A reminder of the inglorious past

Bethavole Gadi

Kodad: Bethavole village in Chilkur mandal of Nalgonda district is a place of historical significance. Bethala Reddy, an army commander of Kakatiya kings, built the village in 1205 AD, which was named after him. He also constructed an irrigation tank in the name of his wife Veerla Devi. Acharyulagudem, Chennarigudem, Polenigudem, Jerripothulagudem, Kommalabanda Thanda and Sitharam Thanda came under the purview of Bethavole with a population of about 6,000 in the ancient times.

Later, it was ruled by Raja Tadakamalla Sita Ramachandra Rao, a vassal of Nizam. He used to pay a cess of Rs 1,001 to the Nizam per annum to enjoy Zamindari rights over Bethavole. He is said to be one of the tyrants in the Nizam era, who fleeced his subjects in all aspects.

According to historians, he collected 32 kinds of taxes from people to augment his revenue. Though he exploited all sections of people ruthlessly, the Zamindar constructed tanks, roads and temples and developed other basic infrastructure. People were forced to do bonded labour for infrastructure development in the Zamindari.

Bethavole Gadi, which was built in four acres of land with the British style of architecture, was famous in the olden days like Mysore palace for its grandeur. Unable to bear his authoritarian rule and suppression, people of Bethavole revolted against him in 1948. The revolt against the feudal lord was led by the Communist Party.

People from all walks of life, who suffered a lot under his tyranny, demolished Bethavole Gadi to vent out their anger against him. The demolition of the fort took four days for the people who participated in the revolt. Later, it was set on fire. All the valuables in the fort were plundered. On hearing the news of the demolition of the fort, the Zamindar, residing in Hyderabad then, died of a heart attack.

The demolished Bethavole Gadi now reflects the fact that tyrants have to pay a heavy price for their authoritarian rule. Though Ramachandra Rao remained a tyrant in the history of Bethavole, his acts of infrastructure development made the area flourish later. He also increased the water storage capacity of the village tank, which is still in use enabling farmers of the area to raise two crops a year.

In the wake of the TRS Government’s move to carve out a new district with Suryapet as its headquarters, Bethavole has assumed significance now. According to villagers, the successors of Ramachandra Rao who live in Hyderabad now, do not have any property in Bethavole except the demolished fort.

Speaking to The Hans India, Vangaveeti Venkateswarlu, a villager said: “The site of demolished fort should be given to the State Government for the construction of a junior college in memory of Ramachandra Rao as the area got largely benefited due to his construction projects.”

Echoing the same view, another villager Chandrasekhar said: “It is apt to set up a government junior college in the site of demolished fort in memory of the former Zamindar of Bethavole after the formation of Suryapet district. It will serve as a tribute to the former feudal lord and an eye-opener for corrupt people’s representatives.’’

By V Purnachandra Rao