Published Paper Details:

The history of India's freedom struggle is often narrated through prominent national movements, yet several regional and tribal resistances remain underrepresented. One such significant yet neglected episode is the armed resistance led by Ramji Gond in the Adilabad region of Telangana during the mid-19th century. This paper explores the life, struggle, and sacrifice of Ramji Gond, a tribal leader who organized a formidable rebellion against the combined oppression of British colonial authorities and the Nizam's administration. Emerging in the aftermath of the Revolt of 1857, his movement reflected both anti-colonial resistance and a struggle against socio-economic exploitation, including forced labour and administrative injustice faced by tribal communities. The paper highlights the tragic mass execution of Ramji Gond and nearly a thousand of his followers at Nirmal, an event comparable in brutality to other well-known colonial atrocities but largely absent from mainstream historiography. By examining historical records, oral traditions, and literary representations, the study seeks to reconstruct this forgotten chapter and emphasize its significance in the broader narrative of India's freedom struggle. It argues that recognizing Ramji Gond's contribution is essential for understanding the role of tribal resistance in shaping regional and national consciousness.