Andhra PradeshAndhra Pradesh was formed on 1st November, 1956 under the States' reorganisation

scheme. It is the fifth largest State with an area of 2, 76,754 sq. km, accounting for 8.4 % of

India's territory. The State has the longest coastline (972 km) among all the States in India.

Andhra Pradesh is endowed with a variety of physiographic features ranging from high hills,

undulating plains to a coastal deltaic environment

HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE NISAR AHMAD KAKRU

History of Andhra PradeshAndhra has a great ancient history with several references in epics like Mahabharata,

Ramayana, Puranas, and Buddhist Jataka Tales. It is believed that the people of Andhra

Pradesh basically belonged to the Aryan race. They are said to have migrated to the south

of the Vindhyas, where they mixed up with the Non-Aryans.

 The Early Andhra Pradesh

The earliest historical evidence can be seen in the writings of Megasthenes, who visited the

Court of Chandragupta Maurya (322-297 BC). Buddhist books reveal that Andhras

established their kingdoms in the Godavari Valley at that time. Ashoka referred in his 13th

rock edict (232 BCE) that Andhra was under his rule.

The next dynasty that ruled Andhra Pradesh was the Satavahana dynasty (2nd century BC

to 2nd century A.D), also known as the Andhras. They were ruling much of central and

southern India at that time. They established their capital at Amravati on the banks of river

Krishna. They were very much indulged in international trade with both eastern Asia and

Europe. The Satavahana kings were followers of Buddhism and they worked towards the

welfare of this religion. After the fall of Satavahanas, Andhra Pradesh was ruled by many

small dynasties. Among these small dynasties, the popular one was the Ikshvaku.

Andhra achieved an identity and a distinction of its own in the reign of the Eastern and

Western Chalukyas, the Rashtrakutas and the early Cholas. By the end of the 12th century,

there were several local kingdoms, namely the Hoysalas, Kakatiyas and Yadavas. The 12th

and the 13th centuries saw the emergence of the Kakatiyas. The Kakatiya temples,

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dedicated mostly to Shiva, reveal in their construction a blending of the styles of North India

and South India which influenced the political life of the Deccan. The empire reached its

peak under the king Krishnadevaraya in the early part of 16th century. Telugu literature

reached new heights during this time. Excellent Vijayanagar monuments were built across

South India including Lepakshi, Tirupathi and Sri Kalahasthi in Andhra Pradesh. This

dynasty had to face several Muslim invasions. Later on, after the demolition of Hampi, the

kings of Hindu Vijayanagar kingdom, shifted their base to Chandragiri near Tirupati.

 The Muslim Expansion

A grand alliance of the sultanates of Ahmadnagar, Bijapur, Golconda and Bihar was formed

and  the Vijayanagar army was defeated on 23rd January, 1565 by the Deccan sultans at

the battle of Talikota. Subsequently, in the middle of 16th century, the Muslim Qutb Shahi

dynasty emerged. The foundation of the modern city of Hyderabad was laid by the Qutub

Shahis of Golcunda. They were defeated by the son of the Moghal emperor Aurangzeb in

1687, who seized Golconda. He appointed Asaf Jah the governor of Deccan. Later, when

the Mughal Empire was decaying under Aurangzeb's successors, the Asaf Jahis were

collecting power to become independent rulers under the title of Nizam. Five years after the

death of Aurangzeb, in 1707, Hyderabad was declared independent by its Viceroy and thus,

established the Asaf Jahi dynasty of Nizams. The Nizams helped the British against Tipu

Sultan of Mysore and therefore they were rewarded a certain degree of autonomy even at

the time when the British dominated all India. The Nizams were also involved in the Anglo-

French wars in the Deccan. But, finally they had enter into a subsidiary alliance with the

British in 1800.

 Post-IndependenceAndhra Pradesh is one of the first states in India which was formed only on the linguistic

basis. After India's independence the Telugu-speaking people were distributed in about 21

districts. Out of them 9 were in the Nizam's Dominions and 12 in the Madras Presidency. On

October 1, 1953, 11 districts of the Madras State were consolidated to form a new Andhra

State with Kurnool as capital. Later, on November 1, 1956 the State Reorganization

Commission recommended to enlarge the Andhra State by adding nine districts which were

in the Nizam's Dominion. The city of Hyderabad, became the capital of the enlarged Andhra

Pradesh.

History of Andhra Pradesh 

The study of history reveals that major portion of the southern India (Dakshina Padham) was

extended by Andhra region. Several dynasties ruled over this part of the country.

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Historically the earliest mention of the Andhras appeared in the Aitareya Brahmana (B.C.800).It was

called Dakshina Padh during those days. Historians felt that Andhras, Pulindas, Sabaras, and many

other sects lived in Dakshina Padh. But it is only in the Mauryan age that one gets historical evidence

of the Andhras as a political power in the southeastern Deccan. Megasthenese,who visited the Court

of Chandragupta Maurya (B.C.322--297), mentioned that Andhra country had 30 fortified towns and

an army of 1,00,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry and 1,000 elephants. Buddhist books reveal that Andhras

established their kingdoms on the Godavari belt at that time. Asoka referred in his 13th rock edict that

Andhras were his subordinates.

Ancient Period   Satavahanas Eastern Chalukyas

Medieval Period   Kakatiyas

  Bahmanis

  Vijayanagar

  Qutb Shahis

  The Mughal Rule

Modern Period

  Asaf Jahis

  Under the Company and the Crown

  Freedom Struggle

  Economic and Social Developments

Post-Independence Era

  Struggle for Andhra State

  Police Action in Hyderabad State

  Emergence of Andhra Pradesh

  Political Crisis of 1969 and 1972

HistoryAfter the fall of the Mauryan Empire, the history of the Andhras, as a continuous account of political

and cultural events, commences with the rise of the Satavahanas as a political power. According to

Matsya Purana there were 29 rulers of this dynasty. They ruled over the Andhradesa including

Deccan for about 400 years from the 2nd century B.C. to beyond the 2nd century A.D. Satavahanas

were also called Salivahanas and Satakarnis. In the 3rd century B.C., Simukha, the founder of the

Satavahana dynasty, unified the various Andhra principalities into one kingdom and became its ruler

(271 B.C. -- 248 B.C.). Dharanikota near Amaravati in Guntur district was the first capital of Simukha,

but later he shifted his capital to Pratishtana (Paithan in Aurangabad district). Satakarni II, the sixth

ruler of the dynasty (184 B.C.) was an able ruler who extended his kingdom to the west by conquering

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Malwa. According to inscriptional evidence, he extended the boundaries of his realm far into central

India across the Vindhyas, perhaps up to the river Ganges. He ruled for a long period of 56 years. The

long reign of Satakarni II was followed successively by eight rulers of whom none can be credited with

any notable achievement. It was the accession of Pulumavi I that brought renewed strength and glory

to their kingdom. He struck down the last of the Kanva rulers, Susarman, in 28 B.C. and occupied

Magadha. The Satavahanas thus assumed an all-India significance as imperial rulers in succession to

the Nandas, Mauryas, Sungas and Kanvas. The kings, who succeeded him, appear to have been

driven, by the Sakas, out of Maharashtra back to their home land in Andhra. The only silver lining in

that murky atmosphere was the excellent literary work, Gathasaptasati, of Hala, the 17th Satavahana

king. It was during the time of Gautamiputra Satakarni, the 23rd ruler of this dynasty, who ascended

the throne in A.D.62, their kingdom made a sharp recovery of the lost territories from the western

Kshatrapas. A Nasik record describes him as the restorer of the glory of the Satavahanas. His

kingdom included the territories of Asika, Assaka, Mulaka, Saurashtra, Kukura, Aparanta, Anupa,

Vidarbha, Akara and Avanti, and the mountainous regions of Vindhya, Achavata, Pariyatra, Sahya,

Kanhagiri, Siritana, Malaya, Mahendra, Sata and Chakora, and extended as far as seas on either

side. Though some of the mountains mentioned in the inscription cannot be identified at present, it is

clear that Gautamiputra's kingdom covered not only the peninsular India, but also the southern parts

of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. He passed away in A.D.86, and his successors

witnessed the dismemberment of their far flung empire.

Pulumavi II succeeded Gautamiputra and ruled for 28 years. In spite of serious efforts put forth by him

to safeguard the frontiers of his vast empire, the closing years of his reign witnessed the decline of the

Satavahana authority. Yajnasri Satakarni's accession to the throne in A.D.128 brought matters to a

crisis. He came into conflict with the Saka Satrap, Rudradamana, and suffered defeat, and

consequently, lost all his western possessions. However, he continued to rule till A.D.157 over a

truncated dominion. His ship-marked coins suggest extensive maritime trade during his days. With

him passed away the age of the great Satavahanas and by the end of the 2nd century A.D., the rule

of the Satavahanas was a matter of past history.There were different opinions about their capital.

Some argue that Srikakulam in Krishna district was their capital. Evidences show that Dharanikota in

Guntur district, Dharmapuri in Karimnagar district and Paithan in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra

State were used as capitals at various periods.

The Deccan, during this period, was an emporium of inland and maritime trade. The region between

the rivers of Godavari and Krishna was full of ports and throbbing with activity. There was plentiful

currency to facilitate trade and the Telugus entered upon a period of great industrial, commercial and

maritime activity.

Buddhism flourished throughout the period and at the same time the rulers were devoted to Vedic

ritualism. They constructed several Buddhist Stupas, Chaityas and Viharas. The Stupa at Amaravati is

known for its architecture par excellence. Satavahanas were not only the able rulers but were also

lovers of literacy and architecture. The 17th ruler of this dynasty, Hala was himself a great poet and

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his ``Gathasaptasati'' in Prakrit was well received by all. Gunadhya, the minister of Hala was the

author of ``Brihatkadha''.

The decline and fall of the Satavahana empire left the Andhra country in a political chaos. Local rulers

as well as invaders tried to carve out small kingdoms for themselves and to establish dynasties.

