later
became famous as Delhi conditions throughout the
country. With regards to the mass civil disobedience
the A I. C. C. cecidsd to treat a district or Tahsil as a
unit. There the majority of the population should have
complete faith in the principles of N. C. 0. 2

In the back-drop of large scale arrests, national
yearning for bwaraj and the Delhi A. I. C. C resolutions
of 5th November, the annual session of the Congress
was held in Ahmadabed towards the end of December
1921 . C. R. Das was to have presided over the Congress.
But due to his incarceration/ Hakim Ajmal Khan of Delhi
presided. The resolutions adopted at this session of
the Congress were of very vital importance to the pro-
gress of non-cooperation movement. They 3 run as
follows :

"Whereas, since the holding of the last National
Congress, the people of India have found from actual
experience that by reason of the adoption of non-violent
non-cooperation, the country h'as made great advance

1 ll, Putiubhi Stlurumuyya ; Op. oil; VoI-J, j>. 2 1 9.

2 Ibid.
J. Ibid,

120 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUft DISTRICT I02I-47

in fearlessness, self-sacrifice and selfrespect, and
whereas the movement has greatly damaged the prestige
of the government, and whereas on the whole the coun-
try is rapidly progressing towards swaraj, this Congress
confirms the resolutions adopted at the Special Session
of the Congress at Calcutta and reaffirmed at Nagpur,
and places on record the fixed determination of the
Congress to continue the programme of non-violent
non-cooperation with greater vigour than hitherto in
such manner as each province may determine, till
Punjab and Khilafat wrongs are redressed and swarajya
is established and the control of the Government of
India passes into the hands of the people from that of
an irresponsible corporation".

"This Congress is further of opinion that civil
disobedience is the only civilised and effective sub-
stitute 'for an armed rebellion whenever every other
remedy for preventing arbitrary, tyrannical and emas-
culating use of authority by individuals or corporations
has been tried, and therefore advises all Congress
workers and others who believe in peaceful methods
and are convinced that there is no remedy save some
kind of sacrifice to dislodge the existing government
from its position of perfect irresponsibility to the people
of India, to organise individual civil disobedience and
mass civil disobedience when the mass of the people
have been sufficiently trained in the methods of non-
violenceand otherwise in terms of the resolution thereon
of the last meeting held at Delhi".

The resolution appealed to "every person of the age
of eighteen ond over" to join the volunteer organi-
sations. 1

2. Tbicl. p. 226.

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT [921-47 121

Another important feature of the Ahmadabad session
of the Congress was that Gandhi visited each camp and
explained the technique of civil disobedience. 1 In tne
Andhra camp Gandhi offered to answer questions of the
delegates. Cheruvu Venkata Subrahmanya Sastrv, dele-
gate from Ongole, put the following question : "In the
light of the non-cooperation programme iuclusive of the
refusal of the payment of taxes, and in view of the fact
that the tax-collection commences in the Madras
Presidency in the month of January, what advice do
you give us in the matter of withholding of taxes with
which we are going to be confirmed as soon as we reach
home?" In reply Gandhi said that those places in which
the people could be said to have fulfilled the Delhi
A. I. C. C. conditions - Hindu-Muslim unity, removal of
uniouchability, propagation of Khadi and foith in non-
violence - were eligible for taking up civil disobedience
inclusive of withholding of taxes. 3

GUNTUR DISTRICT FORGES AHEAD

Deriving inspiration from Gandhi's answer, the
A. P. C. C. met at Bezawada on January 7, 1922 and
decided that no-tax campaign as an integral part of
civil disobedience movement should be carried on in the
districts of Guntur, Godavari and Krishna. It also

F, Ibid: p .

2, Signed Statement of Cheruvu Venkata Subrahmunya Sastry, hereafter referred to as
signed statement of C. V.S. Sastry. C. V, S Sastry's Statement is corroborated by
R a m achandruniVcnkucuppa. See C> u i nil I a nail i And i n a ray an a J5h astjpu rt h j_ a n ch i ka ,
pp. ia ll.i Korula Vuikatappayya also writes of Gandhi's visit to the Andhra camp
Scchi.Swecya Chariira, p '2^, He Hindu dated December 30, 1 92 1, Ahmadabad

*f .*f.iT : 115.4. T.VJP .1 IWI' 1 -

writes: "The Andhrus seem to have taken very earnestly the question of civil disobe-
dience this morning a crowded mealing of delegates and visitors was held in the
Andhra camp with Gandhi in the chair to hear from him the practical methods ol
earring on civil disobedience. One main question discussed was the non-payment of
taxes since the time of the payment of taxes was approaching. Gandhi emphasised
that non-payment was a privilagc to be exercised only when all the remaining parts
of the programme have been completely fulfilled'*.

122 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

resolved to give freedom to the District Congress
Committees to decide which areas in their respective
districts fulfilled the Delhi conditions to be eligible for
launching mass civil disobedience. 1

In order to decide which areas of the Guntur district
were eligible for no-tax campaign the Guntur District
Congress Committee met at Ponnur on 12th January
and resolved unanimously that land revenue for the
January Kist should not be paid throughout the Guntur
district except a few firkas in Tenali, Guntur, Ongole
and Repalle taluqs, 2

On the day the D. C. C. met at Ponnur the District
Magistrate promulgated Section 144 Cr. P. C. by the
beat of tom-tom and by affixing a copy of the order on
a prominent place in Ponnur. About 4,000 people
collected from different parts of the district. Gollapudi
Sitaramasastry and Maddi Radhakrishnayya took promi-
nent part. Gollapudi Sitaramasastry announced the
resolve of the Committee to disobey the Magistrate's
order. There was keen competition among the people
to come forward and disobey the Magistrate's Order by
making speeches and abvocating non-payment of taxes.
But, for the time-being the D. C. C. selected only ten
persons to defy the Magistrat's Order on 12th January.
They were Gollapudi Sitaramasastry, Maddi Radha-
krishnayya, Unnava Lakshmibayamma, Md. Ghouse Beg,
Patri Anantarao, Mantina Nagaraju, Machiraju Rama*
murthy, Itikala Suryanarayana, Kamaraju BhanumarthY
and Saranu Ramaswamy Chowdary. 3

1. Signed Statement of C. V.S. Sastri. Sec also Konda Venkatappayya's
Sweeya Charitra. p. 286.

2. The Hindu dated January 1 5, I 922.

3. Personal Assistant of the District Superintendent of Police, Guntur to the District
Collector and Magistrate, Guntur (Copy) dated January I 2, I 922.

(A.P. State Archives, H.F.S. Section)

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921 47 123

Even before a formal consent of the D, C. C. was
obtained Konda Venkatappayya, President of Andhra
provincial Congress Committee and Goilapudi Sitarama-
sastry its Secretary toured the villages in the Guntur
district in the first days of December 1921 and prepared
the people for no-tax campaign. They practically covered
all the villages. 1

After the Ahmadabad Session considerable propa-
ganda in favour of no tax campaign was done in the
Ongole taluq. Responsibility of organising and conduc-
ting Congress affairs in the taluq mainly devolved on
Dhara Gopala Sastry. Cheruvu Venkata Subrahmanya
Sastry, Ramanayanam Lakshminarasimham, Kota Viswa-
nadham, Chivukula Radhakrishnayya, Kappera Nara-
simham and Valluri Narayanarao made extensive tour of
the Duddukur firka and carried the Ahmadabad resolu-
tions of the Congress to the masses.-

But two events gave great impetus to the no-tax
movement in the Guntur district. They were the resigna-
tions of the Village Officers and the formation of a
volunteer corps called Peace Brigade, the Santi Sena.

RESIGNATION OF VILLAGE OFFICERS.

In the Pedanandipadu firka all the Village Officers of
eighteen villages except one resigned. 3 The leader of
the movement was Machiraju Ramamurthy, the Karnam
of Chandavolu. He was an enthusiastic non-cooperator.

IMKft.-J.F*' IMWJil9

I, Konda Venkatappayyu; Op. cit, pp: 280 r 281.

2 Signet! statement of C.V.S, Sastri.

3 A. Galleti, District Collector, Guntur to the Chief Secretary to the Government
of Madras, Fort St. George, Metlras dated January 8, 1922.

(A P. State Archives H.F.S, Section)

1 24 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

He and Parvataneni Veerayya Chowdary who spearhe-
aded no-tax movement in Pedanandipadu firka toured
villages and were responsible for the wholesale resig.
nations of the village officers in Pedanandipadu firka
of the Bapatla talup. 1 In the Duddukur firka of Ongole
taluq many village Officers tendered their resignations.
Among them Rachapudi Govardhanarao, of Rachapudi,
Abbaraju Subbarayudu of Koniki and Tammavarapu
Lakshminarayana of Tammavaram were enthusiastic
non-cooperators. 2 Duddukuru Sri Krishnamurthy, Kar-
nam of Duddukur was warned by Akbfcr Hydari, Sub -
Collector, Ongole for his earlier participation in poli-
tics. 3 In all resignation letters of the Village Officers
of twenty nine villages in the Guntur district were
reported to have been received by the government. 4

The government officers expressed different opinions
as to the actual cause of Village officer's resignations.
A. Galleti, District Collector, Guntur who visited Peda-
nandipadu firka discussed the matter with the resigning
officers. He reports : "They are rich men. They main-
tain with warmth that they have not resigned for politi-
cal reasons, but because the Government have not
redressed the service grievances put forth by the Village
Officer's Associations. The Board and the Government
are familiar with these; too little pay and toomuch work;
being constantly sentfor, being treated with little

respect but the last end the decisive factor in the

revolt is the recent reductions of the village establish-
ment, by which they are deprived of Assistant Kamarns,

1. Konda Venkatappayya: Op. cit, p. 2'JB,

2. Signed Statement of Kota Viswanadham.

j. -'No-tax campaign in Duddukur of Guntur district as narrated b Sri Duddukuru
Sri Krishnainurtby, Karnam, Duddukur."
(A P State Archives, H.F.S. Seciion)

4. Report of Harris, Member, Board of Revenue on the situation in Guntur KHsbna
and Godavari dated January 16, 1922,
(A. P. State Archives, H.F.S. Section)

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IK GUKTUR DISTRICT l2l'47 1 26

Assistant Headman Vettis and Mohatad?. Even the loyai
headmen complained bitterly of this; how was he, he
said, to distrain movables and guard them or attach
immovable property and prevent its cultivation without
Vettis and Mohatads?". 1

But according to Harris, Member, Board of Revenue,
"The immediate cause is the instigation of Village
Officers' Associations and District Congresses : the
latter are now holding meetings all over the delta advo-
cating non-payment of taxes"- He further opined
"There is one outstanding cause of the present situation
the N. C, 0, movement - working on the real and imagi-
nary grievances of the Village Officers and ryot (but
chiefly the former) through the District Congress, the
Village Officers' Association and the agitator : the
'grievances' are many and some of them are real., but
none of them by themselves, nor all of them together,
could have produced this situation wthout N. C. 0.
manipalation> !

Harries appears to have arrived at a correct under-
standing as to the cause of the resignation of the
Village Officers, Konda Venkatappayya says that
Machiraju Ramamurthy and Parvataneni Veerayya
Chowdary entered heart and soul into the no-tax cam-
paign in the Pedanandipadu firka, Machiraju Rama-
murthy was the Secretary of Andhra Desa Grama Palana
Sangham and the editer of "Grama Palanam" published
on behalf of the Andhra Village Officers' Association.

1. A OaUcti, District Collector, Ountur to the Chief Secretary to the Governmeat
of Madras Fort St. George, Madras dated January B, 1822.

(A P, State Archives, H.F.S, Section)

2. Report of Harris, Member* Board of Revenue on the situation in Krishna, Guntur
and Godavuri, duted January 16. 1922,

(A. P. State Archives, H,F.S. Section)

126 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 192I-47

He took a prominent part in the Guntur District Congress
deliberations in which no-tax campaign was decided
upon. He was one of the ten who defied Section 144
Cr. P. C. imposed in Ponnur. He resigned the Karanam-
ship of Chandavolu and had been instrumental in in-
fluencing a large number of his fellow V. Os in the
district to resign their appointment and take part in
the no-tax campaign". 1 The Village Officers of certain
villages publicly announced thsir resignation at the
D. C. C. meeting held at Ponnur in which no-tax
campaign was decided. They were the village Officers
of KoIIimerla, Munipalle, Mamillapalli and Patchalatadi-
parru of Bapatla taluq, Siripadu, Pittalavaripalem,
Machavaram, Penumudi and Mulukuduru of Repalle
taluq. 2 What more concrete proof is required to assert
that though the Village Officers had genuine service
grievances, their main cause for resignation was the
N. C. 0. agitation as Harris, Member, Board of Revenue
pointed out ?

The government did all it could to break the resi-
stance of the Village Officers. It tried to remove some
of their grievances. It authorised the Collector to
assure the Village Officers that there would not be any
loss of hereditary rights for them and that with the
object of raising their pay the Board had long ago advi-
sed the government to reimpose the Proprietary Estates
Village Service Cess. 3 This had no effect on the attitude
of the Village Officers. The government attempted to fill

1. The Hindu dated January 19,1921.

2. Personal Assistant of the District Superintendent of Police, Guntur to the District
Collector and Magistrate. Guntur (Copy) dated January 12, 19^.2.

(A P, State Archives H F.S. Section*

3. Report of Harris, Member, Board of Revenue on the situation in Krishna
Guntur and Godavari, dated Januaty 16, 1922.

(A. P. State Archives, H.F.S. Section;

The government announced in the press communique issued by the Publicity
Department dated January 20, 1922. "The questioa of reimposing the Proprietary
Estates Village Service Cess for the pur ose of increasing the pay of Village
Officers in Proprietory Estates is under consideration; meanwhile the Government
propose to introduce legislation forthwith depriving permanently of their heridi-
tary rights of ihe families of Village Officers dismissed for disloyalty though they
have no intention at present of interfering otherwise with the hereditary rights
of the village Officers"

Press Communique issued by the publicity Department, Govcnmcnt of Madras,
Fort St. George, Madras dated January 23, 1 922:
(A. P. State Archives H.F.S. Section)

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 127

,the vacancies that arose on account of the resignations.
In selecting men to fill the posts the Collector was au-
thorised to disregard the rule as to the educational qua_
lifications provided that he was satisfied that the per.
sons appointed were capable of discharging their duties
ofoffice. 1 But neither entreaties nor threats unnerved the
Village Qfticers. The collector ruefully reported to his
superiors in the Fort St. George "There are candidates
'for the vacant posts, especially Assistant Karanams who
had lost their jobs, but when the Sub-Collector attemp-
ted to put one in-charge r with Reserve Police camping
in the village, the man's courage failed him", * Ruther-
ford, whom the government sent to deal with the situ-
ation in Pedanandipadu informed his superiors that in
Varagani of Bapatla taluq the Munsiffs had resigned and
the Karanam was the leader of the movement. The
village menials were also absent, and he faced complete
non-cooperation. '

SANTI SENA

The Working Committee of the Guntur District Cong-
ress met on December 9 1921 and resolved to organise
Santi Sena. It constituted a sub-committee with N.V.L.
Narasimharao, P. H. Gupta and Maddi Radhakrishnayya
to enlist volunteers. 4 In pursuance of this resolution
volunteers were enlisted in many villages. Parvataneni
Veerayya Chowdary enlisted hundreds of them in many

I. G. 0. No. 130, Revenue Department, dated 1 9th January, 1 922.
(A,P. State Archives, M.F.S, Section)

2 A. Oalleti, District Collector* Guntur to the Chief Secretary to the Government
of Madras, Fort St, George, Mcdras dated January 8, 1922.
(A.I*. State Archives, H.I'.S, Section)

3. Rutherford to K.A. Graham. Chief Secretary to the Government of Madras, Fort
St. George, Madras dated January 26, 19/2.

(A.l. State Archives, II p.S. Section)

4. The Hindu dated December 10, 1921 .

128 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT I92I-47

villages of Pedanandipadu firka. The volunteers were a
dedicated lot. They were intrepid, and even in the face
of grave provocation by the police or revenue officials
they did not lose balance. Some of the volunteers
served as messengers. They toured villages day and
night and carried information to their leaders especially
Konda Venkatappayya. 1 The Santi Sena organised the
people so well for the no-tax campaign that the govern-
ment officials faced complete non-cooperation in the
villages. Rutherford wrote : "A crow of volunteers
in uniform and with lathis hung in the background and
if anyone was seen speaking to me or the peon there
were shouts of 'don't say anything' and a volunteer
would come lounging up". 2 The Santi Sena created such
trouble to the Government that the District Collector
sent proposals to the government to Fort St. George
to declare it an unlawful association. But the govern-
ment, however, did not resort to it. Itinstructed Colle-
ctor Galleti "to take proceedings without any delay
under the Security Sections of the Criminal Procedure
Code against the leaders of the volunteers and if possi-
ble the promoters of the organisation in the first
instance." 3

IMPLEMENTATION OF NO-TAX CAMPAIGN

With the resignation of large numbers of Village
Officers and the formation of the Santi Sena the stage
was set for the implementation of no-tax campaign as

1 . Konda Venkatappayya: Op. cit. p: 290.

2. Rutherford to R A. Graham, Chief Secretary to the Government of Madras, Fort
St, George, Madras dated January 26, 1922.

(A P State Archives, H.F.S. Section)

3. Instructions to the District Collector, Guntur dated January 30 1922
(A.P. State Archives, H.F.S. Section)

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 192I~47 129

per the Ahmadabad Congress resolution. Konda Venka-
tappaya sent a telegram to Gandhi which said :

" The movement is far ahead. Village officers

including Panchama and Christian Vettians are resigning
in large numbers. Arrests of workers, batch after
batch, are increasing in different places. Co-ope-
rators were converted by volunteer corps in most
villages. Panchamas andChristians are enlisting, excava-
ting wells, untouchabtlity is disappearing. The attach-
ment though very provocative the people are submitting.
Cooking vessels, even with food, are distrained even by
Christian officials entering Brahmin kitchens, but these
acts are not objected to. The taluqs in experiment are
self-sufficient in Khaddar. Not less than 60% in villages,
including women, wear khaddar. We respectfully sumit
that Delhi conditions are satisfied.

The military arrived at Guntur, with armoured cars
and motor lorries. Advocacy of payment under the
circumstances will result in the ultimate effacement
of our district from the movement, seriously jeopar-
dising even other districts. Awaiting your favourable
consideration, reply,

Konda Venkatappayyez,

President,
Andhra Provincial Congress Committee.

Nadimpalli Narasimharao,
Secretary

Andhra Provincial Congress Committee.
Polisetty Hanumaiah Gupta,
Member.

To this telegram Gandhi's reply was :

"You are the best judges of the situation. If Delhi
conditions are satisfied and if you feel confident, I have

130 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DrSTRICT 1921-47

no right to interfere. God speed. He will bless all
honest efforts. Keep me daily informed.

Gandhi", 1

There were, however, leaders who pleaded restraint.
N, Subba Rao Panthulu from Rajahmundry, : "I feel that
one false step taken now lands us in irretrievable loss
and misery, and there is no use of regrets and heart-
burnings afterwards. A heavy responsibility rests on
the leaders to offer sound advice and guide the masses
aright at this juncture. Over-enthusiasm should not
be mistaken for a steady determination guiding the
conduct of life. Witness the exuberance of college
students in 1908 when they went out on strike because
they were not allowed to Wear Vande Mataram medals

and how soon they repented of their hasty step Such

instances need not be multiplied. I am aware that the
present movement is vastly different and more wides-
pread but the laws of social and political progress are
the same. We cannot hope to escape from them by
sudden jumps without patience and severance of disci-
pline ". 2 P. V. Subbarao, M. L. C , wrote that

the Guntur District Congress Committee should know
that serious disorders would result, as the ryots had
not been trained to be non-violent. "The committee
must accept full responsibility for their action. Even
in their own interests the non-cooperator should see
that the failure of the movement in the district will only
stiffen the attitude of the Government" '. P,V Subbarao
was a Justice Party member of the Madras Legislature.
He was a staunch cooperator, and his aim was to
distract thepeople and the Congress from their cherished
goals. But even the advice of well-meaning leaders

1 . Konda Venkatappayya's telegram and Gandhi's reply were quoted in The Hindu
dated JanuarY 23, I922,

2. The Hindu dated January 25, 1922.

3. The Hindu dated January 24, 1922.

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMFNT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 1 3 1

like N. Subbarao Panthulu was not to the taste of the
masses. The die was cast, and there was to be no
retreat, at least, till some one of national stature advi-
sed them to the contrary.

The non-tax campaign was in full swing in the
Guntur district in general and Pedanandipadu firka in
the Bapatla taluq and Dtiddukur Addanki and Santha-
nuthslapadu firk^s in the Ongole taluq in particular
from the day the District Congress Committee took the
momentous decision on January 12th till the middle

of February when Gandhi advised its suspension till he
experimented it himself in Bardoli. During this period
there was a battle royal between the people of these

firkas on one side and the government on the other.

The people showed solid determination to bring the
government to naught and the government was deter-
mined to break the will of the people as it was afraid
that "the infection will soon effect"' other districts.

REPRESSION

With the refusal of the people to pay taxes, the
government brought in the army. At the request of the
District Magistrate a detachment of the Governor's
Body Guard was stationed in Guntur. 2 The soldiers
toting machine guns conducted route-marches in the
various villages of Pedanandipadu in order to instill
fear in the people. 3 Armoured cars also showed

I. Report of Harris, Member, Board of Revenue on the situation iu Krishna, Guntur
and Godttvuri, dated January 16. 1922,
(A, P. State Archives, H,F.S, Section)

2 R A, Graham, Chief Secretary to the Government of Madras to S. P. O. Donnel,
Secretary to the Government of India, Home Department, dated February 16, 1922
(A. P. Slate Archives, H.F.S, Section)

i. Kondu Vcnkfttuppayya. Op. cit. p; 295.

132 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUS DISTRICT I92I-47

themselves up where resistance to the authorities was
much. ' The police force was considerably increased
and under Section 15 of the Police Act of 1861 the
inhabitants of Pedanandipadu firka were ordered to pay
the cost of their maintenance. 2

Distraint and attachment of movable and immovable
property was resorted to by the government. In this
connection the rules were considerably amended. Land
or movable property attached was immediately brought
for auction. L. T. Harris, Member, Board of Revenue,
who was sent to Guntur to take such measures as he
might find neceasary, decided to stimulate collection
of taxes by ordering to "reduce to an absolute minimum
the delay that need occur between the attachment
(distraint) and sale of immovable (or of movable)
property. In this emergency movable property should
be liable to sale on the spot immediately after distraint
and immovable within three days. All officers con-
sulted are agreed that no deterrent will be so effective
against the wilfull defaulter as actually seeing his land
sold, the sale of land for arrears is a very rare event,
except in some very exceptional citcumstances : it is
almost immediately redeemed before the attachment
period expires. The same may be said* in lesser degree,
in regard to movables," 3

1. Ibid. p. 291.

The government in its communique stated **A small body of Infantry and a section
of armoured cars have been gent to Guntur in support of the civil tin chorines, and
it is hoped that their presence will put heart into the loyal part of the population
and encourage them to resist intimidation".
Government communique dated February 2, 1922.
(A. P. State Archivei, H.F.S. Section)

2. Proclamation issued by the Government of Madras, Fort St. George, Madras
dated January 20, 1922.

(A. P. State Archives, H.F.S. Section)

3. Reportof Harris, Member, Board of Revenue on the situation in Krishna,
Guntur and Godavari, dated January 16, 1922.

(A P, State Archives, H,F,S, Section)

HISTORY OP PRCIDOM MOVCMCNT LN CUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 133

The revenue officials adopted various measures to
confuse the people into submission. In Duddukur,
Tahsildar Somayajulu managed to get to his camp three
ryots who were habituated to drink. He paid taxes from
his own pocket and caused receipts issued to them.
He then spread a rumour in the village that the three
ryots had voluntarily paid the taxes. This he did to
demoralise the villagers. 1

As was wont with it, the government tried its hand
at divide et impera'. It announced that when the land
was bought in by the government, when bidders were
not forthcoming to take part in auction, the land so
bought would be allotted to the members of the
Depressed Classes. 2 This measure contemplated by the
Government was welcomed by Gandhi. He said that
such arrangement was would suit both parties, "Non-
coperators have undertaken to be non-violent, to risk
the loss of their all for the purpose of gaining their end,
and must, therefore, allow their belongings to be

sold ...The proposal to allow the Depressed Classes

to bid for and purchase forfeited lands is ideal. What
can be better than that the forfeited lands should be
temporarily occupied by the very classes whom we want
to see raised from their depressed state ? I used the

adverb 'temporarily' for the present occupiers must

know that they must get Swaraj and that under Swaraj
they must be restored to their original status with
honour added thereto. The Depressed Classes, who are
being used as pawns in the game by the government
cannot be adversely affected by dispossession, for it

1, Ramachandruni Vcnkaiappa's article "Ongole taluka lo Bahumukha Jateeya
Chaitanyamu" in Gundlapalll Audinarayana Shaslipurthi Sanchika (Ongole t l972)
(Telugu), p, 1*4.

