Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy
| Uyyalawada Narasimha | |
|---|---|
| Died | 22 February 1847 |
| Cause of death | Death by hanging |
| Children | Dora Subba Reddy |
| Parent(s) |
|
Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy was a Polygar.
Early life
Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy was born to Uyyalawada Peddamalla Reddy in Uyyalawada, located in the present-day Kurnool District which is on the banks of Kundu River. His father Peddamalla Reddy and his grandfather Jayarami Reddy were local chieftains (Polygars) of Koilakuntla.
Capture and death
Narasimha Reddy with his army attacked the British forces camped at Giddaluru on 23 July 1846 and defeated 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. Someone in the village informed this to the Collector of koilakuntla. When the British tightened his movements in the Nallamala region, 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 armed forces at night. He was caught at midnight of 6 October 1846. Narasimha Reddy was humiliated before being brought to Koilkuntla. He was tied with heavy chains and paraded in the streets of Koilkuntla with blood-stained clothes so that none should dare to revolt against the British.[1]
As many as 903 people were charged along with Narasimha Reddy for this uprising. Later 412 of them were acquitted and 273 were released on bail. As many as 112 were convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for 5 to 14 years. Some were sent to a prison in the Andaman Islands. The younger brother of the rulers of Auk is one of them. The special commissioner of Cuddapah conducted the trial. Narasimha Reddy was charged with revolt, murder and dacoity and convicted on all charges. He was sentenced to death by hanging. On 22 February 1847, Reddy was hanged publicly by the British in Koilkuntla on the banks of a nearby river in the presence of collector Kokcrane.[2]
Memorial Committee for The Sun and Moon of Renadu
Renati Surya Chandrula Smaraka Samithi was formed to preserve the memory of Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy and the philanthropist Budda Vengal Reddy, both of whom were born in Uyyalawada village. The committee published a book in both Telugu and English, titled Renati Surya Chandrulu (The Sun and Moon of Renadu), in 2015. It contains excerpts from research papers by historians[3]