Chityala Ailamma

Chityala (Chakali) Ailamma (1919 CE - 1985 CE)

Farmer, Social Activist, and Leader of the Telangana Peasant Struggle

Chityala Ailamma, also known as Chakali Ailamma, was a pioneering social activist and peasant leader from Telangana. Born into a marginalized Rajaka (washerman) family, she emerged as a fearless champion of peasant rights during the Telangana Armed Struggle against feudal landlords and oppressive officials. Despite her humble beginnings and lack of formal education, Ailamma’s leadership, courage, and dedication made her a symbol of resistance and inspired generations of Telangana peasants.

Early Life and Background

Born: 1919, Krishnapuram, Raiparthy Mandal, Warangal, Telangana
Parents: Unknown (family belonged to Rajaka caste)
Spouse: Chityala Narsaiah
Children: Four sons and one daughter, Somu Narsamma
Profession: Farmer

Ailamma grew up in a socially and economically marginalized household. From an early age, she witnessed the injustices faced by peasants, including forced labor (vetti), illegal exactions, and land dispossession. Her caste background and poverty limited her access to formal education, but her independence, determination, and sense of justice shaped her character.

Personal Life and Family

Chityala Ailamma married Chityala Narsaiah and had five children. Her family played an integral role in her activism, participating in the Telangana peasant movement alongside her. Her household became a center for political activity, hosting meetings and organizing resistance against feudal landlords and their agents.

Peasant Struggle and Activism

Ailamma’s activism began with a personal dispute over land. She leased four acres of land from landlord Kondala Rao to cultivate for her family. However, Patwari Veeramaneni Sheshagiri Rao attempted to evict her and force her into labor on his own fields. Ailamma resisted these attempts, asserting her right to cultivate her land — an action that symbolized the beginning of organized peasant resistance in Telangana.

She joined the Andhra Mahasabha, influenced by Communist leadership, and inspired her family to participate actively in the struggle. Her home became a hub for Sangham and Communist Party activities, linking local resistance to the broader Telangana Peasant Movement.

Major Events and Achievements

The 1946 Visnur Incident

In 1946, Visunur Deshmukh Ramachandra Reddy, a powerful landlord, attempted to seize Ailamma’s harvest and evict her from her land.
Ailamma, supported by 28 volunteers, successfully defended the harvest using slings, stones, chili powder, and sticks.
Hundreds of peasants, both men and women, joined her to resist the attack. The landlord’s forces fled, unable to capture the crops.
Following this, the landlord arrested Sangham leaders and subjected them to torture. Despite this, Ailamma retained her land, achieving a symbolic victory that inspired the wider peasant movement.

Role in Telangana Armed Struggle

Ailamma was an active participant in the Telangana Armed Struggle (1946–1951).
She fought against the zamindari system, forced labor (vetti), and illegal grain levies.
Her leadership mobilized both women and men, connecting local land disputes to the broader movement for peasant rights and social equality.

Personal Sacrifices

Ailamma endured significant personal hardships. Her husband and sons were repeatedly arrested for their involvement in the movement.

Her daughter, Somu Narsamma, suffered assault and abandonment, highlighting the personal costs of defying oppressive social and feudal systems.

Ideology and Leadership

Chityala Ailamma’s activism was guided by:
Social justice: Advocated for the rights of marginalized peasants.
Gender empowerment: Inspired women to participate actively in peasant struggles.
Collective action: Her efforts emphasized solidarity among peasants across caste and class.
Resistance to feudalism: Defended land rights, harvests, and dignity against landlords and state-backed officials.

She became a living symbol of courage and independence, and her name inspired many in Telangana to join the struggle for land reforms and equality.

Death and Legacy

Died: September 10, 1985, at Palakurthi, Jangaon district, Telangana
Chityala Ailamma’s life and struggle left a lasting impact on Telangana’s social and political history:
Celebrated in folk songs, ballads, and oral histories.
Recognized as a pioneering woman leader in peasant resistance.
Honored as a symbol of courage, self-respect, and social equality.
Her story continues to inspire activists, particularly women, highlighting the intersection of caste, class, and gender in Telangana’s struggle for social justice.

Chronology (Key Events)

1919 Born in Krishnapuram, Warangal
1940s Leased land from Kondala Rao; resisted Patwari and landlord oppression
1946 Defended harvest from Visunur Deshmukh Ramachandra Reddy; active in Andhra Mahasabha
1946–1951 Participated in Telangana Peasant Armed Struggle
1985 Passed away in Palakurthi, Jangaon

Chityala (Chakali) Ailamma remains a historical icon of Telangana’s peasant movement, a fearless woman who challenged feudal oppression and mobilized her community for justice. Her leadership, resilience, and unwavering commitment to equality make her an enduring symbol of courage and social reform.

TELENGANA PEOPLE’S STRUGGLE AND ITS LESSONS P. SUNDARAYYA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chityala_Ailamma

Myth and reality: the struggle for freedom in India, 1945-47 - Page 474

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