Gadicherla Harisarvottama Rao
Encyclopedia
Gadicherla Harisarvottama Rao was a freedom fighter from Andhra during the Indian independence movement
. He was inspired by the ideologies of Bal Gangadhar Tilak
and Bipin Chandra Pal
and joined the freedom movement at a very young age.
in 1883. After finishing school and college education in Kurnool, Nandyal and Gutti, Rao finished his M.A. from Madras Christian College
in 1906. While training as a teacher at the Teachers Training College of Rajahmundry
, he joined the Indian Independence movement.
While at the Teachers Training College, Rao and his fellow students attended a lecture by Bipin Chandra Pal at Rajahmundry. Inspired by Pal's speech, the students wore badges with 'Vande Mataram' inscribed on them to the college the next day. Mark Hunter, the principal of the college, objected to this and refused to admit the students into the college until they removed the badges. The students refused. The principal dismissed Rao, who was the student leader, from the college. This was a critical moment in Rao's life.
In 1914, Gadicherla was made the Secretary for the Andhra division of the Home Rule League
formed by Tilak and Annie Besant
. In this position, he played a pivotal role in inspiring the people by traveling widely to lecture. In 1923, he joined the Swarajya Party formed by Chittaranjan Das and Motilal Nehru. He was elected to the Madras Legislative Council as a candidate for the Andhra Congress from the Nandyala constituency.
Indian independence movement
The term Indian independence movement encompasses a wide area of political organisations, philosophies, and movements which had the common aim of ending first British East India Company rule, and then British imperial authority, in parts of South Asia...
. He was inspired by the ideologies of Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Lokmanya Tilak –, was an Indian nationalist, teacher, social reformer and independence fighter who was the first popular leader of the Indian Independence Movement. The British colonial authorities derogatorily called the great leader "Father of the Indian unrest"...
and Bipin Chandra Pal
Bipin Chandra Pal
Bipin Chandra Pal was an Indian nationalist. He was among the triumvirate of Lal Bal Pal.-Early life and background:...
and joined the freedom movement at a very young age.
Early life and Education
Rao was born in KurnoolKurnool
Kurnool is located at . It has an average elevation of 273 metres .Kurnool lies on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. The Handry and Neeva rivers also flow through the city. The K.C...
in 1883. After finishing school and college education in Kurnool, Nandyal and Gutti, Rao finished his M.A. from Madras Christian College
Madras Christian College
The Madras Christian College, commonly known as MCC, is a liberal arts and sciences college in Madras , India. Founded in 1837, MCC is one of Asia's oldest extant colleges. Currently, the college is affiliated to the University of Madras, but functions as an autonomous institution from its campus...
in 1906. While training as a teacher at the Teachers Training College of Rajahmundry
Rajahmundry
Rajahmundry is a city and municipal corporation of the Andhra Pradesh state in India. It is located east of the state capital, Hyderabad, on the banks of the River Godavari. Known as the Cultural Capital, Rajahmundry is noted for its intense Veda culture and intellect...
, he joined the Indian Independence movement.
While at the Teachers Training College, Rao and his fellow students attended a lecture by Bipin Chandra Pal at Rajahmundry. Inspired by Pal's speech, the students wore badges with 'Vande Mataram' inscribed on them to the college the next day. Mark Hunter, the principal of the college, objected to this and refused to admit the students into the college until they removed the badges. The students refused. The principal dismissed Rao, who was the student leader, from the college. This was a critical moment in Rao's life.
Role in the Freedom Movement
In 1908, Rao started a telugu weekly newspaper publication called 'Swarajya' with the help of Bodi Narayana Rao. He wrote numerous essays in this newspaper criticizing the many unfair policies adopted by the British government. The British declared that his article 'Viparita Buddhi', which adopted a very severe tone in criticizing violence against the Indians, was an act of sedition and sentenced Rao to 3 years of imprisonment.In 1914, Gadicherla was made the Secretary for the Andhra division of the Home Rule League
Home Rule League
The Home Rule League, sometimes called the Home Rule Party, was a political party which campaigned for home rule for the country of Ireland from 1873 to 1882, when it was replaced by the Irish Parliamentary Party.-Origins:...
formed by Tilak and Annie Besant
Annie Besant
Annie Besant was a prominent British Theosophist, women's rights activist, writer and orator and supporter of Irish and Indian self rule.She was married at 19 to Frank Besant but separated from him over religious differences. She then became a prominent speaker for the National Secular Society ...
. In this position, he played a pivotal role in inspiring the people by traveling widely to lecture. In 1923, he joined the Swarajya Party formed by Chittaranjan Das and Motilal Nehru. He was elected to the Madras Legislative Council as a candidate for the Andhra Congress from the Nandyala constituency.