During the period from A.D.180 to A.D.624, Ikshvakus, Brihatphalayanas, Salankayanas,

Vishnukundins, Vakatakas, Pallavas, Anandagotras, Kalingas and others ruled over the Andhra area

with their small kingdoms. Such instability continued to prevail until the rise of the Eastern Chalukyas. Important among them were the Ikshvakus. The Puranas mention them as the Sriparvatiyas. The

present Nagarjunakonda was then known as Sriparvata and Vijayapuri, near it, was their capital. They

patronised Buddhism, though they followed the vedic ritualism. After the Ikshvakus, a part of the

Andhra region north of the river Krishna was ruled over by Jayavarma of Brihatphalayana gotra.

Salankayanas ruled over a part of the East Coast with Vengi as their capital. Next to rule were the

Vishnukundins who occupied the territory between the Krishna and Godavari. It is believed that their

capital was Indrapura, which can be identified with the modern Indrapalagutta in Ramannapet taluk of

Nalgonda district. By A.D.514, the land north of the Godavari, known, as Kalinga became

independent. The area south of the Krishna fell to the share of the Pallavas, who ruled from Kanchi.

The Vakatakas occupied the present Telangana. This state of affairs continued with few changes up

to the beginning of the 7th century A.D.

Buddhism continued, though in a decadent form during this period. Mahayanism gave wide currency

to the belief that the installation and worship of Buddha and Bodhisattva images, and the erection of

stupas conferred great merit. The Madhyamika School of thought in Mahayana was propounded by

Nagarjuna. Sanskrit came to occupy the place of Prakrit as the language of inscriptions. The

Vishnukundins extended patronage to architecture and sculpture. The cave temples at

Mogalrajapuram and Undavalli near Vijayawada bear testimony to their artistic taste.

The period of Andhra history, between A.D.624 and A.D.1323, spanning over seven centuries, is

significant for the sea-change it brought in all spheres of the human activity; social, religious, linguistic

and literary. During this period, Desi, the indigenous Telugu language, emerged as a literary medium

overthrowing the domination of Prakrit and Sanskrit. As a result, Andhradesa achieved an identity and

a distinction of its own as an important constituent of Indian Cultural set-up.

This change was brought by strong historical forces, namely, the Eastern and Western Chalukyas, the

Rashtrakutas and the early Cholas.

Kakatiyas

Kakatiyas came to power during the later half of this period and extended their rule over the entire

Telugu land with the exception of a small land in the northeast. Arts, crafts, language and literature

flourished under their benevolent patronage.

Eastern Chalukyas

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This dynasty was a branch of the Chalukyas of Badami. Pulakesin II, the renowned ruler of Chalukyas

conquered Vengi (near Eluru) in A.D.624 and installed his brother Kubja Vishnuvardhana (A.D.624--

641) as its ruler. His dynasty, known as the Eastern Chalukyas, ruled for nearly four centuries.

Vishnuvardhana extended his dominions up to Srikakulam in the north and Nellore in the south. He

was succeeded by his son Jayasimha I (A.D.641--673). Between A.D.641 and A.D.705 some kings,

except Jayasimha I and Mangi Yuvaraju, (A.D.681--705) ruled for short duration. Then followed a

period of unrest characterised by family feuds and weak rulers. In the meanwhile, the Rashtrakutas of

Malkhed ousted Chalukyas of Badami. The weak rulers of Vengi had to meet the challenge of the

Rashtrakutas, who overran their kingdom more than once. There was no Eastern Chalukya ruler who

could check them until Gunaga Vijayaditya came to power in A.D.848. He also failed to face the

Rashtrakutas, and the then Rashtrakuta ruler Amoghavarsha treated him as his ally. After

Amoghavarsha's death, Vijayaditya proclaimed independence. He started on a campaign to the south

and achieved some notable success. He ruled for 44 years and passed away in A.D.892. He was

succeeded by his brother's son, Chalukya Bhima (A.D.892--921). Rashtrakutas again attacked the

Vengi kingdom during this period but were repulsed effectively by Vengi and came to an

understanding with Rashtrakutas and treated them as his allies. They were able to maintain their

independence till the Chalukyas of Kalyani in A.D.973 overthrew the Rashtrakutas.

Contemporaries to the Eastern Chalukyas were the Eastern Gangas in the northeast and the Pallavas

in the south.

The Eastern Gangas appeared in the political scene towards the close of the 5th century A.D. as

rulers of Orissa. The first known ruler of this dynasty was Indravarma (6th century A.D.). He had his

capital at Dantapura, but later shifted to Kalinganagara (Mukhalingam in Srikakulam district). The

Gangas ruled with their capital in Andhra for nearly five centuries, until it was shifted to Cuttack at the

end of the 11th century A.D. The early Eastern Gangas were ruling a small territory in Srikakulam

district in the Telugu land.

The Pallava rule, which was earlier eclipsed by the onslaught of the Kalabhras, was revived during the

last quarter of the 6th century A.D. by Simhavishnu, a scion of the Pallava ruling family and was firmly

established at Kanchi. This new dynasty of the Pallavas is known as the `Greater Pallavas' or the

`Later Pallavas' dynasty. The earliest Pallava ruler was Virakurcha and the most famous of them was

Trilochana Pallava. An inscription noticed at Manchikallu, near Macherla in Guntur district is the

earliest epigraphical record of the Pallava family. The entire territory south of the Krishna held sway

over by Mahendravarman (A.D.600--630), son of Simhavishnu of the Later Pallavas. From the 7th

century A.D. onwards, the Pallavas has to face the expanding Chalukya power. The conflict continued

for a long time with varying degrees of success. But the extermination of the Chalukyas of Badami by

the Rashtrakutas gave respite to the Pallavas to consolidate their power. The Pallavas continued till

the end of the 9th century A.D., when a new power, the Cholas of Tanjore, displaced them and

occupied Kanchipuram.

Among the minor Chalukya families that ruled parts of Andhra, those of Vemulavada (presently in

Karimnagar district) are the most important. Their rule extended over the present-day Karimnagar and

Nizamabad districts. As subordinate rulers loyal to the Rashtrakutas, they ruled with semi-

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independent status for about two centuries (A.D.755--968). The rule of the Vemulavada Chalukyas

coincided with that of the Rashtrakutas. One peculiarity with this family is that it traced its descent

from the Sun, while many other Chalukya families considered themselves as of lunar descent.

The Cholas attained the status of a major power in south India under the valiant leadership of

Rajaraja I (A.D.985--1016). Two rebel princes of the Eastern Chalukya family sought refuge in his

court. Rajaraja I utilised the claim of one of these princes, Saktivarma, as a pretext for intervening in

the affairs of Vengi. He was successful in seating Saktivarma on the throne of Vengi and, from that

time, the Eastern Chalukyas played a role subservient to the Cholas. But the Telugu country became

a cockpit of battles between the Cholas and the Chalukyas of Kalyani who supported a rival claimant

to the throne of the Vengi each time. An Eastern Chalukya Prince, Rajendra, occupied the Chola

throne in A.D. 1070 under the name of Kulottunga I. Nevertheless, Vijayaditya VII, a cousin of

Rajaraja, continued to rule over Vengi till his death in A.D.1076 when the Eastern Chalukya dynasty

came to an end.

The Eastern Chalukyas occupied a prominent place in the history of Andhra Pradesh. Though they

were originally of Kannada stock, they patronised Telugu and gave fillip to it. Since the time of

Gunaga Vijayaditya, inscriptions show Telugu stanzas, culminating in the production of literary works.

Later on, in the 11th century under the patronage of the then Eastern Chalukya king, Rajaraja, the

great epic, `Mahabharata' was translated partly by his court poet, Nannaya.

At the time of Chalukya conquest three religions, Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism, were prevalent.

Of these, Buddhism was on the wane. The Buddhist Aramas were transformed into pilgrim centres by

the resurgent Hinduism. Jainism lingered on, and an appreciable section of the people paid homage

to the Tirthankaras. Hinduism enjoyed the status of a national religion throughout the kingdom.

Temples were built which played an important role in the religious life of the people and the temples of

Siva at Chalukya Bhimavaram and Draksharama are among them.

The 12th century A.D. was a period of chaos. The Western Chalukyas of Kalyani, who were at first

successful in overthrowing the Eastern Chalukyas, were driven out after 17 years by the Imperial

Cholas with the help of local chiefs. But the latter did not rule directly and thought it prudent to leave

the kingdom to the feudatories themselves in lieu of nominal allegiance. The Velanati Cholas of

Tsandavolu (Guntur district) were the foremost among the feudatories. Between A.D.1135 and 1206,

several minor dynasties ruled over parts of Andhra Pradesh recognising the authority of the Velanati

Cholas nominally. The chiefs of these dynasties fought amongst themselves, and one such struggle

among them was the `Palnati Yuddham'.

Medival Period

Medieval Period Kakatiyas The 12th and the 13th centuries saw the emergence of the Kakatiyas. They were at first the

feudatories of the Western Chalukyas of Kalyana, ruling over a small territory near Warangal. A ruler

of this dynasty, Prola II, who ruled from A.D.1110 to 1158, extended his sway to the south and

declared his independence. His successor Rudra (A.D.1158--1195) pushed the kingdom to the north

up to the Godavari delta. He built a fort at Warangal to serve as a second capital and faced the

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invasions of the Yadavas of Devagiri. The next ruler Mahadeva extended the kingdom to the coastal

area. In A.D.1199, Ganapati succeeded him. He was the greatest of the Kakatiyas and the first after

the Satavahanas to bring the entire Telugu area under one rule. He put an end to the rule of the

Velanati Cholas in A.D.1210. He forced the Telugu Cholas of Vikramasimhapura to accept his

suzerainty. He established order in his vast dominion and encouraged trade.

