At 26, Pusapati King Drove Away French Forces From North Andhra
He died of smallpox at Rajamahendravaram at the age of 28 years
Visakhapatnam: At a young age of 26 years, Maharaja Pusapati Ananda Raju drove away French forces from the north Andhra region with the help of British forces, changing the political dynamics of the region.
His reign over Vizianagaram lasted a mere two years from 1758 to 1760. He died of smallpox at Rajamahendravaram at the age of 28 years, pointed out Saikumar Kethineedi, historian and convener of Team of Researchers on Culture and Heritage (TORCH), Visakhapatnam.
The historian pointed out that immediately after the Bobbili war, the interference of French forces in the affairs of Vizianagaram state increased to the maximum extent. This upset Maharaja Ananda Raju and he vowed to drive the French away from his empire.
The Maharaja opened parleys with the British government and invited its forces to support him and drive away the French forces. “Ananda Raju himself killed Julfikar Ali, Subedar of Srikakulam, who worked with the French forces and against Pusapatis. Thereafter, the Vizianagaram Maharaja led his forces to drive away the French who had also settled in Visakhapatnam,” Sai Kumar stated.
Later, Ananda Raju joined the British and marched towards French cantonments at Chandurthi, now in Kakinada region, on December 7, 1758, and the French Fort at Machilipatnam on April 8, 1759. Thereby, he obliterated the existence of French troops from the Andhra region, leading to the British taking over the northern Circars.
This war fought by the British against the French has been described as a major turning point in the history. Historians remember Maharaja Ananda Raju as a great king, who changed the course of history at a very young age and within a span of two years.
Sai Kumar said after completing the “Jayatrayatra” or victory rally, the Maharaja fell ill while returning to Vizianagaram and died on the banks of Godavari River on February 25, 1760. His samadhi is now on the river bank within the premises of the Ramakrishna Mutt at Rajahmundry.
