The Architect of Andhra Pride: Dr. Bhogaraju Pattabhi Sitaramayya - AP Freedom Fighters - AP Celebrities
In the annals of India's freedom struggle, few names resonate with the dual brilliance of a revolutionary and a visionary economist like Dr. Bhogaraju Pattabhi Sitaramayya. A man who traded his lucrative medical practice for a prison cell, and a leader who believed that political freedom was hollow without financial independence, he remains the heartbeat of Andhra Pradesh's historical pride.
1. Early Life: From Gundugolanu to the Medical Halls of Madras
Born on November 24, 1880, in the village of Gundugolanu (Eluru district), Pattabhi Sitaramayya was a brilliant student. He earned his M.B.C.M. degree from the prestigious Madras Medical College. While he set up a successful medical practice in Machilipatnam, the winds of the Swadeshi movement soon blew him toward a different calling: the service of the motherland.
2. The Freedom Fighter: A Trusted Lieutenant of Mahatma Gandhi
Pattabhi Sitaramayya was not just a participant; he was a pillar of the Indian National Congress (INC).
The 1939 Presidential Contest: In a famous turn of history, he stood for the Congress Presidency against Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Though he lost, Mahatma Gandhi famously remarked, "Pattabhi’s defeat is my defeat," highlighting the deep respect he commanded.
Quit India & Imprisonment: During the 1942 Quit India Movement, he was incarcerated in the Ahmednagar Fort for three years. It was during this time that he wrote his famous diary, Feathers and Stones.
Congress Presidency: He finally served as the President of the Indian National Congress in 1948, leading the party during the crucial transition of early independence.
3. The Founder of Andhra Bank: Financial Swaraj
One of Dr. Pattabhi’s greatest contributions was his realization that Indians needed their own financial institutions to break the British economic stranglehold.
On November 28, 1923, he founded Andhra Bank in Machilipatnam with a modest capital.
His vision was to provide credit to farmers and local traders, preventing the "annual drain of wealth" to Britain.
Even today, though merged with Union Bank of India, the legacy of Andhra Bank remains a symbol of Telugu entrepreneurial spirit.
4. The Scholar and Historian
Pattabhi Sitaramayya is immortalized as the official historian of the Congress. His monumental work, The History of the Indian National Congress, remains the most authoritative account of the party’s journey from 1885 to 1947. He also founded the nationalist weekly Janmabhumi to spread the message of Satyagraha.
5. Champion of Andhra Statehood
A fierce advocate for linguistic provinces, he played a pivotal role in the demand for a separate Andhra state. He was a member of the J.V.P. Committee (Jawaharlal, Vallabhbhai, Pattabhi) and later served as the Governor of Madhya Pradesh (1952–1957), bringing his administrative wisdom to a newly independent India.
🎓 Fast Facts about Dr. Pattabhi Sitaramayya
| Category | Detail |
| Born | Nov 24, 1880 (Gundugolanu, Andhra Pradesh) |
| Died | Dec 17, 1959 (Hyderabad) |
| Famous Quote | "Freedom without financial independence is incomplete." |
| Key Institutions | Andhra Bank, Andhra Insurance Company, Janmabhumi Weekly |
| Books | History of the Congress, Feathers and Stones, Gandhi and Gandhism |
Conclusion
Dr. Bhogaraju Pattabhi Sitaramayya was more than just a politician; he was a polymath—a doctor, banker, journalist, and historian. As we celebrate the progress of Andhra Pradesh today, we owe a debt of gratitude to this "Andhra Ratna" who taught us that the path to true freedom is paved with self-reliance and education.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is Bhogaraju Pattabhi Sitaramayya called the "Father of Andhra Bank"?
He founded Andhra Bank in 1923 in Machilipatnam to promote economic self-reliance among Indians and to compete with British-controlled banks like the Imperial Bank.
2. What was his role in the Indian National Congress?
He served as a member of the Congress Working Committee for decades and was the President of the INC in 1948. He is also the author of the official history of the party.
3. What is the significance of the 1939 Tripuri Session?
He was the candidate backed by Mahatma Gandhi for the Congress Presidency against Subhash Chandra Bose. His loss led to a significant ideological debate within the party.
4. Did he hold any government offices?
Yes, he was a member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted India’s Constitution and served as the first Governor of Madhya Pradesh from 1952 to 1957.
This video provides an insightful look into the life of Dr. Pattabhi Sitaramayya and the historic journey of the bank he founded in Machilipatnam.
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