As Ganapati Deva had no sons, his daughter Rudramba succeeded him in A.D.1262 and carried on

the administration. Some generals, who did not like to be ruled by her, rebelled. She could, however,

suppress the internal rebellions and external invasions with the help of loyal subordinates. The Cholas

and the Yadavas suffered such set backs at her hands that they did not think of troubling her for the

rest of her rule.

Prataparudra succeeded his grandmother Rudramba in A.D.1295 and ruled till A.D.1323. He pushed

the western border of his kingdom up to Raichur. He introduced many administrative reforms. He

divided the kingdom into 75 Nayakships, which was later adopted and developed by the Rayas of

Vijayanagara. In his time the territory constituting Andhra Pradesh had the first experience of a

Muslim invasion. In A.D.1303, the Delhi Sultan Ala-ud-din Khilji sent an army to plunder the kingdom.

But Prataparudra defeated them at Upparapalli in Karimnagar district. In A.D. 1310, when another

army under Malik Kafur invaded Warangal, Prataparudra yielded and agreed to pay a large tribute. In

A.D.1318, when Ala-ud-din Khilji died, Prataparudra withheld the tribute. It provoked another invasion

of the Muslims. In A.D.1321, Ghiaz-ud-din Tughlaq sent a large army under Ulugh Khan to conquer

the Telugu country then called Tilling. He laid siege to Warangal, but owing to internal dissensions he

called off the siege and returned to Delhi. Within a short period, he came back with a much bigger

army. In spite of unpreparedness, Prataparudra fought bravely. For want of supplies, he surrendered

to the enemy who sent him to Delhi as a prisoner, and he died on the way. Thus ended the Kakatiya

rule, opening the gates of the Telugu land to anarchy and confusion yielding place to an alien ruler.

The Kakatiya period was rightly called the brightest period of the Telugu history. The entire Telugu

speaking area was under the kings who spoke Telugu and encouraged Telugu. They established

order throughout the strife torn land and the forts built by them played a dominant role in the defence

of the realm. Anumakonda and Gandikota among the `giridurgas', Kandur and Narayanavanam

among the `vanadurgas', Divi and Kolanu among the `jaladurgas', and Warangal and Dharanikota

among the `sthaladurgas' were reckoned as the most famous strongholds in the Kakatiya period. The

administration of the kingdom was organized with accent on the military.

Though Saivism continued to be the religion of the masses, intellectuals favoured revival of Vedic

rituals. They sought to reconcile the Vaishnavites and the Saivites through the worship of Harihara.

Arts and literature found patrons in the Kakatiyas and their feudatories. Tikkana Somayaji, who

adorned the court of the Telugu Chola ruler Manumasiddhi II, wrote the last 15 cantos of the

Mahabharata which was lying unfinished. Sanskrit, which could not find a place in the Muslim-

occupied north, received encouragement at the hands of the Kakatiyas. Prataparudra was himself a

writer and he encouraged other literature.

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The Kakatiya dynasty expressed itself best through religious art. Kakatiya art preserved the balance

between architecture and sculpture, that is, while valuing sculpture, it laid emphasis on architecture

where due. The Kakatiya temples, dedicated mostly to Siva, reveal in their construction a happy

blending of the styles of North India and South India which influenced the political life of the Deccan.

The most important of these temples are those at Palampeta, Hanamkonda and the incomplete one in

the Warangal fort. The temple at Palampeta, described as the `brightest gem in the galaxy of

Medieval Deccan temple architecture', was constructed by Recherla Rudra, a general of Kakatiya

Ganapati, in S.1135 (A.D.1213). The figures in the temple are of a heterogeneous character

comprising gods, goddesses, warriors, acrobats, musicians, mithuna pairs in abnormal attitudes and

dancing girls. The sculptures, especially of the dancing girls, possess the suggestion of movement

and pulsating life. A striking peculiarity of this temple is the figure-brackets which spring from the

shoulders of the outer pillars of the temple. The figure-brackets are mere ornaments and represent

the intermediate stage between their earlier analogues at Sanchi and the later examples at

Vijayanagara. The Thousand-Pillared Temple at Hanamkonda, built by the Kakatiya king Rudra in

A.D.1162, is similar in style and workmanship to the Ramappa temple. This temple, dedicated to Siva,

Vishnu and Surya, is star-shaped. The Nandi pavilion, in which a huge granite bull still stands, the

beautiful entrances to the shrine, the pierced slabs used for screens and windows, and the elegant

open work by which the bracket-shafts are attached to the pillars are the other most interesting

features of this temple.

The temple in the Warangal fort, believed to have been built by Kakatiya Ganapati, was constructed

making use of large slabs. The floor of the shrine is beautifully polished and shines like a mirror. An

interesting feature of this temple is the four gateways called `Kirti Stambhas' which face the four

cardinal points of the compass. In their design the gateways are reminiscent of the `toranas' of the

Great Stupa at Sanchi. The architecture and sculpture of these temples are thus conventional to a

degree but no one can deny their magnificence nor can any one fail to see the rich imagination,

patient industry and skilful workmanship of the builders of the temples of the Kakatiya period.

After the fall of Kakatiyas, uncertainty prevailed over the region. Several small kingdoms came into

existence, Musunuri Nayakas occupied Warangal from Muslims and ruled between A.D.1325--1368.

The fall of Kakatiya kingdom and its annexation to the Tughlak empire made the Hindu feudatories to

unite themselves to liberate the Andhra country from alien rulers. A movement was started at

Rekapalli on the bank of the Godavari under the leadership of Musunuri Prolaya Nayaka and his

cousin Kapaya Nayaka and succeeded in driving away the Muslims from the Telugu country in

A.D.1328. Kapaya Nayaka became the ruler in A.D.1333, after the demise of Prolaya Nayaka, and

Warangal was once again the capital of the Telugu Country. They were dethroned by Recherla Chiefs

and ruled the entire Telangana from A.D.1325 to 1474 with Rachakonda as their capital. The coastal

area was ruled by the Reddis of Kondavidu between A.D.1325 and 1424. Addanki was their first

capital which was later shifted to Kondavidu. There was also another branch of Reddis at

Rajahmundry. In due course, Reddi kingdom disappeared in the hands of Vijayanagar kings, and

Gajapatis of Orissa in the frequent battles with each other. The Gajapatis of Orissa with Cuttack as

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their capital extended their territory far into Telugu land by conquering the Reddis of Rajahmundry in

A.D.1448. They also occupied some parts of the Bahmani kingdom. But, Vijayanagar king,

Krishnadevaraya, occupied the entire Telugu region that was in the possession of Gajapatis.

The Reddis and Recherla chiefs were the patrons of learning. The renowned poet Srinatha, and one

of the three great poets who wrote the Mahabharata in Telugu, Errapraggada lived in that age.

Bahmanis

The disastrous fall of Warangal in A.D.1323 brought the Andhras, for the first time in their history,

under the yoke of an alien ruler, the Muslims. In A.D.1347 an independent Muslim State, the Bahmani

kingdom was established in south India by Alla-ud-din Hasan Gangu by revolting against the Delhi

Sultanate. To stabilise his position, Hasan waged wars to annexe the two neighbouring Hindu

kingdoms, Warangal, under the Musunuri Nayakas, and Vijayanagar, which was under the Rayas. He

occupied the area up to the river Tungabhadra in A.D.1358, and shifted his capital from Daulatabad to

Gulbarga. The Hindu rulers, however, reoccupied their lost territory during the period between

A.D.1358--75. Harihara Raya II of Vijayanagar conquered many areas which were under the

Bahmanis during the period of Muhammad Shah II (A.D.1378-1397). The successors of Muhammad

Shah II, who were also hostile to Rayas of Vijayanagar, waged wars against them. But they were

defeated by the Vijayanagar armies. During the reign of Muhammad III (A.D.1463--82), the Bahmanis,

for the first time, extended their empire from sea to sea and thereby got into their possession a large

part of the Telugu area, namely, the area north of the Krishna up to the coast and the present Guntur

district. By the end of the 15th century the Bahmani rule was plagued with faction fights and there

came into existence the five Shahi kingdoms, the Nizamshahis of Ahmadnagar, the Adilshahis of

Bijapur, the Imadshahis of Berar, the Qutbshahis of Golconda and the Baridshahis of Bidar.

Thereafter, the rule of the Bahmani dynasty came to an end in A.D.1527. Of the five Shahi dynasties,

it was the Qutbshahi dynasty that played a significant and notable role in the history of Andhras.

Vijayanagar

The year A.D.1336 saw the emergence of a new power, the kingdom of Vijayanagar in the south-

western part of Andhra on the banks of the Tungabhadra. It was founded by two Sangama brothers,

Harihara and Bukka, with the blessings of a great saint patriot of medieval India, Vidyaranya, and

Harihara became its first ruler. It was that great kingdom which, by resisting the onslaughts of

Muslims, championed the cause of Hindu civilisation and culture in its polity, its learning and arts.

The two brothers took possession of Kampili from Hoyasala ruler of Karnataka, Ballala III. They later

established a new city on the southern bank of Tungabhadra, opposite Anegondi, and gave a name to

it as Vijayanagar or Vidyanagar. They expanded their territory by occupying the Udayagiri fort in the

Nellore region and Penukonda fort from Hoyasalas. Meanwhile the Bahmani Kingdom came into

existence in the Deccan. In the conflicts between the Bahmanis and Vijayanagar, Harihara-I lost some

territory. After his death in A.D.1355, his brother Bukkaraya succeeded him. On account of frequent

wars with Bahmanis, Bukka could not do anything in the initial period, however, he conquered

Madhura and extended his territory to the south up to Rameswaram. Harihara II (A.D.1377--1404),

10

who ascended the throne after Bukkaraya, consolidated and its frontiers further extended. During this

time coastal Andhra lying between Nellore and Kalinga was under the Reddis of Kondavidu. Harihara

II carried on campaign, for gaining control over the territory, against the Reddis and wrested Addanki

and Srisailam areas from the Reddis. This led to clashes with the Velamas of Rachakonda in

Telangana. To counter attack, Rachakonda sought help from Bahmanis and this checkmated

Harihara II from proceeding further into Telangana. The extension of Vijayanagar territory towards

northwest gave it control over the ports of Goa, Chaul, and Dabhol and led to an expansion of

commerce and ensuing prosperity.

