Andhra Pradesh
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Country
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Formation
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1 October 1953; 64 years ago
(carved out of the erstwhile
composite Madras State as Andhra State)
1 November 1956; 60 years ago (merger with Telangana region from the erstwhile Hyderabad State to form the Joint State of Andhra Pradesh) 2 June 2014; 3 years ago (merger with Telangana dissolved by the formation of Telangana State)[1] |
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Capital
city
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Largest
city
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Government
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• Body
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• Governor
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Bicameral
(175 + 58 seats)
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25
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Area[2]
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• Total
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162,970 km2
(62,920 sq mi)
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Area
rank
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• Total
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49,386,799
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• Rank
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• Density
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308/km2
(800/sq mi)
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Telugu / Andhraite
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AP
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AP
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67.41% (2011)
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974 kilometres (605 mi)
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Website
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Andhra Pradesh (/ˌɑːndrə prəˈdɛʃ/) (
pronunciation (help·info)) is one of the 29 states of India, situated
on the southeastern coast of the country. The state is the seventh-largest state in India covering an area of 162,970 km2
(62,920 sq mi).[4]
As per 2011 Census of India, the state is tenth-largest by population with 49,386,799 inhabitants.
pronunciation (help·info)) is one of the 29 states of India, situated
on the southeastern coast of the country. The state is the seventh-largest state in India covering an area of 162,970 km2
(62,920 sq mi).[4]
As per 2011 Census of India, the state is tenth-largest by population with 49,386,799 inhabitants.
On 2 June 2014, the north-western
portion of the state was bifurcated to form a new state of Telangana.
Andhra Pradesh's longtime capital, Hyderabad,
was transferred to Telangana as part of the division. However, in accordance
with the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, Hyderabad will remain the de jure
capital of both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states for a period of time not
exceeding 10 years.[5]
The new riverfront proposed capital in Guntur district
is Amaravati,
which is under the jurisdiction of APCRDA.[6]
The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of the state in the 2016–2017 financial year at
current prices stood at ₹6,800.3 billion (US$110 billion).[7]
The state has a coastline
of 974 km (605 mi) with jurisdiction over nearly 15,000 km2
territorial waters, the second longest among all the states of India after Gujarat.[4][8]
It is bordered by Telangana in the north-west, Odisha
in the north-east, Karnataka in the west, Tamil Nadu
in the south and the water body of Bay of Bengal
in the east. A small enclave of 30 km2 (12 sq mi) of Yanam,
a district of Puducherry, lies south of Kakinada
in the Godavari delta to the east of the state.[9]
Andhra Pradesh is composed of two
regions: Coastal Andhra, located along the Bay of Bengal,
and Rayalaseema, in the inland southwestern part of the state.[10]
These two regions comprise 13 districts, with 9 in Coastal Andhra and 4 in
Rayalaseema. Visakhapatnam, located on the Bay of Bengal in North Coastal Andhra is the largest city and commercial hub of the state with a
GDP of $43.5 billion, followed in population and GDP by Vijayawada,
which is located on the Krishna River
and which has a GDP of $3 billion as of 2010.[11][12]
Andhra Pradesh hosted 121.8 million
visitors in 2015, a 30% growth in tourist arrivals over the previous year.[13]
The Tirumala
Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati
is one of the world's most visited religious sites, with 18.25 million visitors
per year.[14]
Other pilgrimage
centers in Andhra Pradesh include the Ameen Peer Dargah in Kadapa, the Mahachaitya at Amaravathi, and the Kanaka Durga Temple in Vijayawada, while the state's natural
attractions include the beaches of Visakhapatnam,
hill stations
such as the Araku Valley and Horsley Hills,
and the island of Konaseema in the Godavari River
delta.
History
Toponomy
A tribe named Andhra was mentioned
in Sanskrit
texts such as Aitareya Brahmana (800-500 BCE). According to Aitareya Brahmana of the Rig Veda,
the Andhras left north India and settled in south India.[15][16][17]
The Satavahanas have been mentioned by the names Andhra, Andhrara-jatiya
and Andhrabhrtya in the Puranic literature.[18][19]
They did not refer themselves as Andhra in any of their coins or
inscriptions; it is possible that they were termed as Andhras because of
their ethnicity or because their territory included the Andhra region.[20]
Early
and medieval history
Archaeological evidence from places
such as Amaravati, Dharanikota
and Vaddamanu
suggests that the Andhra region was part of the Mauryan Empire.
