Hyderabad: Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) on Thursday remembered freedom fighter Sardar Sarvai Papanna Goud on his birth anniversary. Known popularly as Sarvai Papadu, he is believed to have been a local Robin Hood in the 18th century.
KCR said Papanna’s fought against the then “dictatorial and autocratic forces” by uniting all sections. A press release from the chief minister’s office said that the life of Papanna is inspiring. It added that the Telangana government is giving backward communities due respect by organising Papanna’s birth anniversary.
KCR said that the Telangana government is continuing Sarvai Papanna’s spirit by fighting against discrimination and prejudice for self-respect.
KCR added that Papanna fought against the tyrannical ‘royalist trends’ by uniting tribal groups in society. The Telangana chief minister stated that his government will “continue the spirit of self-respect” shown by Sarvai Papanna Goud.
Who is Sardar Sarvai Papanna Goud?
Papanna (Papadu) was an early 18th century Indian highwayman and bandit who rose from poverty to become a folk hero. He lived in Telangana after it was taken over by the Mughals under its then emperor Aurangzeb. The Telangana region, along with most parts of present day Andhra Pradesh were part of the Golconda empire (1518-1687).
While controlling the fort at Shahpur between 1702 and 1709, Papanna and his soldiers were under siege four times. In 1710, he was apprehended and put to death. A statue of his has been installed at the Bhongir fort in Telangana.
