The tribal peasants of Gudem Hills launched a movement in Andhra Pradesh in the early 1920s. The movement was known as the Gudem Hills Movement or the Girijan Movement. It was a response to the exploitation of the tribal peasants by the landlords and moneylenders.


The Gudem Hills Movement had several causes which included:

• The exploitation of the tribal peasants by the landlords and moneylenders


• The imposition of high taxes on the peasants by the British government


• The failure of the government to provide basic amenities to the tribal peasants like healthcare, education, and sanitation


• The tribal peasants were forced to work as bonded laborers in the fields of the landlords and moneylenders

The Gudem Hills Movement had the following objectives:

• To free the tribal peasants from the clutches of the landlords and moneylenders


• To demand a reduction in taxes imposed on the peasants by the British government


• To demand the provision of basic amenities to the tribal peasants like healthcare, education, and sanitation


• To demand the abolition of bonded labor

The Gudem Hills Movement was led by Alluri Sitarama Raju. He was a charismatic leader who mobilized the tribal peasants to fight for their rights. He was assisted by several other leaders like Gam Malludora, Chittibabu, and Korra Sattibabu.


The Gudem Hills Movement used several methods to achieve its objectives, which included:

• Organizing protests and demonstrations against the landlords and moneylenders


• Boycotting the landlords and moneylenders


• Burning the records of the landlords and moneylenders


• Attacking the police stations and government offices

The Gudem Hills Movement was successful in achieving its objectives. The British government was forced to reduce the taxes imposed on the tribal peasants and provide them with basic amenities like healthcare, education, and sanitation. Bonded labor was also abolished. The movement inspired other peasant movements in the country and played a significant role in the freedom struggle.