Komaram Bheem


Komaram Bheem was a Telugu Indian tribal leader who fought against the Asaf Jahi Dynasty for the liberation of Hyderabad. Komaram Bheem fought against the feudal landlords during the Nizam's rule in a guerrilla campaign. He defied courts, laws, and any other form of Nizam authority, living off the sustenance of the forest. He took up arms against Nizam Nawab's soldiers, and fought Babi Jhari until his last breath.

Life

Bheem was born into a family of Gond Tribals in the forests of Komaram Bheem district in the state of Telangana, then under rule of Nizam. He was not exposed to the outside world and did not have any formal education.
Komaram Bheem was barely 15 years when his father was killed by forest officials for asserting Adivasis’ rights. After the death of his father, Bheem's family migrated to Surdhapur village
He gave the slogan of "Jal, Jungle, zameen". By definition, it means that the people who live in forests should have rights on all the resources of the forest.

Legacy

Komaram Bheem is regarded as a deity among Gond Adivasi community and Gonds observe Bheem’s death anniversary every year on Aswayuja Powrnami, where an event is organized at Jodeghat to commemorate his life and struggle. In 2011 it was announced that a statue of Bheem would be installed in Tank Bund, which was later unveiled on February 2, 2012.

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