Who is Sarvai Papanna or Papadu?
The statue is that of Sarvai Papanna or as he was called ‘Papadu’ in his time, or as the statue is going to be called Sri Sardar Sarvai Papanna. But who was Papadu?Sometime in the first decade of the 18th century, a young man with a horseshoe moustache challenged the Mughal might in Hyderabad. Assembling an army estimated at 12,000 strong, he struck terror into the hearts of the rulers and the wealthy with his daring attacks on passing caravans, homes of the wealthy, and raids on fortified towns. This aspect was captured by Mughal historian who came to be known as Khafi Khan. But others saw his raids on towns and caravans as an act to distribute wealth among the poor. A Robin Hood kind of figure but who is patriotic to the core. Both the aspects of Sarvai Papanna were captured in Telugu folklore. In the end, he became a folk hero who challenged the Mughal might in Telangana and lived to tell its tale. The high point of Papadu’s life was when he was bestowed with a ceremonial robe by the Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah for giving 14,00,000 rupees and provisions for the imperial army.
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