Amaravati might have been a regional centre for Mauryan rule. After the death
of Emperor Ashoka,
Mauryan rule weakened around 200 BCE, and was replaced by several smaller kingdoms in the Andhra region.[21]
The Satavahana dynasty dominated the Deccan region
from the 1st century BC to the 3rd century.[22]
The later Satavahanas made Dharanikota
and Amaravathi their
capital, which according to the Buddhists is the place where Nagarjuna,
the philosopher of Mahayana lived in the 2nd and 3rd centuries.[23]
The Andhra Ikshvakus, with their capital at Vijayapuri, succeeded the Satavahanas in the Krishna River
valley in the later half of the 2nd century.[24]
Pallavas, who were originally executive officers under the Satavahana kings,
were not a recognised political power before the 2nd century AD and were swept
away by the Western Chalukyan invasion, led by Pulakesin II in the first quarter of the
7th century CE.[25]
After the downfall of the Ikshvakus, the Vishnukundinas
were the first great dynasty in the 5th and 6th centuries, and held sway over
the entire Andhra country, including Kalinga and parts of Telangana.
They played an important role in the history of Deccan during the 5th and 6th
century CE, with Eluru, Amaravathi and Puranisangam.[26]
The Salankayanas
were an ancient dynasty that ruled the Andhra region between Godavari and
Krishna with their capital at Vengi (modern Pedavegi)
from 300 to 440 CE.[27]
The Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi, whose dynasty lasted for around 500 years from the 7th
century until 1130 C.E., eventually merged with the Chola empire.
They continued to rule under the protection of the Chola empire until 1189
C.E., when the kingdom succumbed to the Hoysalas
and the Yadavas.[28]
The roots of the Telugu language have been seen on inscriptions found near the Guntur
district and from others dating to the rule of Renati Cholas in the fifth
century CE.[29][30]
Kakatiyas ruled Andhra Pradesh state for nearly 200 years and
constructed several forts. They were succeeded by the Musunuri Nayaks.[citation needed]
The Reddy dynasty
(1325–1448 CE) was established by Prolaya Vema Reddi in the early 14th century,
who ruled from present day Kondaveedu. Prolaya Vema Reddi was part of the
confederation of states that started a movement against the invading Turkic
Muslim armies of the Delhi Sultanate
in 1323 CE and succeeded in repulsing them from Warangal.[31]
They constructed Kondaveedu Fort which they ruled between 1328–1428, before it was taken
over by the Gajpathis of Orissa, and later ravaged by the Muslim
rulers of the Bahmani kingdom in 1458. The Vijayanagara
emperor Krishnadevaraya captured it in 1516. The Golconda
Sultans
fought for the fort in 1531, 1536 and 1579, and Sultan Quli Qutb Shah
captured it in 1579, renaming it Murtuzanagar. Again it was reconquered
by Vijayanagarans who overthrew sultunate rule across the entirety of
modern-day Andhra Pradesh (excluding Telangana). After this rebellion, the
Bahmani sultans launched no further military compaigns outside their kingdoms,
because the Marathas soon emerged as the strongest power in India.[32][33][34]
Efforts are in progress to classify Kondaveedu Fort
as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[35][36]
Pemmasani Nayaks, the greatest kings during Vijayanagara times ruled parts
of Andhra Pradesh state with Gandikota
as capital for nearly 300 years.[37]
The Vijayanagara Empire originated
in the Deccan Plateau region in the early 14th century. It was established in
1336 by Harihara Raya I and his brother Bukka Raya I
of the Sangama Dynasty.[38][39][40]
The empire's patronage enabled fine arts and literature to reach new heights in
Kannada, Telugu,
Tamil and Sanskrit, while Carnatic music
evolved into its current form.[41]
Modern
history
Harihara and Bukka, who served as treasury officers of the Kakatiyas of
Warangal, founded the Vijayanagara Empire.[42]
In 1347 CE, an independent Muslim state, the Bahmani Sultanate, was established in south India
by Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah in a revolt against the Delhi Sultanate. The Qutb Shahi dynasty held sway over the Andhra country for about two hundred
years from the early part of the sixteenth century to the end of the
seventeenth century.[43]
In the early nineteenth century Northern Circars was ceded to the British East India Company and became part
of the Madras Presidency. Eventually this region emerged as the Coastal Andhra
region. Later the Nizam rulers of Hyderabad ceded five territories to the British
that eventually became the Rayalaseema
region. The Nizams retained control of the interior provinces as the princely state
of Hyderabad, acknowledging British rule in return for local autonomy.