This information is corroborated by C. V, S. S as try in hi* signed statement.

2. Press communique issued by R. A. Graham, Choif Secretary, Government of
Madras. Fort. St. George, Madras dated January 20, 1922.

(A P, State Archives, H.F S, Section)

134 HISTORY OF FREEDOM" MOVEMENT W GUNTU* DI-STtflCT 1921-47

will be the primary care of the Swaraj Government to
see them well-settled, happy and contended". 1

The Government was so ruthless in attaching the
property that it stopped at nothing. Land, grain, house-
hold utensils, furniture and cattle were attached. In
Addanki, Tahsildar Somayajulu attempted to seize from
the neck of Kota Sundaramma her mangala sutra. She
took two steps backwards, removed the chain herself
and threw it at the face of Somayajulu. 2

The authorities took recourse to strong-arm-tactics
in Guntur district because as the Governor of Madras
himself put it later, the district attempted "to destroy
the very foundations of administrative authority by
refusing to pay taxes which were due to the state". 3
L. T. Harris, Member, Board of Revenue realised that the

happenings in Guntur would have repercussion in other
districts. He observed : ''At the present moment the

Collector of Guntur considers the situation in his
district very serious and likely to develop rapidly unless

strong measures are taken very quickly. The Collector

of Kistna realises that if the movement is not

suppressed in Guntur the infection will very soon effect
Kistna." 4

1 . M K. Gandhi's article 'Awakening in Andhra Dcsa' in Young Tndiojdatcd
February 2, 1922. ""

2. Signed statement of Kota Vi a wanadaham. Koia Simduramma was the aunt of

Viswanadham.

Ramachandruni Venkatappa refers to this episode. Sec GundUpaMi Audmaroyana,
Shastipurthi Sanchika.^ p. 116, ' * ""

3. Governor's reply to the addreas presented to him by the Municipal Council,
Guntur. See TheJHJndUi dated July 8, I 922.

4. Report of Harris, Member, Board of Revenue on the situation in Krishna,
Guntur and Godavari, dated January 16,

(A P State Archives, H.F.S. Section)

HISTORY Of j PBED.QIt:MOYCMENiT.^W}CU l HTUR:'AISTR|CT (92I.-47 I 35

SOCIAL BOYCOTT OF THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

Despite the presence of military, mounted men,
armoured cars, distraints, auction and arrests, and a
plethora of other repressive measures the resistence of
the people could not be broken. Parvataneni Veerayya
Chowdary, though not much educated on westren lines
kept up the morale of the people by touring practically
all villages mounted on horse. The Santi Sena volun-
teers under his leadership became the eyes and ears of
the no-tax movement. They and the people were
unperturbed even under grave provocation from either
the military or the police. 1 This was in accordance with
the advice given by Gandhi who wrote in Young India
"When the Government military is opened on them, they
are expected to expose their willing breasts, not their
wunwilling backs to the bullets, and still not harbour
revenge or resentment". 2

With the presence of the volunteers everywhere and
at all times and- with the exhortations of leaders like
Konda Venkatappayya and Parvataneni Veerayya Chow-
dary, the ryots become intrepid and refuse to pay taxes.
In Edumudi and Duddukur, the volunteers and the Cong-
ress workers advised the house-holders not to keep
valuable jewellery or cash in the houses to avoid
attachment. 3

Social boycott 01 the government officials was
thoroughly organised. The merchant co1rimunity;refused
to sell them articles of^dail-y use.* In Duddukur, sub-

1 . Konda Vcnkatappuyya: Op. cit. p: 211.

2. M K. Gandhi's article 'Awakening in Andhra Desa' in Young India dated
February 2, 1922.

3. C V S Sastry in his signed statement says that the villagers were instructed not
to keep anything in their houses except earthern pots for cooking purposes:

4. Konda Vcnkattippayya :Op. ei't. p: 291.

136 HIITORY OP MIIDOH MfVIIIINT IN GtiNTUft DISTRICT ll|-47

collector Akbar Hydari and Tahsildar Pillalamarri Soma.
yajulu could not secure even water. 1 In Duddukur com-
plete social boycott of government officials for fifteen
days was organised by Abbaraju Subbarayadu, Karanam
of Koniki. He saw to it that all villages were lom-tomed
not to make supplies or sell provisions to government
officials. 2 Rutherford who was deputed by the govern-
menttodeal with the situation in Pedanandipadu had
to face complete social boycott whereever he went,
He wrote, "I went out originally to see how the 75th

Carnatics were getting on The peon with me did

not know exactly which was the village, and when we
first arrived, none would tell us whether it was Nandipad
or where the troops were. They either ran away or said
they did not know". Rutherford faced up-hill task with
regard to distraint and attachment of properties of the
defaulters. He writes about his experience in Varagani,
a village in Pedanandipadu firka : "the village munsiffs
have resigned and the Karanam is a leader of the move-
ment. The village menials were absent. To attach
lands the Revenue Inspectors have to find each survey

number by the help of the survey plan There was

practically nobody to be seen except volunteers who
moved off as soon as I approached while others moved
up from behind. Nobody would say where the defaulters
were living and we were only able to find the homes
through the fact that villages in this district were

surveyed in detail All doors were closed. The first

house was empty and on the door being opened nothing
was found. In the next house the women marched out
and the owner refused to appear. Grain had to be

Ramachandruni Venkatappa's article "OngoluTalofca lo Bahumutcha Jatceya
Chaitanyamu" in Gundlapalli Audiuarayana Shastipurtbi Sanchika

(Ongole, 1972) (Telugu,, p, 1 14. " '

No, tax campaign in Duddukur of Guntur District, as narrated by DudUukur
Sri Krishnamurthy, Karanam, Duddukur,.
(A.P. State Archives, H.F.S. Section)

HISTORY OF FRIEDOM MOVEMENT JN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 137

arched and the measuring of it, tying up and marking
of'bags, writing attachment lists took two hours. The
reserve Police had to do all the coolie work". 1

CONGRESS SUB-COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION AND
THE SUSPENSION OF THE MOVEMENT

Arrests, distraints, military route-marches and
armoured cars could not cow down the people's deten
mination not to piy government taxes. But among the
leaders, howevar, there was difference of opinion as to the
starting of no-tax campaign and its continuance when
once it was started. Some entertained serious doubts
whether the places selected for non-tax campaign had
fulfilled Delhi conditions. So, the Guntur D. C. C. met
on January 26th in the house of Konda Venkatappayya
with Anche Sivayya presiding and appointed a sub-
committee consisting of T. Prakasam, K. Nageswararao
and D. Narayana raju to visit the areas in the district
where payment of taxes was suspended to ascertain
whether they satisfied conditions laid down at Delhi. 2

The sub-committee toured through the various parts
of the district from 31st January to 7th February and
prepared a report. 3 According to the findings of the
sub-committee there werefour thousand national volun-
teers doing excellent organisational work, in matters
of Khaddar the villagers were self-contained, attempts
to remove untouchability made "extra-ordinary pro-
gress" and the people as well as the volunteers gave
"abundant proof of non-violence and self-sacrifice".

1. Rutherford Of R. A, Graham, Chcif Secretary, Government of Madras,
Fort St. George, Madras dated January 26, 1 922.

(A. P. State Archives, H.P.b, Section)

2. The Hindu dated January 28, 1922.

3. The Hindu duted February II, 1922.

138 HlftTQRY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTU* DISTRICT IS3J-47

However, the sub-committee felt it difficult to say now
far the masses could remain absolutely peaceful if more
drastic and inhuman a measures were employed by the
government. The sub-committee therefore recommen-
ded "the postponement of this campaign until atleast
it is tried in Bardoli by Mahatma Gandhi ".'

On February 1 1th the District Congress met at Konda
Venkatappayya's house to consider the recommenda-
tions of the Sub-Committee and to decide whether the
movement should be continued or not. 2 When the debate
was going on some one thrust into the hands of Konda
Venkatappayya a small note from Gandhi in which the
latter recommended the suspension of no-tax camp-
aign. The note said, "If Andhra stops civil disobe-
dience, I shall be glad. But if it cannot stop, I shall
not mind it, provided of course control is attained
over forces of violence and all conditions are fulfiiled-
M. K. Gandhi". 3 This note was found on N V. L. Nara-
simharao when he was arrested. The Collector sent it
in original to the government/ However, the note of
Gandhi and the recommendations of the sub-committee
dampened the enthusiasm of the D. C. C, which recom-
mended the suspension of the no-tax campaign
throughout the district. The decision of the D. C. C.
was announced by Prakasam to the vast gathering that
assembled in the compound of Konda Venkatappayya's
house. 5

I The Hindu dated February II, 1922.

I District Collector. Guntur to R. A Graham, Chief Secretary to the Covernment
of Madras da' e4 February 14 1922,
(A.P S rate Archives, H.FS. Section)

3. Konda Ventailftpp yya :Op. cit. p.- 297,

T he note is reproduced inO.O. No. 362. Public Department. April 26 r 1922.
(A P. State Archives, H,F,S. Section)

4. District Collector, OimtUr to R. A. Graham, Chief Secretary to the Government
of Madras dated February 1 4, 1922.

(A.P. State Archives, H.F.S. Section)

5. Konda Venkatappayya: Op. cit. p; 298.

HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 139

With the announcement of ttve suspension of the
movement by the D. C. C. people started paying taxes.
By February 14th, 1922 the Collector could report to
the Chief Secretary, Government of Madras, "It seems
clear that the resistance of Pedanandipad firka is brea-

k j n g my latest information is that collections are

proceeding briskly in Pedanandipadu and the Special
Officer expects to get most of the arrears by 20th of
this month and I donot anticipate that it will be neces-
sary to issue anymore attachment notices". 1 By
February 20th the collections reached "the highest

daily figures so far obtained ". 2 By July 1922

normalcy was restored throughout the Gunutur district
and Rutherford, who took over the administration of the
district as Collector recommended that "the payments
for punitive police shouldcease after six months instead
of after a year which was the original intention". The
recommendations of the Magistrate were adopted by the
government, 3

PEOPLE'S REACTION TO THE SUSPENSION

The withdrawal of the campaign caused much
anguish to those who led it Konda Venkatappayya was
much disheartened at the receipt of Gandhi's note reco-
mmending the suspension of the movement. 4 When the
decision of the D. C. C. was announced to the people

I. District Collector, CJuniur U> R, A. Graham, Chief Secretary to the Government
of Madras dated February 14. 1922.
(A P. State Archives H.F.S, Section)

2 District Collector. Gumr to R, A. Graham, CW*f Secretary to the Government
of Madras duted February 22, 1 9*2.
(A,P, State Archives, H,F,S, Section)

3. Governor's reply to the addreis presented to him by the Municipal Council,
Guntur, See The Hindu dated July 8, 1922,

. .:.. . . <. .-!**

4. Konda Vcnkaluppayya : Op. cit. p. 297.

14O HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

that gathered in the ^compound of Venkatappayya's
house, there were vehemernt protests and jeers, 1

The D.C.C. meeting on 12th January with so much
fanfare resolved that the entire district of Guntur except
a few areas was fit for no-tax campaign, and urged the
people to make the campaing a success. But when the
movement was at its peak, it met on February 11th, and
cried halt In this case, it was not the people yielding to
the mounting pressure of the government. For one full
month they saw their cattle, land, utensils, grain etc,,
attached and destrained. They suffered ignominy at
the hands of the police and military. They saw de-
dicated workers jailed. They received sumptous treat-
ment from the butt-ends of the guns of the tommies,
Their very life was totally disorganised. Still they kept
up their morale and faced the might of the British
bureaucracy bravely. They never even once showed
signs of submission. When the movement was at its
height it was the leadership that cried hult end suspen-
ded the movement. It was a clear case of the leader-
ship letting down the following but not vice versa. But
it can be stated that the movement was confined to a
few firkas, and faced with the might of the British it was
bound to collapse sooner or later. It is arguable that
had the provincial and national leadership taken cue
from Pedanandipadu and Duddukuru-they attained all
India fame at the height of their struggle* and extended
the movement to the greater part of the province dnd the
country, the British bureaucracy could not have concen-
trated their might on these firkas, and the pace of the
freedom movement would have definitely quickened, and
the British might have quitted the country much earlier.

Though the withdrawal cf the movement caused
much heart-burning and disappointment to the local

I. Ibid, p. 293.

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921 47 141

leaders, as disciplined congressmen, they abided by the
verdict of Gandhi and district congress committee. As
a leader of the Duddukuru no-tax campaign put it, "We
were very much disappointed, but still as disciplined
congressmen we had to obey the instructions of Gandhi,
who held complete sway over us. But for him we would
not have suspended the movement. He actually wielded
a magician's wand". 1

NATURE AND CHARACTER OF THE MOVEMENT

As to the nature and character of the movement
David Washbrook calls if "the least spontaneous al-
though the most celebrated of all the strikes". 2 Judith
M. Brown opened, "the heart of the movement to post-
pone payment of taxes was Pedanandipadu firka in
Bapatla taluka, where a majority of officials resigned.
Here were people like the patidars of Gujarat, influential

in village life but not part of the political nation in
relation to the institutional politics of nationalism". 3
David Washbrook's contention is that the Guntur no-tax
campaign was not a spontaneous movement, and that it
was engineered by the Village Officers, and in the begi-
nning the Andhra Congress was "wary of associating
itself with such as obviously dangerous movement".
Later the Congress according Washbrook, was forced
"tojoin in order to keep upits political credibility". 4
Judith M. Brown states that Village Officer's whose
heart was not in the national movement brought about
the no-tax campaign.

1. Signed Statement of Kcrta Viswanntlium,

2. John Cal'aghur. Gordon Johnson and Anil Seal (Editors) ; Op, cit. p,!93. foot-note,
3 Juiliih M. Brown ; Op. cit p. -23.

4. John Ciullttitlier, Cordon Johnson and Anil Seal (Ed j tori) ; Op. cit, p. 1 98, foot-note.

142 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTIW DISTRICT 1921-47

It should, however, be noted that a no-tax campaign
throughout the country was first mooted in the A I.C.C,
meeting held in Delhi in November 1921 and resolutions
to the effect were passed in the Ahmadabad Congress
session during the fag end of December 1921. The
Guntur D. C. C. drew inspiration from the Delhi resolu-
tions and Ahmadabad resolutions, and embarked upon
no-tax campaign. Without encouragement from above,
the D. C. C would not have taken such a course. So
inspiration for the Gunutur D. C. C, to encourage the
people to withhold taxes came from the Ail India Cong-
ress resolutions, but not the strike of the Village Offi-
cers. The Village Officers' strike came handy to the
D. C. C. It was, no doubt much helpful to the movement,

The revenue authorities, deprived of the assistance of
the Village Officers, found it hard to locate the defaul-
ters to distrain their property and to auction it. Even
if the Village Officers had cooperuted with the autho-
rities, there would not have been much difference as to
the progress of the movement. When the people could
withstand the onslaught of the military, police and re.

venue authorities, could it be anymore hard for them
to withstand the Village Officers who could at best give
them a pin-prii.ks? As a matter of fact, there was never
a chasm between the Village Officers and the village
communities, as was the case with other revenue offi-
cers and the village communities. The village Officers
were a part of the village life*

As to the spontaneity of the movement, there can
not be two opinions. All sections of the people whole-
heartedly plunged into the struggle. There were no
caste distinctions. The uneducated and the unsophisti-
cated introduced himself to the national yearning for
liberty and became a willing partisan in the political
struggle. Though the guiding spirit of the movement

HISTORY OF FRIEDOM MOVKHKNT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1021 47 1 43

was Konda Venkatayya its guiding hand was that of
Parvataneni Veerayya Chowdary, a villager by birth, who
did not receive any formal education on western lines,
Hitherto, the educated played peripheral politics, and
to him politics was a pastime. During the non-coope-
ration movement and the no-tax campaign, all sections
and all communities entered the fray. This created
quite a commotion in bureaucratic circles. As L. T.
Harris put it "The movement is usually referred to as
non-cooperation or civil disobedience; it would be more
appropriately described as attempted revolution; its
express object is to subvert the existing Government". 1

Bal Gangadhar Tilak even as far back as 1896 decla-
red : "The country's emancipation can only be achieved
by removing the clouds of lethargy and indifference
which have been hanging over the peasant, who is the
soul of India. We must remove these clouds and for
that we must completely identify ourselves with the

peasant " 2 During the non-tax campaign, the

clouds of lethargy and indifference of the peasant were
substantially removed in the Guntur district. He was
as much prepared as the student and the teacher, the
worker and the vakil to suffer and sacrifice for the
country.

The peasants became intrepid in their attitude to-
wards the government and its agencies of repression -
police and military. At the height of the campaign in
Duddukuru, Sub-Collector Akbar Hydari of Ongole
proceeded to a village called Maddirala-Muppalla, and
distrained a box in the house? of a ryot tcwur-.s, \ e put
the box in a cart and he was returning to Duddukuru.

I. Report of Harris Member, Board of Revenue on the situation in Krishna, Guiitur
and Godavari dated January I 6, 1922.
(A p, State Archives H F.S. Section)

1. Quoted in D, V, Ttthmaukur'h Surdwr I'ate) (London, IW) p. 92.

144 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT I92I-47

The lady of the house Chigurupati Chinnammi ran after
him, stopped the cart and did not allow the Sub-Collec-
tor to proceed. This happened in the full presence of
the police and military, The Sub-Collector had to
surrender the box and coolly go away. 1 This was indi-
cative of the spirit defiance of authority in the Villages
of Guntut district at that time. As C. V. S. Sastry puts
it succintly, "The atmosphere in the villages. ..was so
charged with dynamism that during those days the writ
of the British Government had no effect on the people
anywhere. Though thesubsequent stages of the freedom
movement called for greater sacrifices aud suffering,
One can with certainty say that the spirit of those days
could never be seen again". 2

1. Kothapally Dasaratharamayya's article 'Ongolu taluka lo Fannula nirakaranamu 1
in Gundlapalli Audinarayana Shasjipnrth^ ^ganghifc^p 76 C V. S. Sastry and
Kota Viswanadham refer extollingly to the courage of this lady in their signed
Statements.

2. Signed statement of C. V. S. Saslry,

The Interlude - 1923 to 1929

SUSPENSION OF NON-COOPERATION AND AFTER

On February 5, 1922 twenty one constables and a
Sub-Inspector of police were burnt alive in Chauri
Chaura near Gorakhpur in U. P. Tho AM India Congress
Committee met at Bardoli on 12th February, and suspen-
ded the non-cooperation movement The A. I. C. C.
requested all Congressmen "to stop all activities
designed to court and arrost and imprisonment, all
volunteer processions and public meetings merely for
the purpose of defiance of notifications."' One day
earlier the Guntur District Congress Committee met at
Konda Venkatappayya's house and on the advice of
Gandhi and the recommendation of D. C.C. sub-commi-
ttee suspended the no-tax compaign in the Guntur
district.

In spite of the withdrawal of the movement at the
national and district level, the government continued
its policy of repression. All important leaders were

Patublu Suttfttnjttyya; Op. cit Vol-!, pp, 235,

146 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

jailed. Rutherford and the Governor's Body Guard
(Infantry) camped on the outskirts of Pedanandipadu
and arrested those who were suspected to have taken
part either in the no-tax campaign or had any contacts
with Santi Sena. The arrested were tried and sentenced
to various terms in jail. Parvataneni Veerayya Chow-
dary was arrested and lodged in the Guntur sub-jail.
Later he tendered apology to the Government and ob-
tained release. This caused great anguish to Konda
Venkatappayya. 1 The government brought up a case
against Venkatappayya. Rutherford tried him, and
awarded one year simple imprisonment. 2

What happened at Ramapuram, a village which lies
on the banks of the Krishna about 43 miles from IMarasa-
raopet, was illustrative of the repression let loose by the
government in Guntur District. The villagers of Rama-
purm were accused of obstructing the Tahsildar in the
discharge of his official duties. The treatment given to
the villagers on February 13, 1922 the Collector himself
recorded : "When we reached Ramapurm, well before
dawn, we surrounded the village completely with the
Body-guard and the Reserve, most of the villagers being
asleep. When the village was surrounded I and the
Distrjct Superintendent ot Police, the Divisional Officer
and the Deputy Superintendent entered the main en-
trance and calling up the Village Officers, we directed
all the villagers to assemble in order that we might
hold an identification parade and discover and arrest
those guilty of resisting the Tahsildar and the Inspector
of Police. When the villagers found that the village was
completely surrounded an.d that resistence was impossi-
ble we had little difficulty with them. Some attempts at

I . Konda Venkatappayya: Op. cit. pp. '299, 300.
2. Ibid. p. 302.

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921 47 147

escape were frustrated. By about an hour after dawn
toe'had assembled practically the whole of the male
population of the village and the identification parade
was commenced. Altogether eighteen arrests were
made. I then warned the villagers as to the extreme
folly of their behaviour and advised them to desist from

I ^f I

listening to evil advisers".'

The District Collector's account of the incidents in
Rarnapuram on 13th February, and the incidents in
Minchalapadu of February 26th described in detail in the
Fourth Chapter under the caption Palnad Forest Saty-
agraha indicate that though the A. L C. C. and the D.C.C
suspended the non-cooperation movement, there were
still pockets of resistance to the British authority in
the district.

As a matter of fact, the leaders found it hard to
explain the rationale behind their decision suspending
the movement. When Konda Venkatappayya was expla-
ining to the ryots in Pedanandipadu that though the
movement was withdrawn for the present it would be
started again at an appropriate time and that Indians
were bound to get swaraj a not-too-literate ryot con-
fronted him with two questions : "Without waging a
war is it possible to achieve independence ? Is there
any country which attained independence this way?". 2

However, it may be noted that leaderless and faced
with this might of British bureaucracy with all its
coercive and repressive measures, the people could not
stand long. It produced deep depression among the

italli.-ift.-ww;, o

1. District Collector, Outuur to Graham. Chief Secretary to ihc Government of
MadruB Fort St. Cioorfcc, Madras dated February 22, I-922.

(AP, State Archives, H.F.S. Section) .- ;.*

2. Konda Venkaiiippnyyft -'Op. cit. p: 301.

148 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT I92I-47

people. As A. K. Majumdar put it, "with the end of
non-cooperation movement began lean years of the
Congress".' This continued till 1929. Though during
this period the movement for independence remained
dormant, it should not be supposed that there was no
political activity in the Guntur district. Though there
were no jail-goings and violation of British laws on a
massive scale, there were incidents, national and local
that kept the embers of freedom movement aflame.

THE CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE ENQUIRY COMMITTEE

With the arrest of Gandhi on March 13, 1922 and the
sentence of six years passed on him on March 18th, 2
a shadow descended on the Congress at all levels. It
was widely debated whether the country was prepared
for civill disobedience. It was also thought necessary
that a clear reassessment of the situation should be
taken. With the slackening of the movement, the govern-
ment set in full motion its machinery of repression.
So a section of Congressmen wanted to revive civil
disobedience in someform or other. To find solution to
those problems, the A. I. C. C. met at Lucknow on the
7th, 8th and 9th of June 1922 and authorised the Presi-
dent Hakim Ajmal Khan to nominate a committee to tour
the country and report on the situation. Accordingly,
the President nominated Motilal Nehru, Dr. Ansari, V. J.
Patel, S. Kasturi Ranga lyengar, C, Rajagopalachariar
and Seth Chothani. Hakim Ajmal Khan was the Chair-
man of the committee. Seth Chothani could not join
the committee, however. This committee later became
famous as Civil Disobedience Enquiry Committee. 3

1 . A. K. Majunodar : Advent of Independence (Bombay, 1 963) p. 98,

2. B. Pattabhi Sitaramayya : Op. cit. Vol-I, pp. 237, 238.

3. Ibid. p. 243.

HISTORY 07 FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 149

As a part of their tour programme the Civil Disobe-
dience Enquiry Committee visited Guntur on August 1*
1922. When the train stopped at Tenali station large
crowds gathered "to express their patriotism." Telugu
verses cordially welcoming the committee were read.
Motilal Nehru, Dr. M. A. Ansari, Kasturi Ranga lyengar
and other members of the committee expressed their
happiness for the splendid welcome extended to them
by the Tenali people. They exhorted the people to carry
on the constructive programme of the Congress. 1

In Guntur large sections of people gathered to wel-
come the Civil Disobediance Enquiry Committee. The
Sub-divisional Magistrate promulgated Section 144 Cr.
P. C. prohibiting Congress and Khilafat volunteers from
taking part in the reception of the leaders or in the pro-
cessions connected therewith. Even before the arrival
of the committee to Guntur, 250 people were arrested.
Among them were Unnava Lakshminarayana and Mada-
bhushi Vedantam Narasimhacharyulu. The pandal raised
in order to hold a public meeting was pulled down by
the police. 2

But the most important event connected with the
visit of the Civil Disobedience Enquiry Committee was
the civic address presented by the Guntur Municipal

Council. The Municipal Council had earlier voted a
public welcome address which had been vetoed by the
Collector "who chose to constitute himself the public
censor of the Council's conduct". 3 However, it was re-
solved that the Chairman of the Municipal Council,
Raza Khan Saheb, should read the municipal address.

datcd August 2, (922.

