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{{Short description|Indian lawyer, politician, and freedom fighter}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Bulusu Sambamurthy
| honorific_suffix =
| image = Bulusu Sambamurti 2008 stamp of India.jpg
| caption = Sambamurthy on a 2008 stamp of India
| image_size =
| office1 = President of the [[Madras Legislative Council]]
| term_start1 = 18 July 1937
| term_end1 = 1942
| predecessor1 = [[B. Ramachandra Reddi]]
| successor1 = U Rama Rao
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1886|03|04}}
| birth_place = Dulla, [[East Godavari district]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], India
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1958|02|02|1886|03|04}}
| death_place = [[Kakinada]], Andhra Pradesh, India
| party = [[Indian National Congress]]
| alma_mater =
| profession = Politician, Lawyer
| spouse =
}}

'''Bulusu Sambamurthy''' (4 March 1886 – 2 February 1958) was an Indian lawyer, politician, and freedom fighter who played a key role in the [[Indian independence movement]]. He served as the President of the [[Madras Legislative Council]] from 1937 to 1942. Sambamurthy was also an advocate for the [[Andhra movement]], which sought the creation of a separate Telugu-speaking state. He is often referred to by the honorific title of '''Maharshi Bulusu Sambamurthy''' for his wisdom and austere lifestyle.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Mahotsav |first=Amrit |title=Maharshi Sri Bulusu Sambamurthy |url=https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/unsung-heroes-detail.htm?3348 |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Ministry of Culture, Government of India |language=English}}</ref>

==Early life==
Sambamurthy was born on 4 March 1886 in a Telugu [[Vaidiki Velanadu]] Brahmin family in Dulla, [[East Godavari district]], [[Madras Presidency]].<ref name="bulususambamurthystamp">{{cite news|title=Stamp on Bulusu Sambamurthy released|date=6 March 2008|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/03/06/stories/2008030650560200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080310213128/http://www.hindu.com/2008/03/06/stories/2008030650560200.htm|url-status=dead|work=[[The Hindu]]|archive-date=10 March 2008}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> His father, Bulusu Subbavadhanulu, was a Vedic scholar. Sambamurthy completed his early education in his village and earned a degree in Physics from [[Maharajah's College]], [[Vizianagaram]]. Initially working as a lecturer, he later pursued a law degree and became a lawyer in 1911, practicing in [[Cocanada]] (now Kakinada).<ref name="hiddenhistory_thehindu">{{cite news|title=A bit of hidden history|author=S. Muthiah|authorlink=S. Muthiah|date=18 September 2006|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2006/09/18/stories/2006091800310500.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104030926/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2006/09/18/stories/2006091800310500.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 November 2012}}</ref> He soon gained recognition as a prominent criminal lawyer, handling cases in Kakinada, [[Peddapuram]], and [[Rajahmundry]].<ref name=":0" />

== Political career ==
In 1919, at the age of 33, he left his legal practice in response to [[Mahatma Gandhi]]'s call and joined the Indian independence movement. His involvement in the [[Non-cooperation movement (1919–1922)|Non-cooperation movement]] began in 1920 after he was inspired by a speech by [[Konda Venkatapayya Pantulu]]. Giving up his legal career, he committed himself to the freedom struggle, stating that "poverty is better than slavery" (దాస్యం కంటే దారిద్యం మేలు).<ref name="Bulusu Sambamurthy">{{cite journal|last1=Zamin Ryot Archives|title=Maharshi Bulusu Sambamurthy Astamayam|journal=Zamin Ryot Weekly|date=7 February 1958|page=4|url=http://www.zaminryot.com/pdf/1958/Feb/7-feb-1958.pdf|accessdate=26 April 2020}}</ref>

Sambamurthy adopted Gandhian principles and ways of life. In 1923, he became a member of the organizing committee of the Kakinada session of the [[Indian National Congress]]. He became one of the first leaders to demand ''[[Purna Swaraj]]'' (complete independence).

In 1930, Sambamurthy participated in the [[Salt Satyagraha]] at [[Chollangi]], near Kakinada, and was arrested on 18 April 1930. He was imprisoned in [[Vellore Central Jail]]. In the [[1937 Madras Presidency legislative assembly election]], Sambamurthy successfully ran for office as a member of the [[Indian National Congress]]. He was subsequently appointed as President of the [[Madras Legislative Council]], a position he held from 1937 to 1942. He resigned from the role in support of the [[Quit India Movement]].<ref name="hiddenhistory_thehindu" /><ref name="narasimhanp85">{{cite book|title=Rajagopalachari, a biography|author=C. R. Narasimhan|authorlink=C. R. Narasimhan|publisher=Radiant Publishers|year=1993|pages=85|isbn=8170271568|id=}}</ref>

==Andhra movement==
Sambamurthy was an ardent supporter of the [[Andhra movement]], which called for the creation of a separate Telugu province. In 1952, during [[Potti Sreeramulu]]'s fast unto death for the formation of Andhra, Sambamurthy offered his residence to Sreeramulu, showing his commitment to the cause. Despite his support, he did not receive the same recognition as others who later benefited from Sreeramulu's efforts.<ref name="hiddenhistory_thehindu" />

In accordance with [[Gandhian]] principles, Sambamurthy adopted a simple lifestyle, wearing a loin cloth and forgoing a shirt. After losing his wife and retiring from public life, he spent his final years in poverty in Kakinada.<ref name=":0" /> Though initially a well-regarded figure, he was neglected in his later years. Eventually, financial assistance was provided by [[Govind Ballabh Pant]], the then Union Minister, after learning about his hardships.<ref name="hiddenhistory_thehindu" />

==Death==
Bulusu Sambamurthy died on 2 February 1958 in Kakinada. His funeral was attended by prominent figures, including minister Anagani Bhagavanta Rao, A. Krishnaswami, and district collector Victor. Some others who paid condolences are [[Neelam Sanjiva Reddy|Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy]] and [[C. Rajagopalachari|Rajaji]].<ref>p.1, Andhra Patrika, Date 03/03/1958</ref>

== Legacy ==
A street in Kakinada was named after him as Sambamurthy Nagar. In 2008, the Government of India issued a commemorative postage stamp in honour of Bulusu Sambamurthy.

==See also==
* [[List of speakers of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-gov}}
{{succession box | before= Chair Created|title=Speaker of [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly#Madras Presidency|Madras Legislative Assembly]]| after=|years=15 July 1937 – 25 July 1942}}
{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sambamurti, Bulusu}}
[[Category:1886 births]]
[[Category:1958 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Telugu politicians]]
[[Category:People from Kakinada]]
[[Category:Andhra movement]]

Bulusu Sambamurthy - Revision history

Diazonium at 02:25, 7 April 2026