Telangana Rebelion

The Telangana Rebellion was a peasant revolt which was later supported by the Communists. It took place in the former princely state of Hyderabad between 1946 and 1951. This was led by the Communist Party of India.

Armed peasants of Telangana region fight against revenue collectors. Image source: News Diary

The revolt began in the Nalgonda district and quickly spread to the Warangal and Bidar districts. Peasant farmers and laborers revolted against the local feudal landlords (Jagirdars and Deshmukhs) and later against the Osman Ali Khan, Asif Jah VII. The violent phase of the movement ended after the central government sent in the army. Starting in 1951, the CPI shifted to a more moderate strategy of seeking to bring communism to India within the constraints of Indian democracy