In the dispute between sons, after the death of Harihara II, Devaraya I (A.D.1406--422) emerged

victorious and ascended the throne only to wage wars against the Bahmanis, the Velamas of

Telangana and the Reddis of Kondavidu. His reign also saw the commencement of hostilities between

the Gajapatis of Kalinga and the Rayas of Vijayanagar. Devaraya I passed away in A.D.1422. His

sons, Ramachandraraya and Vijayaraya I, who ruled one after the other, did not do anything

significant.

The next ruler, Devaraya II (A.D.1426-1446), son of Vijayaraya, was a great monarch. He effected the

conquest of Kondavidu and carried his arms into Kerala, subjugating the ruler of Quilon and other

chieftains. The writings of Abdul Razzak, the Persian ambassador, who visited south India during the

reign of Devaraya II, bear testimony to the supremacy of the king over many ports of south India.

According to him, the dominions of Devaraya II extended from Ceylon to Gulbarga and from Orissa to

Malbar. The relations between the Vijayanagar and Bahmani kingdoms continued to be hostile during

the reign of Devaraya II also. Devaraya was a great builder and a patron of poets. Extensive

commerce and revenues from various sources contributed to the prosperity of the Vijayanagar

kingdom under him.

But the kings who succeeded Devaraya II were quite incompetent and allowed the empire to

disintegrate. To add to this, there was pressure from Bahmani Sultans. The Portuguese were also

rapidly trying to establish themselves on the west coast and in the ports along it.

The Vijayanagar minister, Saluva Narasimha, who usurped the throne in A.D.1485 could successfully

counter these forces. Thus the Saluva line of kings came to rule Vijayanagar. However, he had to

spend a good deal of his time and energy putting down many rebel chieftains. He died in A.D.1490

leaving his two sons to the care of Narasanayaka of the Tuluva family, a trusted general.

Narasanayaka assumed himself the power as a regent in A.D.1492 keeping the real rule under

tutelage. Narasanayaka died in A.D.1503 and by that time he had established his authority effectively

over the whole of his extensive dominion. His son, Vira Narasimha, succeeded him as the regent and

proclaimed himself as a ruler in A.D.1506, thus inaugurating the third dynasty. He died in A.D.1509

and his brother, Krishnadevaraya, succeeded him.

The period of Krishnadevaraya was considered as the golden age of the Vijayanagar history. He was

a great warrior, statesman, administrator and a patron of arts. His first task was to repulse the

Bahmanis. He occupied Raichur doab, carried the war up to Gulbarga and returned successfully. He

extended his dominion in the east and north-east by defeating the Gajapatis of Orissa in A.D.1518.

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Krishna Devaraya died in A.D.1529. After his death, Vijayanagar kingdom started declining gradually.

There was a tussle for power and the rulers spent their time in struggle against internal revolts. The

five Muslim rulers in Deccan kingdom, took this opportunity, united and formed a league and marched

towards Vijayanagar with combined forces. In a decisive battle fought on the 23rd January, 1565 on

the south bank of the Krishna near the village of Rakkasi Tangadi, Vijayanagar was defeated and

Ramaraya, who led the Vijayanagar armies, was killed. Tirumalaraya, the younger brother of

Ramaraya, along with his puppet ruler, Sadasivaraya fled to Penukonda in Anantapur district with all

the treasure. The victorious armies of Muslims then marched towards Vijayanagar. Uninhibited looting

of the city by the Muslim rulers as well as the ruthless robbers went on for days together. Never

perhaps in the history of the world has such havoc been brought and wrought on such a splendid city

teening with a wealthy and industrious population in prosperity one day and on the next seized,

pillaged and reduced to ruins amid scenes of savage measures and horrors beggaring description.

Tirumalaraya after reaching Penukonda ruled for some time and tried his best to rebuild the empire

but failed. The last ruler of Vijayanagar dynasty was Sriranga (A.D.1642--1681).The Rayas of

Vijayanagar regarded all sects of Hindus alike, built temples to Siva and Vishnu and patronised them

by lavish grants. They patronised even Jains and Muslims. The Vijayanagar architecture fused

various elements of the Chalukya and Chola art, and produced extremely beautiful gopuras and

mantapas. The most typical of them can be found at Tirupati, Tadpatri, Srikalahasti and Penukonda.

The Tadpatri and Lepakshi temples are the notable examples of Vijayanagar architecture and

sculpture.

Telugu language and literature was given a preferential treatment and Telugu was treated as official

language of the empire. Simultaneously, Sanskrit and other languages were encouraged by the

Vijayanagar rulers. The renowned Telugu poet Srinatha was honoured with Kanakabhisheka by

Proudhadevaraya of the first dynasty of the rulers. Particularly, the reign of Krishnadevaraya marked a

new era in the literary history of south India. He was himself a scholar and authored Amuktamalyada,

a celebrated Telugu work. His court known as Bhuvanavijayam, was adorned by such eminent poets

like Allasani Peddana, Nandi Timmana, Dhurjati, Tenali Ramakrishna, Mallana, Ramarajabhushana,

Pingali Surana and Rudra, known as Ashtadiggajas. The greatest of them was Allasani Peddana

whose famous work Manucharitra heralded the eminence of the native genius of Telugus.

Qutb Shahis The Qutb Shahi dynasty held sway over the Andhra country for about two hundred years from the

early part of the 16th century to the end of the 17th century. Sultan Quli Qutb Shah, the founder of the

dynasty, served the Bahmanis faithfully and was appointed governor of Telangana in A.D.1496. He

declared independence after the death of his patron king, Mahmud Shah, in A.D.1518. During his 50-

year rule, Sultan Quli extended his kingdom upto Machilipatnam. He was murdered by his third son,

Jamsheed, who succeeded Sultan Quli. Jamsheed reigned for seven years till A.D.1550 but remained

maligned by all for his patricidal crime. His youngest brother, Ibrahim, who was hardly thirteen at the

time of his father's assassination, fled to Vijayanagar and took refuge there. It afforded him a training

ground and he learned the art of administration.

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After Jamsheed's death in A.D.1550, Ibrahim returned to Golconda and ascended the throne. Ibrahim

Qutb Shah, who was known as Malkibharam in the Andhra country, was the real architect of the

Golconda kingdom. He ruled the kingdom for 30 years from A.D.1550 to A.D.1580. He organised the

central and provincial governments and brought them into close contact. He also introduced an

efficient intelligence service which kept him informed on all affairs. The kingdom was made safe for

travel and trade. Ibrahim had also many works of public utility to his credit. He dug lakes and tanks

and laid out towns and gardens. He also encouraged local language Telugu and patronised Telugu

scholars and poets like, Telaganarya and Gangadhara who dedicated their works to him.

Ibrahim took an active part in the battle of Rakkasi Tangadi in A.D.1565. It immensely benefited him in

cash and territories, and the kingdom was extended to the south as far as Madras and Gandikota.

The next period of forty years led by Ibrahim's son and grandson was an era of peace and prosperity.

Muhammad Quli, son of Ibrahim, was a great writer and a builder. The city of Hyderabad was laid in

A.D.1591 with magnificent buildings, straight roads and other civic amenities. For this purpose, he

invited many Persians to settle down in Hyderabad and Machilipatnam. He was a scholar and a poet,

composed a large number of poems in the Deccani language. Muhammad Quli was succeeded by his

nephew and son-in-law Sultan Muhammad in A.D.1612. He was highly religious and a model of virtue

and piety. He followed his uncle in promoting learning and architecture. The great mosque known as

Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad was designed and its foundation laid by him, though the main structure of

the Mosque was completed during the next four generations.

Sultan Muhammad's premature death in A.D.1626 was a sad prelude to the decline and fall of

Golconda. He was succeeded by his minor son, Abdullah Qutb Shah, who was indolent. The fall of

Ahmadnagar in A.D.1633 to the Mughals exposed Golconda. Abdullah Qutb Shah acknowledged the

suzerainty of the Mughals and concluded a treaty in A.D.1636. He was reduced to vassalage and the

Mughal Hajib, a resident officer of the Mughals imposed on him, interfered in day-to-day

administration and encouraged fissiparous tendencies. The traitors of Golconda found their strength in

the Mughals who did not hesitate to invade Golconda.

Abdullah Qutb Shah died in A.D.1672 and was succeeded by his third son-in-law, Abul Hassan Qutb

Shah, popularly known as Tana Shah. He had a steady mind, broader vision and administrative

experience of a high order. He handled the domestic and foreign affairs deftly and put forth all his

efforts against the Mughal tide.

Abul Hassan and his kingdom were misrepresented by false propaganda to justify the interference of

the Mughal emperor who contemplated to liquidate the Deccan Sultanates and incorporate it in the

Mughal empire. The emperor came to the Deccan in A.D.1682 and launched his campaign against

both the Marathas and the Deccan Sultanates. His original plan was to put down the Maratha power,

but later on, he suspended the plan and directed his forces against Bijapur and Golconda in

A.D.1685. Bijapur fell in after two months' siege. But Golconda held out for a long time. It came to an

abrupt end owing to the treachery of an Afghan general, Abdullah Khan, who opened the gate in the

dead of night and facilitated the capture of the fort. The equanimity with which Abul Hassan Tana

13

Shah had faced the Mughal captors and the unequalled loyalty of Abdul Razak Lari, who remained

faithful to his king, Tana Shah, are of special significance.

The fall of Golconda in A.D.1687 had far reaching consequences. It halted the face of cultural

progress for years and relaxed the administrative grip on the English Company at Machilipatnam and

Madras. So long as the kingdom was powerful in the south, the king Abul Hassan and his Minister,

Madanna, kept their constant vigil on the English merchants.

