SIGNIFICANCE O BATTLE OF BOBBILI

SIGNIFICANCE OF BATTLE OF BOBBILI

Dr K Prabhakar Rao

Battle of Bobbili fought on 23 Jan 1757 in fact had no political influence on the history of India or AP. It was fought between Raja of Vijaynagaram and Ranga Raya of Bobbili while the French troops under General Bussey supported Vijayaramraja. It was an action like a big fish eating away a small fish. But it reflects the jealousies and passions among native rulers where they took refuge under French or English men to settle their disputes. In turn the foreigners gained. Betrayal of national cause was the most preferred action for self gain. Battle of Bobbili is one among them. However the battle has gained significance in view of the valor and sacrifices of the defenders of Bobbili. The King Ranga Raya, Queen Mallamma and others preferred death than dishonor. Tandra Papayya the General of Bobbili sneered at getting kingship at Bobbili for betraying the cause of Bobbili and avenged the betrayal and defeat of Bobbili by assassinating King Vijayaramraja in a most gruesome way. How many of us are ready to sacrifice ourselves in such situation? A big zero.

The present generation leaders shamefully buckled under terrorist attack by Jihadis in Bombay on 26/11 and are still showing their darkened faces to the world as apostles of peace hiding behind incompetence, fear, lack of spirit to defend national honor, timidity and impotence for action. But men of Bobbili were made of different material. Ranga raya of Bobbili knew his hopeless position against a much superior enemy in strength and equipment. He sued for peace honorably realizing the effects of war on his state. However the jealousy, passions and action of treason by Vijayaramraja had upper hand. Thus Bobbili heroes had no option except to defend their state to the last men. Death was glorious than shame and dishonor. King Ranga Raya, Tandra Ppayya, Mallamma, Vengal rao ( Brother of ranga Raya) and many warriors have faded into golden pages of history of India while Vijayaramraja faded into dark pages of history as a treacherous villain. All his scholarly qualities are of no use and are darkened by his actions. Such traitors are required to be eliminated in the way Papayya did.

Sadly we are still holding to Afzal Guru the villain of attack on Indian parliament and are buying time to free him ultimately. What answer we can give to future generations about our incompetence and betrayal of national honor and cause? What answer we can give for our shameful defeat at the hands of Chinese in 1962? The architects of Chinese war have disappeared without being punished in a befitting manner. How shall we defend our apathy towards terrorists who dared to attack our precious temples at Akshar dham and Raghunath Mandir etc. The history in future would hold head in shame at our incompetence. We boast of victory in 1965 against Pakistan, But remember they celebrate 1965 war as victory parade day. They claim it was a victory. Lal Bahadur shastris death remains a mystery. Did the poor guy die of shock after betraying India s cause at Thashkent or was ita suicide byswallowing overdoze of sleeping pills? Who will answer this? But remember even after 250 years of Bobbili war we are proudly saying about Bobbili heroes. What a glory. They found glory in death than in shameful compromise and surrender. We are doing exactly opposite to what Rangaraya and his men did. Shame indeed.