<–2/”>a href=”https://exam.pscnotes.com/5653-2/”>The Andhra Mahasabha emerged as a powerful socio-political movement in the Telangana region of Hyderabad State during the early 20th century. It served as a platform for the Telugu-speaking people to voice their grievances against the Nizam’s rule and advocate for their cultural, linguistic, and political rights. The Andhra Mahasabha played a pivotal role in shaping the socio-political landscape of Telangana and contributed significantly to the eventual formation of a separate Telugu-speaking state.
Origins and Early Years
The Andhra Mahasabha traces its roots to the Nizam Rashtra Andhra Jana Sangham (NRAJS), a socio-cultural organization founded in 1923 to promote Telugu language and culture. However, the NRAJS gradually evolved into a political platform, advocating for the rights of Telugu speakers in Hyderabad State.
In 1930, the first Andhra Mahasabha was held in Jogipet, Medak district, under the Leadership of Suravaram Pratapa Reddy. The conference aimed to unite the Telugu people and address their socio-political concerns. The Andhra Mahasabha quickly gained popularity and became a rallying point for the Telugu community in Telangana.
Objectives and Demands
The Andhra Mahasabha had a multi-faceted agenda aimed at improving the socio-political conditions of Telugu speakers in Hyderabad State. Some of its key objectives and demands included:
- Linguistic and Cultural Rights: The Andhra Mahasabha demanded official recognition for the Telugu language and its inclusion as a medium of instruction in schools and colleges. It also advocated for the preservation and promotion of Telugu culture and traditions.
- Political Representation: The organization demanded greater representation for Telugu speakers in the Nizam’s administration and legislature. It called for the formation of a separate Andhra province within Hyderabad State, where Telugu speakers could exercise political autonomy.
- Social Reforms: The Andhra Mahasabha advocated for social reforms, such as the Abolition of Untouchability, the promotion of Women‘s Education, and the eradication of social evils like dowry and child marriage.
- Economic Development: The organization demanded economic development measures to uplift the Telugu-speaking Population, who were predominantly engaged in agriculture and faced poverty and exploitation.
Activities and Strategies
The Andhra Mahasabha employed various strategies to achieve its objectives and mobilize public support. Some of its key activities included:
- Organizing Conferences and Meetings: The organization held regular conferences and meetings to discuss issues affecting the Telugu community and formulate strategies for action. These gatherings served as platforms for political mobilization and awareness raising.
- Publishing Newspapers and Journals: The Andhra Mahasabha published newspapers and journals in Telugu to disseminate information about its activities and to raise awareness about the socio-political issues facing the Telugu community.
- Conducting Educational and Cultural Programs: The organization organized educational and cultural programs to promote Telugu language, literature, and culture. It also established libraries and reading rooms to provide access to educational Resources for the Telugu-speaking population.
- Launching Protests and Agitations: The Andhra Mahasabha organized protests and agitations to demand their rights and to pressure the Nizam’s government to address their concerns.
Challenges and Opposition
The Andhra Mahasabha faced numerous challenges and opposition in its struggle for the rights of Telugu speakers. The Nizam’s government, dominated by the Urdu-speaking elite, was hostile to the demands of the Telugu community. The government employed repressive measures to suppress the movement, including arrests, censorship, and bans on public gatherings.
The Andhra Mahasabha also faced opposition from some sections of the Telugu community itself. The landed aristocracy and the upper castes, who benefited from the Nizam’s patronage, were reluctant to support the movement’s demands for social reforms and political representation.
Impact and Legacy
Despite these challenges, the Andhra Mahasabha achieved significant success in raising the consciousness of the Telugu-speaking people and mobilizing them into a political force. It played a crucial role in the formation of the Andhra Pradesh state in 1953, fulfilling the long-cherished dream of a separate Telugu-speaking state.
The Andhra Mahasabha’s legacy continues to inspire and influence the socio-political landscape of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Its emphasis on linguistic and cultural rights, social reforms, and political representation remains relevant even today. The organization’s contributions to the development of Telugu language, literature, and culture are also noteworthy.