Unsung Heroes Detail

In the history of the freedom movement in the Andhra region of Madras Presidency, the patriotic and heroic deeds of young Tanguturi Prakasham attracted the attention of contemporary British officials. Tanguturi Prakasham was born on 23 August 1872 at Kanuparthi in Ongole taluk. He was not only a great lawyer, student leader but an excellent writer. His book The Journey of My Life (An Autobiography) stands as the proof of his multifaceted talent. He did his Bar at Law from London in the year of 1904. Between the years 1907-1920 he became a very popular advocate in Madras High Court. He gave up his practice and jumped in to the Non-Cooperation Movement. In 1928 he led a brave procession against Simon Commission’s visit to Madras. He exhibited great courage by challenging the reserve police at Madras at that time.  He has shown his chest to the police and shouted to shoot him.  He was hailed by his fellow satyagrahis as “Andhra Kesari”. He had undergone jail imprisonment at Madras, Vellore in 1930s. He also played a key role in the Quit India Movement. In October 1953, he became the First Chief Minister of Andhra State and he died in May 1957 at Hyderabad.