Qutb Shahi rulers adopted religious tolerance. They treated Hindus equal with Muslims as well and

maintained cordial relations between the two throughout. They encouraged the local language Telugu

besides the Deccani Urdu. They patronised scholars and awarded them titles and Jagirs. The builder

of Hyderabad, Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah was an eminent poet in Persian and was an author of

several Persian works. The fourth king, Ibrahim was a great patron of Telugu. His court was crowded

with Telugu poets besides many others. The rulers adopted the local customs to a great extent. This

tolerance and patronage of the kings were followed by the nobles as well. Ramadas (Goppanna), a

great devotee of Sri Rama who lived in the period of Abul Hassan, wrote a number of poetical works

and songs in praise of his deity.

The Deccani architecture, is a combination of Persian, Hindu and Pathan styles. They mostly

borrowed heavily from Hindu style of architecture. The Bala Hissar gate of the Golconda fort is

remarkable for the figures and emblems of Hindu mythology.

The citadel of Hyderabad, the Charminar is the most remarkable of all the Qutb Shahi monuments. It

is one of the magnificent structures in India.

The socio-cultural life of the people during the rule of the Qutb Shahis was marked by a spirit of

broad-mindedness and catholicity based on sharing and adopting of mutual traditions and customs.

The Mughal Rule

Aurangazeb, the Mughal emperor, invaded Golconda in A.D.1687 and annexed it to the Mughal

empire. When this was done, Golconda became part of the Deccan Subha and a Nazim was

appointed as an agent of the Mughal emperor. Thus, for about a period of 35 years it was ruled by

Nazims, the last one being Mubariz Khan.

The period between A.D.1687 and A.D.1724 saw several sea changes. Aurangazeb died in A.D.1707.

The administrative machinery of the Mughal imperial regime began to crumble and the central

authority manned by successive feeble rulers gradually lost control over the provinces. In Deccan,

situated far away from the capital, the state of affairs was still worse. This anarchy contributed much

in giving a new turn to Indian history. It enabled two foreign

mercantile companies to consolidate themselves as political powers capable of subsequently playing

decisive roles in shaping the destiny of the nation. They were the East India Company of England and

the Compagnie de Inde Orientale of France. These trading companies had their headquarters at

Madras and Pondicherry respectively and both had trade centres at Machilipatnam. They were waiting

for suitable opportunities to expand their areas of control and so, did not hesitate to take sides in the

local skirmishes.

14

Modern Period

Modern Period Asaf Jahis

The founder of this dynasty was one Mir Kamaruddin, a noble and a courtier of the Mughal

Muhammad Shah, who negotiated for a peace treaty with Nadirshah, the Iranian invader; got

disgusted with the intrigues that prevailed in Delhi. He was on his way back to the Deccan, where,

earlier he was a Subedar. But he had to confront Mubariz Khan, as a result of a plot by the Mughal

emperor to kill the former. Mubariz Khan failed in his attempt and he was himself slain. This took

place in A.D.1724, and henceforth Mir Kamaruddin, who assumed the title of Nizam-ul-Mulk,

conducted himself as an independent prince. Earlier, while he was one of the Ministers of the Mughal

emperor Muhammad Shah, the latter conferred on him the title of Asaf Jah. Thus begins the Asaf Jahi

rule over Golconda with the capital at Aurangabad. It was only during Nizam II rule that the capital of

the Deccan Subha was shifted to Hyderabad reviving its importance.

The Asafjahi Nizams are generally counted as seven, though they were ten. Nasir Jung and Muzaffar

Jung, son and grandson of the Nizam I who were killed by the Kurnool and Cuddapah Nawabs and

Salabatjung who also ruled for a decade, were not counted by the historians though the Mughal

emperors at Delhi recognised them as Subedars of the Deccan.

The Nizams of Asafjahi dynasty who ruled the Deccan are the following:

(1) Mir Kamaruddin (Nizam-ul-Mulk - Asaf Jah I) (A.D.1724--1748), (2) Nasir Jung (A.D. 1748--1751),

(3) Muzaffar Jung (A.D.1750--1751), (4) Salabat Jung (AD.1751--1761), (5) Nizam Ali Khan - Asaf Jah

II (A.D.1762--1803), (6) Nizam III Sikandar Jah (A.D.1803--1829), (7) Nizam IV -- Nasir-ud-Daula

(A.D.1829--1857), (8) Nizam V -- Afzal-ud-Daula (A.D.1857--1869), (9) Nizam VI -- Mir Mahaboob Ali

Khan (A.D.1869--1911), and (10) Nizam VII -- Mir Osman Ali Khan (AD.1911--1948 September).

Though Hyderabad was founded in A.D.1590--91 and built by Muhammad Quli, the fifth king of the

Qutbshahi dynasty, it was a princely capital under them. The pomp and peagantry of the fabulous

Asafjahi Nizams gained an all-India importance as well as World wide recognition. The rule of the

Nizams lasted not only for a much longer period from A.D.1724 to 1948 but also concerned a large

territory with diverse language groups that came under their sway.

The authority of the founder of the State of Hyderabad, Asafjah I, extended from Narmada to

Trichinapally and from Machilipatnam to Bijapur. During the period of Afzal-ud-Daula (A.D.1857--

1869) it was estimated to be 95,337 sq.miles (2,46,922.83 sq.kms.), forming a lateral square of more

than 450 miles (724.17 kms.) each way.

After Nizam I, Asaf Jah, died in A.D.1748, there was tussle for power among his son, Nasar Jung, and

grandson Muzaffar Jung. The English supported Nasar Jung whereas Muzaffar Jung got support from

the French. These two heirs were subsequently killed by Nawabs of Kurnool and Cuddapah, one after

15

another, in A.D.1750 and AD.1751 respectively. The third son of Nizam I, Salabat Jung became the

ruler as Nizam under the support of the French.

Hostilities recommenced in India between the French and the English in AD.1758 on the outbreak of

Seven Years War in Europe in A.D.1756. As a result, the French lost their power in India and

consequently it also lost influence at Hyderabad. In A.D.1762 Nizam Ali Khan dislodged Salabat Jung

and proclaimed himself as Nizam.

Hyderabad came into focus again when Nizam Ali Khan (Nizam II) in A.D.1763 shifted the capital of

the Deccan from Aurangabad to Hyderabad. Such a move helped rapid economic growth and

expansion of the city, resulting in its importance and prosperity.

Between A.D.1766 and A.D.1800, Nizam's sovereignty had declined considerably and the British

gained their authority over the Nizams by compelling the latter to sign six treaties.

In A.D.1766, the Nizam signed a treaty with the British, whereby in return for the Northern Circars, the

British agreed to furnish Nizam Ali Khan with a subsidiary force as and when required and to pay Rs.9

lakhs per annum when the assistance of the troops was not required in lieu of Northern Circars to be

ceded to them. In A.D.1768 he signed another treaty conferring the Northern Circars to the British and

the payment by the British was reduced to Rs.7 lakhs. According to another treaty, he surrendered the

Guntur circar in A.D.1788. In A.D.1779, the Nizam conspired with Hyder Ali of Mysore and the

Peshwa of the Marathas to drive away the English. When they learnt about his designs, the English

marched against the Nizam who had to sue for peace agreeing to the presence of an English

Resident along with army, artillery and cavalry at Hyderabad.

Through another treaty, the Nizam was compelled to disassociate himself from Hyder Ali. In A.D.1800

yet another treaty was signed by the Nizam with the British altering the earlier treaties to increase the

strength of the English army in Hyderabad. In lieu of the cost of maintenance of the force, the Nizam

had to cede to the company an area comprising the districts of Rayalaseema and Bellary (now in

Karnataka). With this the Nizam lost not only the territory but also reputation and power.

The East India Company acquired the Nellore region comprising the present Nellore and Prakasam

districts and a part of the Chittoor district from the Nawab of Arcot in A.D.1781. Together with the

other parts of the territories of the Nawab, this area was merged with the then Madras Presidency of

the Company in A.D.1801. Thus, by the beginning of the 19th century, the Telugu land was divided

into major divisions: one that came to be popularly called Telangana under the feudal rule of the

Nizam, accounting approximately one-third of the entire land and the other, broadly designated as

Andhra, in British India.

It was during the period of Nizam III -- Sikandar Jah (A.D.1803--1829), that the English cantonment,

raised on the other side of Hussain Sagar, was named after him as Secunderabad. This township

grew rapidly as the modern town with Railway station and other commercial establishments. The

notable events under the rule (A.D. 1857--1869) of Nizam V, Afzal-ud-Daula, were the construction of

the Afzal Gunj Bridge or the Nayapul, over the river Musi and the establishment of a General Hospital.

16

The modern era of the development of the twin cities began soon after the last flood of the river Musi

in A.D.1908 which had shattered the life of the people living in Hyderabad. This necessitated the

planned development of the city in a phased manner. Sri M.Vishweshwarayya, the great engineer of

Mysore, was specially invited for this purpose and was appointed as adviser to the Nizam's

Government to suggest measures for flood control and improvement of the city. As a result of his

suggestion, Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar were constructed in A.D.1917. These two dams not

only controlled the floods from river Musi, but also supplied drinking water to the city. These spots

have also become recreational centres for many people in Hyderabad. Another step taken for the

development of the city was the formation of the City Improvement Board in A.D.1912, which paid

greater attention to the construction of roads,

markets, housing sites and shopping centres in the city. Nizam VII, Osman Ali Khan, also moved to

Kingkothi, the northern suburb of the city in A.D.1914, which helped in the development of its

surroundings. Several public utility services were commissioned in A.D.1922. Electricity was

commissioned in A.D.1923. In A.D.1928 with the establishment of

rail connection to Bangalore, the city was brought on the metre-gauge map of India. By A.D.1932 bus

service was started in the city and in A.D.1936 the bus routes radiated from the capital to all the

district headquarters. In A.D.1935, the Madras-Karachi Air Service was linked with Hyderabad with

Hakimpet as landing ground.

