The Rampa Rebellion, also known as the Manyam Rebellion, was a major tribal uprising against British colonialism in the Rampa area of current Andhra Pradesh, India, led by Alluri Sitarama Raju. The rebellion lasted from August of 1922 until the capture and execution of Raju in May of 1924. The rebellion was born out of tribal discontent due to the Madras Forest Act of 1882 and the restrictions it placed on tribal communities, such as prohibiting shifting cultivation (Podu).
Key points:
Leadership
The rebellion was not a surprise to the colonial government as Alluri Sitarama Raju, the primary leader of the rebellion, had already gained notoriety in the region.
What is cause of Rampa Rebellion?
One of the main causes for the conflict was the Madras Forest Act of 1882 which severely limited tribal people’s movement and conventional forms of agriculture.
The tribals employed guerrilla warfare under Rajus leadership, raiding police stations and British outposts.
Rampa Rebellion Events
The Rampa rebellion lasted two years, from 1922 to 1924, and ended with the capture and execution of Alluri Sitarama Raju in May of 1924. The Rampa Rebellion began with coordinated attacks on British police stations by Alluri Sitarama Raju and his followers. Between August 22 and 24, 1922, they looted police stations in Chintapalli, Krishnadevipet, and Rajavommangi, demonstrating the strength of tribal resistance. By September, the rebels had successfully defeated British police forces five times.
Rampa Rebellion Response of Britishers
The British responded to the Rampa Rebellion by introducing the Malabar Special Police Forces and enforcing martial law. They imposed punitive taxes on the villagers and brought incredible pressure to bear to end the Rampa Rebellion.
Despite placing a bounty of Rs. 10000 on Alluri Sitarama Raju and a bounty of Rs. 1000 on his lieutenants, Gam Goutham Dora and Gam Mallaya Dora, the British struggled to suppress the tribal rebellion. It was only after the capture and execution of Raju on May 7, 1924, that they were able to finally crush the rebellion, and we can say that the armed rebellions in the Rampa region had come to an end.