However, Komaram Bheem, a tribal leader, started his fight against the erstwhile Asaf Jahi Dynasty for the liberation of Hyderabad State.[44]
Meanwhile, the French occupied Yanam,
in the Godavari delta, and (save for periods of British control) would hold it
until 1954. In 1947 Vizianagaram was the largest Hindu princely state in Andhra
Pradesh.
India
became independent from the United Kingdom in 1947.
The Nizam wanted to retain the independence of the Princely Hyderabad State
from India, but the people of the region launched a movement to join the Indian
Union. The state of Hyderabad was forcibly joined to the Republic of India with
Operation Polo in 1948.[45]
Post
independence
In an effort to gain an independent
state based on linguistic identity, and to protect the interests of the
Telugu-speaking people of Madras State,
Potti Sreeramulu fasted to death in 1952. As Madras became a bone of
contention, in 1949 a JVP committee report stated "Andhra Province could
be formed provided the Andhras give up their claim on the city of Madras (now
Chennai)". After Potti Sreeramulu's death, the Telugu-speaking area of Andhra State
was carved out of Madras State on 1 October 1953, with Kurnool
as its capital city.[46]
On the basis of a gentlemen's agreement of 1 November 1956, the States
Reorganisation Act formed Andhra Pradesh by merging
Andhra State with the Telugu-speaking areas of the already existing Hyderabad State.[47]
Hyderabad was made the capital of the new state. The Marathi-speaking areas of
Hyderabad State merged with Bombay State
and the Kannada-speaking areas were merged with Mysore state.
In February 2014, the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 bill was passed by the Parliament of India for the formation of Telangana
state comprising ten districts. Hyderabad
will remain as a joint capital for not exceeding ten years.
The new state of Telangana came into existence on 2 June 2014 after approval
from the President of India.
Culture
Main article: Culture
of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh has rich culture and
heritage.
Kuchipudi,
the state dance originated in the village of Kuchipudi in Krishna district, had entered the Guinness World Records for performing Mahabrinda Natyam with a total of
6,117 dancers in Vijayawada.
It had thirteen geographical
indications in categories of agricultural
handicrafts,
foodstuff
and textiles
as per Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act,
1999.
It increased to fifteen with the addition of Banaganapalle Mangoes
and Bandar laddu.
The other GI tagged goods are, Bobbili Veena,
Budithi
Bell and Brass Craft, Dharmavaram Handloom Pattu Sarees and Paavadas, Guntur Sannam,
Kondapalli Toys, Machilipatnam Kalamkari, Mangalagiri Sarees and Fabrics,
Srikalahasti Kalamkari, Tirupati Laddu,
Uppada Jamdani Sari and Venkatagiri Sari.
and ponduru kardaru and
Arts,
crafts and artifacts
Kondapalli Toys at a house in Vijayawada
Machilipatnam and Srikalahasti
Kalamkari are the two unique textile art forms practised in India.There are also other notable handicrafts present in the state, like the soft limestone
idol
carvings of Durgi.
Etikoppaka
in Visakhapatnam district is notable for its Lac industry, producing lacquered
wooden.
The state has many museums, which
features a varied collection of ancient sculptures, paintings, idols, weapons,
cutlery and inscriptions, and religious artifacts such as the Amaravati Archaeological Museum,
Visakha Museum and Telugu Cultural Museum
in Visakhapatnam displays the history of the pre-Independence and the Victoria Jubilee Museum in Vijayawada with large collection of artifacts.
Literature
Main article: Telugu literature
Nannayya, Tikkana and Yerrapragada
form the trinity who translated the Sanskrit
epic Mahabharata into Telugu language.
Nannayya wrote the first treatise on Telugu grammar called Andhra Shabda
Chintamani in Sanskrit, as there was no grammatical work in Telugu prior to
that.
Pothana
is the poet who composed the classic Srimad Maha Bhagavatamu, a Telugu
translation of Sri Bhagavatam. Vemana
is notable for his philosophical poems. The Vijayanagara
emperor Krishnadevaraya wrote Amuktamalyada.
Telugu literature after Kandukuri Veeresalingam is termed as Adhunika
Sahityam. He is known as Gadya Tikkana
and was the author of Telugu social novel,
Satyavati Charitam. Jnanpith Award
winners include Sri
Viswanatha Satya Narayana. The
Andhra Pradesh native and revolutionary poet Sri Sri brought new forms of expressionism into Telugu literature.