Many buildings of utility like Legislative Assembly, Hyderabad and Secunderabad railway stations, the

High Court, City College, the Asafia Library (present State Central Library), the Unani Hospital, the

Osmania University, were constructed during the reign of Nizam VII.

If Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah was the founder of Hyderabad City, Osman Ali Khan, the Nizam VII,

can be called as the maker of modern Hyderabad, in a variety of ways. The buildings constructed

during his reign are impressive and represent a rich variety of architecture, such as the magnificent

Osmania University, synthesizing the modern, the medieval and the ancient styles of architecture. The

sprawling Osmania General Hospital in the Mughal style, the lofty High Court in Indo-Saracenic style,

the stately well-proportioned Legislative Assembly building in Saracenic-Rajasthani style, symbolize

his desire to build modern and majestic Hyderabad. The engineers or the architects and craftsmen of

the period have to be congratulated for their talent.

A fascinating pretty edifice in the centre of the city is the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly

building, with the lawns of the Public Gardens, to form the needed premises.

The noble buildings during the Asafjahis' period were the Chow Mahalla during Nizam V, Pancha

Mahal, and the Falaknuma Palace. The Falaknuma, built by Nawab Viquar-ul-Umra, a Paigha Noble

in A.D.1892 at a cost of Rs.40 lakhs, has become a land mark like Charminar.

The hereditary Diwans of the Nizams, the Salar Jungs were as colourful and dazzling as their

masters. The Mir Alam Tank, the Mir Alam Mandi, the Salar Jung Museum, their Devdi, the Aliya

School are inalienable parts of Hyderabad.

Under the Company and the Crown

17

It naturally took some years for the East India Company to consolidate and stabilize its rule in the

Telugu area, which came under its direct rule. In the initial stages, the Company had to counter strong

resistance from the Zamindars in the coastal Andhra and the Palegars in the Rayalaseema districts,

that were in existence from the ancient Hindu rulers or the medieval Muslim rulers. The Company

decided to use the Zamindari system to its best advantage, entrusting the Zamindars only with

collection of land revenue and taking away from them the executive and judicial powers. The

Company also introduced the system of `Permanent Settlement' in A.D.1802.

In Rayalaseema, the first Principal Collector, Thomas Munro, of the ceded districts suppressed all the

Palegars and established a new mode of collection of land revenue directly from the tiller of the soil in

A.D.1808. This system came to be known as `Ryotwari' system.

The administrative measures taken by the Company in the rest of the Telugu land also led to similar

changes in the Hyderabad State of which Telangana formed a major constituent. The famine of

A.D.1777 and the devastating flood in the succeeding year greatly impoverished the State of

Hyderabad and its economy was badly affected. The unwise policies of the rulers led the State on the

verge of bankruptcy by neck-deep debts and the Nizam was harassed by Arab and Rohilla bankers.

In such situation, the Company, through its Resident, intervened and saved the Nizam. Thus, the

Nizam became a dependable friend of the Company and his support to the Company in the crucial

period of the War of Independence in A.D.1857 (otherwise called Sepoy Mutiny) turned out to be

decisive factor in clinching the issue in favour of the Company's rule in India. In A.D.1858 the British

crown took over the reign in the entire India.

Thus, the British, who entered India in the early 17th century as a trading company, gained power as

its ruler for over a century and a half.

Freedom Struggle

The role of the Andhras in the Freedom Struggle is next to that of none and they had always been in

the forefront along with the rest of the countrymen. The first War of Independence in A.D.1857 did in

no way affect the state of affairs in the south, though ripples were felt in the State of Hyderabad, in the

shape of a raid by Rohilla and Arab soldiers against the Residency and a rebellion by the Gonds in

the Adilabad district under the leadership of Ramji Gond. However, in A.D.1860, the English

suppressed all these rebellions.

The rest of the 19th century passed away without any event of major importance, though occasional

rebellions of the peasants here and there brought out their dissatisfaction to the forefront. The

introduction of English education helped the formation of a strong educated middle class, which found

security of life in the Government jobs. Agriculture became the mainstay of the people, as the cottage

industries, especially the cloth industry, dwindled due to the deliberate policy of the Government to

encourage British industries and trade at the expense of the indigenous ones. However, construction

of dams across the Godavari and the Krishna by A.D.1852 and 1855 respectively, resulted in

increasing agricultural production and helped, for a time, to cloud the real issues.

18

The beginning of the twentieth century saw the emergence of the numerically strong, educated,

confident but dissatisfied middle class, seeking equality with the white ruler. The dissatisfaction, as

elsewhere, was voiced in the form of pamphleteering. The foreign government, ever vigilant in such

things, sought to nip it in the bud and as a consequence of it, repressive measures were introduced.

Gadicherla Hari Sarvottama Rao (1883--1960) was the first victim of the move in Andhra. He was

sentenced for his seditious article `Cruel Foreign Tiger'. The young men of Andhra had their own

share in the `Vande Mataram' and `Home Rule' movements also.

But, along with this agitation, a kind of constructive work was also carried on by some fore-sighted

leaders such as Kopalle Hanumantha Rao (1880--1922). Long before Gandhiji thought of the

constructive programme, Hanumantha Rao founded his `Andhra Jateeya Kalasala' (National College)

in Machilipatnam to train young men in techniques of modern production, as he thought that it was the

surest way to win independence from an imperialist rule which cared more for its markets than

anything else.

In 1920, when Gandhiji started his non-co-operation movement, it had an immediate response in

Andhra. Under the leadership of eminent men like Konda Venkatappaiah (1866--1948), Tanguturi

Prakasam Pantulu (1872--1957), Bulusu Sambamurti (1886--1958) and Bhogaraju Pattabhi

Seetaramaiah (1880--1959), the Andhra young men made many a sacrifice for the cause of the

Nation. Many practicing lawyers gave up their lucrative practice and many a brilliant student gave up

their studies to respond to the call of the Nation. In November, 1921, the Congress gave permission to

the Provincial Committee to start Civil Disobedience if the conditions laid down by Mahatma Gandhi

were fulfilled.

Three episodes during the Civil Disobedience Movement in Andhra attracted the attention of the

whole country. The first was the Chirala-Perala episode led by Duggirala Gopalakrishnayya. He

served for some time in the Government College at Rajahmundry and the National College at

Machilipatnam. He was, however, not satisfied with the kind of education that was imparted there.

Moreover, after attending the Calcutta Congress in 1920, he was attracted to the programme of Non-

co-operation and resolved to dedicate his life to the achievement of Swaraj. For this purpose he

trained thousand disciplined band of warriors and gave them the name `Ramadandu'. He put them to

test at the All-India Congress Session in Vijayawada to maintain peace and order and the All-India

leaders were immensely pleased with the kind of work they did.

Chirala and Perala were two contiguous villages in Prakasam (then part of Guntur) district with a

population of 15,000. The Government wanted to combine them into a municipality in 1920. But the

people protested against this move because it meant imposition of additional taxes. These protests

were not headed to and the municipality was constituted. As a protest against this, all elected

councilors resigned. The Government, however, carried on the administration of the municipality with

a paid chairman. In January, 1921, the residents refused to pay the municipal taxes. Several of them

including a woman were prosecuted, tried and sentenced to imprisonment. This woman was

considered to be the first woman in the country to be imprisoned on political grounds. After the All-

India Congress session at Vijayawada, Gandhiji came to Chirala. Gopalakrishnayya sought his advice

19

on the future course of action to be taken. Gandhiji suggested two alternatives, (1) to continue the No-

Tax Campaign in a non-violent manner and (2) mass exodus of people to the vacant areas beyond

the municipal limits. The second would automatically end the municipality. But he made it clear that

whatever course they chose the Congress would bear no responsibility and that they must stand on

their own legs. Gopalakrishnayya had enough confidence in himself and the people, and in spite of

the warning, he persuaded the residents to move to the area outside the municipal limits and raise

temporary tenements which he called `Ramanagar'.

It was an unprecedented step in the history of the country. For eleven months people lived there in

thatched huts braving the severity of weather. Gopalakrishnayya and his Ramadandu kept up the

morale of the people. Their aim was to establish a parallel government and demonstrate to the

outside world how Swarajya, as conceived by him, would be like. He constituted an Assembly

comprising members elected from each caste and established an

arbitration court. Sankirtans and Bhajans kept up the morale of the people. He, however, faced

financial difficulties and he went to Berhampore in 1921, when the Andhra Conference was in session

to collect some money. There he was prohibited to address the public meetings but he defied the

orders. He was arrested and sentenced to one year's imprisonment and sent to Trichinapally. There

was no other person who could occupy his place. The Government also took repressive measures

against those who built sheds on government lands. People returned to their homes in the

municipality at the end of eleven months and reconciled themselves to its constitution. Though the

movement failed, the qualities of courage and fearlessness they developed stood them in good stead

in the subsequent stages of the freedom movement.

There were similar movements, though not of the same scale or character, in Repalle and Vijayawada

municipalities. The Government was not obdurate and yielded to popular pressure and took steps to

redress their grievances.

The next episode was the `Forest Satyagraha' of the ryots of Palnad in Guntur district in 1921. The

peasants of this place had to pay heavy tax for permission to graze their cattle in forests. When the

crops failed that year, they decided to send their cattle into the forests without paying the fee and

suffer the penalties. They resorted to social boycott of all government officials and refused supply of

even the bare necessaries of life to them. It did not produce the desired change in the attitude of the

officials. They took the cattle forcibly, confined them in cattle-pounds and refused to free them unless

the fee was paid. There was, therefore, clash between the cattle owners and the armed police that

was brought on the scene. In the firing that took place one Kannuganti Hanumanthu was killed.