2. ThejJindu dated August 2, 1V22.
3 ^-l!Il!!.^ dated August 2, I92J.

1 50 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT I92|~4?

Since section 144 Cr. P. C. was promulgated, the Chair-
man lost nerve and fled the scene. Thereupon, Tangu-
turi Prakasam enjoined N. V. L. Narasimharao, a member
of the council, to read the address. N. V. L. Narasimha.
rao replied that if he was nominated Chairman of the
Council by the large crowds that gathered there, he
would defy Section 144 Cr. P. C. by reading welcome
address to the committee. Thereupon, Motilal Nehru
addressed the people that gathered there thus: "lam
vetoing the veto of the Collector. Your Chairman has
absconded. I am appointing Narasimharao as your Chair-
man. Do you agree?" The vast gathering rapturously
applauded and approved the proposition of Motilal
Nehru. N. V. L. Narasimharao read out and presented
the welcome address to the Civil Disobedience Enquiry
Committee.' Pandit Motilal Nehru, in his reply, expla-
ined the peculiar significance and the value of the muni-
cipal address. The address and the reception accorded
to them showed that the people of Guntur were firmly
on the side of the Congress and wedded to the ideals of
swaraj in spite of adverse circumstances, 2

The incidents that took place in Guntur during the
Civil Disobedience Enquiry Committee's visit caused
anxiety to the government. FLA. Graham, Chief Secretary
to the Government of Madras called it a "revival of
non-cooperation propaganda-'. The Chief Secretary in
his letter to S.P.O. Donnel, Secretary, Home Department,
Government of India referred to the "large meeting in
the evening at which one of the non-cooperatingcouncil-
lors of the municipality read, as coming from the people

I Personal papers of N. V, L. Narasimharao.
2 The Hindu dated August 2, 1922.

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT J92I-47 1 5 1

of Guntur, the address voted by the council but vetoed
by the Collector". '

SWARAJ PARTY

The Civil Disobedience Enquiry Committee come to
the conclusion that the country was not prepared for
civil disobedience but authorised the P. C. Cs to "sanc-
tion limited mass civil disobedience on their own res-
ponsibility " Three members of the committee-Hakim

Ajmal Khan, Motilal Nehru and V. J. Patel - recommen-
ded that "non-cooperators should contest the elections
on the issue of the redress of the Punjab and Khilafat
wrongs and immediate Swarajya, and make every endea-
vour to be returned in a majority". If the non-coopera-
tors were to be returned in majority they should oppose
all governmental measures and scuttle the functioning
of the Houses. This was opposed by M. A. Ansari,
C. Rajagopalachari and S. Kasturi Ranga lyengar. But the
committee, however/ unanimously recommended that
non-cooperators should seek elections to the Munici-
palities and District and Local Boards with a view to
facilitating the working of the constructive programme. 2

These recommendations illustrate ( the mood of the
top leadership of the Congress. There was a tendency
to change programme, shift emphasis and alter tactics.
There emerged two wings in the Congress-pro-changers
and no-changers. Those that favoured Council entry were
the pro-changers and those that opposed it were the no-
changers. C. R. Das and Motilal Nehru were the important
leaders who advocated Council entry to render the

1. R. A. Graham, Chief Secretary to the Government of Madras to S. P. O. Donnel,
Secretary, Home Department, Government of India, dated August 16, 1922.
No, 68/0- 1.

(A.P. State Archives, H,F,S, Section)

2, B. Fatmbhi Slturumayyu : Op, oit, VoM, pp. 216, 247.

152 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

reforms of the government unworkable from within.
Orthodox Gandhians like Rajagopalachari, -Rajendra
Prasad and Vallabhai Patel were for continued boycott
of the Councils.

The controversy between the pro-changers and the
no-changers came to a head at the Gaya Congress held
in December 1922. The President of the Congress, C.R.
Das, made an impassioned plea for Council entry, but
no-changers' group carried the day. The resolution
passed at Gaya regarding the Council entry was as
follows. "Whereas the boycott of Councils carried
out during the elections held in 1920 has destroyed
the moral strength of the institutions through which
Government sought to consolidate *.its power and carry
on its irresponsible rule : And whereas it is necessary
again for the people of India to withhold participation
in the elections of the next year as an essential pro-
gramme of non-voilent non-cooperation: This Congress
resolves to advise that all voters shall abstain from
standing as condidates for any one of the Councils and
from voting for any candidate offering himself as such
in disregard of this advice, and to signify the abstention
in such manner as the All India Congress Committee may
instruct in that behalf".'

In spite of his defeat at the Gaya Congress on the
Council entry C R. Das was undaunted. He resigned
the Presidentship of the Congress and with the active
cooperation of Motilal Nehru, Vithalbhai Patel, Malaviya
and Jayakar formed the Swaraj Party. C. R. Das was the
President and Motilal Nehru was one of the Secretaries
of the Swaraj Party which announced a policy of
"uniform, continuous and consistent obstruction with a

I. Quoted in Jagadish Sharma's India^ Struggle for Freedom
Vol. I ( New Delhi, 1962 ) p. 93, ~

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT |92l-47 163

view to make Government through the Assembly and the
Councils impossible". 1

On March 23, 1923 the Guntur branch of the Swaraj
Party was formed under the presidency of Madabhushi
Vedantam Narasimhacharyulu. A committee was formed
with Unnava Lakshminarayana, G. Ramalingayya, B.
Raghvarao, Patri Anantarao, S. Suryanarayana Chow-
dary, Eluru Hanumantharao, G. S. A. Narasimharao,
K. Rajeswararao and V. Rangachari, the last mentioned
acting as the Secretary. It was also resolved that U.
Lakshminarayana, M. V. Narasimhacharyulu and G.
Ramalingayya to form a sub-committee to undertake a
tour of the district and enlist members. 2

C. R. Das started en a tour of South India which
"was one of the strong-holds of Gandhism". 3 Asa
part of it Das visited Guntur on June 29, 1923
accompanied by V. Ramadass and V. L. Sastry, Andhra
Swaraj Party leaders. The Hindu's account of the visit
of C. R. Das shows that the people of Guntur were
"strongly opposed to Council entry". The paper wrote
that Das "had to meet with a great deal of opposition
to his programme in this once strong centre of Non-
cooperation in South India", The reception accorded
to Das was "a poor one*'. "At the public meeting the
gathering was small and there were just 600 persons".
Four addresses were presented to him on this occasion
out of which two expressed themselves against the policy
of the Council entry. 4 The address of the Guntur Munici-
pal Council presented by N.V, L. Narasimharao, itsChair-
man, who did not subscribe to the Council entry 5 was

I. Bipin Chandra, Antilles Tripathi and Barua De Op. cit. p. H4,

2 The Hindu dated March 2/i, IW.

3 J P. Sud a Op cit. p. 2I3.

4, The Hindu dmcd June JO, l9J!i.

- . . . .. u.VS-.

5 Personal piiptrrM of N. V. L. Nurusimharao.

154 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT J921-47

according to The Hindu "a candid statement of the
view of the people there". The paper quotes from the
address : "We have now embarked upon a programme
which is fraught with uncertainties and your path is
more thorny than that of Mahatmaji because- when
Mahatmaji launched his world revolutionising move-
ment our National Congress not only blessed the move-
ment but also adopted it, thus minimising greatly
Mahatmaji's responsibility either for its success or

otherwise Allow us to sound a note of warning that

any false step on the part of your followers will adversly
effect the position of the Congress". The address
further pointed out that but for the soul purifying move-
ment of the non-cooperation " the Guntur Satyagraha
would have been impossible in this land of slavery
and stagnation". '

There were also heated exchanges between C. R. Das
and members of the audience in the public meeting held
on June 29th. The Hindu in its issue of June 30, 1923
wrote, "Members of the audience from all sides

showed restlessness and interrupted the speach In

the result the meeting became a boisterous one Das

was heckled with questions At one stage Das grew

indignant and excited". The Hindu also gave in detail
the exchanges between C. R. Das and Duggirala Gopala-
krishnayya.

It becomes evident, therefore, that the Swaraj Party
did not make much head-way in the Guntur district
which under the leadership of Gandhians like Konda

Venkatappayya remained largely wedded to the orthodox
section of the Congress.

1. The Hindu dated June 30, 1923.

HISTORY Or FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 156

However, the schism between the Congress and the
Swaraj Party did not last long. Gandhi suddenly took
III during his imprisonrr.ent of six years, and had to be
operated upon for appendicitis on January 12th, 1924-
Gandhi rapidly recovered and he was unconditionally
released on 5th February Thereafter, when he was
taking rest at Juhu, a sea-side resort near Bombay,
conversations took place between Gandhi and Das, !
which bore fruit. According to the understanding
reached at, C. R Das and Motilal Nehru were able to
get the sanction of Gandhi to try the experiment of
Council entry. 2

Though the Swarjists did not make much headway
in the Guntur District Congress, they were busy with
election work to the Council of State, Local Boards and
the Guntur Municipal Council. On January 29, 1925
they sponsored the candidature of V. Ramadass to the
Council of State to the vacancy caused by the resig-
nation of V. S. S, Sastry. ' The Hindu of August 3, 1925
reported that V. Rangachari, the leading Swarjist of the
Guntur district engaged himself with Local Board
elections. It also reported that the Swaraj Party made
an impressive mark on the Taluk Board elections. In the
municipal elections conducted in August 1925 Swaraj
Party made a good show of itself. 4

When the controversy was going on between the
orthodox and the heterodox forces in the Congress, an
incident occured which brought the Guntur district into
national lime-light. The A. I. C. C. that met in Bombay
on May 26, 1923 decided that no propaganda be carried
on amongst the voters in furtherance of the resolution

. B. Patiubhi Siiaramuyyu : Op. eil. V^l-I, p. 267,
2 Ibid, p 274.

3. This Hindu dated January 29. 1925.

4, The Hindu dated August ?l. l'J25.

156 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUK DISTRICT 1921-47

passed at the Gaya Congress with regard to the boycott
of the Councils. As a result of this, C. Rajagopalachari,
Vallabhai Patel, Rajendra Prasad, Brij Kishore Prasad,
G. V. Deshponde and Jamanlal Bajaj resigned from the
Working Committee. So the Working Committee was
reconstituted and work was carried on under the Chair-
manship of Dr. Ansari. ' The Bombay compromise was
not to the liking of a number of Provincial Congress
Committees. The A. I. C. C. met in the second week of
July 1923 at Nagpur and declared its adherence to "the
propriety and validity of the compromise resolution

passed by this Committee on 26th May " The A.LC.C.

proceeded to condemn the Tamiinadu Congress Commi-
ttee for acting contrary to the Bombay resolution. This
was objected to by a section of the A. I. C. C. The house
agreed to drop proceedings agasinst the Tamiinadu
Congress. Thereupon, the mover of the proposal
Jawaharlal Nehru and the Chairman Dr. Ansari resigned,
The resignations were accepted by the A. I. C. C. and
a new Working Committee was constituted with Konda
Venkatappayya as the President J and Duggirala Gopala
krishnayya as the Secretary. * This was a unique honour
to the Guntur district which played such an important
role during the non-cooperation movement. Till the
third week of September 1923 when the Special Session
of the Congress was held at Delhi under the President-
ship of Moulana Abul Kalam Azad 4 the All-India Con-
gress Committee was led by the two great leaders of the
freedom movement in the Guntur district.

Another important result of the A. I- C. C. meeting
of Nagpur was the Nagpur Flag Satyagraha. The
genesis of this Satyagraha was the objection of the

1. B. Paitabhi Sitaramayya : Op. oil. Vnl-I, p. 2i5.

2. Ibid P. 256.

3. Gummidithala Venkata Subbarau : Op. Cit. p, 2-10,

4. B, Pattahhi Sitaramayya : Op cit. Vol-1, p. 260.

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 157

police to the carrying of the National Flag by a proces-
sion proceeding towards the Civil Lines of the city.
Section 144 Cr. P. C. was promulgated on May 1, 1923
in Nagpur. When the processionists insisted on their
right to carry the flag they were arrested and sentenced-
The Nagpur Flag Satyagraha soon developed into an all
India issue 1 , and volunteers were sent from different
parts of the country to Nagpur to take part in the satya-
graha. Donthireddy Ramireddy, Singampally Subbarao,
Malladi Venkata Krishnayya, Mattam Balasubrahmanyam
Gupta and Bhattiprolu Surya Prakasarao took part in the
Nagpur Flag Satyagraha on behalf of the Guntur district.
After their return from Nagpur, a meeting was held in
the Swaraj Maidan, Guntur on September 19, 1923 under
the Chairmanship of Gopalam Ramalingayya. National
Flags and Gandhi caps were presented to the Nagpur
Satyagrahis on this occasion. 2 Thus, while the battle
between the no-changers and pro-changers within the
Congress raged the country and with it the Guntur dis-
trict was alive "to larger issues involving the self res-
pect of a people who had been woken up from their
slumber by Gandhi". 3

CONSTRUCTIVE PROGRAMME.

When the Congress and with it the country was
convulsing with differences between the no-changers
and the pro-changers, and when there was a slump in
the political activity between 1923 and 1929, the people
of the Guntur District embarked upon considerable
constructive programme of Gandhi.

The Guntur District Congress Committee issued a
notification on March 12, 1923 requesting the people

1. Ibid p,

2. The Hindu Uutcd September 29, 1 923,

3. M V. Rumanarno : Op cit p.

158 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUfi DISTRICT I92I-47

of the district to observe National Week till 18th March
by hawking Khaddar at reasonable rates, enrolling Con-
gress members, forming village Congress committees
and collecting Tilak Swaraj Fund. The people were
particularly requested not to forget Gandhi's Khaddar
message and to hawk Khaddar. The people were also
requested to make arrangements on 18th March, the day
of Gandhi's incarceration, to clothe the blind, the lame
and the sick among the Harljans. ' In pursuance of this
appeal the 18th of March, 1923 was observed with
" charecteristic simplicity" in Guntur. Khaddar was
hawked early in tho day. There was large sale of
Khaddar in spite of the petty tyranny practised by the
government. In the evening a public meeting was held
in which Bhavanacharyulu spoke at length on Gandhi
Saka - Gandhi Era - and appealed to all to adopt it. 2

Along with the propagation of Khaddar, the district
people did not lose sight of the evil of foreign goods,
especially foreign cloth. The Guntur public observed
March 12, 1929 as the Foreign Cloth Boycott Propaganda
Day. There was a big procession which wended its way
through the municipal streets and thoroughfares. The
procession was led by Konda Venkatappayya, N. V. L.
Narasimharao, Maddi Venkata Rangayya and G. V.
Punnayya Sastry. A number of enthusiatic youngmen
went through the town and collected a big bundle of
foreign cloth and made a bonfire of it. In the public
meeting held in the evening Konda Venkatappyya exhor-
ted the people not to buy or wear foreign cloth. 3

Propaganda against drink was carried on by the
district leaders in the true Gandhian spirit by holding

I. The Hindu dated March 13, 1923.
2 The Hindu dated March 21, 1923.
3- The Hindu dated March 13, 1929.

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEWE;n IN GUNTUR DISTRICT F92I-47 159

Prohibition Days. Of them the most memorable was the
one held on March 24, 1929. A procession of Congress-
men headed by G. V. Punnayya Sastry went through the
streets of Guntur. A public meeting was held that day
presided over by Chatti Narasimham. Kalluri Subbarao,
prominent Congress leader of the Anantapur distinct,
spoke at length on swadeshi. Ch. Bhavayya Chowdary
enumerated the details for an organised political
campaign in the district. '

Of all the items of constructive programme the one
that attained recognition far and wide was "Universal
Brahmanisation", a scheme planned by Duggirala
Gopalakrishnayya with Chirala as the centre. By this
Gopalakrishnayya wanted to root out casteism in the
Hindu religion. According to him "the present day
Brahmins are Brahmins only in name. They must first be
destroyed. And with them, the non-Brahmins also will
go. Then must begin the creation of a neo-Brahminical
race, which will have no distinction of caste or creed,
touchable or untouchable. Then there will be only one
caste in the country viz., of Brahmins". 2 To attain
Brahminism, he prescribed three tests viz., 1) wearing
of Khaddar, 2) practising of ahimsa or non-voilence and
3) the recital of Gayatri. 3 * Gopalakrishnayya propaga-
ted this new scheme practically from the time he was
released from Trichinopoly jail on October 2, 1922 till
his premature death on June 10, 1928. But Gopala-
krishnayya's neo-Brahminism did not make much head-
way. The caste system was too much enmeshed in the
Hindu religion as to be rooted out by mere enunciation
of some new ideas. Further, neo-Brahminism did not

I. ^he_Hta4u dated March 27, 1929,

2 Gunimidithalft Vcnkata Subbarau : Op- cit. p. 23 j,
3, Ibid, p, 2' 9.
* According to tradition CJayatri i,s u hymn which Brahmins alone can recite.

1 6O HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT. IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921 47

receive the approval of Gandhi. When this matter was
broached by Konda Venkatappayya, Gandhi questioned
that instead of Brahminising "why not we Harijanise
every-body ?". ' As Prof. M. Venkaiarangaiya observed,
Gopalakrishnayya's ideas were too radical to be
accepted. " He had to plough a lonely furrow and be
satisfied with merely propagating them through his
lectures and writings. But they are all ideas which have
an originality and vitality about them and which have
served as source of inspiration to several sections of
the people in Andhra. They constitute one of the
permanent legacies of... the constructive programme". 2

SIMON COMMISSION BOYCOTT.

The current of the freedom movement in the Guntur
district again attained high velocity with the appoint-
ment of the Simon Commission by the British Cabinet
with a view to determining what further action should
be taken to extend, change or lessen the degree of
responsible government then existing in India. This
Commission was composed of seven members with Sir
John Simon as the Chairman. Since there was no Indian
on this body which was to draft a constitution for India,
the Indian National Congress resolved, among other
things, to organise mass demonstrations in several cities
on the day of the arrival of the Commission in India,
and to organise public opinion by vigorous demonstra-
tions for the boycott of the Commission, "

In pursuance of this resolution on February 3, 1928,
the day of the arriaval of the Commission in Bombay, a
complete hartal was observed in Guntur. AH most all

1. G. V. Subbarau's article " Desabhakta Komia Vcnkatappayyu Panihulu" in
Dcsabhakta CenJcnary Souvenir. Editor Prof. M Venkatar;nij;aiya
(Hyderabad)

2. M. Venktttarangaiya ; Op. cit. Vol III, p. 6-1,
3.. B Pattuhhi Sitaramayya : Op. cit. VoM, jv UH.

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 161

shops were closed and the bazar put up "the appearence
of a deserted village". All educational institutions
and the Municipal and Taluk Board Offices were closed.
A very big representative meeting was held in the
evening. Konda Venkatappayya and others made
"inspiring speaches". Tenali also observed a complete
hartal. '

In Andhra, Guntur and Ongole were selected for
the Commission's visit. T. Prakasam, V. Ramadass and
V. V. Jogayya issued a statement to the press in which
they "earnestly" appealed "to the public and local

bodies of Guntur and Ongole to maintain national

self-respect and make the boycott effective and real in
both places. Let not Guntur and Ongole betray the
Country's cause at this juncture". 2

The Commission arrived in Guntur on February 23,
1928. The Congress leaders and the students took out
a process! n from the Swaraj Office with innumerable
black flags and placards with the motto "Simon, go
back" and other boycott slogans. Huge lines of black
flags were waved on either side as the Simon Commis-
sion motored from the special train. 3 Students of
various educational institutions enthusiastically took
part in the boycott programme. J. Roy Strock, Principal
of the Andhra Christian College indirectly appealed to
the students to leave the college that day if they had
any patriotism in them. Similarly Buddiraju Rama-
chandrarao. Headmaster, Town High School did not allow
police into the premises of the Town High School to take
away some slogan shouting students. He shouted at

1. The Hindu dated February 6, 1928.

2. The Hindu dated February 22, 1928.

3. The Hindu dated February 2-1. 1928.

1 62 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 192I 47

the police: "This institution is my estate. Nobody
can enter the premises of my school without my permis-
sion, and I am responsible for the behaviour of my
students, who are my children ". l

On 23rd evening a huge public meeting was held
under the presidentship of N. V. L. Narasimharao. 2
Ayyadevara Kaleswararao arrived earlier in Guntur with
three thousand Santi Sena volunteers. N. V. L. Nara-
simharao introduced him to the vast audience as
"Tandra Papayya that had come from Bezawada to
defend the ramparts of Guntur ". 3 Konda Venkatappayya,
N. V. L, Narasimharao and Ayyadevara Kaleswararao
made eloquent and inspiring speeches emphasising the
boycott of the British goods and congratulating the
people of Guntur on the complete, successful and non-
voilent hartal. ' v

On February 25th the Simon Commission visited
some rural areas near Guntur. In Chebrole and Kotta-
reddipalem boycott arches greeted the Commission. In
Kottareddipalem the Commission managed to visit the
Panchama Labour School. ** When the Simon Commission
Special Train steamed through Tenali and Chirala, large
crowds gathered at the railway stations and raised full-
throated cries : " Simon, go back ", " Mahatma Gandhi
ki jai". 6

GUNTUR ALL-PARTIES' CONFERENCE

The appointment of the All-White Simon Commission
produced one good result for Indian politics, It brought

I . Signed statement of Boddapati Suhbarao.

2. The Hindu dated February 24, 1 928.

3. Ayyadevara Kaleswararao : Op. cit. p. 47-I.

4. The Hindu dated February 24,

5 heHindu dated February 25,

6, The Hindu dated February 28 I92'<.

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT J92I-47 163

all the important political parties together. The All-
Parties' Conference held 25 sittings, and on May 19,
1928 appointed a committee with Motilal Nehru as
President to draft the principles of a constitution for
India.'

The Motilal Report "a rare feat of statesmanship" 2
recommended declaration of rights, parliamentary
system of government, bicameral legislature, adult
franchise, redrawing of the boundaries of the provinces
on the basis of language and an independent judiciary
with Supreme Court at its apex. 3 The report accepted
Dominion Status for India.

Again the All-Parties' Conference met at Lucknow
on the 28th, 29th and 30th of August, 1928 and declared
in favour of Dominion Self-Government. Some political
parties pleaded for complete independence. The con-
ference, however, did not restrict the liberty of action
to those political parties whose goal was complete
independence. 4

An All-Parties' Conference was held at Guntur on
October 13, 1928 when Besant and her party visited the
town. Representatives of all political parties enthusia-
stically took part in the Conference. Among those
present were Konda Venkatappayya, Unnava Lakshmi-
narayana, Gollapudi Sitaramasastry, N. V. L. Narasimha-
rao. K, Rajeswararao, M. Hanumantharao, K. Subrah-
manya Sastry (Repalle), N. Subbarao (Tenali), S. Rama-
swamy Chowdary, M. Jayanarayana (Bapatla), Bhavana-
chari and others. The Conference recorded its deep

1. B. Puttabhi Situramuyya : Op. cit. Vol-1, pp. 322, 323.

2. K. M, Munshi ' Pilgrimage to Freedom, Vol-I,

(Bombay, 1964) p. 2<t,

3. Quoted in Tara Chanel's Hjsrory of Freedom Movement in India^ Vol-IV,

PP iu, in ' "

4. B. Puitahhi Sitarumayyu : Op. cit. p. lU'j.

1 64 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT IS2l~47

appreciation of the labours of the sub-committee of AIU
Parties' Conference and accorded its cordial support to
the resolution adopted by the Conference held at
Lucknow "Without resticting the liberty of action of
those political parties whose goal is complete indepen-
dence " the Guntur All-Parties' Conference declared
that 1) the form of government to be established in
India should be responsible - a government in which the
executive should be responsible to a popularly elected
legislature possessing full and plenary powers and
2) that such form of government should in no event be
lower than that of self-governing dominion. The
Conference called on all organised political parties in
the country to carry on sustained propaganda in
furtherance thereof. l

By 1929 Guntur district fully got over the little
inertia that had overtaken her since the suspension of
the non-cooperation movement. She was again all
ready to plunge into the subsequent movements of the
freedom struggle for which the national and local
leaders were preparing blue-prints.