Music
and films
See also: Shadow Puppets of Andhra Pradesh
Kuchipudi
dance
Many composers of Carnatic music
like Annamacharya, Kshetrayya, and Bhadrachala Ramadas were of Telugu descent. Modern Carnatic music composers and
singers like Ghantasala, Sujatha Puligella and M. Balamuralikrishna are also of Telugu descent. The Telugu film industry hosts
many music composers and playback singers such as S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela, S. Janaki, P B Srinivas. Folk songs are popular in the many rural areas of the
state. Forms such as the Burra katha
and Poli are still performed today.Harikathaa Kalakshepam (or Harikatha) involves the narration of a story,
intermingled with various songs relating to the story. Harikatha was originated
in Andhra.
Burra katha is an oral storytelling technique with the topic be either a Hindu mythological story or a
contemporary social issue.
Rangasthalam is an Indian theatre
in the Telugu language, based predominantly in Andhra Pradesh.
Gurazada Apparao wrote the play, Kanyasulkam
in 1892, which is often considered the greatest play in the Telugu language.. Pullaiah
is cited as the father of Telugu theatre
movement.
The Telugu film industry had largely
shifted from Chennai to Hyderabad. The Telugu film culture (or, "Tollywood") is the second -largest film
industry in India next to Bollywood Film Industry.Prolific film producer from the state, D. Ramanaidu
holds a Guinness Record for the most number of films produced by a person.
In the years 2005, 2006 and 2008 the Telugu film industry produced the largest
number of films in India, exceeding the number of films produced in Bollywood.The industry holds the Guinness World Record for the largest film production
facility in the world.
Climate
The climate of Andhra Pradesh varies
considerably, depending on the geographical region. Summers last from March to
June. In the coastal plain, the summer temperatures are generally higher than
the rest of the state, with temperature ranging between 20 °C and
41 °C. July to September is the season for tropical rains. About one third
of the total rainfall is brought by the northeast monsoon. October and November see low-pressure systems and tropical
cyclones form in the Bay of Bengal which, along with the northeast monsoon, bring
rains to the southern and coastal regions of the state.
November, December, January, and
February are the winter months in Andhra Pradesh. Since the state has a long
coastal belt the winters are not very cold. The range of winter temperature is
generally 12 °C to 30 °C. Lambasingi
in Visakhapatnam district is the only place in South India which receives snowfall
because of its location as at 1,000 m (3,300 ft) above the sea level.
It is also nicknamed as the Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh and the
temperature ranges from 0 °C to 10 °C.
FOOD
Andhra Pradesh is known for its spicy food
all around the country. The inspiration behind such delicious variations of
food lies in the opulent culture of the state, where exotic food is being
prepared in the kitchen of the Nawabs since the year of its origin. The Andhra
cuisine comprises of both mouth-watering vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.
The famous Hyderabadi dishes include appetising Biryanis, delectable rice and
some tangy pickles and chutneys.
We bring to you, a variety of delicious dishes,
you must eat at least once in your lifetime!
1. Pulihora
An exotic version of tamarind rice, also known as
Chitrannam, is enriched with spicy flavours to give it a sour and salty taste
at the same time. One of the main ingredients is tamarind along with curry
leaves, tomatoes, and mustard seeds. Pulihora finds its place in kitchens often
during festivities and special gatherings. Try the authentic tamarind rice to
get a taste of real Andhra cuisine.
2. Chepa Pulusu
A variety of fish curry, popularly known as Chepa
Pulusu in the state of Andhra is a hot piquant dish with fish tossed in
tamarind sauce and assorted with spicy flavourings and tamarind juice to give
it a die-for taste. Prepared using a generous amount of oil and spicy
herbs, this fish curry leaves you wanting for even more. The traditional fish
gravy can be found in any restaurant serving Andhra cuisine.
3. Gongura Pickle Ambadi
If you love the tangy taste of every pickle then
you must try this fiery spicy pickle made with Ambadi leaves, otherwise known
as Sorrel leaves. This tasty pickle-chutney hybrid is widely prepared in Andhra
as well as in the state of Maharashtra. Well-blended with a variety of spices,
this special Andhra dish can be served with flavoured rice or a pair of hot
chapatis.
4. Pesarattu
Pesarattu is prepared often for breakfasts in
Andhra and regions nearby. The yummy dosa made with green moong dal is a zesty
Dosa variant, loved by everyone in the state. The moong dal Dosa is served
commonly with coconut chutney or chilli-tomato chutney. Visit one of the
authentic Andhra food corners to get a taste of the native Pesarattu flavour.
