Krishna Patrika and the Vandemataram Movement in Andhra Pradesh

The success of the Indian Freedom Movement relied on the vernacular press to awaken the spirit of nationalism. This was because several national newspapers, both in English and other regional languages, assisted in mobilizing the people by instilling a strong sense of national pride in them. One was the Krishna Patrika, a Telugu weekly founded on 02 February 1902 by Deshabhakta Konda Venkatappaiah Pantulu, in Machilipatnam, Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh. Mutnuri Krishna Rao served as its Editor from 1905 till India's independence in 1947. The Krishna Patrika supported all the phases of the Indian Freedom Struggle, including movements such as Vandemataram (Swadeshi), Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, and Quit India. It provided information to the freedom fighters which could be used against the British government. The journal's content also inspired and instilled patriotism in the general public. It also had an impact on the educated urban elite as well as the rural population. The journal was occasionally distributed to rural schools for students to read it. This increased the journal's readership and influence. Many young contemporary leaders during the Freedom Struggle recognized the significance of the Krishna Patrika. Furthermore, the pernicious influence Krishna Patrika had on the people was discussed in confidential British government reports published in contemporary newspapers. The influence, popularity and services of the Krishna Patrika impressed the people of Andhra so much, that they honoured the paper in 1929. The newspaper is now published in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.