The Hindu dated October 15. 1928,

VII

Salt Satyagraha and Civil Disobedience

LAHORE CONGRESS AND AFTER

With the Lahore session of the Congress in December

1929 presided over by Jawaharlal Nehru "the hero of
the youth of India and the symbol of their new resolve
for freedom " ' the lean years of the freedom struggle in
the Guntur district were past. The Lahore session
changed the Congress creed from dominion status to
complete independence. It appealed to the nation
"zealously to prosecute the constructive programme of
the Congress ", and authorised the All India Congress
Committee to launch a programme of civil disobedience.
The Working Committee decided to observe January 26,

1930 as Independence Day and authorised Gandhi to
start civil disobedience in the way he thought best.
Gandhi started the movement marching from Sabarmati
to Dandi with the intention of breaking Salt Laws* 2
R. C. Majumdar's account of Gandhi's march to Dandi

1. K. P. C. Mcnon : Nehru, the Sprinff of Eternal Youth
(Lahore. Year of publication not mentioned), p. 68.

2. R R. Diwakur ; Satyagraha, the power of Truth
(Hinsdalc, Illinois, I968), pp. 79, 80

166 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUK DISTRICT I92I-47

and the inauguration of civil disobedience is worth
quoting: "On March 12, 1930 Gandhi with 79 male
and female members left the Sabarmati Ashram on foot
and reached the sea at Dandi on 5th April. It was a
veritable triumphal progress. The villagers flocked
from all sides, sprinkled the roads, strewed leaves on

them, and as the pilgrims passed, sank on their knees

Early on the morning of the sixth of April Gandhi and his
party dipped into the sea-water and picked up some salt
left by the waves". It was a "deliberate act of
defiance to the mighty British Government", and "it
was a signal to the nation". ' " Saft suddenly became a
mysterious word, a word of power. The salt tax was
to be attacked and the Salt Laws were to be broken". 2

Konda Venkatappayya first entertained grave doubts
as to the efficacy of the breaking of Salt Law, He felt
that the mighty British government would in no way be
shaken by manufacturing contraband salt. 3 But when
he saw the entire nation galvanised after Gandhi's Dandi
march, 4 his doubts cleared, and he became an enthusia-
stic participant,

SALT SATYAGRAHA IN THE GUNTUR DISTRICT

The Working Committee of the Guntur District Con-
gress met on March 29 under the Presidentship of Unnava
Lakshmibayamma. The committee entrusted the satya-
graha movement to a War Council (Satyagraha Samara
Sangham) consisting of N. V. L. Narasjmharao, Anche
Sivayya and Seeram Subbarao Naidu. They were
empowered to nominate their successors as occasion

1 R. C. Majumdar: Op. cit. Vol-IH, p

2 1C. P. C Mcnon : Op cit. p 69,

3. Konda Venkauppayya ; Op. cit. p .'H4.

4. Ibid. p. 347.

HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 167

arose. The committee made plans to enlist three
thousand volunteers. The volunteers made extensive
propaganda in the towns and the country-side of the
district ' before they reached Guntur where a vast
'Sibiram* was established in Yedavallivari choultry. 2

To supervise and guide the satyagraha Unnava
Lakshminarayana was appointed the dictator. 3 When
he was arrested Seeram Subbarao Naidu took his place.
When he was also jailed Kailuri Chandramouli was
appointed dictator 4

Unnava Lakshmibayamma worked hard to bestir the
women to join the salt satyagraha. She took out
processions in Guntur, and by celebrating the traditional
religious functions in which generally women of India
participate drew the woman into the vortex of the
movement. One such function was ' Swarajya Lakshmi
Vratam* celebrated with eclat on April 1 , 1 930. In the
evening the ladies of Guntur again met and singing
national songs went round the town and exhorted the
local women "to take their due share in the salt
satyagraha campaign". 5

Throughout the salt satyagraha the Guntur Municipal
Council under the Chairmanship of N.V. L. Narasimharao
remained the bastion of the movement. Besides the
Guntur Municipality, the Taluk Boards of Ongole,
Sattenapalle and the Municipality of Chirala passed
resolutions sympathising with civil disobedience

1. The Hindu dated March 31, 1930.

-,* -.wi..ri-'uilrrflM-.Wi"li.--i.i>t

2. Kondu Venkauppayya ; Op. cit. p. 347.

3. BoddapatI Subbarao's article * Guntur ZiUa to uppu Satyagrahamu nati smrutulu '
Krishna patrifca dated August 19. 1972, p, 12.

4. Th^Hindu dated June 5, 1930.

5. The Hindu dated April i2, 1930.

168 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVfMEHT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

movement 1 in spite of the government warning earlier
that it would not hesitate " to resort to the powers of

supersession and dissolution " - The Guntur Munici-

pality did all it could to make salt satyagraha a success
in the Guntur town. N. V. L. Narasimharao says that
as the Chairman he handed over the municipality to the
satyagrahis. j On March 15, 1930 the Council placed on
record their " heartfelt appreciation for the campaign
of satyagraha started by Mahatmaji and prayed for its
success".- 1 The District Collector, Guntur, wrote to
his superiors that the "Guntur Municipal Council is
probably the worst offender in the presidency. It has
been discovered that it was actively assisting the

volunteers who assembled in Guntur The Sibiram

accounts show that a Municipal Sanitary Inspector was
actually managing the Sibiram and keeping the funds". b

With the active participation of the municipality and
the general enthusiasm sweeping the rural and urban
areas, the stage was set for the defiance of the Salt Law.
The volunteers from the different taluqs, after touring
villages and towns, converged on Guntur on April 6,
1930 where they wore received by the local volunteers,
They reached the tank called Krishna Sagar, where, seated
on the steps of the reservoir, everyone of them took the
firm oath to fight for the freedom of the country with
all the might at their command, Konda Venkatappayya
sprinkled sandal-water on every one of the volunteers.
From there the volunteers marched in a procession to
the Central Camp - Pradhana Sibiram- in Yedavallivari

1. D. O. No. I 9249 R-2-2, L & M elated July J. 1 93'.;,
(A.P, State Archives, H.F.S. Section)

2. D. O. No. 2'||4, L&M.. dated June I 7, I9JO.
(A P, State Archives, II F.S. Section)

3. Personal papers of N. V. L. Narasimharao.

4. Enclosure to Collector's letter dated July 25, I ra i C. B. Coitorcll. Chief
Secretary to the Government of Madras. Fort St. George,

A P. State Archives, H.F.S. Section)

5. Ibid.

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT !N GUNTUR DISTKICT 1921-47 169

choultry. Gandhi's portrait was carried on a double-
horse coach all through the procession. There were
many women in the procession. Unnava Lakshmi-
bayamma, Eka Ratnamba, President of the Gunturu Sanatan a
Dhatma Mandati* P. Satyabayamma wife of D. Venkayya,
Professor of A. C, College and the students and the
teachers of Saradaniketan were in the procession. On
the morning of 7th Gandhi's successful breaking of the
Salt Law at Dandi the day earlier was announced to the
volunteers. Konda Venkatappayya asked the volunteers
and the satyagrahis not to be puffed up with the news.
He said that Gandhi's breaking of the Salt Law was
not the culmination of the satyagraha but only its
beginning. '

Konda Venkatappayya's residence was selected for
breaking Salt Law. On 9th April 2 Konda Venkatappayya,
Gollapudi Sitaramasastry, Lakshmibayamma, See ram
Subbarao Naidu and others of the Guntur District
Congress proceeded to Vadarevu and brought salt brine
in pots to Venkatappayya's house. They boiled the brine
and manufactured contraband salt. The salt thus
prepared was taken out in small packets by the enthusi-
astic volunteers and sold to the people. The volunteers
after haw/king the contraband salt assembled at the
tank near Uu shrine of Lord Siva where they were
received by Konda Venkatappayya and Unnava Lakshmi-
bayamma, the latter singing "Veera gandhamu techchi namu,
veeru levvaro tclupudi " (Tell us who the heroes are, we
have come to anoint them). * *

I The Hindu dated April 7. IVJO.

2, District Magistrate F. W. Stewart's Account of tho Salt Satyagraha Movement
; h. r=,...,.. ^:*../-f dated January 2J7~i93l.

(A.P, Stale Archives, H.F.S. Section)

3. Konda Venkatappayya : Op. cit. pp. 350, 3 l )\ .

* Tripuruneni Ramaswamy Chowdary of Tcnuli composed this verse during the

17O HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUK DISTRICT 1921-47

This was the beginning of the salt satyagraha in
Guntur which soon spread to other areas in the district-
In the Guntur town bands of enthusiastic volunteers
went round residential areas and sold contraband Salt
packets. N.V.L. Narasimharao put the first packet of salt
for auction, Cheruvu Nageswarorao, a leading timber
merchant, bought it for Rs. 46/-. D. Hanumantharao
Panthulu paid Rs. 1 16/- for another packet. In all salt
packets were sold for Rs, 400/-. Batches of volunteers
were also sent to Chirala, Tenali, Narasaraopet and
Bapatla. They sold contraband salt packets in open
streets and public response to these sales was tremen-
dous despite the knowledge of the implication of buying
contraband salt. ' The volunteers conducted themselves
strictly in acccrdance with Gandhian ideals, and even
the District Magistrate F- W. Stewart had to concede
that the "volunteers behaved well." <

After breaking the Salt Law technically, the leaders
as well as the volunteers encouraged the villagers to
make or collect contraband salt on a commercial scale.
Among those places selected for this purpose were
Vadarevu on the sea nearChirala,Ganapavaram in Bapatla
taluq and a place near the Kanuparthi Salt Factory
in Ongole taluq. The satyagrahis set up a sibiram in the
house of Tanguturi Prakasam at Devarampadu near the
Kanuparthi Salt Factory. Since good salt was available
there theCongress leaders of Ongole taluq concentrated
their attention on Devarampadu. * The government
made every attempt to breakup the Devarampadu Sibiram
and the two natural deposits of salt there. Here is the
District Collector's account of the action taken by the

' TheHindudated April iO, II, 12, !9jQ.

2. District Magistrate F__5^,^arTs^ Saiyarlia Movement

in the Guntur District dated January 20." toTf"" ~ "

(A. P. State Archives, H.F.S. Section)

3. Ramachandruni Venkatappa'i article " Ongolu utuku Jo bahumufcha jatceya
chaitanyamu" in Gumilapalli Audinarayana Shasiiourthi S.mA.'k*. (Onijolo.
1972) (Telugu), p. I2x " '

HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921 47 171

government : "Near Kanuparthi the volunteers occupied
the house of T. Prakasam in Devarampadu and found two
natural deposits One was easily destroyed by the
factory establishment but the other was a deep depres-
sion filled by waves of the sea at high tide once or
twice a month. The Salt Inspector seized the salt
as it was collected and he was resisted. Neighbouring
villagers took interest as the salt was very good.
The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr. P. Sourirajulu
Naidu and three Head Constables and thirty Police
Constables of the Reserve camped in the factory from

April 26th The plan was to arrest the leaders and fill

up the depression. This has been accomplished The

police finished up by raiding Prakasam's house. They
destroyed the salt collected there and seized some
papers which provide useful evidence against persons
who like to keep in the background". ' In Vadarevu
and Ganapavaram the government faced considerable
difficulty in containing the satyagraha. The Collector
had to suggest that the Salt Department should spend
more money to obliterate the brine pits in order to
remove temptation to the satyagrahis. 2

GOVERNMENT REPRESSION

At the start of the salt satyagraha movement the
district administration did not contemplate drastic
action against satyagrahis. It was in pursuance of the
instructions which the Government of Madras issued to
it on March 27, 1930. The government stated that it
did not want "whole-sale arrests should be made or that
insignificant people should be arrested. It may in
certain circumstances consider the arrest of leaders

I, Guntur District Collector, Guntur to C. W. E. Cotton, C. I. E-, I. C.S., Chief
Secretary, Ootacumuiul dated Muy 6, 1 9 JO.

(A. P. Siutc Archives, IU ; .S, Section)
1 Ibid

172 HISTORY OF PREEL'OM iV.OVEMHNT JN feUNIL!-' UISTMCJ HUl-47

or other individuals or standing <v,d influence, but the
Government desire to be consulted before such an arrest
is effected", i But with the rising tide of the movement
in the district, thu government resorted to the arresting
of not only prominent leaders but also volunteers and
ordinary participants in the futyagrahci. Netht Chalapati
Rao who was working at Vacidrevu wi*s imprisoned under
Section 108 Cr. P. C. on April 22, 1S3Q. Anna^ragada
Kameswararao whom the District Collector F.W.Stewart
described as "a turbulent man" was jailed on April 23,
1930. On April 24ih K. V. L. Narasimharao was treated
similarly. 2 Gollapudi SiUtumusastry "the brains
behind the War Council " was arrested on 29th April
at Yelavarru. -l Konda Vonkatappayya was sentenced to
one year simple imprisonment and was lodged in Vellore
Central Jail b . 1 he number of people jailed in the salt
satyagraha runs into hundreds.

The government made every effort to close down
the main sibiram in Guntur. For this purpose it made
free use of Section 144 Cr. P. C* On the morning of 15th
June, Section 144 Cr. P. C. was proclaimed in Guntur
within a radius of five miles. The police served notice
on Kalluri Chandramouli, the District Dictator, Nagalla
Kiishnayya Chowdary, T. Sivasunkara Sastry and others.

L_ Government of Madras D, O. V;Ui dutcd March JL/, I'M t,i ihc District

Magistrate, Guntur,

(A I*. State Archives, H.F.S. Section)
2 District Magistrate F._W..Stc\vrrit Account oi 1 the Siilt S.irv.iKr,iha Movement in

l tl5iL?}^. Dis , lr i ( L t tlatctj January Ji . I Vj ! ,
(A P. StuU Archives, H.KS, Section)

To the trying Magistrate's ciuestiun what hi.s pnit'c.:,nut v,,;-, N. V. L. NaraNJmharto
replied, "Honorary preacher of sedition. My present ocvtipulitin ir. nianufiicturing
contraband salt ".

Personal papers of N. V. L. Naraaimharao.

3. District Magistrate F__W_. Stewart's .Account of ihc Salt Satyasraha Movement in

^fiyt dated January 2 :i. 1931. '

A p. State Archives, U. F. S. Section)
dated

5, Konda Vcnkutappayyu : Op. cit. p i :,,.;.

HISTORY OF FRUtDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 1 73

"The police went to the Congress sibirarn at Guntur and

declared the volunteers that gathered there an unlawful

assembly and asked them to disperse. On the refusal of

the volunteers to do so, the police under orders of the

District Superintendent of Police and District Magis.

trate, who were both present on the scene, charged the

volunteers with lathis and several members of the

crowd received injuries. Some of the lady volunteers

in the sibiram on refusal to move were forcibly brought

out". ; After the "sibiram was locked up" and placed

under the police-guard, the district administration

could report to their superiors that a "steady but thin

trickle of volunteers came into Guntur during the next

two months" and that they "were duly imprisoned" and

that "the main body had been definitely driven home".

The volunteer was made to feel that "the only refuge

was in his own house ". 2

GANDHI CAP CASE

The government did not stop with the mass arrests
and breaking up sibirams. It felt uneasy even at the
sight of the symbols of Congress especially the Gandhi
cap. On June 20, 1930 the District Magistrate, Guntur,
F.W.Stewart issued the following order: "Whereas
the public tranquility has been disturbed by the Civil
Disobedience Movement and where as information has
been received that a notice is being printed to disturb
the public tranquility by inciting the public to wear
Gandhi cap which is a symbol of one's sympathy for the
Civil Disobedience Movement I, F. W. Stewart, I. C. S.
having considered it my duty to maintain public peace,
hereby direct that the public should not wear Gandhi

1. The Hindu diUciI June 1 6. I9JO.

2. District Magistnitc F. W. Stewart'^Actfounl oJ^he^SttU_Siatyaera_hn Movement in
the Guntur District dated January 20, 1 93 I .

(A,l. State Archivci, II F.S, Section)

174 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GIJNTUK DISTHICT !9ii-47

cap in any place, frequented by the public within the
limits of Guntur Municipality and a radius of five miles
therefrom for a period of two months from this date",

The district administration immediately put the
Magistrate's order into execution. Orders of arrest and
sentences of imprisonment were passed in the wake of
the Magistrate's order. Alaparthi Subbayya Chowdary
and Meka Raghavayya Chowdary were arrested for
wearing Gandhi caps. Madabhushi Chc-illayachary was
sentenced to six months rigourous imprisonment by the
stationary sub-magistrate, Guntur. J

The Magistrate's order and the arrests in its wake
evoked considerable criticism. Tallavajjula Sivasankara
Swamy, Govindaraju Vankata Krishnarao, Dr. A. S.
Chalapathirao sent the banned Gandhi cap along with
the order of the Magistrate to Frenncr Brockway, a
member of the House of Commons, London, who was
known for his broad sympathies for nationalist aspira-
tions of the Indians. *

Leading public figures led deputations to the Collec-
tor demanding that he should rescind his order C. V.
Srinivasarao, C. V. Chowdary, Advocates, J. Kuppu-
swamy Chowdary, President, District Board, P. Laksh-
mayya Pantulu r Chairman, Guntur Municipality, Ch.
Hanumantharao, Honarary Magistrate, V, Bhavana-
charyulu, A. Sitapathirao, D. L. Narayana, Vakils, and
M. Venkata Subbayya waited on the Collector and
represented the matter, 3 but it was of no avail.

1. The Hindu dated June 23, I 9 JO.

2. Signed statement of T, Sivasunkftru Swamy,

3. The Hindu daied June 20,

HISTORY OF PRCEDOM MOVEMFN1 IN tiUNTUR DISTRICT 19111 47 175

Instead of censuring the Collector for passing this
."obnoxious" ' order, the government in the Fort St.
George upheld it, C. B. Cotterell, Acting Chief Secre-
tary wrote: "in enforcing the orders, the Police appear
to -have directed particular attention to those persons
wearing Khaddar and more especially Gandhi cap. This
is understandable, for the Gandhi cap has never been an
ordinary article of headwear in this district; the District
Magistrate reports that it had been very rarely seen
until the Civil Disobedience Movement started in March,
and after that it was used almost exclusively by the
volunteers The cisp was banned frankly as a politi-
cal symbol; it was not worn in the Guntur District until
the Civil Disobedience Movement started; it was worn
after that as a token of sympathy for Gandhi and there-
fore with the anti-Government campaign which he had
inaugurated and in the disturbed condition of Guntu r
the flaunting of such tokens of sympathy with the
movement and of defiance of the Government was likely
to encourage and incite others to join it and thus endanger

the public peace the order proved most effective in

checking the dangerous activities of the volunteers
among the ignorant population of the town and the
district. -

When representations to the government were of no
avail, the Magistrate's order banning Gandhi cap was
taken to the Madras High Court. Justice Pandalai
delivered judgement on August 1 1 , 1930 setting aside
the orders passed by the Magistrate. On the judgement
of Pandalai, The Hindu wrote: "We are glad that Mr.
Justice Pandalai has defined the true nature and extent

1, M. Venkftlurungaiyu : Op cit Vol-llli p I-17.

2. C. B. Cottcrell, C I E , I C $.. Acting Chief Secretary to thcGovcrnment of Madras
to the Secretary, Government of India (Public Department) dated August I, 1 930.
Loiter No. 7S-1-S.

(A P, Suite Archives II F S. Section'

176 HISTORY OF FKEEIOM MOVfMl'NT IN UJS'IUR KISTMCT 19 1-47

of the revisions! powers of the High Court in these cases
in terms which Sir Lawrence Jenkins long ago used,
and has resisted the tendency that had grown in certain
courts recently to narrow the functions of the High
Court in the Administration of Justice and in the main,
tenance of law and order in which it has only too often
been claimed that the executive must be law unto them-
selves and that their decisions and notions under the
plea of emergency must be deemed conclusive", ; Thus
theGuntur district made history by curbing the tendency
of the executive to restrict the little liberty the people
had.

The popular protests which the District Magistrate's
order evoked and the judgement passed on it by Justice
Pandala? of the Madras High Court was an eye-opener
to the Central Government. It advised the government
in Fort St. George : "The Government of India do not
wish to criticise the action of the District Magistrate in

this particular instance, but in their view the issue

of orders of this nature against the use of such emblems
or symbols is of doubtful wisdom, save in very excep-
tional circumstances. The Government of India hope,
therefore, that it will be found possible to avoid the
issue of similar orders in future ". *

To cap all its attempts to curb the satyagraha
movement/the government declared the Guntur District
Congress Committee as unlawful. '

1. 'I he Hindu dated August 12. IvjO.

2. H W. Emerson, C, I, E-, C, B. K . i C. S , Secretary to the tfnvcrmiienr of India,
Home Department to the Chief Secretary. Government <!'

dated August 12, I9jj.

Letter No, D-b741 Political.

(A. P State Archieves, H. F, S. Section)

3. Report of Inspector General of Police, Mud my No.
dated October 3 1, 1931.

(A. P. State Archives, H. F. S. Section)

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT I92I-47 177

COUNTER PROPAGANDA BY GOVERNMENT

In addition to following a policy of repression, the
district administration resorted to counter-propaganda
against the salt satyagraha. The government felt that
the Madras press had great influence in the shaping of
satyagraha in the district. The Hindu and Andhra Patrika,
particulary, had enormous influence in the district.
Janmabhumi of Machilipatnam published a series of
articles on how Ireland was freed. ' To convert the
Congress adherents " who are saturated with onesided
newspaper propaganda " the government planned " the
resuscitation of the Durbar as a Government paper". 2
Ultimately, the government purchased in bulk the copies
of Durbar and Yadardha Vadi a weekly started in Repalle
"at the instance of the Tahsildar" and distributed them
among the people. 3 On the suggestion of Rai Bahadur
P. V. Srinivasarao, a loyalist the government also
contemplated to propagate among the people "what the
British Government has done for India"* 4

CONSTRUCTIVE PROGRAMME

In the midst of the breaking of Salt Laws the satya-
grahis did not lose sight of the constructive programme.
As during the non-cooperation days, they organised the
boycott of foreign goods, especially foreign cloth. For
this activity, Tenali was the centre where foreign cloth

I. District Magistrate I- 1 . W, Stewart's Account of the Salt Satyagrahaiovement in

lhc Jl un l u .. r .P.ia.Jn.*- 1 dated January 20, 1931,
(A, P. State Archives, H. F. S. Section)

2. District Collector, Guntur to Cotterell, Chief Secretary to the Government of
Madras dated June 17, 1930.

(A. !>, State Archives, II. F. S. Section)

3. District Collector, Guntur to C. F. V. Williams, I. C- S., Under Secretary to the
Government of Madras, Public Department, Madras dated July 21, 1930.

(A. P. Slate Archives, H. F. S. Section/

4. District Collector, Guntur to Cutierell. C hicf Secretary to the Government of
Madras dated June 17. 1930,

(A. l\ Stare Archives H. F. S Section)

178 HISTORY OP FREErOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DTSTRJCT 1921-47

shops were vigoursly picketed. "Training was given as
to how picketing was to be clone on non-voilent
methods" Practically, everyday throughout the year
1930a batch of four or five persons was sent into the town
to do the picketing. Another batch was kept ready when
the first batch was taken into custody. Pavuluri Rama-
rao, Sheik Ismail Saheb, Nadella Krishnayya Chowdary
and Neelam Raghavayya were the active participants in
the Tenali foruign goods boycott programme. ' Bharati
Devi Ranga was the leader of the women picketers
before the foreign cloth shops.

Local Bodies and leading professional associations
passed resolutions asking the people to boycott foreign
cloth. I he Tenali Municipal Council passed a resolu-
tion on May 9, 1930 calling upon the municipal officers
to dispense with foreign cloth and wear khaddar. The
resolution of the Chtrala Municipal Council pdssed on
April 30, 1930 called upon the Municipal Councillors
and employees to wear khaddar. '* The Bar Association,
Bapatla, meeting on April 12, 1930 under the presidency
of M. Kalidas Panthulu passed the following resolution
unanimously : "In the opinion of the Bar Association it
is desirable that the members of the Bar should wear
khadi clothing while attending the courts", 4 in Narasa-
raopet foreign cloth was collected and bonfire of it was
made. lj

I ' r JlPl t :_[? o yi:(Ut Movement in Tcnuii l'> '' i
Statement of Neclain Kaghsivay>a
A I*. State Archives, H. f S. Section)

2. N. G Raugu : tthurathi IJcvi SmrutluUu (Niuubrolu. I '/ J ( I'elutfu), n. *""

3. Cottercll C. 1. E-. I C. S-, Acting Chief Secretary to (tovcrmneni <f Madras to the
Secretary Government of India (Home) Letter No B/-M dated September 10, i930,
(A. P. State Archives, H.F S. Section,

4. The Hindu dated April 14, 19^0.

5. The Hindu dated June !, I9.i0,

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN liUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 179

Of all the items of the constructive programme of
the Guntur district the one that received widespread
attention and caused concern to the government was
propaganda against drink which manifested itself in the
cutting of palmyra spathes and trees. * The Guntur
District Congress War Council passed instructions
to the satyagrahis to take care of the pernicious
evil of drink, and see to it that palmyra trees were
chopped off. This was in accordance with the social
philosophy of Gandhi who had once gone to the extent
of saying : "If I were appointed the dictator of India
for one hour only, the first thing I will do will be to
close without compensation all the liquor shops". '
The felling of palmyra trees in the Guntur district was
particularly high in Chebrole, Mangalagiri, Khajipalem
and Angalakuduru. - By the month of May the spathe-
cutting took a dramatic turn. 3 The district administra-
tion was much agitated, and the Collector reported to
his superiors in the Fort St. George :. " At one of my
subsequent meetings with the ryots, one defended
spathe-cutting because he had known so many well-
to-do-ryots, who had lost their fortunes by drink. There
is a general realisation in the taluqs that leisure and
money bring such temptation as drink and dancing girls,
and I have no doubt that the cutting of spathes was
regarded as a measure of social reform spathe-
cutting was the most dangerous phase of the movement,
as it brought the ordinary ryot into active opposition to
Government ". 4

* Siip of palmyra trees wlicti fermented becomes highly intoxicating.

