Indian Nationalism: Cuddapah District's Constructive Activities (1922-30)
By G. Samba Siva Reddy
Summary
This study examines Cuddapah District's role in constructive nationalist activities during 1922-1930, highlighting its contributions to India's independence movement. The district, with an area of 5,884 square miles, was strategically located on the western slopes of the Eastern Ghats, bordering present-day Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Key activities included Khaddar promotion, Tilak Swarajya Fund collections, and social reform efforts. Khaddar production became a central focus, with leaders organizing spinning initiatives (charkhas, taklis) across taluks like Rajampet and Proddatur. The district supplied cotton and Khaddar to Congress volunteers from neighboring regions, while local elites opened Khaddar shops. Financial support from Andhra Provincial Congress Committees and boards facilitated these efforts, with women like Kethu Varadamma actively participating. Khaddar marriages and fundraising events strengthened community engagement, channeling proceeds to the Congress. The Tilak Swarajya Fund saw robust collection drives, with targets set by regional Congress bodies. Leaders leveraged Swami Vivekananda and Chittaranjan Das's anniversaries to mobilize support. The Andhra Swarajya Party, influenced by national leaders, gained traction, with K. Koti Reddy and A. Parasurama Rao securing electoral victories in 1923 and 1926. Social reforms included anti-untouchability campaigns, liquor shop picketing, and national schools for girls in Jammalamadugu and Proddatur. The district observed Gandhiji's fast against the Communal Award and organized prayer funds, Gandhi Month, and National Flag Days. Protests against the Simon Commission in 1928 involved hartals and processions, while Gandhiji's 1929 visit and the Lahore Resolution's call for legislative resignations further galvanized participation. These activities underscored Cuddapah's pivotal role in sustaining the nationalist movement post-N
Conclusion
This study highlights Cuddapah district's significant role in India's nationalist movement during 1922-1930, demonstrating how local constructive activities reinforced national integration. The district's active participation in Khaddar promotion, Tilak Swarajya Fund collection, and social reform initiatives like untouchability eradication showcased grassroots engagement with Gandhian principles. The establishment of Congress committees at village and taluk levels, coupled with Swarajya Party influence, strengthened political consciousness. Leaders like K. Koti Reddy and A. Parasurama Rao emerged as key figures, bridging local and national politics through electoral successes. The district's adherence to INC directives—from protesting the Simon Commission to observing Gandhi's fasts—underscored its alignment with broader anti-colonial struggles. These efforts not only sustained the national movement post-Non-Cooperation Movement but also laid groundwork for the Civil Disobedience Movement, illustrating regional contributions to India's independence