Meanwhile, Gandhiji called off the Non-Co-operation Movement due to some untoward incidents at

Chowri Chowra and with this the Palnad Satyagraha also came to an end.

The No-Tax Campaign at Pedanandipadu in Bapatla taluk of Guntur district was the third famous

landmark. There was considerable difference of opinion between leaders like Konda Venkatappayya

and Mahatma Gandhi with regard to this campaign. Gandhiji wanted to try the experiment first in

Bardoli in Gujarat. The local leaders, however, tried to convince him that the conditions laid down for

starting such a campaign were fulfilled by the people of this place and they were very keen on starting

20

it. Gandhiji reluctantly gave permission to proceed with it. In January, 1922, when the first instalment

of land revenue fell due, a non-payment campaign was started under the leadership of Parvataneni

Virayya Chowdery. As a first step the village officers were persuaded to resign so that no land

revenue could be collected. The Revenue officials could not collect even five per cent of the demand

of land revenue. Repressive measures were resorted to movables, cattle and even lands were

attached for non-payment of land tax, but none was present to bid them in the auctions. Military was

moved into the area to terrorise them. These did not produce any result. The volunteers worked day in

and day out to maintain order and see that no untoward incident took place. Before they proceeded

on further action, the movement was called off and the local leaders gave up the No-Tax Campaign,

and the taxes were paid.

When the movement was called off, it left the minds of many young men sore and the disappointment

took a violent turn in one instance. A rebellion broke out in the agency areas of the Northern Circars

under the leadership of Alluri Sitaramaraju (1897--1923). He was a simple and unostentatious young

man given to studies of spiritual importance. He was keen on the welfare of the lowly and the

innocent. He contributed his mite in the days of the non-co-operation movement and later settled

down among the hill tribes of the Visakhapatnam district, spending his time in spiritual practices. The

misdeeds of a British contractor, who took pleasure in under-paying the workers drawn from the hill

tribes, brought him into a tussle with the police who supported the contractor. This led to encounters

between the police and Sitaramaraju, who was supported by the hill tribes under the leadership of the

Gamu brothers. Sitaramaraju raided many police stations and carried off guns and powder. The alien

Government then made use of all its resources to quell the rebellion. A company of the Assam rifles

under the leadership of Saunders was sent there. The campaign lasted nearly for one year from

December 1922 and, in the end, many of the followers of Raju, especially the Gamu brothers, were

overpowered in an encounter. The rebellion petered off by October 1923. Raju surrendered himself,

so it was said, and was shot dead without any trial.

In 1930 when Gandhiji started his salt-campaign, the broad east coast of Andhra became the venue

of memorable deeds of many a young man and woman, who in spite of the severe blows of lathis,

prepared salt and courted imprisonment. The tremendous awakening, which was an outcome of this

movement, resulted in the rout of the parties other than the Congress in the elections of 1937.

The thirties saw the emergence of leftist organisations in Andhra which gave a fillip to the progressive

trends. Meanwhile, in 1939, the British Government dragged India into World War II and the Congress

ministries resigned.

From 1942, history moved with a quick and vigorous pace. The arrest of the leaders at Bombay on

August 9, 1942, provoked the masses. The `Do or Die' message of the National Congress inspired

the people of Andhra, who under the leadership of young but devoted workers, brought the

functioning of the Government to a stand still for a few days. Many young students and workers faced

the bullets cheerfully, to swell the number of those unknown, unwept, and unsung heroes of India who

died to make their country live.

21

Events moved on quickly and, on August 15, 1947, India achieved its Independence. A new

Constitution came into force from the 26th of January, 1950, which envisaged the new set-up of

Government at the Centre as well as at the States by duly elected representatives from the people on

an adult franchise.

The Andhras all along their fight with the British authorities thought that the exit of the Britishers would

facilitate the early formation of the Telugu areas as a separate State. But the Constituent Assembly

had to decide otherwise and this proved to be a bitter pill for the Andhras to swallow.

Economic and Social Developments

The period of British rule in India forms a significant chapter in the history of the ancient land. Many

aliens came to this land, conquered some parts of the territory, but were soon absorbed as natural

citizens of the country. For the first time, the British (and the other European nationals) who

conquered and ruled it for a considerable time remained aliens administering a colonial rule and

ultimately had to return. The policy that underlined the various measures the British took in legislative,

judicial and executive fields was only to tighten their grip over the country and to exploit it to the

advantage of their own motherland

However, the very measures they took had, curiously enough, initiated and promoted many positive

factors leading to consolidation of the Indian society and their urge for freedom. The colonial rule, of

course, left the country impoverished economically, but it unified the nation, which was rudely

shocked and, therefore, prepared itself for a searching introspection. This resulted in ushering in a

new order, which almost displaced the old one.

As a constituent of India, Andhra region also received its share of these negative and positive forces.

Andhra was noted, for a long time since the period of the Satavahanas, for its cloth industry. In spite

of several political upheavals, the ports of Andhra had been busy with incoming and outgoing ships of

various countries. Even in the early years of the British rule, Andhra flourished as an exporter of fine

varieties of cloth, chintz, palampores, etc. Handicrafts and metal crafts also formed a part of the

exports along with cloth. Narsapur, in the present-day West Godavari district, was noted for its ship-

building activity and some of the Europeans also were customers at the place. There used to be a

great demand for indigo, an agricultural product, available only in Andhra and in a few other parts of

the country. The over-all exports were far ahead of imports in value and the region earned a lot of

foreign exchange, which enabled it to withstand the severity of famines that ravaged the country often.

But the Industrial Revolution which started in England in the latter half of the 18th century, gradually

affected the cottage industries of Andhra as well as those in the rest of India. England then turned out

to be a manufacturing country. By the aid of machines, the English factories could manufacture

finished articles at a lesser cost than those from the cottage industries. Further, the British being the

rulers in the country, discouraged the artists and craftsmen by imposing heavy taxes. As a result of

these measures the once flourishing cottage industries and handicrafts of Andhra languished and

gradually vanished. The finished articles that came out of the factories in England were imported into

Andhra and thus began the economic drain which gradually impoverished the country and enriched

22

Great Britain. The synthetic method of preparation of indigo by the western scientists, affected the

farmers very badly. The unemployed poor artisans in the villages became agricultural labourers thus

swelling the ranks of those that depended on the land.

A greater harm was caused by the `divide and rule' policy of the British. The communal virus thus

injected into the political body of the country had vitiated the relations between the Hindus and the

Muslims to such an extent that it forced the Indians to agree for the division of India into two

independent states. Though Andhras living in the coastal and Rayalaseema districts managed to keep

away from this communal divide, those living in the State of Hyderabad had to undergo a lot of

suffering in 1946-48 in the wake of a fanatic struggle carried on by Razakars to carve out the Nizam's

dominions as an independent Muslim-dominated State. However, the timely action by the Union

Government of Free India saved the situation.

But, as mentioned earlier, some of the measures introduced by the alien rulers to safeguard their own

interests proved very beneficial to Indians. The political and administrative unity brought in by the

Britishers, helped the various, linguistic groups to come together and take pride in being the citizens

of a great country with common cultural traditions. The rail-road, the telegraph, the telephone and the

newspaper brought all those living in various corners of this vast country come together and to

understand each other. This system of communication also helped the transit of goods from one place

to the other and was of immense help during the times of famine.

The Britishers, wanted to keep India as a producer of raw materials and as such harnessed the rivers

by constructing dams. The dam on the Godavari at Dowleswaram was constructed in 1852 and the

one on the Krishna at Vijayawada in 1855. These naturally helped the farmers of the delta areas,

though they could not solve the problem of poverty that tormented the people at large.

It must, however, be conceded that the foreigner's rule had resulted in a renaissance that yielded

fruitful results in social and cultural fields. The introduction of English as a medium of teaching in

schools is the main factor that contributed to this transformation, though it was mainly intended to train

Indians for ministerial jobs. This new system of education, unlike the old traditional one, threw open

the gates of the schools to all Indians irrespective of caste or creed. A certificate from such a school

served as a passport for a job in the service of the Government. The Christian missionaries from

England and America also played a notable part in spreading the system.

The introduction of printing press in the State in or about 1810 helped in bringing knowledge to the

door-steps of the ordinary readers. As a result, educational activity in Andhra as well as in the rest of

India, was influenced by European literatures, modern sciences and democratic ideas that sprung

from the knowledge. This knowledge brought out many revolutionary changes in the religious and

cultural fields.

This contact with European thought enabled many Hindu leaders to reinterpret Hinduism to

strengthen it to withstand the threat from the proselytisation carried on by the Christian missionaries.

The reaction to it resulted in the founding of the Brahma Samaj and the Arya Samaj. At the same

time, Europeans such as Anne Besant, captivated by the merits of the ancient Hindu and Buddhist

23

thoughts, founded the Theosophical Society. All these gained some following in Andhra, especially

among the educated classes.

Telugu literature also underwent a sea-change under the influence of the English writings. The credit

for pioneering such a change goes to Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu. He was also responsible for

bringing in many social reforms, the main thrust of which was the upliftment of the women's status.

All these revolutionary changes in social and cultural fields found their expression in the urge for

freedom among people

Post-Independence Era

Struggle for Andhra State

The Andhras were struggling for the formation of a separate Andhra Province since the period of

British, but could not succeed. When India attained Independence on the 15th of August, 1947,

Andhras hoped that their long-cherished desire would be realised soon. Inspite of several renewed

efforts put forth by the Andhra leaders before the Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the Deputy

Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhai Patel, the desire for a separate Andhra State remained as a dream

itself.