1. Srimuu Naraiu,' Gandhi, the Man and Hit Thought (Now Delhi, 1972;, p. 28.

.. tti- r "-

2. The Hindu dated April 5. 1930.

3. District Collector, Guntur to C. F. V. Williams, I. C S., Under Secretary to the
Government of Madras, Public Department Madras dated July 21, 1 930.

(A. P. State Archives, II.F.S. Section)

4. District Magistrate F. W.Jitewart's_Accounr o_lheJSaitjSatyagruha Movement
in the Guntur District dated January 20, iy.il.

(A.P, State Archives, H.F.S. Section)

180 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVfMfNT IN GUNTUR HISTKICT t<^:l A} '

The toddy yielding palmyra trees were felled in
such large members that the government had to
authorise the Collector of Guntur to waive the collec-
tion of motiirpha, '

The Municipality of Guntur under the Chairmanship
of N. V. L. Narasimharao concerned itself with the evils
of drink, N. V. L. Narasimharao issued a notice to the
Collector which ran as follows :

" Please take notice that location of
toddy shops within my limits is
Prohibited, and if they are not
removed within twenty four hours
necessary action will follow.

N. V. L. Narasimharao,

Chairman,
Guntur Municipality, Guntur". 2

Though N. V. L. Narasimharao was not within legal
jurisdiction to issue such notice to the Collector, the
notice was indicative of the spirit of the times.

The satyagraha movement launched on April 9, 1930
lasted till the end of the year in the Guntur district,
During this period the district waged an intensive
struggle facing the government repression cheerfully
without ever resorting to violence. The mJn features
of the satyagraha were civil breach of Salt Law, non-
voilent raids on salt depots and pans, breach of govern-
ment orders, boycott of foreign goods, especially cloth
and constant propaganda against the evil of drink.

1. G. O No. II (S) Mis., Dated June > !9;<
(A. P. State Archives, H.F.S. Section)

2. Personal Papers of N. V. t. Nurusimharuu.

KISTOKY 07 FREEDOM :,KV U ' { r.U. : N T !N GUNTUn DISTRICT l'Jil-47 181

GANDHI -IRWiN PACT AND AFTER

If viewed from the national angle, the civil disobedi-
ence movement demonstrated the awakening of the
political consciousness among the people undreamt of
before. Gandhi's call to the nation to suffer and sacri-
fice evoked such a response that the mighty British
government found it imperative to reach some sort of
agreement with the Congress. Gandhi who was arrested
on May 4, 1930 was released on January 26, 1931.
Negotiations started between Gandhi and Lord Irwin,
the Viceroy. On May 5, 1 S31 Gandhi - Irwin Pact was
concluded, according to which the Congress agreed to
discontinue civil disobedience movement and to partici-
pate in the Round Table Conference on Indian constitu-
tional reform. The government in its turn agreed to
release al! political prisoners, and withdraw prosecu-
tions. The government also agreed to allow people to
collect salt purely for personal consumption but not for
commercial purposes. The government agreed to with-
draw ordinances promulgated in connection with the
civil disobedience movement. The government also
agreed to reinstate government servants and Village
Officers and restore propsrties confiscated during the
movement. '

On the receipt of news of the Gandhi - Irwin Pact in
Guntur Konda Venkatappayya who had been released
earlier held a meeting in Guntur on March 5, 1931.
Venkatappuyya says that the meeting was held to celeb-
rate the peace pact. * In the meeting, according to the
police version, Venkatappayya during the course of his
speech exhorted the audience to carry on vigourous
picketing of foreign cloth shops. He also said that India

I- S. Gopitl: The Viccroyully iin.nrd Irwiii I02o-|9-.l (Oxford, 19!>7), pp. I07-IIO.

Also see appendix for the text of the sellloinunl published on March 5, 193 1.
pp. UO-I-H.

'i. Koiula Venkatuppiiyy.i : Op. cit. p. 3!jfi.

1 82 HISTORY OF PREtfOW MOVEMENT !\ .'IINTUfc MSUICT '.

could achieve so much by CO, 000 cjoimi to jail and that
if 60,00,000 cf people were to <j.o to jail federal govern-
ment with safeguards must bn given or the British
government would have to run avv.iy, For this speech
Venkatappayya was arrested on iVlurchG, 1931 under
Section 17 (1) Cr. L. A, Act. To protest against the
arrest of Venkatnppayya, a mecjtincj was hold at the
Swaraj Maiclan, The police declared the meeting unlaw-
ful 'and charged theperople with Ittthit. A number of
people including Neti Chalapathirao vvoru injured. l Konda
Venkatappayya was, however, rt! leased on March 7th
following government instructions issued on March 6th
to withdraw all the pending cases. On his release
Venkatappayya issued a press statement that he never
advocated civil disobedience und thai the meeting held
on March 5th was purely in connection with peace
celebrations. '<

But for these incidents cf Murch 5th and 6th there
were no breaches of the Gandhi-lrwin Pact in thuGuntur
district.

RESUMPTION OF THE MOVEMENT

After attending the Round Table Conference Gandhi
landed in Bambay on December 2Q f 1931 and found
repression in full force in many parts of the country.
Gandhi wrote to Willtngdon, the new Viceroy protesting
against the Ordinance /to/. Gandhi tried to present the

I. S. B. Report of the District Superintendent t' I'nlicc Guntur to the Chief
SecrcUry. Goveruincut ul' Miiilra:, tl;itci! March '> \ j '
A 1* Suite Archives, 11, !. S. Section i
Hcl'urencc to this Uthi ch;vrr,i: is niiivJo in the utipuhlr.ififtUI.tii ics i>f M antt-n;i

Vciifcntaruju under the date captinn March '. l> '. Ncli ChalanatliirrtO and

Muntcna Vcitkataraju addressed the yathcrinv When the polica th.in'A'd the
people both Chalapathirao and Yenkataraju received ijtijuru-, VenKataraju
received a minor injury on the .slum Icier whcrcjiv Chalaputliiruti received a s
skull injury. Mantena Venkatttruju'g unpublished dailies I
2 The Hindu dated March 9, 1931.

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN 6UNTUH DISTRICT 1921-47 183

Congress point of vie/*/ to Willingdon, but as the latter
was unyielding, civil disobedience was resumed. Gandhi

wired to the Viceroy on January 3, 1 932 : " I wish

to assure Government that every endeavour will be
mads on the part of the Congress to carry on sttuggle
without malice and in strictly non-violent manner".
Thereupon Gandhi and other prominent Congress leaders
were arrested on January 4, 1932. '

With that the period of truce was over, and the
Guntur district with the rest of the country resumed
civil disobedience.

with the resumption of the civil disobedience, the
government struck at the Congress ruthlessly. All
District Congress Committees in Andhra were declared
unlawful associations. Practically almost all important
leaders were arrested and sentenced to various terms of
imprisonment. Konda Venkatappayya, Gollapudi Sita-
ramasastry and Maddi Venkata Rangayya were prohibited
from participating either in meetings or in demonstra-
tions aimed at furthering the objects of civil disobedi-
ence movement. Malladi Yagna Narayana of Bapatla
was convicted for refusing to execute a bond for good
behaviour, " and Gollapudi Sitaramasastry was senten-
ced to one year simple imprisonment for making what
the government thought a seditious speech. 3 Mantena
Venkataraju a prominent Congress leader of the Guntur
district and Yenamadra Venkatappayya of Karamchedu
were sentenced to one year rigourous imprisonment
under Section 112 of Cr. P. C. * In Ongole, Sagi Vijaya

1. B. Pattabhi Silaramuyya : Op. cit, Vol-l, p. -'l f '-

2. The Hindu dated January I, \')12.

3. The Hindu dated January 1-1, 1932.
4 The Hindu dated January I, I93/.

184 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN JiUNTUR DISTRICT I92J-4?

Ramaraju, Narahari Padman.vbhain and Chakiri Krishna,
swami were sentenced to various terms of imprison-
ment. ' The arrests and sentences of imprisonment
were in accordance with the pattern followed by the
government throughout the country. As Subhas Chandra
Bose remarked, ''Within a week almost everybody who
was somebody in the Congress Party was in prison". l

Searches of the Congress Party offices and residen-
ces of leaders and confiscation of property were also
resorted to by the government The office of the Guntur
District Congress Committee arid the houses of Maddi
Venkata, Rangoyya, Tallavajjula Siv;;sankora Swamy,
Jonnalagadda FUmalingayya, K. Suryanarnyana Murty,
Ch. Bhavayya Chowdari and Kailuri Chandromouli were
searched. <;

When convicts refused to pay finer,, their property
was seized. Ghalib Saheb of Guntur was fined for taking
part in the movement. When he refused to pay the fine
imposed on him, the wooden tables of his brother's
laundry were seized by the police.

The police did not spare oven young boys when they
were round helping the movement in any way. In
Qngoie, Gudimella Thiru Vengadacharyulu, an young boy
of 14 years, when found distributing political leaflets
was seized by a police constable, and was brutally
belaboured. 6

I Ramachandruni VtMikatappa's article ''Ormolu lalufca In H.ihumokltn Jtituvya
Chaiiuriyamu" Jin GmuMapalli Audinarayaua Sliasiijuu iht S;I.MI hika
(Oiigolc IJ'/^j. p. i-fH.

2. Subhas Chandra Bo.su . Op. cit p. 334.

3p 2JLV!ji! niJ " d;itcc! January I I, I9.i2.

4. ' Jlie ., H . il ! tlu Dinted January 12, \y-.2.

I). 'I he Hiddu dated February 26 IV3X.

6 Kaimichandruni Vcnkatappa's article ' On^olu Tuluka to Hahumukha Jaiccya
Chaitanyamu" in _Gu!Hilapalli Audinarayana Sliastipurthi SaiKhika
(Ongole 1972), p. U i.

HISTORY OF FRSEOOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUH DISTRICT 1921 47 185

When the government repression was in full swing
the Congress managed to hold the annual session in the
month of April, 1932 under the Clock Tower in Chandni
Chowk, Delhi. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya was the
President-elect of the Congress. But as he was arrested
en route, the Congress was presided over by Seth
Ranchhoddas Amritlal of Ahmadabad. The Congress
passed resolutions reiterating complete independence as
the goal of the Congress, whole-heartedly endorsing the
revival of civil disobedience, congratulating the nation
on its splendid response to Gandhi's call and reaffirming
the faith in the non-violence even in the face of acts of
grave provocation from the authorities. ! In spite of
police vigilence five hundred delegates attended the
Delhi Congress, 2

The Guntur district sent the highest contingent from
the Andhra districts. The responsibility of selecting the
delegates and sending them safely to Delhi was entrus-
ted to Dr. Amancherla Sesha Chalapatirao, 3 The dele-
gates that participated in the Delhi Congress from the
Guntur district were Konda Venkatappayya, his private
secretary Subbaramayya, Uppala Knshnayya, Muvva
Audinarayana, Koppalli Ramachandrarao, Unnava
Lakshmibayamma, * Madabhushi Vedantam Narasimha-
charyulu, Gullpalli Ramakrishnayya and Boddapati
Subbarao, * The delegates had to suffer various priva-
tions during their journey. They had to change trains,
identity and dress, and devise various ether ways to
reach the venue Those that ultimately reached Chandni

1. B. Puttubhi SiUruniiiyya : Op. cit. Vol-I, p 5.- 1.

2. Ibid

3. Boddapati Subburao'.s article " 1 932 Saiyagrahaniu ; Swatniitrodyamamu Nati Na
Smrululu" ifl Krishna Putriku dated September 1 6, I9/2, pp.7. 17.

4. The Hindu dated April 27, 1932.

5. Boddapati Subbarao's article "1932 Satyagrahamu : Swatantrodyamamu nati na
smrutulu" in.J^rishna PatrlkajJated September 16, 1972 p. 17,

186 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVFMENT if* ."UNTtiR TiMklCl :yi',*47

Chowk were arrested and lod<j-3<l in Delhi District Jail
for twenty days. ;

COMMUNAL AWARD AND ITS EFFECTS

When the national struggle for freedom was in full
swing the country heard the news that Gandhi was
going on fast unto death against the Communal Award
announced by the British Prime Minister, Ramsay
Macdonald. Gandhi regarded the creation of separate
electorate for Harijans "as the thin onci of the wedge
for separating these classes from the Hindu fold" 2
Unnava Lakshminarayona, groat champion of the removal
of untouchibility, undertook a sympathetic fast in
Guntur. l

However, the fast of Gandhi coussed consternation
throughout the country. Leaders of all political parties
like Rajagopalachari, Jayaknr, Sapru, Maiaviya and
others held prolonged discussions with Dr. Ambedkar.
An agreement known as the Poona Pact was concluded
by which joint electorates were restored subject to
certain conditions. Gandhi who began his fast in the
Yerawada Jail on September 20, 1932 brok it on
September 26th. *

SUSPENSION OF THE MOVEMENT

Gandhi was released on May 8, 1933. On the same
day he issued a statement recommemUny the suspension
of the civil disobedience. The Actiny President of the
Congress in obedience to his wishes suspended the
movement at first for six months and extended it for a
further period of six weeks. Ultimately utter a meeting

1, Ibid.

2. Edward D* Cru/, S. J Iruli.i the tjucsl h-r Nuti<nlhmil iB")bay ' '* '/;.
* ,'!. ho Hindu Uaitid September 21. I'J.-.JL.

4. D, G. Tendulkar : Op. eit, p ! Va

HISTORY CF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 187

of Congress workers in Poona on July 1 2, 1 933, mass
civil disobedience was discontinued and only individual
civil disobedience was permitted. ' Viewed even from
the national point the individual civil disobedience
"passed away unnoticed into the limbo of oblivion". 2
In these circumstances, the Working Committee of the
Congress held sittings at Patna on May 18, 19 and 20,
1934. It recommended the adomption of the Council-
entry programme. It suspended civil disobedience and
called upon all the Congressmen to abide by the
decision. ; The Congressmen of the Guntur district
obeyed this directive along with those of the whole
country. The civil disobedience movement stood
suspended on May 20, 1 934. <r Thus the struggle for
full independence that started in the first week of
January 1930 was terminated on May 20, 1934. At the
height of the movement 191 persons were convicted in
the Guntur district under the Special Powers Ordinance,
the highest in the Andhra districts. b

1. Jugiulish Shunuu . Op cit. p I i ;.

2. R. C Mujuiiular Op. cit. Vol-Ml, p. -183.

3. B PatUbhi Siiaramay a : Op. cit. Vol-I, p. 572.
<1. Ibid

ij Inspector General of Police. Madras to the Chief Secretary to the Government of
Madras Madras dated August 1 7. I 932. JLciier No. 2-19-KSB-J2.

(A. P. State Archives, II.I'.S. Section)

VIII
Final Phase of the Freedom Movement

PEASANTS' AND WORKERS' UNIONS

After the suspension of the mass civil disobedience
movement throughout the country on July 12, 1933
political activity in the Guntur district considerably
slakened till the Government of India Act of 1935 came
into force and Provincial Ministry was formed after the
elections. However, even during this interregnum new
political forces came to the fore which kept political
activity live. One such was the Rama Needu Peasant
Institute, inaugurated byGandhi inNidubrolu in January
1934. N. G. Ranga was the guiding spirit of this
institute. He acted as the first Honorary Principal,
Gandhi remarked, "How romantic to find a full-fledged
Oxford Professor, placing his family property and his
own services at the disposal of this institute? ' The
Rama Needu Peasant Institute attracted the attention of
the government as a centre of political activity. l
Nidubrolu became the seat of Kixan Publications under
the guidence of G. L. Narayana and N. V. Subbayya The
first book to be brought out by this publishing house
during this period was Ha.ijan Nayak written by
N. G. Ranga. 3

1. NG Ranga: FigjhtjW Freedom (New Delhi, l '''.*.;). p 16:-.

2. Government (Madras Fortnightly Report daicti May =5. H M.
(A P. State Archives, H. F. S. Section)

3. N.G. Rangu: Op cit p. 164

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT JN GUIMTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 189

In addition to the peasants starting to organise
themselves under the leadership of Ranga, the Commu-
nists, inspired by the Bolshevik achivements in Soviet
Russia, began to show themselves up in the district.
Since a ban had been imposed on the Communist activity
in the country, the Communists changed the name of
their party and formed the Labour Protection League
in Guntur in March, 1935 and in Tenali in August 1935.
Three Communists were active in the Labour Protection
League of Guntur. They were P. Rama Subbayya,
J. Rama I ing ay y a and D. Krishna Murthy, In the year 1935
the Communists were active organising the workers of
the Guntur town. They succeeded in organising
Press Workers' Union, Zutka Drivers' Union and
Jute Mill Workers' Union. They also published
twelve pamphlets for which J. Rarnalingayya, P. Rama
Subbayya and D. Krishna Murthy were convicted,
and sent to jail. The Communists in the Labour
Protection League of Guntur tried to disseminate red
literature in the whole district. ' The Labour Protec-
tion League was the real beginning of the Communist
movement in the district which was to acquire mass
base and strength in the succeeding years. In 1936 the
Communists celebrated Labour Days and Anti-imperia-
list Days. ''

1937 ELECTIONS, INTERIM MINISTRY AND THE
KOTHAPATNAM SUMMER SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS
AND POLITICS

With the peasants and the workers meking their first
attempts to organise themselves into unions, the
elections held for the Provincial Legislature of Madras
under the Government of India Act of 1935, activised

1. Report submitted by the Superintendent of Police, Guntur, Special Branch, C.l.D.
in reply to ibc Government Memo. No. fi-45-l-H-36 dated May 20, 1 936,

(A.P. Slate Archives, H.l-'.S. Section)

2. Ibid.

190 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

all the political sections in the district. In the elections
held between 1 5th and 20th February, 1 937 the Congress
got overwhelming victory and the Justice Party was
routed, ! When the Governor of Madras invited
C. Rajagopalachar i, the Congress Legislature Party
Leader, to form the ministry, the latter refused on the
ground that the Governor had not assured him that he
would not use special powers or that he would not set
aside the advice of the ministers. - ! Thereupon, the
Governor invited K. V. Reddy Naidu to form the ministry
which he did on April 1 , 1937. K. V. Reddy Naidu's
Justice Party Ministry came to bo known as Interim
Ministry. It held office till July 14, 1937.

The Interim Ministry was averse to the national
aspirations and progressive ideologies. The Congress
Socialist Party, in which Communists joined, organised
the Summer School of Economics and Politics in Kotha-
patnam, Ongole taluq from May 1,1937. It attracted
170 students. Among them were Putchalapally
Sundarayya, Kolla Venkuyya, Makineni Basav&Punnayya,
Vasireddy Sivalinga Prasad. Jonn<j|igaddaRamalingayya f
Chimakurthi Sethumadhavzirao and Pkiathalii Ranga
Reddy. Indulal Yagnik, Swamy SahajrirumcJj Saniswati,
Prof. Ranga, Jaya Prakash Narayan, Achyut Piitwardhan,
Bottliwallah and other eminent left-oriented leaders
gave lectures on important topics of politics and
economics. In addition to lectures, the students were
given training in military drill by Chandra Rajeswararao,
techniques of guerilla Warfare by Annupragada
Kameswararao and the use of sword by Vijayarama-
raju. 3 This was too much for the loyalist government

1. G, O No '9'S (Pubic) Elccftnii ilatod March . V !"/
(A P State Archives, U.F.S, Sci-iion).

2. The liindu dated May /./. iV.7.

3. Ramachandruni Venkatappa* article " On^ole taluka h> Hahumukhit Jatecya
Chaitanyarnu" in Gundliipalli Audinaruyunu ,SU;*iiiipuahi Sauchika.

(Ongole. I97i, iTclugu . p. I ft.

HISTORY OF PFZJEEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 191

of K. V. Reddy Naidu to bear, and on May 18, 1 937 it
declared that the existence of the school was a threat
to public peace. The Government Order stated among
other things that "in the opinion of the Provincial
Government the association known as the Summer
School of Economics and Politics and Training Camp at
Kothapatnam in the district of Guntur has for its object
interference with the maintenance of law and order, and
constitutes a danger to the public peace. Now, there-
fore, the Provincial Government are hereby pleased, in
exercise of the powers conferred on them by Section 16
of the Indian Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1908, to
declare the said Summer School of Economics and
Politics and Training Camp to be unlawful". l After
declaring the school unlawful the government sent two
van-loads of Reserve Police to the scene, and made a
severe lathi charge on the students and teachers in
which C. P. Elango, Vasireddy Sivalinga Prasad, Anna-
pragada Kameswararao and others received serious
injuries. Several arrests were also made. 2

CONGRESS MINISTRY VIS-A-VIS THE GUNTUR
DISTRICT

But, events moved fast which enabled the Congress
to form the ministry in the Madras province- On June
22, 1937 the Viceroy of India Lord Linlithgow gave
broadcast-message in which he stated that the Governer
of the province was bound to " the executive authority
on the advice of his Ministry". The Viceroy stated that
the Governer could under the Act contrary to the advice

1. C; O. No. SS'-fi-'j, Puhiic dated May Ifl I937.
(A.I*. State Archives, II, FS. Section

2. Ramuchanclruni Vcnkutuppu's article ' Ongole Taluka lo Bahuumkha Jateeya
Chitanyamu" in Gundlupulli Audinarayuna Shastipurthi Sanchika.

(Onyolc, 19/2). p. 139

192 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVfeKENT IN fiUNTUH OtSTHlCT 1921-47

of the ministers. "But tho scope of potential inter.
ference is strictly difineci and t In/re is no foundation for
suggestion that a Governor is free, or is entitled, or
would have the power, to interfere with the day-to-day
administration of a province outside the limited range
of the responsibilities especially confined to him", i
The working committee of the Indian National Congress
meeting between 5th and 8th of July, 1937 permitted the
congressmen "to accept office in tho provinces where
the Congress commanded a majority in the Legisla-
ture " Th-3reupon, the) Conyress Ministry was

formed in Madras on July 14, 1937 with C. Rojagopala-
chari as the Chief Minister. One of the thirty acts of
Rajagopalachari's Ministry was to release all those,
who were arrested and chargesheeted by the Interim
Government in connection with the events of Kotha-
patnam summer school of Economics and Politics. But
the order releasing the prisoners stated inter alia that
the government would not tolerate such activities and
would "take all steps necessary to prevent the dissemi-
nation of class harled cind ideas involving the

use of organised and unorcjiinised violence in
furtherance of any object". ' ! This part of the order
was not to the liking of the reluased prisoners or their
sympathisers. It caused greater puin to them than the
baton-charge made on them earlier by the Interim
Government. ij

The Congress Ministry received complaints from the
Salt Department that the people of the Guntur district
were misusing the provisions of the Gandhi - Irwin Pact

1. Marquess of Linlithgow : Speeches :imt Stui ncrii-< i * --4
New Delhi, 19-lv,; p. 8>J

2 Jagadish Sliarma ' Op cit. Vol-I, p. '',>'*

3. The Hindu dated July I-} Iv-;/.

4. The Hindu dated July !8, l r j.:;.

5. Ramachandruni Vcnkatappa*s article " Onifolu lutuku l< bohunuikhu
Chuitunyumu" in CJundlupalli Audi(iar.-iy;na Mi.i?>f i(>url'-i Sam htLt.
(Ougole. 1972). Ii9. '

HISTORY OF FREtDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUN DISTRICT 1921-47 193

and that they were manufacturing greater amounts of
salt than allowed and carrying them to distant piaces
for sale. ' The Chief Minister, Government of Madras,
wrote to Gollapudi Sitarama Sastry thus: "I have
received complaints against the people who manufacture
salt in Bapatla range from the officers of the Salt
Department that they were abusing the privileges they
were offered in connection with the manufacture of
salt. Please enquire into the matter". 2 Thereupon,
the Gun tur District Congress Committee met on July 27,
1938 and appointed a sub-committee with Gollapudi
Sitarama Sastry (convenor), Sagi Vijayaramaraju, Neti
Venkata Chalapati, Kudipudi Pundarikakshayya and
Kalluri Chandra Mouli to enquire into the matter and
take necessary steps. Vijayaramaraju visited all the
salt-beds of the Ongole taluq and enquired into the
complaints He explained to the people all the terms of
the agreement reached at by Gandhi and Irwin, and
appealed to them not to violate any one of the terms.
Boddupalli Venkata Subbayya and Kudipudi Pundarika-
kshayya did similar work in Bapatla and Repalle taluqs
respectively. 3

In zamindari- areas the ryots over-burdened with land
taxes. To set it right a Zamindari Enquiry Committee
was constituted by the Madras Government with
T. Prakasam, Revenue Minister, as its Chairman. To
assist this enquiry committee the Guntur D.C.C. appoin-
ted a sub-committee with Sogi Vijayaramaraju and
Gundlapalli Audinarayana. This committee toured all
the zamindari areas of the Ongole taluq explaining to
the ryots the purpose and efforts of the enquiry. The

I. Annual Report of the Guntur District Congress Committee __19_3_8_-_39_,

(The report is available in the Andhru Pradesh State Archives. Hyderabad
in type-script).

