Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy
Encyclopedia
Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy is credited to be one of the first freedom fighters in India. He led one of the first revolts in India against British occupation
, 10 years earlier than the Sepoy Rebellion of 1857.
which is on the banks of Kundu River
. His father Peddamalla Reddy and his grand father Jayarami Reddy were local chieftains (Polygars) of Koilkuntla
.
was ceded to the British by the Nizam
, Narasimha Reddy refused to share the revenue of the region with the British. He was in favor of an armed uprising. On 10 June 1846 he attacked the treasury at Koilkuntla and marched towards Cumbum
(Prakasam District
). On the way, he created uproar at Rudravaram
by killing the forest ranger. The distric collector, Thomas Monroe, took a serious view of the rebellion and ordered his capture. Early attempts to capture him under Captain Knot and Watson were unsuccessful.The British government announced Rs 5000/ for the information and Rs 10000/ for his head which was a huge amount in those days.
on 23 July 1846 and repulsed them. Unable to capture him, the British imprisoned his family at Kadapa. In an attempt to free his family Narasimha Reddy moved to Nallamala forest. When the British tightened his movements in Nallamala, Narasimha Reddy came back to Koilkuntla area and hid in Jagannatha Konda near the village of Ramabhadrunipalle. An informant brought to the notice of British authorities of his whereabouts and his followers. The area was surrounded by the armed forces at night. He was caught at midnight of 6 October 1846. Reddy was badly beaten before being brought to Koilkuntla. He was tied with heavy chains and with blood stained clothes paraded in the streets of Koilkuntla so that no other person should dare to revolt against the British. He was charged with murder and treason and sentenced to death. On 22 February, Reddy was hanged publicly by the British in Koilkuntla on the banks of a nearby river.
British Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
, 10 years earlier than the Sepoy Rebellion of 1857.
Early life
Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy was born to Uyyalawada Peddamalla Reddy in Uyyalawada, located in present day Kurnool DistrictKurnool district
Kurnool District is a district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, located in the west-central part of the state on the southern banks of the Tungabhadra and Handri rivers. The town of Kurnool is currently the headquarters of the district...
which is on the banks of Kundu River
Kundu River
The Kundu River is a tributary of the Penna River in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, India. Originating as a spring near the village of Uppalapadu in Orvakal Mandal of Kurnool District, it goes through many changes before merging with the Penna at Adinimmaya Palli village of Kadapa District...
. His father Peddamalla Reddy and his grand father Jayarami Reddy were local chieftains (Polygars) of Koilkuntla
Koilkuntla
Koilkuntla is a town[telugu : కోయిలకుంట్ల / కోవెలకుంట్ల],Taluq headquarter and mandal in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, India.-Etimology:The name kovelakuntla refers kovela + kuntla . In ancient days there was a dancer named Kovela...
.
Background and uprising
Narasimha Reddy, as a polygar of Koilkuntla was in command of 66 villages in Kadapa, Anantapur, Bellary and Kurnool districts and controlled an army of 2000. After RayalaseemaRayalaseema
Rayalaseema is a geographic region in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. It includes the districts of Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa, Kurnool. These Telugu speaking districts were part of Madras Presidency until 1953 when Telugu speaking districts of Madras presidency were carved out to form...
was ceded to the British by the Nizam
Nizam
Nizam-ul-Mulk of Hyderabad popularly known as Nizams of Hyderabad was a former monarchy of the Hyderabad State, now in the states of Andhra Pradesh , Karnataka , and Maharashtra in India...
, Narasimha Reddy refused to share the revenue of the region with the British. He was in favor of an armed uprising. On 10 June 1846 he attacked the treasury at Koilkuntla and marched towards Cumbum
Cumbum
Cumbum may refer to:*Cumbum, Tamil Nadu - A town in Tamil Nadu in India.*Cumbum, Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh - A town in Andhra Pradesh in India....
(Prakasam District
Prakasam district
Prakasam District is an administrative district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, in India. The district headquarters is located at Ongole City...
). On the way, he created uproar at Rudravaram
Rudravaram
Rudravaram or Rudragiri is a village in Achampeta mandal, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, India.Its having population around 1600 and around 1000 voters....
by killing the forest ranger. The distric collector, Thomas Monroe, took a serious view of the rebellion and ordered his capture. Early attempts to capture him under Captain Knot and Watson were unsuccessful.The British government announced Rs 5000/ for the information and Rs 10000/ for his head which was a huge amount in those days.
Capture and death
Narasimha Reddy with his army attacked the British forces camped at GiddaluruGiddaluru
Giddaluru or Giddalur is a town and mandal in Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh, India.-Geography:Giddalur is Located on the Vinukonda - Nandayal Highway. Giddalur is located at...
on 23 July 1846 and repulsed them. Unable to capture him, the British imprisoned his family at Kadapa. In an attempt to free his family Narasimha Reddy moved to Nallamala forest. When the British tightened his movements in Nallamala, Narasimha Reddy came back to Koilkuntla area and hid in Jagannatha Konda near the village of Ramabhadrunipalle. An informant brought to the notice of British authorities of his whereabouts and his followers. The area was surrounded by the armed forces at night. He was caught at midnight of 6 October 1846. Reddy was badly beaten before being brought to Koilkuntla. He was tied with heavy chains and with blood stained clothes paraded in the streets of Koilkuntla so that no other person should dare to revolt against the British. He was charged with murder and treason and sentenced to death. On 22 February, Reddy was hanged publicly by the British in Koilkuntla on the banks of a nearby river.