Write a short note on the participation of tribal peasants in the Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh in the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Causes for participation : (a) The colonial government had closed large forest areas, preventing people from entering the forests to graze their cattle, or to collect fuelwood and fruits. (b) These restrictions had affected their livelihoods as well as their traditional rights. (c) They were forced to contribute begar for road building. Activities : They attacked police stations and attempted to kill British officials and carried on guerrilla warfare for achieving swaraj. Their leader and his views : Alluri Sitaram Raju led them in the militant guerrilla movement. He was influenced by Gandhiji and persuaded them to wear khadi and give up drinking. He believed in the use of force for liberation of the country. He was captured and executed in 1924 and became a folk hero. Importance : This shows that tribal people were also influenced by Non-Cooperation Movement and took part in it in their own way. Tribal peasants, however, could not achieve their objects because such activities were not approved by the Congress.