'L Ibid

3. Ibid.

194 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUK mJTMC7 l'lC'l-47

sub-committee prepared at! the statements required for
the government enquiry. Some loading ryots were taken
to Madras to give evidence before Zamindari Enquiry
Committee. '

During their period of office two Congress Ministers-
Bezawada Gopalareddy, Minister for Local Self-Govern-
ment and Tanguturi Prakasam, Minister for Revenue
made extensive tour of the urban and rural areas of the
district and took notice of public grievances and
complaints. 2

These events show that there was considerable
rapport between the Guntur District Congress and the
Provincial Congress Ministry. At the surne time the
District Congress did not give up its ultimate objectful
independence for the country. It appointed Vavilala
Gopalakrishneyya to propagate among the people that
the ideal of the Congress was complete independence,
and that it would strive to achive it. Gopalakrishnayya
undertook an extensive tour of the district between
June and August 1939 and educated the people on Con-
gress history, national aspirations, wars and their
effects. In his tour Gapalakrishnayya was assisted by
Patibandla Suryanarayana Roy and Putta Ramadass. :j

During this period the Congress engaged itself in the
amelioration of social and political backwardness of
the Harijans. The Congressmen of the Guntur District
Harijan Service Society- Gunturu Zilla llarijana Sevaka
Sangham- did substantial work for the betterment of the
Harijans. They ran schools and hostels for Harijans in

I. Ibid.

2l If^iX? 1 ^ 3 .. Congress Committee Report- ll-i-.^io U-i-,9 (Tcnali.
(Telugu) pp. 7, 8,

3 Vavilala Gopaiakrishnuyya : Jatceyu Vanchha (Guntur, I 1 '.'')
(Telugu) pp. 5 lo 7.

HISTORY OP FREEDOM S4OV&MFNT IN GUNTUR DISTNICT 1921-47 195

Guntur, Pedanandipadu, Sattenapalli, Gurajala, Santha-
nutalapadu and Alapadu. :

WORLD WAR I! AND THE INDIVIDUAL SATYAGRAHA

The year 1939 was remarkable for an event which
changed the course of the world history. On September
3, 1939 Britain declared war on Germany, and the World
War II started. Without the consent of the Indian
leaders India was dragged into the war as an appendage
of Britain. Though the Congress leaders were opposed
to German Nazi and Italian Fascist philosophies, which
stood for ruthless totalitarianism and racialist bigotry,
they stated that India would have nothing to do with an
imperialist war The Guntur District Congress Com-
mittee categorically declared that India's resources in
men and meteriul should not be used in the pursuit of a
war which hud an imperialist character. 2 It was in
confirmity with the All India Congress Committee policy.
The parliamentary Sub-Committee instructed the Con-
gress Ministers in the provinces to tender resignations. 3
In accordance with this resolution the provincial Minis-
ters resigned one after another, Madras leading with its
resignation on October 28, 1939. *

With the attitude of the government unchanged, the
struggle for independence was soon to begin under the
guidance of Gandhi. This time Gandhi did not think of
mass civil disobedience. He decided that the campaign
should be limited to select individuals. In October 1940
the individual civil disobedience started. Vinoba Bhave

I Gunturu 2illa Harijana Scvuka SaiiBhuui Report (I -10-39 to 30-9-40)

Guntur, I910> U'clugu), PP- 3 lo 6.

2. Gunturu Zillu Congress Committee : X u ddhaniu;Con,ercss_(Report) (Year and

place of publication nol mentioned) (Tclugu) p. 3.

3. B, Pattnbhi Sitaramayya : Op. cit, VoI-II, p. Ul.
4 Ibid p \-\'L

196 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN KUNTUW Plf,TK|CT l*2| 47

was selected by Gandhi to be the first .wrv./i?rfif. The
campaign was opened r>t Faunaur on October 17, 1940,
when Vinoba Bhave made a public speech in which he
preached the Congress war policy and exhorted the
people not to help the government in their war effort, as
all war was immoral and bad. For this he was arrested
and sentenced to three months imprisonment. ' The
Ongole Municipal Council meeting on October 31 , 1940
condemned "the sction of the Government in arresting
Sri Vinoba Bhave who is fighting for freedom of
speech". 2

The individual satyagraha started on October 17,
1940 and continued till the end of 1 941 . During this
period as many as 119 individuals offered satyagraha in
the Guntur district. Among them were eight women. *

Gandhi directed Congressmen to march on foot
towards Delhi, explaining to the people The Congress
war policy, as they marched. '* in response to this call
some satyagrahis of the Guntur district toured many
villages and towns, and carried the Congress gospel to
the people during their march to Delhi in February 1941. *

During the individual satyagraha movement Konda
Venkatappayya, Neti Chalapathi, G. Subrahmanya Sastry
and K. Sampath Kumarachari toured the villages and
enthused the satyagrahis. 1

I R R Diwukar : Op eit pp > 2, 83.

2. G. O. No. i64 Public (Confidential) dated February .' I I'M- , Madrai Government.
(A P. State Archives, H.F.a. Section)

3. R. R. Diwakar: Op. cit. p. 84.

4. The list of I 19 satyagrahis Is i'ilcd in the A P. State Archives, U Ucrahatl. The list
is authorised by Muntena Venkataraju of the Guntur District Congros Committee.
(A P. State Archives, H. F. S. Section)

5. R R. Diwakar Op cit p. Hi.
6 The Hindu dated February 20,

i . ._ ] m-

7. The Hiddu dated July 26

HISTORY OF PRttDOM MOVEMENT IN C.UNTU8 DISTRICT 1921-47 1 97

Arrest warrants were issued against Puiupula
Sivayya, Annapragada K;uneswar<KuO and Jonnalagadda
Ramalingayya under the Defence of India Rules. But
they went under-ground and evaded arrest. The govern-
ment announced a reward of Rs. 100/- for anyone who
would give information leading to the arrest of anyone
of them. !

QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT AND THE AUGUST REVOLT

The war in Europe reached its climax in 1941.
Germany having overrun Poland, Belgium, Holland,
Norway and France launched u surprise attack on Russia
in June 1941. In December, Jtapon, Germany's ally in
Asia, made an attack on Perl Harbour. The Japanees
War machine grabbed Philippines, Indo-China, Indo-
nesia, Malaya, Singapore and Burma in quick succes-
sion. By March 1942 Japanese were at the very gates
of India. It was one of the bleakest periods for Britain.
She was desperately in need of India's full and active
cooperation in war. So the British government sent Sir
Stafford Cripps to India with a Draft Declaration.

The Draft Declaration promised Dominion Status
immediately after the war ended. It also gave India the
right of succession. A Constituent Assembly would be
set up after the termination of war. In the Assembly
representatives of both British India and Native States
would take part. Any province, if it so desired, could
remain outside the Indian Union. During the War the
defence of the country would be looked after by the
British Commander-in-chief, though there would be an
Indian Defence Minister. 2 The proposals of Cripps were
rejected by all political parties. Gandhi told Sir

1. The Hindu dated December 12, 1941.

2. The Drnf i Declaration is quoted in Jagdish Sarma's
(New Delhi, 1962) pp. !/J2, !/y,i.

198 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

Stafford: "If this is your entire proposal to India,
1 would advise you to take the next plane home ". '

The failure of the Cripps Mission, the success of the
Japanese in South-East Asia and the presence of the
Japanese forces at the very gates of India wrought great
change in the attitude of the Congress. The Congress
Working Committee met in July 1942 and passed the
resolution calling upon Britain to withdraw from India.
If the appeal failed, the resolution stated, they would
take all non-violent steps for the realisation of political
rights and liberty under the leadership of Gandhi. 2 The
All-India Congress Committee, meeting in Bombay on
August 7th and 8th, 1942 endorsed this action. It
passed the famous Quit India Resolution. The Commi-
ttee resolved to start "a mass struggle on the widest
possible scale, so thdt the country might utilise all the
non-violent strength it has gathered during the last 22
years of peaceful struggle ". J With the passing of this
resolution, the government moved with lightning speed.
Gandhi and all the members of the Working Committee
were spirited away. All Congress Committees were
declared unlawful, and all leaders in all provinces were
arrested. 4

When the leaders at all levels - national, provincial,
district and taluq - were jailed the people's passion
raged high. Every individual and group, bereft of leader-
ship and guidance acted in the way they thought best.

The August revolt was on, and the Guntur district
was one of the principal centres of the revolt. Railway
stations, telephone and telegraph offices and other
government offices became the special targets of mob

1 . B Pattabhi Sitaramayya : Op. cit, Vol-I I, p. .; I /.

2. Ibid p 3l2.

3. Quoted in R. R. Diwakar's Satyaraha, ihc Power of Truth <Hin*UiiIc, Illinois,
1 968), p. 84,

4. M. V. Ramarao : Op. cit. p. 222,

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921 -7 199

fury. The revolt was not confined only to the urban
areas. The villagers joined the fray and brought the
government to naught. The incidents in Tenali, Chirala,
Guntur and Nidubrole deserve special mention.

When the news of the Quit India Resolution and the
arrest of all the prominent leaders reached Tenali, the
people were fired by "patriotic emotionalism provoking
even the peace-loving-non-political individuals to act
in their own way for the success of what was generally
believed the last and the final struggle to throw off the
foreign yoke." ' In the early hours of August 12, 1942
a handful of local town Congressmen started a proces-
sion from one corner of the eastern part of the town.
The procession marched towards the southern side
shouting nationalist slogans, attracting large groups of
people into it. By the time it reached the Taluk High
School it was more than a thousand strong. On hearing
the inspiring slogans the students, nearely one thousand,
abruptly left the classes in the flash of a moment and
joined the procession. When this "stream" of people
reached the Gandhi Chowk the leaders of the procession
were in a " mental conflict "- whether to erupt on the
Taluk Office, local sub-jail and the police station or to
turn their wrath on the railway station. Already the
labourers of the rice mills in Morrispet joined the
procession with their crude weapons like crowbars. At
this juncture "the saner elements" prevailed and
diverted the course of the procession to the railway
station. *

Here is the government account of what happened at
the Tenali railway station. The processionists "asked
the Station Master and the staff to vacate the premises.

1. Signed statement of L. Mulctcswararao, Retired Headmaster, Municipal High
School, Tenali.

2. Ibid.

if.:'

20O HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

Then they demolished a Booking Office, set fire to the
Station Master's room and the Refreshment Hall and
burnt the records and furniture. They also set fire to
the Train Examiners' Office, where oil was stored for
use in the railway engines. The Puri Passenger from
Madras was stopped outside the station by tampering
with the semaphore of the outer signal. Passengers
were made to detrain and some of the carriages were set
on fire with Kerosene oil brought from the station." '
There was one English passenger in the first class
compartment of the Puri Express. The mob did not
contemplate physical harm to the White passenger. 2

The demonstrators saw to it that telephone and tele-
graph links with the district head-quarters town-Guntur-
were snapped. But they did not know that telephone
link between the Public Works Department and Guntur
was intact. Somehow the local authorities managed to
send information to the District Collector. Here is an
eye-witness account of the arrival of the District
Collector and the Reserve Police in Tenali, their
confrontation with the furious mob and the subsequent
police firing : It was 12-30 P. M. The crowds having
caused the greatest possible havoc in the railway station
now were swarming into the Morrispet centre, the
present bus-stand area. The Armed Reserve was on
the main street in the south. The crowds were in an
excited and emotional temperament biding their time to
overrun the Armed Reserve. The Collector used his
utmost tact and restraint, and tried to persuade the
crowd to disperse. But the crowds were in no mood to

relent In the meanwhile P. Raghavayya, a local

lawyer and a member of the War Council went into the

1. G.O.No. 1013. Public (General; dated April 9, I j-U. Calender cvenu of Civi
Disobedience Movement ,: August - December, 19-U.

(A P. State Archives, H. F. S. Section)

2. Signed statement of L. Mukteswarurao.

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENJ IN oUNFUR DJSTRICT J92I 47 201

crowds to prevail on them to disperse. Even when he
was still in the crowds, thj siiuatjon worsened. When
it seemed thcit the crowds vvcro making a determined bid
to advance on the Reserve Police the Collector yet
quite reluctantly ordered the police to open fire.

p. Raghavayya, who was engaged in pacifying the

people, was injured" along with a number of other
people. '

According to the government account twenty one
rounds of ammunition were fired. The casualties were
six killed and eleven injured.

Shortly after the incident at the railway station a
crowd attacked the P. W. D. Wharf Station. In the
evening Section 144 Cr. P. C. was promulgated, 3 Later
the government made many arrests under various
sections ot the Defence of India Rules. ' ;

On the samu day i.e., August 12, wild scenes were
enacted in Chirala and Bapatla also. A procession of
500 students in Chirala caused damage to the Court of
the Sub-Magistrate and raided the Offices of the Sub-
Registrar and Sale Tax and then stoned the Police
Station, The procession then swelled to 1 500 strong.
The processionists then went to the railway station and
attacked thu cabin, cut the telephone and the signal
wires. With great difficulty the goods shed was saved
from being set fire to. The damage caused to the rail-
way property at Chirala was estimated at Rs. 1,00,000/"-.

1. (bid

2. G U. N.i 1,IH Public (General) dated April 9, 1913.
Calendar CVCMI-, i|" Civil DLsobcdieueu Movement ; August

(A l k . State Aiwlirvc::t. H.KS Section).

1 Ibid

1 Khan S.theli Mil AJnlul A/i/ Sahcb B.iluidsjr. District Magistiate. Gunltir to the
Chid Scf.claiy, tiuveniinent uf Madras, IMblic COenerat; Kc. N S'J confiden-

tial } t. -I dated Ma> /'J. 1."i 1.
(A, I*, Jiiate Archives II KS>. Sccli"

2O2 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT iN GUNTUK MISTHICT K*;i! -47

InBapatia the excited mobs attacked the railway station,
broke insulators and telegraph posts and damaged tele.
phone equipment. l Earlier the mobs attacked the court
of the Subordinate Judge. Kappagantulo Ramachandra-
rao occupied the seat of the Sub-judge and declared the
town a Free Town and the court a Frea Court.

On August 13 students and other youngsters numbe-
ring about 2,000 gathered as a riotous mob, and threw
stones at the police in Guniur. A lathi charge was
made without any effect. A number of constables
received injuries on account of "violent stone throwing".
When the mob advanced towards the Rosfcrvo Party "in
a menacing attitude" the order to a\y$n firu was given.
In all twenty rounds were fired, killiruj two and injuring
twelve. j

The August Revolt was not confined only to the
urban areas of the Guntur district. Thu rural purls were
considerably excited and the railway .stations and the
government offices became the targets of mob fury at
many places. From August to December there were
violent incidents in various places like Chiruvur, Duggi-
rala, Sangam Jagariamudi, Appapuram, Uppulur etc.
The railway lines were tampered with and the govern-
ment had to press into service "a company of the
Cameronian Highlanders" in order to patrol the railway
lines. 4

GOVERNMENT'S COUNTER MEASURES

The government resorted to levying collective fines
upon people near and about the places, where railway

I G. O. No. lOl.i. Public Genera! dated Aptil ' C.*S.. (..'.ifrtufer ocnis of Civij

(A P. State Archives, H.F.S. S
2. Unpublished diaries of Mantvita
3 G O No, J013 Public (Gcncrau dated April 1 ,', 194,*. dlcmlcr events of Civil

Disohudiencc Movement Auiuiat-Dcccmbcr,
1. Ibid

HISTOHY OF FHKIDQK MOVEMENT IN liUNlLM- 1 OISTUJCT ll)2>47 2O3

property or government offices were destroyed. Accor-
ding to G. 0. No 1013, Public (General) dated 9-4-1943
showing the "Calendar of events of Civil Disobedience
Movement of August - December 1942" an amount of
RS. 3,21,681 was imposed as collective fine in the
Guntur district upto December 31, 1942. This was the
highest amount collected in the Andhra districts. 1 The
government, however, in case of some villages like
pjttalavaripalcm, Mantennvaripalem, Allur and their
hamlets exempted all government servants, retired
government servants, non-resident land-holders and
persons who gave information leading to the arrest of
offenders from the apportionment of the fines. 2

Though the Guntur district was largely wedded to
the idea! of non-violence in its fight for national free-
dom some attempts to manufacture bombs were made in
the Guntur district. Three country bombs were blasted
in the Guntur town. In these incidents the damage
caused was little, offenders could not be traced and the
cases were declared undetectable. ' In Ongole, Chima-
kurthi Seshagirinio, Ravinuthala Venkateswarlu, Mudi-
varthi Satyanarayana and Vemuri Venkata Subbayya
manufactured a country bomb to destroy the record
room of the District Munsiff Court on January 26, 1943.
But as it was mishandled, it exploded and caused
injuries to Ravinuthala Venkateswarlu and Vennuri
Venkata Subbayya. The latter was sentenced to one and
half years imprisonment. Chimakurthi Seshagirirao and
Mudivarthi Sutyanarayana went underground, and when
the Prakasam Ministry was formed in 1946 arrest

t. M. Vcnkaturanf.aiya Op, cit Vol-IV, p. I6'j.

2 G No :M--l Public General/ Department elated October 26, 1942.

(A P. State Archives, HJ-'.S, Suction)
3. Khan Saheb Mil. Abdul A/.i/ Sahcb Bahadur, District Magistrate, Guntur to the

Chief Secretary, Government ol' Madras. Public (Gcneril) Re, I 150 confidential -43

C-l dated May 29, 1 94 '3.

(A. P, Stale Archives, 11. !'. .S, Sect ion)

204 HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUK DSSTKICT J921-47

warrants against them were withdrawn. ] Kadiyala
Yanadayya, a prominent loader of the Cnrtole taluq was
taken to the police station for interrogation in connec-
tion with the Ongoie Bomb Case !t appears B. Subba-
rao Naidu, the police officer, during the course of
interrogation lost temper and kicked Yanadayya at the
most sensitive part of his body, Yanadayya fell to the
ground dead. This happened on February 12, 1943 2

The government blamed Gandhi and the Congress for
the violent incidents of the Quit India Movement. In its
communique the government stated that "the damage
done was so extensive as to rn:;ko it incredible that it
could have been perpetrated on the spur of the move-
ment without special implements and previous prepara-
tion; and in many instances the manner in which it was
done displayed a great deal of technical knowledge". 3
Gandhi disclaimed till responsibility, ami decided to go
on fast for 21 days "in vindication of truth and
justice". 4 The fast commenced on Ful.mjary 10, 1943. 5
The whole country was plunged into deep anxiety, as
Gandhi had undertaken the fast at the advanced age
of 74. The Bar Association of Narasaraoput meeting on
February 17, 1943 passed the resolution which stated:
"This meeting expresses its deu ; j concern over the fast
of Mahatma Gandhi and requests the government to
release him immediately and unconditionally so as to
enable him to examine the situation in the country,
'de novo' and devise ways and means of ending the

1. Ramachandruni VcnUatappa's article " OiiKl T:iluU;i In (ialiunuikJia Jatceya
Chuitanyamu" in Gundlapalli Audinarayana MiaMipurtli StstuhiU. pp. 1 JMO l!>l.

2. Ibid pp. Iii2, IIJ,

H.Subbarao Naidu became notorious as U:ii'P"Kt Sulib.iriivuiiu " U.ippuU ' is a

Telugu term which means country drum:,- KuMuijo u u u c<* diMurb tcress
niuuting;; by beating * Dappulu '

See ..f?^ ndl " pa]I ' Au ^inarayaaShaMipujthi Sanctiiku pp f ! -t

3. Quoted in R C. Majumdar's Hi.Mt.ry of Ficcilom Mn\rmsr!it in Imlia, Vol-lH
(Calcutta, 1963), p 4R8, - "

4. J. M Deb; _Blod aiul Ter s (Uombuy I04 f u s p 7.',

5. B I'aitabhi Sitaramayya : Op cjt Vul-II. p. 48. i.

HISTOSY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT !92l-47 ^05

present impasse as expressed by him in his letter to the
Viceroy. This meeting further requests the Government
to make use of the services offered by Mahatmaji in the
task of forming a Notional Government forthwith to
fight Fascist powers". ' "Gandhi's spirit triumphed
over the flesh, and he emerged unscathed from the
hazards of foodless weeks". ; He broke his fast on
March 3, 1 943, : and the nation heaved a sigh of relief.

TRANSFER OF POWER

The August revolt was the culmination of the Indian
freedom movement, and the close of 1943 marked practi-
cally the end of the movement in the Guntur district.
After 1943 it was only a matter of determination of the
mechanics of the transfer of power, over which the
district did not have any control or influence The
district did not have any bearing on the subsequent
stages of the freedom movement like the formation of
the^lndian National Army, the revolt of the Royal Indian
Navy (February, 1946), the Cabinet Mission (March,
1946), the interim Government and the direct action by
the Muslim League for the vivi-section of the country
into India and Pakistan except that three persons from
the Guntur district - P. R- Bavaji, Shaik Silar and Kotha-
palli Peter - joined the Indian National Arrny of Subhas
Chandra Bose. " ;

However during this period, considerable construc-
tive work was done in the Guntur district. A training
camp was started in 1945 at Vimiyacramam for spreading
basic education, ij Due to war prices of essential

I, S P. Thomson. Registrar. Hieh Court of Judicature, Madras lo the Secretary,
Home Department, Government, ol Madras dated September 8, 1914,
(A. P, State Archieveu, H. I- 1 . S. Section

2 V, B Kulkurni : British Dominion in India and After (Bombay, 1964), <->.

3. H PattabhiSitaramayya: Op. cil. Vol-II , p -i7y.
4 Signed statement of P. K BavHJi.

5. Fortnightly repnri of the District Magistrate, Guntur uatcd July u.
>A. P Stale Archive?,, II. I : S Section)

2O6 HISTORY Of FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47

commodities skyrocketed. The Congressmen and the
Communists formed United People's Food Committees
and worked for proper distribution of grain. ' The
district Communists who worked clandestinely in 1935
under the name of the Labour Protection League, came
overground and acquired considerable following among
the agricultural labourers, youth, students and the
factory workers between 1943 and 1947. They carried
on agitation against corrupt officials, organised famine-
relief-work, agitated for control over essential commo-
dities and collected food and money for the famine-
stricken in Bengal -

Though the Guntur District Muslim League was
formed in December 1945, the district was free from
communal virus. The District Collector reported that
"there were no clashes between the Hindus and the
Muslims ". 4

MOUNTBATTEN PLAN AND THE DAWN OF
INDEPENDENCE

A war weary Britain under the Prime Ministership of
Clement Attlee sent Lord Louis Mountbfitten to arrange
transfer of power. As the Muslim League mounted up
pressure for the creation of Pakistan, the Congress had
no option but to accept the plan of the new Viceroy,
which provided for two separate dominions - India and
Pakistan. The British Parliament passed the Indian

t. Madala Veerabhadrarao Guniuru 2 ilia Aahara S.nn^y., U'l.u-cul publication
not mentioned. I W) (Tclugu). p.*.

2 - ^LL ea . Vil _ Gunturu zllla Communistu Muliaiablia Report (il;u-c ami year of

publication not mentioned) (Tclugu) pp. II, 12.
3 Ibid, p 25.

4. S. M. Hussain, District Magistrate, Guntur to the Registrar Uifih Court ol*
Judicature Madras dated December 19, ly-ix
(A. P. State Archives, H. !'. S. Section;

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 2O7

Independence Bill on Juiy 15, 1947, and on August 15,
1947 India became Independent.

