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Doddi Komarayya (Komaraiah) – Biography

First martyr of the armed phase of the Telangana Peasant Movement

Full Name: Doddi Komarayya (also spelled Komaraiah / Komraiah)
Birth: Early 1920s (exact date unknown)
Death: 4 July 1946
Place of Birth: Kadavendi (Kadivendi) village, Nalgonda district (now part of Warangal district), Telangana
Occupation: Peasant, grassroots activist, local leader of Andhra Mahasabha (AMS) and Communist Party of India (CPI) 

Early Life and Political Awakening

Doddi Komarayya was born into a poor peasant family belonging to the Kuruma/Golla (shepherd) community in Kadavendi village. The region was under feudal control of the Nizam of Hyderabad, and peasants faced severe exploitation, including forced labor and high rents. Growing up amidst these conditions, Komarayya became politically aware and joined the Andhra Mahasabha (AMS), advocating for peasant rights and social justice. He later aligned with the Communist Party of India (CPI), which emphasized land reforms and anti-feudal ideologies.

Role in the Telangana Peasant Movement

In the mid-1940s, Telangana witnessed increasing unrest among peasants fighting oppressive landlords and the Nizam’s regime. Komarayya emerged as a local leader in Kadavendi, organizing protests and educating peasants about their rights. His efforts mobilized the community against feudal exploitation and contributed to the spread of armed resistance. Peasants began seizing land from landlords and forming grama rajyams (village republics), early forms of self-governance.

Martyrdom – 4 July 1946

On 4 July 1946, Komarayya led a peasant protest in Kadavendi against the deshmukh (landlord) and his mercenaries. The protest turned deadly when the landlord’s men opened fire. Komarayya was killed instantly, becoming the first martyr of the armed phase of the Telangana Peasant Movement. His death catalyzed the transition from mass protests to organized armed struggle, inspiring peasants across Telangana to continue the fight, eventually spreading the movement to over 5,000 villages.

Legacy and Recognition

  • Annual Commemoration: 4 July is observed locally as his martyrdom day, with government and civil society organizations honoring his contributions.
  • Recognition: Komarayya is acknowledged in historical accounts, memoirs (The Sharp Knife of Memory by Kondapalli Koteswaramma), and scholarly studies on the Telangana Rebellion.
  • Historical Significance: His death marked a turning point, transitioning the Telangana movement from localized protests to widespread armed resistance, significantly contributing to agrarian reform and social justice.

References / Sources

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