5. Andhra Chicken Biryani
The state that gave a whole new definition and
taste to Biryani is famous for giving birth to some of the most palatable
Biryani and Pulao recipes. The original mouth-watering Andhra Chicken Biryani
uses a rich combination of aromatic herbs and spices to give the long thin rice
grains, a succulent taste. Tossed vegetables are mixed with Chicken to bring
the taste it is best known for. Try the Andhra Chicken Biryani for your lunch
to have a juicy fulfilling experience.
6. Gutti Vankaya Koora
Prepared by using stuffed eggplant, this curry is
a special Andhra dish cooked in every other house in Andhra. The tender
eggplants are stuffed with roasted spicy herbs and seasonings to give to a
perfect delicious taste. The curry is thick and gives a fresh smell of tamarind
and mustard seeds, that will lure you from even a distance. It can be served
with aromatic rice or ghee Rotis.
7. Punugulu
Who isn’t fond of a crunchy crispy snack during
rainy evenings? Next time when you crave for a delicious snack to eat with your
cup of coffee, try the popular yet simple Andhra snack, Punugulu. Prepared with
Idli batter and deep fried till golden brown, the mouth-watering snack is
served with coconut ginger chutney for a perfect lip-smacking taste.
8. Curd Rice
No Andhra meal is complete without a serving of
the light yet yummy curd rice! Widely popular in Andhra as well as Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka, and Kerala, curd rice is loved by anyone who gets the taste of it.
It can be easily prepared at homes by using a simple recipe with unsweetened curd,
rice, and assorted vegetables. To give it a fine taste, it is often blended
with ginger, chopped green chillies and curry leaves. The best part of curd
rice that gives it a tangy salty taste is the Tadka seasoned using cumin seeds,
mustard seeds, and urad dal. It is also extremely digestible and carries plenty
of health benefits.
9. Dondakaya Fry
For all those gourmet out there, who seek homestyle
recipes of Andhra, your search ends at this delicious dish. The Dondakaya Fry
is a stir fry item, prepared with IvyGuord curry, also known as Parwal, Kundru,
and Tondli in other languages of the country. The healthy dish is enriched with
vitamins and boasts of being an amazing body detoxifier. It is prepared with
nuts and spices that give it a crispy nutty taste. It can be served with hot
roti or rice and rasam.
10. Bobbatlu
If you think the Andhra cuisine is all about
tangy spices and fiery chillies, then you couldn’t have been more wrong! They
also have delicious items for those with a sweet tooth. Bobbatlu, also known as
Puran Poli, is an all time favourite classic sweet dish prepared commonly in
Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. It is considered to be very pious and is
extensively prepared during important festivals and celebrations. The outer
layer is prepared with wheat flour or refined flour and the inside stuffing is
made with lentils and jaggery giving it a delicate and inviting taste.
11. Medu Vada
The popular South Indian recipe has been the
favourite in kitchens of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Known with a
variety of names like Ulundu Vadai, Ulli Garelu and Uzhunnu Vada, the delicious
doughnut-like savoury is prepared widely during all festivals and celebrations.
The main ingredient is the Urad Dal, and hence the name. Try this tasty
Indianized version of doughnut during the coming festivities at your home.
12. Uppindi
Not all dishes need to be given hours of time to
prepare. Some of them are rightly termed as the Bachelor’s diet and can be
cooked in a couple of minutes and yet taste amazing! Uppindi or Arisi
Upma, as many call it, is a popular Rava Upma dish which is easy as well as
fast to prepare. It can be cooked right at your home, during those crazy rush
mornings while going off to work. It is made using Rava, peanuts and different
varieties of spices to give it a tasteful punch.
The next time you visit a restaurant serving an
authentic Andhra cuisine, don’t forget to try one of these amazing food items
to relish the taste of unique Andhra style tangy spices and seasonings.
The state has several beaches in its
coastal districts such as, Rushikonda, Mypadu, Suryalanka etc.;
caves such as, Borra Caves,
Indian
rock-cut architecture depicting Undavalli cavesand the country's second longest caves named as Belum Caves.
The valleys and hills include, Araku Valley,
Horsley Hills, Papi Hills etc.
Arma Konda
peak located in Visakhapatnam district is the highest peak in Eastern Ghats.
The state is home to various
religious pilgrim destinations such as, Tirumala Temple,
Simhachalam Temple, Annavaram, Srisailam temple, Kanaka Durga Temple, Amaravati, Srikalahasti temple,
Shahi jamia masjid in Adoni, Gunadala Church in Vijayawada,
Buddhist centres at Amaravati, Nagarjuna Konda
etc.,
and many more as well.
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