August 15, 1947 was a day of rejoicing for the
people of the Guntur district, who contributed not a
little to the freedom movement. The day was marked by
prabhat pheris* processions, flag hoistings and public
meetings. It was in the fitness of things that the
freedom fighters gathered at the house of Konda
Venkatappayya to celebrate to day with eclat. '

I. Madala Veerabhailraruo : Dcsahhukta Jccvita Charjtru Machilipatnam I966)
), P- I7f

Review and Conclusions

GUNTUR DISTRICT IN THE LEAD

The Guntur district was in the forefront of the
freedom movement among the Andhra districts, since
Gandhi took command of the Indian National Congress
after its Calcutta Special Session in Soptemper, 1920.
Before the emergence of Gandhi on the national scene
there had been sporadic anti-British incidents in the
Guntur district like the Kottappakondu riot of 1S09,
when Chinappareddy made supreme sacrifice with the
full throated cry of ' Vande Mataram ' and the Tenali
Bomb blast of the same year in which several people
were sent to jail to serve various terms. Delegates had
enthusiastically participated in the annual sessions of
the Congress. The Guntur District Congress Committee
also had boen one of the earliest in ArHhni. T!u> District
had made its impact felt on the Homo H-.Jle League too.
But the manifestation of <;nti-British feelinrj or action
should not be mistaken for u scientific approach to the
national question. As a matter of iuot, ihe Indian
National Congress acquired that sceintific approach
with tha emergence of Gandhi us its undisputed leader.
The district with the rest of the country under his leader-
ship waged a relentless war till it achieved on August
15, 1947 what she had set out to do in September 1920,

HISTORY OF PKEEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT i92l-47 209

During the non-cooperation days the district was
ahead of other Andhra districts. There were also
incidents and episodes which had not been enacted in any
other part of the country. The whole population of a
town - Chirala - Perala - evacuated their hearths and
homes and braving burning heat and biting cold resided
in mud and palmyra huts for full eleven months, and
refused to be ruled against their will. It is hard to
quote any other incident from the history of the Indian
freedom struggle involving whole communities presen-
ting such determined opposition to the alien rule and its
unpopular acts of commission and omission. Even
before no-tax campaign was experimented anywhere the
district come forward and showed the way. The accounts
of Harris and -Rutherford, officials sent by the govern-
ment in the Fort St. George to deal with the situation
arising out of the no-tax campaign in the Guntur district,
show the solidarity of the masses and the leadership,
the singleness of purpose and broad avenues which the
district opened for the freedom fighters elsewhere. The
government felt totally isolated during the campaign.
This the local leadership and their following achieved
without assistance from the national leadership. Some
of the local leaders mused that had Gandhi come down
to the district and guided the movement, they would
have achieved greater successes. '

During the non-cooperation days it was not in the
rich delta regions alone that the freedom movement was
in high pitch. The not-too-rich and the not-too-literate
uplands of Palnad were also considerably awakened.
The Palnad Forest Satyagraha waged in such remote
corners like Veldurthy, Jangameswarapuram and
Minchalapadu amply proves this.

I. Rurnachandruni Venkatappa's article "Ounolu Talukalo Baliumukha Jateeya
Chttitanyaruu '* in Chmcllapiilli AudinamyiUui Shastipiirthi Sanehikti. p. 117.

21 O HISTORY OP FREfePOM MOVf.-MlMT IN .*t;WTL l f? WSTklC.T 10^1-47

Either in intensity or in initiative tho Guntur district
was the pace-setter durinrt the non-cooperation move,
ment The District Collector h;.cl to accept that he saw
Swaraj established around him. One can understand his
plight. Social boycott of the government officials was
complete and thorough. He could neither secure food
nor transport. He felt completely ostracised. Ruther-
ford could not get the services of even one person in
Pedanandipadu to guide him to the police-post.

It can safely be said that 1922 is 'annus mirabilis'
in the history of national movement in the Guntur
district. It received all-India attention, and the govern-
ment had to devise various ways to mow down the spirit
of the peopie.

In the subsequent stages of tho fruedom struggle
like the salt satyagrahu, 1 932 civil disobedience and the
August revolt of 1942 the Guntur district WHS ahead of
other Telugu districts. Tho Chiuf Secretary to the
Government of Madras reported to the government of
India that during the salt satyagraha the Guntur district
was the worst effected in the Madras presidedcy, as it
was during the non-cooperation movement of 1921. l
The pace of the movement was so quick that the
district administration could not cope up with the
situation. When promulgation of Section 144 Cr. P. C-,
whole-sale arrests, raids on sibirams and lathi charges
failed to mow down people, the administration became
jittery, and fell heavily on even token symbols of the
Congress. The result was the banning of the Gandhj
cap which brought the administration odium from far
and near. During the August revolt of 1942 the district

I C. B. Coiterrci. C. I, Ii., I.C. .S, Ading Chief Secretary t> ihr Crovenmieii' of
Madras to the Secretary to the Government ol' India. Public I>iTpmiiucnt Letter
No 74-i-S dated August J. 19)0

State Archives II. F S. Section)

KiSTJHY OF PKEhDOM MOVEMENT 5N CiUNFUH DISTRICT 1941-47 211

did not lag beeind. According to the 'Calendar of
events of Civil Disobedience Movement August - Decem-
ber 1942' prepared by the Madras Government, Guntur
district was "the storm centre among the Andhra
districts ". '

FORCES BEHIND THE DISTRICT LEADERSHIP

What then were the forces that pushed the Guntur
district to the fore in the Andhra districts in all move-
ments and the country in the non-cooperation movement
during the national struggle for independence?.

The pioneering activity of the missionaries in the
educational field and the subsequent establishment of a
number of educational institutions by the government
and the philanthropic public on western lines brought
about early political awakening in the district. Even as
far back as the year 1913 Vinjamuri Bhavanacharyulu
could enumerate 1770 schools attended by 17,234
students. 2 With these educational institutions with
A. E. L. M. College at their apex the Guntur district
gained political lead. With the rapid strides made in
education the people came to grips with the exploitative
character of British imperialism. Analysing the 1932
movement in the Guntur district, particularly Tenali,
the District Magistrate refers to "the fairly widespread
literacy "and the educated" rural ryot class which

developed a taste for news-paper reading ".

He says that Andhra Patrika was read daily "in almost
every village ". That was why the area under his juris-
diction had at least "ten years of history of anti-
Government agitation." J

I. G. O No. I-JH Public (General) Madras Government dated April 4, 1943.
(A.I*. Slate Archives, H.F.S. Section)

2. Presidential address of Vinjamuri Bhavamiehuryulu in the 23rd Guntur District
Conference held at Ongolc on 4-b-l9M p 6.

3. Guntur District Magistrate to the Chief Secretary to the Government of Madras,
da ted May 3, IU32.

(A.I>, State Archives, H.F.S. Section)

212 HISTORY OF FREEDOM WiOVi-Wf.K"! IN -JUNTUtt DISTRICT Jflij 47

Tho establishment of ;.; ;^g~ number of educational
institutions brought Into existence & new power in
politico - the power of tlr^ student community -which
supplied to the leadership much combustible material
for agitation. The students learnt their first lessons in
political agitation during the non-cooperation days,
Boycou of government schools and colleges and the
establishment of national educational institutions on
which Gandhi had laid stress evoked much response in
the district. A good number of teachers also resigned
and the effect of their sacrifice on the students cannot
be underestimated. The principals of tl,e Andhra Chris-
tian College like Rev. Struck and Dr. Sipos were not
averse to the national aspirations ut the Indians. During
the '1921 movement there we;y student strikes on a
massive scale. Many students U;U Cnn.puses and be-
came whole-timers in the notion-.! taru^jie for indepen-
dence The national schools started in the district
served as nurseries of patriots. This new found power
of the students unfolded itself with greater vigour
during the subsequent stages of the freedom movement.
When the Congress gave "Quit India" coll to the british
and when leaders at ail levels - nation;*!, provincial and
local - were jaiied, the students joined the v,xcaed mobs
and in a frenzy of fury made government offices and
railway stations the targets of their ait.ick. Highly
emotional as they were enthused by I&IUILTS, touched to
the quick by the British attitudes to Inciio and the Indidns
and inspired by the national movements in Arnjrica,
Italy and Ireland a larg^ student body in tho district
plunged into the notional movement and kupt up its
tempo.

Economic prosperity brought the people a certain
amount of leisure by which they exercised themselves
in political activities. Prof. IVL Vonkwtarangaiya says:
" it js only when the prosperity of a people shows signs
of growth that revolutionary movements emerge". He

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 213

opines that constant preoccupation with the necessities
of life would often result in the withdrawal from any
important kinds of activities unrelated to staying alive. '
The District Magistrate in his report on the civil disobe-
dience movement refers to this aspect. He says:
"Cultivation being predominantly that of paddy gives
the ryot atleast six months leisure in the year". 2 The
result was his active participation in the movement.

Economic prosperity coupled with advancement in
education gave Guntur district among the Andhra
districts leadership in the national movement for
independence.

WHAT CLASSES AND WHAT COMMUNITIES?

In the Guntur district it was the Brahmin community
that was in the forefront of the freedom movement
during the non-cooperation days. Konda Venkatappayya,
Gollt?pudi Sitaramasastry, Unnava Lakshminarayana,
N. V. L. Narasimhcsrao and Duggirala Gopalakrishnayya
were all Brahmins and were the first to respond to the
clarion call of Gandhi to boycott government institu-
tions. It was they who were in the forefront and led the
non-cooperation movement. It was understandable.
The Brahmins were the first to receive education on
western lines. Prof. M. Venk^ta Rangaiya says, "for
ages they were the only educated community in South
India, They had a monopoly of learning and scholar-
ship Brought up in such a tradition they were the

first to resort to the syste \\ of English education. .....The

other communities took to English education much

I . M. VunkuturuiiKaiya's article ' Sociology of the Freedom Movement in Andlira ' in
Itihus Journal of llic Audhru Pradesh Archives. Vol-I, No. 1. p. I 65.

7. Guntur District Magistrate to the Chief Secretary to the Government of Madrai,
dated May .., 1932

(A P. State Archives, H.F.S. Section).

214 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR &iS>THICl 1921-4?

later. It is this time factor that is responsible for the
Brahmins community leading the movement." '

During the subsequent stages of the freedom strug-
gle, as education made rapid strides among all sections
economically stronger castes came to the forefront
politically. The Government of Madras concluded that
in the 1932 movement the Kamma caste had been
" specially prominent in hostility to the Government "
and had "provided more than one leader and a consider-
able proportion of the rank and file ..." -

Important groups of Reddis, Tclagas, Rcijus and
Veiamas also enthusiastically participated in the 1930
and 1932 movements. *

Vysyas were traditionally conservative and were
wholly wedded to their profession - business. But
they also participated in the movement since the non-
cooperation days. The various hartals that the district
witnessed might not have been possible but for their
cooperation and assistance. During the non-cooperation
days the Vysyas themselves came forward in Guntur and
decided not to trade in foreign cloth incurring consider-
able finbncial loss. When picketing was at its height
in Tenali, merchants themselves closed their shops in
good grace and went home. The Vysyas also came
forward to donate towards the Tilok Swaraj Fund.
Konda Venkatappayya ' ] and the government ' advance

1. M. Venkataran K aiy;i's article ' Sociology of the I rrini.Mu Mm.-ii-.eiit in Amlhra' in
Hih_as_ Journal of tht AnUhra PraticshArLhives \ol-l Nu |,p .*,

2. Chief Secretary to the Government ol' Madras n> the S^MV,HV M rhe (iovcmment
of India. Home Department dated May I 2, i >j-i letter S< MS /.i' S. ./)
,A.1>, State Archives H.F.S. Section i

3. Guntur District Magistrate to llic Chief Secretary in the t iuxcrninciil of Madras,
dated May , 1 932

(A P. State Archives, H.F S Section

4. Konda Venkatappayya . Op. cit. p ?.S v i

5 Chief Secretary to the Government of Madras to the Si-ercury to the Government
oflndia Home Department dated May 1 2 IVJ2 Lccicr No Mb7j6l<> I/)
(A P State Archives II. I- 1 i>. Section)

O-7 PKCEOOM MOVrMFNT (N eil/NTUR otsrfcirT -:<;! d? 216

identical explanation for the active participation of the
Vysya community in frooaorn movement. As Gandhi was
a Vysya, they developed u sentimental attachment to
him and to his causes.

Whosoever was in the leadership the people rose
above narrow communal and caste feeling and whole-
heartedly fought the alien government. The Justice
Party, a loyalist non-Brahmin party, did not make any
impact on the district political life. 1 hough the Justice
Party indentified itself as a non-Brahmin party, non-
Brahmin leaders and the masses never associated them-
selves with it.

The people of the Depressed Classes, however, were
outside political life, and were not enthusiastic partici-
pants in the national liberation movement. The reasons
are not far to seek. From times immemorial they had
been in a state of social and economic bondage to the
caste Hindus. The Guntur district Magistrate wrote
in 1932: "the depressed classes, generally may be

considered to have no ideas in the matter these are

generally so much under monetary or other obligations
to other classes that their opposition to the Civil Dis-
obedience Movement is more dorment than active". l

The women of the district extended their hand of
cooperation to their men, though not wholly or mas-
sively, but substantially and impressively. The
Bezawada All India Congress Committe meeting on
March 31 and April 1, 1921 and- Ganchi's tour of the
Guntur district immediately after it marked the entry of
the women of the district into the national movement.
They came forward to liberally contribute towards Tilak

I . Guntur District Magistrate to the Chief Secretary to the Government of Madras,
dated May J, 19J2.
(A. P. State Archives, H.F.S. Section)

216 HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVFMfNT IN GUNTUK dlSThlCT I9JI-47

Swaraj Fund. There were incidents, when women p?rted
with all their jewellery for tho national cause. During
the non-cooperation ci.iys the women picketed before
shops dealing in foreign yoods, especially cloth. Unmva
Lakshmibayamma, Yamini Purrvj Tilakam and Bharrthi
Devi Ranga led batches of women and marie boycott
programme a success. The massive cvaci.'ation of the
population of Chirala-Perala - during Chirala-Perala
Satyagraha against the imposition of a municipality
might not have been possible but for the willing coopera-
tion of the women. It was during this movement that
Ravula Alameiu Mangarmna, an elderly, lady, courted
imprisonment for refusing to pay municipal !;, xts. She
was probably one of the first women to go to juil in the
Andhra Districts for political offences. In the Peda-
nandipadu and Duddukur no-tax campaign the women
were active in the social boycott of the government
officials. During the Pulmid Forest Satyagrahti the women
developed intrepidity and in the full presence of mounted
police and machine-gun toting tommies they rescued
their cattle from the pounds. In the subsequent move-
ments also the women of the Guntur di stric t were active-
They ran Sibirams, braved lathi charges, suifered every
indignity at the hands of the police, and courted long
terms of imprisonment for the national Ciiuse.

A NON-VIOLENT MOVEMENT WEDDED TO
GANDHIAN IDEALS

A salient feature with regards to the freedom move-
ment in the district was communal harmony between
the Hindus and the Muslims. At the heujht of commu-
nal frenzy in miiny pcrts of the country, the District
Magistrate, Guntur, reported thdi "there were no
clashes between the Hindus uui the Muslims" in trie
district. '

r S 11. Mussain. Disirict M;iK'i\tr;ite, Cruniur to the Registrar, II u'.h Court of the
Judicature Madras dntvd December IV, lMij,
(A P State Archives, H F*. S- Section)

S7O3Y C? FREEDOM MOVEMENT JN GiiVTUft .liSIKK'.T :92I 4? 217

Yet another salient feature of the freedom movement
in the Guntur district was absence of violence on the
part of freedom fighurs after Gandhi had t?ken over
reins of the national movement. During the worst
periods of repression the people's confidence in the
Gandhian techniques of satyagraha were not shaken.
They braved lathi charges, frequent promulgation of
Section 144 Cr, P C., whole- sale arrests, police searches
and the like, but never even once did they swerve from
the path of non-violence. Chauri Chaura type of
incidents were not enacted in the district.

The August revolt of 1942, however, was an excep-
tion. But in this case the government was much to
blame for the incidents. All leaders - national, provin-
cial, district and t&luq - were jailed, and there was no
responsible person to guide the people. So every person
proved a leader unto himself, and the mobs in a frenzy of
fury resorted to the destruction of railway stations,
government offices and other symbols of British autho-
rity. The mobs in Tenali on August 12, 1942 in a state
of high excitement destroyed all that came in their way.
But they had the nobility to conduct a White passenger
to a place of safety in the railway station. Further

".. whosoever did anything in this movement,

although not always in conformity with the strictest
code of non-violence, did it in a mood of uncontrollable
excitement and not out of my intention of knowingly
disobeying the leadership". '

There were bomb blasts - three in Guntur and one in
Cngole - during the Quit India Movement. Even accor-
ding to the government version there was no loss either

I. S. K.. Patil : The Indian NutioniiljCungrcss - A case for i
lAundh, I94V, P IB.

218 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUW OISTRjCT !92|-7

to life or to property. ! These incidents were only an
exception, not a rule. The bomb-cult did not evoke
response in the district.

I. Khan Sahcb M,i. Abdul A/i/ Saheh Bahadur. District M.isiMratc. Guntur to the
Chief Secretary 10 the Government uf M;u!rus Public Kicncral) Department
Madras dated May 39, i M.i

Re. llbO-Conf-i/c
A. P Slate Archives, II, F S

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVeMENT IN uUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 219

GLOSSARY

(In the text ail Indian words are italicised, when they
occur for the first time.)

Abkari

Adhyakshopanycisamu

Ahims

Andhra Keaari

Andhra Ratna

Anna

Badmash
Bahadurism
Bhandagarum
Brahmin

Bundies

Charitra

Charka

Chatuvulu

Dandu

Dappulu

Desa

Desabhakta

Desatyag

Doratanamu

Durantamu

Fasli

Cess

Presidential Address
Non-violence
Lion of Andhra
Diamond of Andhra
One sixteenth of a Rupee.
After the introduction of the
metric system annas were
withdrawn from circulation.
Bad character
Bossism
Repository

From the Later Vedic times
the Hindu society came to be
divided into four castes -
Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vysya and
Sudra - based on the division
of labour. The Brahmin occu-
pied the highest stratum in
the Hindu society.
Carts
History

Spinning Wheel
Stray verses
Brigade
Country drums

Country
Patriot

Voluntary exile
Rule
Atrocity
Harvest year

22O HISTOSV OF

MGVEMIN1

..l.'NTl,- r:|

|',f l'i?.1-47

Firka

Ghee

Grama

Grandhalayamu

Grandhamu

Hakim

Harijans

Hartat

Hizrat

Jai

Janmabhumj
Jatheeya
Kalasala
Kammas

Karanam
Karnam
Karyadarsi
Kesari

Khaddar
Khadi \

Khilafat
Khilaphat (

K.isan

Kist

Lathi

Lakshmi

of Mohammad
nny flight.

Ac ; ;ninistr it ive unit of a

uiluq inainiy for revenue
purposes.

Clarified butter

Village

Library

Book

Physician
: People of the depressed

classes. The term is coined

by Gandhi.

: Closure of all business-
houses, educational and

other institutions as a mark

of protest
: The flight

from Mecca
: Victory
: Motherland
: National
; College
: The high caste sudras, tillers

of the soil,
: Village Officer in-charge of

village records
: Secretary
: Lion

: Hand spun cloth

: It was the post-world War 1
movement to protect the
interests of Khalifa, the
Sultan of Turkey.

Peasant

Collection of Land revenue.
A heavy stick used by the
police to disperse crowds.

Hindu Goddess of wealth &
prosperity

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 19*1 47 221

Mahammari
Mahasivaratri

Mahatma

Maidan

Maiapalli

Mandala
Mandiram
Mangala Sutra

Mantram
Maulana
Mohatad

Moturpha
Munsiff

Mutt

Nataka

Nidhi

Nivedika

Palakeen

Palanam

Panchala

Panchamas

Panchayat

Panthulu

Parabhavam
Parishad
Parnasaias
Pathasala

Plague

Birthday of Lord Siva, one of

the Hindu Trinity.

Great Sou?

Plain

Residential area of the Hari-

jans in a village

District

Temple

Sacred thread which a Hindu

woman wears after marriage.
: Hymn

: A learned Muslim
: A village servant who assists

the Village Officers
: A cess on trade
: Village Officer in-charge of

law and order. He also

collects land revenue.

Monastery

Dramatic

Fund

Report

Palanquin

Rule,

Punjab

People of the depressed

classes.
: A village administrative unit

or a council of village elders

to decide petty cases.
: A respectable term for a

Brshmin, especially a Neogi.

Neogis are secular Brahmins,
: Humiliation

: Council

: Thatched huts

: School

222 HISTORY OP PrtEEDOM MOVM.NT IN i'^'Vi^ Ui^TKiC: S3JI-47

P.. * f ;: ,, ...
< ... '- a i C!

-x a

f i'i

Prabhavam

Pradhanu

Pradosh

Puilari

Pustbka

Purunos

Rc.dharnu

Rajus

Rekshasa
Reddy

Rupees

Ryot

Sabha

Saka
Samajamu

Scinti Sena
Sangham

S -j r v cs s w a m u
Satyagraha
Satyagrehi
Sevak Sangham
Shastipu; thi

...<.

^ ,.". S^.'-cJ p 1 ., i"

v ;.. ;? iO - 1 ^ nr

^ing To ^ town

'. U' i' ''> iTi

in the early

e o;--v. n.

! n i : i : t; i !
ft/Sain

c. lax

B o o k

Che. riot

Kii>,:i. In the Tuiugu country
tiit. word '' i" : l;.!J,.. '

*.: - "i s t e , , j c a s i ^ t ] . v' o i, :-, ::1 r. o 1 he
\AjU-ncfc; M ; the; ccun'. ry.

: i-iitj!': c^.i-jtu Gu ;;,.&, liliurs of

the soil.
: The i'a ijfidi;rd Indian coin

C ,----., t

. r u o i- s 1 1

: Litei^-turj

I i.'J J

: Society

: Edition or i ssue

: Association

: Century

* *-i *"' i 1 ' | ' * i 'i rl *i >-\

a i*-- * ' ^--^ ' *-j* I *-J * ./r 1. J t^- ^ 4 ? i_j

: Civ ii r5K;.--it iu;o
: One who prci;isB8 satyc:graha
: Soci-jl Service oaj;.inistJtion
: Coiugiuuon o; sixty years in

ii num's life. It is a day of

ceiubration

HZSTOVV ? ..p ?:?tt:ir>M MC

Ssbiram *

Srr.ruthulu :

Sopanamu : ^;-J:vMv

Suddhi : r'^'ifir:,i!if;n

Swadeshi : ru-;i r.?!i..-,j io r,nt;'s own

Swaraj ') . c ,, r , ,

_^ . " ... ' -i i \ I ' t >.."

Swsrejya s

Sweeya Cliaritra : Autobinnr -;piw

Tahsiidar : A t;jlnk ri{fir.ar-in.- r :hnr(jo of

the colloriirp. of l.jnr 1 rovo-

;K-;iv. tr.it y.

TIII * Aonvnistrnti vc division of n

' a f ''ir^ri'-.t nK.inly for '.ne revenue

Telugu : i\;lo;hi.:r toiujuo of Ancihra

Tidhi : D;.ite in ' |-ie

Tom-tominq : B:;iini(i Iho c : r;i;^ to attract

V' * *

the iitention of the people
hofore n jjovernrn^nt notifi-
cation or order is announced.
r ven tociay information is
cnrried to the people in the
vil!;gs by tom-toming.

Triveni : Confluence of three rivers.

Udyamamu : Movement

Vf.kil : Indian attorney

Vi-.nde Mataram ' : Sntutainn to thee Oh,

Motherland

VeUimas : High caste Sudras

Vetti : A village-servant who assists

the kriranam and the Munsiff

Vichcrana : Enquiry

Viriyalaya : Educational institution

Vidya : Education

224 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUFf DISTRICT 1921-47

Vijayamu
Viplava

Vivaha Vidhi

Vratam
Vysya

Yatra
Zamindar

Zilta
Zutka

: Victory

: Revolutionary

: Conventions of the institu-
tion of marriage

: Religious ceremony

: The third caste in the Hindu
religion. The main profession
of the Vysya is business.

: Journey

: A land-lord who pays land
revenue direct to the govern-
ment,

: District

: Horse-driven coach.

SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY

ENGLISH
( Unpublished )

I Andhra Pradesh State Archives documents pertain-
ing to the years commencing from 1919 and ending with
1947, They include official letters, C. I. D. reports,
Police findings, Government Orders, District Magistrate
F W. Stewart's Account of lie Salt Satyagraha Movement in the
Guntur District dated January 20, 1 931 , Report of Harris ,
Member, Board of Revenue on the situation in Krishna, Guntur and
Godavari dated January 16, 1922, Calendar evcfitx of Civil Dis-
obedience Movement August - December, W42, Government
(Madras) Fortnightly Re/torts, statements of patriots
collected and filed etc. The letters, reports and other
documents cited above are not classified, and hence
do not contain any particular reference number. They
are arranged chronologically in the files of the History
of the Freedom Struggle Section of the Andhra Pradesh
State Archives (Central Record Office), Hyderabad.

HISTORY OF FHEEDOM MOVEMENT IN &UNTUR DISTRICT 191! 1-47 225

II Questionnaire is presented and signed statements of
the following freedom fighters of the Guntur district
are obtained: Bavaji, P. R., Ghouse Beig, Mukteswara-
rao, L,, Narasimham, S. V. L., Punnayya Sastry, G.,
Sastry, S- V. S., Sivasankara Swamy, T. Subbarao,
Boddapati and Visweincidham, Kota.

ENGLISH
( Published )

1 Andhra Christian College (Guntur) Annual Calendar
(1973-74)

2 Annie Besant: How India wrought for freedom
(Madras, 1915)

3 Asthana, Pratima : Women's movement in India
(Delhi, 1i74)

4 Banorjee, Sir Surendranath : A Nation in Making
(Calcutta, 1963)

5 Bayly, C. A,, : The Local Roots f Indian Politics:
Allahabad 1880-1920 (Oxford, 1975)

6 Bose, Nirmal Kumar & Patwardhan, P. H. Gandhi in
Indian Politics (Bambay, 1967)

7 Bose, S. K. : Surendranadh Banerjec (New Delhi, 1 974)

8 Bose, Subhas Chandra : The Indian Struggle 1920-42
(Bombay, 1964)

9 Chandra, Bipin, Tripathi, Amales & De, Barun
Freedom Struggle (New Delhi, 1972)

10 Collins, Larry & Lapierre, Dominique Freedom at
Midnight (New Dedlhi, 1975)

11 Deb, J. M: Blood and Tears (Bombay, 1945)

12 Dcsabhakta Centenary Souvnir

13 Desai, A.R: Social Background of Indian Nationalism
(Bombay, 1966)

14 Diwakar, R.R: Satya gratia* the power of Truth
(Hinsdale, Illinois, 1968)

15 Edward d' Cru z, S. J: India the Quest for Nationhood
(Bombay, 1967)

226 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT iN GUNTUN MSTHICT 1921-47

16 Frykenberg, Robert Eric: Guntur District 1788-1848
(Oxford, 1965)

17 Gallagher, John., Johnson, Gordon & Seal, Anil;
Locality, Province and Xation (Cambridge, 1973)

18 Gopal, S: British Policy in India 1858-1905
(Cambridge, 1965)

19 -do- The Vicerovaltv of Lord It win: 1926-31
(Oxford, 1957)

20 Gwyer, Maurice Sir & Appadonii, A : Speeches and
Documents on the Indian Constitution /V2/-/7, in two
volumes (Oxford, 1957)

21 Hanumantarao, B.S. L. : Guntnr Through A gen
(Brochure issued by the A. L C. C. during its session
in Nehrunagar, Guntur on November 7, 8, 9 1964.)

22 India in 1921-22

23 Krishnarao, G. V: Chinila and Pcnilu Tragedy: An
Episode of Voluntary h'.\i le ( M u d r a s . 1922)

24 Kulkarni, V. B : British Dominion in India and after
(Bombay, 1964)

25 Majumdar, A. K: Advent of Independence
(Bombay, 1963)

26 Majumdar, R. C : History of Freedom Movement in India
in three volumes. (Calcutta, 1963)

27 Mansergh, Nicholas : Documents on the Transfer of
Power, 1942-7 Vols. I to V (London, published during
different years)

28 Marques of Linlithgow: Speechex and Statements
1936-43 (New Delhi, 1945)

29 Memorandum /minted to A/r. Malte Lindh, Secretary,
International Committee of the Young /V0 />/</ union of the
Baptist Union of Sweden on the occasion of his v/v/r to the
A. B. M Junior College, On gale on 2fi-7~'7I hv the
Principal & Staff of t/w A. B. M. Junior Collet Ongole,
(Ongole, 1971)

30 Menon, K. P. C : Nehnt* the Spring of Eternal Youth
(Lahore, Year of publication not mentioned)

31 Menon, V P: '//,* Transfer of power In India
(Bombay, 1957)

HISTORY OP PHl-tD^M MOVJ-McNf *N '..UNIUh UibVKlCT 1921-4? 227

32 Moon, Penderal Sir: !)i\'!tL' wit! Quit (London, 1961)

33 Mukherjes, Hirondrrinaili : India Stni$i\k's j\*r Freedom
(Bombay, 1947)

34 Munshi, K. M : Pil^nma^c to Frtc.dom* (Vol. I)
(Bombay, 1964)

35 Nohru, Jawaharlal : An Autobiography (London, 1 936)

36 Ongo/e (.iirh 9 School .-tnHivarsaries ( Harriet Cloitgh Memorial
Training School far Wumm) (Qncjoie, 1957)

37 Patii, S. K. : Tlw. Indian National Congress- A Case for
its R: organisation (Aundh, 1945)

38 Pattabhi Sitaramnyya, B. : History of the Indian
National Congress in two volumes. (New Delhi, 1969)

39 Philips, C. H : The Evolution of India and Pakistan : J85 7
to 1947 (Oxford, 1982)

40 Rarnachanciraryo M : Municipal Reforms in South India
(Madras, Year of publication not mentioned)

41 Ramanarao, M. V : A Short History of the Indian National
Congress (New Delhi, 1959)

42 Ranga, N. G : l<jght for Freedom (New Delhi, 1b68)

43 Ram Go pa I : How India Struggled for Freedom
(Bombay, 1967)

44 Sarojini Regoni : High-lights of Freedom Movement in
Andhra Pradesh (Hyderabad, 1972)

45 Sharma, Jagdish : India's Struggle for Freedom (New
Delhi, 1962)

46 Shivarao, B : India's Freedom Movement - Some Notable
Figures (New Delhi, 1972)

47 Spear, Percivai : India, A Modern History (A.nn Arbor,

1961)

48 -do- : A History of India, Vol-II (Pelican
Series) (London, 1965)

49 Subbarau, Gummidithala Venkata : Andhra Ratna
Duggirala Gopalakrislmayya: Life and Message
(Bezawada, 5035 Sravanam)

228 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT !M GUNTUR J3!5T~JCT 1*21 -47

50 Subbsrau, G. V: Ufe and Times of A'. V. Reddi Naidu
(Flajshmundry, 1957)

51 Subbarao, Mittadoddi Venkata : The Present Political
Situation in India. An address delivered hy Mittadoddi
Venkaia Subharao, Second Grade ra Wrr, Qngols, Guntur
district, Madras Presidency at a public meeting held at
Ongole on July 13, 1907.

52 Suda, J. P : Indian National Movement (Meerut,
1973-74)

53 Statistical Ail as of the Guntur District: 1360 (fasti)
(Hyderabad : 1950-51)

54 Swavely, C. K : The Luthrrn Enterprise in India (Place
of publication not mentioned, 1352)

55 Tahmankar, D. V: Stmhir Paid (London, 1970)

56 Tairse, L. R : Boycott of British /w //>/> Goods - As a
businessman sees It (Bombay, Ye?;r o- publication not
mentioned)

57 Tara Chand : History of Freedom Movement in India
(in four volumes) (New Delhi, 1972)

58 Tanduikar, T. G : /;//> of Mahatma (ianJhi (in two
volumes) Bombay,: (published in 1351-52)

59 The Home Rule League De'nand. Rein;: the Address and
Mtwwanfla prewired hy the Hume Rule l.cagiw to If. E. the
Viceroy and the Secrctury of State- (M.'!(!r;!S, 1917)

60 The Prakasam Birth Centenary Swtwnir (Andhra Pradesh,
Hyderabad)

61 Twenty. First Andhra Mnha Sahha* tirnntr* 26th ami 27th
AugiMti 1939 A souvenir.

62 Unclassified Andhra Christian College (Cf-infur) records.

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 229

63 Unclassified Andhra University (Waltair) records.

64 Unclassified Ongo/e Municipality (Ongolc) records.

65 Venkatarangaiya, M : The freedom Struggle in Andhra
Pradesh (Andhra) in four volumes. (Hyderabad,
published in different years)

66 Weiner, Myron : Party Building in a M?r Nation
(Chicago, 1967)

TELUGU
( Unpublished )

I PERSONAL PAPERS OF N. V, L. NARASIMHARAO

IM. V. L. Narasimharao recorded important events of
the freedom movement, his own impressions of them
and his contribution to the freedom movement in the
Guntur district. Narasimharao was an active partici-
pant in the various struggles connected with the
freedom movement since the non-cooperation days
of 1921.

The papers are neither classified nor paged. They
are now in the possession of N. V, L, Narasimharao,
Kottapet, Guntur (Andhra Pradesh)

II MANTENA VENKATARAJU'S DIARIES

The diaries are now in the possession of Mantena
Venkataraju's son M. V. R. Krishnamraju, Mantena-
varipalem, (Via) Chandole, Bapatla Taluq, Guntur
District, Andhra Pradesh.

TELUGU
( Published )

(Inclusive of autobiographies, biographies, speeches,
shastipurthi sanchikas r reports of political parties
and social service organisations and resolutions of
the Guntur District Congress Committee) y

23O HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNTUR DISTRICT r@2l-47

1. Andhra Desa Grandhalaya Cliuritra (Published in the
name of Ayyanki Venkataramanayya, Secretary
Andhra Desa GrancJha Bhandagara Sangham)
(Author's name not mentioned) (Bezawada, 1916)

2. Apparao, Basavarflju : Sri Andhra Ratna Dvutulu
(Vijayawada, 1963)

3. Avasarandhra Rashtriya Mahaxahha 1VIX August 18 Aahvana
Sanghadhyakshulu Sriyuta Eka Lakshmi Narasimham
Pant hit In gari swagatopanyasamit

(Place and year of publication not mentioned)

4. Avasurandhra Rashtriya Mahasabha - (ntnturu, /7, /
August 1918 - Kaiinadhuni Xitvsw-aranw Panthulu ari
Adhyakshopanvusanm (Place cinci year of publication
not mentioned)

5. Balakrishna Murthy, Achyutuni : Chirala Charitra -
Jateeya Udyamamu ( C h i r a I a , 1970)

6. Chenchayya, Darsi : ;Vr/ Divya Smnttuhi (Vijayawada,

1967)

7. -do- : Nenu, Na Dcxtmiu (Vijayawada,

1967)

8. Chidambara Sastry, Pisupati : Ongolu Mahummari
(Ongole, year of publication not mentioned)

9. Gopalakrishnayya, Duggjrala : Chunmilu (Bezwada,
year of publication not mentioned)

10- -do- : Rama<himln (Bezawada,

1934)

11. Gopalakrishnayya, Vavilala : Jateeva Vanchu
(Guntur, 1939)

1 2 Gundlapalli Audinarayana Shastipurti Stmcfnka
(Ongole, 1972)

13. Guntutu Mandala (jranthalayti Chart tra

(Published by the Gunturu Mandala Granthalaya
Sangham) (Author's name and place of publication
not mentioned, 1939)

14. Gunturu Zilla Congress Committee : Yuddhamu -Congress
(Report) (year of publication and place not
mentioned)

HISTORY OP FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN SUNTUR DISTRICT 1921-47 231

15. Gunturu Zilla llarljana Scvaka Sanglmm Report (1 -10-39
to 30-9-40) (Guntur, 15*40)

16. Kaleswararao, Ayyadevara : Na Jcevitha Katha,
Navy and/i ramu (Vijayawada, 1959)

17. Karvadarsi Nivedik : Gunturu Mandala Grandhalara

Sangham- 30-7-1938 nundi 10 -ft -40 varaku (Kanagala,

1940)

18. Kesari, K, N, : Na Chinna natf Muchchatlu (Madras,

1953)

19. Lakshminarayana, Unnava : Malapalli (Sanga
Vijayamu) (Madras, 1964)

20. Lakshminarayana, Unnava, Narasimhacharyulu,
Madabhushi Vedantam Falanati Adavi Ihhandulu
(Place and year of publication not mentioned)
(Enquiry Commission Report submitted to the
Andhra Provincial Congress Committee on the
grievances of the people of Palnad)

21. Nagabhushana Sarma, Mudaii : Telugu Sahityamu-
Gandhi Prahhavamu (Hyderabad, 1970)

22. Nalgava Gunturu Zilla Communism Mahasahha Report
(Place ond year of publication not mentioned)

23. Narayanaraju r Dandu, Rangam Sresti, C. V-, &
Subrahmanyam, Gonuguntla Venkata., : Palnati
Durantamuhty Andhra Rastra Jateeyopasangha Niyamita
Vicharana Sangha Sabhyula Nivedika.

(Enquiry Commission Report submitted to the
Andhra Provincial Congress Committee on the
atrocities committed by the government in Palnad)
(Place of publication not mentioned, 1923)

24. Prakasam,T: Na Jeevita Yatra (Madras, 1 972)

25. Pundarikakshudu, Damaraju : Gunturu Goppa (Guntur,

1921)

26. Ramakrishnayya, GuMapalli : JateeyaVidya (Guntur,

1925)

27. Ranga, N. G ; Bharathi Devi Smruthulu (Nidubrolu,

1975)

232 HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT [N GUNTUtf OISTMICT r'.*2|-47

28. Rangayya Naidu, Gnclde: Palmidu Durnuta Vichamnopa
Sangha Nivcdika (Enquiry Commission Report sub-
rnitted by Gadde Rangayya Naidu to the Andhra
Provincial Congress Committee on the atrocities
committed by the government in Palnad)

(Place and year of publication not mentioned)

29. Resolutions of the Guntur District Congress
Committee on various events and topics (available
in printed form in Saraswathi Niketun, Vetapalem)

30. Satyanarayana, Kambhampati : Artha Sutahda Kalamu
lo Andhrula Paina October Vi plava Pnihhavanni (Madras,

1970)

31. Sresti, V. V : Gunturu Mandnla Grandhahya Charitra
1931-32 (Guntur, Year of publication not mentioned)

32. Subbaraya Sarma, Grandhi Venkata : Jwita Dvayanm
(Bezawada, 1933)

33. Subrahmanyam, Guddeti : Siityar(ihti Samara Charitra
(Guciur, 1956)

34. Tenali Congress Committee Report : 11-4-3H to 30-4-39
(Tenali, 1939)

35. Varalakshamma, Kanuparthi : Unnuvu Dampathulu
(Srimannarayanapuram, Krishna district, 1963)

36. Veerabhadrarao, Madala: Desahhuktu Jeevita Charitra
(Machilipatnam, 1966)

-do- : Gunturu /.ilia Ahaani Sainasya

(Place of publication not mentioned, 1947)

-do- : (juntum '/.ilia Smirajyodyamamit

1920-30 Ujvala Ghattaht. (Place of publication not
mentioned, 1974)

39. Veerayya, Daruvuri : Gunturu Mandala Sarvawamu
(Guntur, 1964)

40. Venkatappayya, Konda, : Sweeva Charitra
(Hyderabad, 1966)

41. Venkata Ramanayya, Ayyanki : Andhra Dcsa Grcwdha-
laya Charitra (Bezawada, 1916)

HISTORY OF FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN GUNFUW BlSTKlCT 1921-47 233

42. Venkateswarlu, V : Andhra Kcsari Tangutnri Prakasam
Panthulugari Jeevithamu (Madras, 1 951 )

43. Vignana Sarvaswamu, Vol-llI (Madras, 1959)

44. 1914 June 4> 5 tedula Ongole nandu j angina 23 va Gunturu
Mandala Sabha yandu Sriyuta Vinjamuri Bhavanacharyuhi
gar f A gnisanadhi pa tyo panyasamu

(Vinjamuri Bhavanacharyulu's Presidential address
in the Guntur district Conference held at Ongole on
June 4th and 5th, 1914,)
(Place of publication and year not mentioned)

45. 27 va Qimturu Mandala Sabha, SattenapaUi-Sabhadhyakshu-
dagu Sriyuta NyapatJii Hanumantharao Panthulu gari
Upanyasamu (Guntur, 1918) (Presidential speech of
Nyapathi Hanumantharao Panthulu in the 27th
Gunturu District Conference, Sattenapalli)

JOURNALS

ENGLISH

Itihas (Published by the

Andhra Pradesh
State Archives,
Hyderabad)

The Hindu (Madras)
Younglndia (Ahmadabad)

TELUGU

Andhra Patrika (Madras)

Andhra Patrika (Weekly)

Annual Number 1 973-74

(Vijayawada)

Desabhimani (Guntur)

Krishna Patrika (Machili-

patnam)

Gunturu Patrika (Guntur)

Addanki, 49

Ahmad, John, 103

American Baptist Mission, 6

Ananda Mutt, 15

Andhra Christian College, 6, 10

Andrews, C. F., 21

Apparao, Basavaraju, 75, 79, 84

Appayya Sastry, Pathuri, 17

Arundale, G. S., 29

Audinarayana, Gullapalli, 193

B '

Bajaj, Jamanlal, 60, 156

Bailie, Miss Helen L., 7

Banerjee, W. C., 31

Baptist Missionaries, 5

Basavayya, Chimakurthi, 105

Basavapunnayya, Makineni, 190

Beg, Ghouse, 68

Belgani, Muhammud Raja Khan, 68

Besant, Annie, 28, 29

Bhavanacharyulu, Vinjamuri, 32, 35, 63

Brown, Judith M, 69

Chalapatirao, Neelamraju, 57
Chandra, Bipin, 9, 16
Chandramouli, Kalluri, 172
Chatterjee, Bankim Chandra, 15
Chenchayya, Darsi, 23
Chenchayya, Ranga, 98

Chmnammi, Chigurupati, 144

Choudary, Bhavayya, 159

Choudary, Kuppuswamy Jagarlamudi, 14, 76

Choudary, Parvataneni Veerayya, 124, 127, 135

Choudary, Saranu Ramaswamy, 11

Clough, Dr. J. E., 7

Curzon, Lord, 22

Dandayya, Eka, 32

Das, C. R., 151

De, Barun, 9

Devarampadu, 171

Dikshitulu, KoSachana Appayya, 31

Dontalavagu, 1 16

Dutt, Michael Madhusudan, 15

Elango, C. F., 191

Fareed, Sheik, 62
Frykenberg, Robert Eric, 2

Galleti, A., 124, 128
Gandhi Cap Case, 173
Giri, V. V,, 88
Gopal, S., 21

Gopalakrishnayya, Duggirala, 8, 17, 18, 75 contd. 159
Govardhana Rao, Rachapudi 124
Graham, R. A., 150

Gundurao (Deputy Collector), 106
Guntur Patrika, 20

Gupta, Polisetty Hanumayya, 127

Gupta, Sanagapalli Rcmaswami, 31, 32, 63

Hanumantharao, Dr. B S L r 94
Hanumantharao, Desiraju, 83
Hanumantharao, Nyapathi, 31,36
Hanumanthu, Kanneganti, 111
Harisarvothama Rao, Gadicherla, 24
Harris, 125, 132
Heyer, Rev. C. F., 5
Home Rule Movement, 28
Hopper, Captain, 13
Hunter, Mark> 24
Hydari, Akbar, 124, 143

lyengar, Pardhasarathy, C. R., 38

Jangameswarapuram, 100
Jallianwallabagh, 33
Jayakar, 152
Jefferson, 9

Kaleswararao, Ayyadevara, 27, 107, 162

Kameswararao, Annapragada, 172

Kanakaraju Pantulu, Buddhiraju, 32

Karempudi, 98

Kesari, K u N., 25, 27

Kesava Pillai, P., 97

Kotamma, Patibandla, 64

Koteswararao, Kolavennu, 13

Kotilingam, Sutaram, 53

Kotappa Konda, 15, 25

Kothapatnam, 190

Krishna Murthy Pantulu, Gurazada, 84

Krishna Patrika, 19, 20

Krishna Rao, Govindarajula Venkata, 76, 89
Krishna Swamy, C., 184

Lakshmibayamma, Unnava, 62, 64, 108, 167
Lakshminarasimharn, Chilakamarthi, 16
Lakshminarasimham, Ramuyanam, 51
Lakshminarasimharn, Tanguturi, 51
Lakshminarayana, Unnava, 8, 12, 17, 18, 28, 102, 104,

186
Lakshmi Narasimha Chetty, Gujula, 2

Leiden, Karl, 4

Macherla, 101
Malapalli, 18

Malaviya, Madan Mohan, 31, 152
Mangamma, Ravuri Alamelu, 76
Minchalapadu, 109
Mitra, Dinabandhu, 15
Montegu, Edwin Samuel, 29
Muhammad, Dr. Syed, 62

Nagabhushanam, Pathuri, 13

Nageswararao, Kasinadhuni, 11, 19, 36, 137

Naidu, Gadde Rangayya, 112

Naidu, Ethirajula, 68

Nallapadu, 6

Narasimhacharyuiu, Madabhush' Vedantam, 102, 104,

153

Narasimham, Kappera, 60
Narasimham, S. V. L., 11
Narasirnharao, Chatti, 159

Narasimharao, N, V. L., 8, 9, 14, 127, 150, 162, 180
Narayanarao, P. L., 52
Narayanarao, Valluri, 57

Narayana Raju, Dandu, 112,137
Nellore r 1 1

Nehru, Jawaharlal, 165
Nehru, Motilal, 148, 150, 151
Nila Darpan, 15

o, 52

Paine, Thomas, 9

Pal, Bipin Chandra, 14, 22, 31

Pandalai, 175

Patel, Vittalbhai, 152

Patel, V. S., 138, 151

Ponnur, 122

Prakasam T., 8, 13, 57, 60, 83, 137

Prakasarao, Bhattiprolu, Surya, 105

Prattipadu, 6

Prasad, Dr. Rajendra, 60, 156

Pundarikakshudu. Annavarapu, 31

Pundarikakshudu, Damaraiu, 17, 18

Radhakrishnayya, Chivukula, 51
Radha Krishnayya, Maddi, 60, 127
Raghavarao, Bellamkonda, 14
Raghavayya, Chirala, 83
Raghavayya, G. V., 110
Rajagopalachari, C., 148, 192
Raja of Panagal, 74, 91
Rajeswararao, Chandra, 190
Rajyalakshmamma, Vasireddi, 64
Ramalingayya, G., 153
Ramachandrarao, Buddhiraju, 13> 161
Ramachandrarao, M., 72
Ramadandu, 76

Ramadas, V., 82, 155
Ramakoteswararao, Kolnvennu, 57,89
Rarnakrishna Rao, Kondapi, 57
Ramamurthy, Machiraju, 122, 123
Ramapuram, 100, 146
Ramaswamy Chowdarr, Tripuraneni, 10
Ranga, Bharatj Devi, 178
Ranga, N. G,, 8, 9, 14, 16, 188
Rao, D. S. R., 13, 75, 79, S3
Reddy Naidu, Sir K. V., 67, 68, 1 90
Reddy, Chinnappa, 15, 26, 27
Roberts, Miss. Susan, 7
Rutherford, T. G., 84, 128, 13G

Sadvichara Divya Gnana Sabha,

Saheb, Chintapalli Husswin, 103

Saheb, Nabi, 103

Sarva Janik Sabha, 31

Sastry, Cheruvu Vonkata Subrahmnnya, 121

Sastry, Seetarama, Gollapudi, 2& t 122. 193

Sastry, V. L., 82

Satyamurthy, S., 82

Satyanarayana, Garimella. 17, 51

Schmitt, M., 4

Seshagirirao, Chimakurthi. 203

Seshayya. Neelamraju.

Seshudu, Ellampuili, 111

Shelley, 9

Simon, Sir John, 160

Sipes. Dr. H. A., 6, 10, 11

Sitaramayya, Dr. Pattabhi. 70

Sivaramciyya. Panchagnula, 29

Sivayya, Anche. 65, 66. 91

Sivavadhanulu, Vavilala Venkata, 31

Somayajulu, Pillalamarri. 133

VII

Sresty, Mattupalli Nalam, 98
Sresty, Rangam, C. V., 112
Srinivasarao, Adusumalli, 11
Srinivasarao, Govindarajula, 32
Srinivasarao, Pati Venkata, 30, 32
Stephen Van Husen, 5
Strock, Rev. J. Roy. 6, 10. 161

Stokes, H.. 6, 10

Subbarao, Dhenuvakonda, 51

Subbarao, G. V., 80, 94

Subbarao, Mittadoddi Venkata, 22, 24. 76

Subbarao, Nyapathi. 38, 130

Subbarao, P. V., 301

Subbarayudu, Abbaraju, 124

Subbayya, Venur Venkata, 203

Subrahmanyam, Gonuguntlci, 112

Subrahmanyam, 0. M., b2

Suddhi Movement, 10

Sundaramma, Kota. 134

Sundarayya, P., 190

Suryanarayana Chovvdary, Kanneganti

Suryanarayana, Vishnubhotla, 30, 32, 37, 63

Swavely, Dr. C. H., 5, 10

Tagore, Rabindranath, 15
Tilak, Lokmanya, 14.128
Tilakam, Yamini Purna. 108
Tenali, 149
Tripathi, Amales, 9
Tirtha, Rama, 16
Tyler, H. H. F. M., 89

Uhl, Dr. B Mrs. L. L., 6

VIII

Varadarajam, Nallarnalli, 23

Venkayya, Tadanki, 12

Veerabhadrarao, Madala, 118

Veerayya, Daruvuri, 17

Veeresalingam, K., 8, 14

Venkatadri, Choragudi, 37

Venkatappayya, Konda. 1 . 23 29, 32, 106, 128, 129, 207

Venkatappayya, Jhanjhala. 51

Venkata Raju, Mantena. l3. 193

Venkatarao, Nidudavolu, 16

Venkatarangaiya, Wl., 4

Venkateswariu Ravinuthala, 203

Venkayya, Kolia, 190

Vernon, H. A. B., 110
Vijayaraghavachariar, Salem C, 40
Vijayarama Raju, Sacji, 184, 193
Viswanadham, Kota, 51,60
Vivaha Vidhi, 10
Vivekananda, 16

Wadia, B. P B- 28, 29
Washbrook, David, 74, 97
Weiner, Mynor, 3
Wells, H. G,. 9
Wolf, Dr. L L., 6
Wutacherla, 100

Yagnik, Indulal, 190
Yanadayya, Kadiyala, 204

Yedavallivari Choultry, 167
Young India, 135

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