The Dar Commission, appointed by the Government of India under the Chairmanship of S.K.Dar did

not recommend for the creation of States on the linguistic consideration. This report of the

Commission created such an adverse reaction in Andhra that the Congress leaders felt it prudent to

assuage the ruffled feelings of the Telugus. An unofficial Committee, consisting of Jawaharlal Nehru,

Vallabhbhai Patel and Pattabhi Sitaramaiah, popularly known as the J.V.P. Committee, was

constituted by the Congress. The Committee in its report submitted to the Working Committee of the

Indian National Congress in April, 1949 recommended that the creation of linguistic provinces be

postponed by few years. However, it suggested that Andhra Province could be formed provided the

Andhras gave up their claim to the city of Madras (now Chennai). This report provoked violent

reaction in Andhra as the Telugus were not prepared to forego their claims to the city of Madras.

Under the prevailing situation, a Partition Committee was formed under the Chairmanship of

Kumaraswami Raja, the then Chief Minister of Madras. Andhra was represented by Tanguturi

Prakasam, B.Gopala Reddi, Kala Venkata Rao and N.Sanjiva Reddy. The Partition Committee could

not arrive at an agreed settlement. Prakasam disagreed with the views of other members and gave a

dissenting note. The Government of India, took advantage of the dissenting note of Prakasam and

shelved the issue. To express the resentment of the Andhras, Swami Sitaram (Gollapudi Sitarama

Sastry), a Gandhian, undertook a fast unto death, which created an explosive situation in Andhra.

However, Swami gave up his 35-day fast on the 20th of September, 1951, on the appeal made by

Vinoba Bhave. Nothing came out of this fast except the increasing distrust of the people of Andhra

towards their own leaders and the Government of India.

In the First General Elections of 1952, Andhras expressed their resentment towards the Congress

leaders by defeating them at the polls. Out of the 140 seats from Andhra in the Madras Legislative

24

Assembly, the Congress could secure only 43, while the Communist Party of India bagged as many

as 40 seats out of the 60 it contested. In the Madras Legislative Assembly itself, the Congress could

secure only 152. The non-Congress members in the legislature, numbering 164 formed themselves

into a United Democratic Front (U.D.F.) and elected T.Prakasam as their leader. But the Governor

nominated C.Rajagopala Chari to the Legislative Council and invited him to form the ministry.

After Rajagopala Chari became the Chief Minister of the Madras State, he tried to divert the Krishna

waters by constructing Krishna-Pennar Project for the development of the Tamil area. The Andhras

agitated against this as they feared that the Project spelt ruin to Andhra. The Government of India

appointed an expert Committee under the Chairmanship of A.N.Khosla, who pronounced that the

project in its present form should not be proceeded with and suggested the construction of a project at

Nandikonda (the site of the present Nagarjunasagar Project). The report of the Khosla Committee

vindicated the apprehensions of the Andhras regarding the unfriendly attitude of Rajagopala Chari's

Government towards the Andhras. The desire of the Andhras to separate themselves from the

composite Madras State and form their own State gained further momentum.

At this juncture, Potti Sriramulu, a self-effacing Gandhian, began his fast unto death on the 19th of

October, 1952 at Madras. Though the fast created an unprecedented situation throughout Andhra, the

Congress leaders and the Government of India did not pay much attention to it. On the 15th of

December, 1952, Sriramulu attained martyrdom. The news of Sriramulu's death rocked Andhra into a

violent and devastating agitation. The Government of India was taken aback at this popular upsurge.

On the 19th December, 1952, Jawaharlal Nehru announced in the Lok Sabha that the Andhra State

would be formed with the eleven undisputed Telugu districts, and the three Taluks of the Bellary

district, but excluding Madras City.

On the 1st of October, 1953, Andhra State came into existence. It consisted of the districts of

Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Nellore, Chittoor,

Cuddapah, Anantapur and Kurnool, and the taluks of Rayadurg, Adoni and Alur of the Bellary district.

On the question of Bellary taluk, it was included in the Mysore State on the recommendation of

L.S.Mishra Commission.

Kurnool became the capital of the new State, under the terms of the Sri Bagh Pact of 1937 between

the leaders of the Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema. T.Prakasam became the first Chief Minister of

the Andhra State and C.M.Trivedi was appointed Governor of this new State. With the inauguration of

the Andhra State by Nehru, the forty year old dream of the Telugu people to have a separate State of

their own was partly fulfilled. They looked forward to the formation of Visalandhra with Hyderabad City

as the Capital.

Police Action in Hyderabad State

Andhras were very much agitated over the developments in the State of Hyderabad during the years

1946-48. The Nizam was very anxious to become independent and he insisted that Hyderabad should

be the third dominion. He tried to achieve his ambitious desire with the help of Khasim Razvi of the

Ittehadul Muslimeen and its storm-troopers, the Razakars.

25

Meanwhile, the Hindus of the Hyderabad State who accounted for 93 per cent of its population,

launched the `Join India' movement with the cooperation of a few patriotic Muslims for the integration

of the State with the rest of the country. The State Congress leaders, led by Swami Ramanand Tirtha,

invoked themselves whole-heartedly in the movement. As the State Congress was banned by the

Nizam, its leaders conducted their activities from places like Vijayawada and Bombay. The

Communists on their part organised village defence squads to protect the villagers from the attacks of

the Nizam Police and Razakars.

All negotiations between the Nizam's Dominions and the Indian Union proved abortive. The Nizam

Government did not agree to the accession of the Dominions to the Indian Union. The activities of the

Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen and the Razakars within the Dominions were posing a threat to peace and

harmony. The growing violence of the Razakars seriously jeopardised law and order. The

Government of India, tried to make the Nizam see reason and sign the Instrument of Assession with

India. After tortuous negotiations, the Nizam finally entered into a `Stand Still Agreement' on

November 29, 1947, with India for one year to maintain status quo, which existed between the British

and the Nizam before August 15, 1947. This agreement of the Nizam was only to gain time to procure

military hardware from different parts of the world and smuggle them into Hyderabad. In the

meanwhile, the Nizam sent a delegation to the U.N.O. to refer the Hyderabad case to the Security

Council. With the growing violence by the Razakars and the Nizam's attempts to get himself

independent, the Government of India decided to curb these tendencies by launching a `Police Action'

against the Nizam. On the 13th of September, 1948 `Police Action' on Hyderabad commenced. The

Indian Army, led by Major-General J.N.Chaudhuri entered the State from five directions and the

military action was a brilliant success. On 18th September, 1949, Nizam's forces surrendered and Mir

Laik Ali, the Prime Minister of the Nizam, and Khasim Razvi were arrested. On September, 23, the

Nizam withdrew his complaint in the Security Council. The merger of Hyderabad Dominions into the

Indian Union was announced. Major-General J.N.Chaudhuri took over as Military Governor of

Hyderabad and stayed in that position till the end of 1949. In January 1950, M.K.Vellodi, a Senior Civil

Servant, was made the Chief Minister of the State and the Nizam was designated `Raj Pramukh'.

After the 1952 General Elections, the first popular ministry headed by B.Rama Krishna Rao took

charge of the State.

Emergence of Andhra Pradesh

The creation of Andhra State in October, 1953 strengthened the general demand for linguistic States.

Andhras had also long cherished demand for the formation of Visalandhra, since the people of

Hyderabad State were unanimous in their demand for the trifurcation of their State. Andhras hoped

that the outlying Telugu areas in Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Mysore and Madras be incorporated in the

greater Andhra.

The States Reorganization Commission, with Syed Fazl Ali as the Chairman, set up by the

Government of India in December 1953, who heard the views of different organisations and

individuals, was though convinced of the advantages of Visalandhra, however, favoured the formation

26

of separate State for Telangana. This report of the S.R.C. led to an intensive lobbying both by the

advocates of Telangana and Visalandhra. The Communists reacted sharply and announced that they

would resign their seats in the Hyderabad Legislative Assembly and contest elections on the issue. In

the Hyderabad Legislative Assembly, a majority of the Legislators supported Visalandhra.

The Congress High Command favoured Visalandhra and prevailed upon the leaders of the Andhra

State and Telangana to sort out their differences, who, thereupon, entered into a `Gentlemen's

Agreement'. One of the main provisions of the Agreement was the creation of a `Regional Council' for

Telangana for its all round development. The enlarged State by merging nine Telugu speaking

districts of Adilabad, Nizamabad, Medak, Karimnagar, Warangal, Khammam, Nalgonda,

MahabubNagar and Hyderabad, into Andhra State with its eleven districts of Srikakulam,

Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Nellore, Chittoor, Cuddapah,

Anantapur and Kurnool, totalling 20 districts* was named `Andhra Pradesh' with its capital at

Hyderabad. It was inaugurated on the 1st of November, 1956 by Jawaharlal Nehru. Neelam Sanjiva

Reddy became the first Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, who later rose to the position of the

President of India. Burgula Ramakrishna Rao, last of the Chief Ministers of Hyderabad State was

elevated to the Office of the Governor of Kerala. C.M.Trivedi continued to be the Governor of Andhra

Pradesh.

As stated above, on the formation of Andhra Pradesh on the 1st of November 1956, Neelam Sanjiva

Reddy became the first Chief Minister of the new State. Consequent on his becoming the President of

the All India Congress Committee, he resigned the post of Chief Minister on 10th June, 1960 and was

succeeded by D.Sanjivaiah, a talented young man from the Scheduled Castes. After 1962 General

Elections, Sri N.Sanjiva Reddy again became the Chief Minister of the State on 12th March, 1962.

But, he relinquished the Chief Ministership in 1964 on moral grounds consequent on the adverse

verdict of the Supreme Court in Kurnool Transport Nationalisation case. He was succeeded by Sri

Kasu Brahmananda Reddy on 29th February, 1964. He was in the office till 30th September, 1971.

His long innings witnessed development of the city as well as the State in many ways. True the

Telangana agitation erupted during his time paved way for rectification of defects and implementation

of measures to develop Telangana.

Political Crisis in 1969 and 1972

During the years 1969 and 1972, Andhra Pradesh was rocked by two political agitations popularly

known as the `Telangana' and the `Jai Andhra' Movements respectively. Telangana agitation was

started by the people of the region when they felt that the Andhra leaders had flouted the Gentlemen's

Agreement which facilitated the formation of Andhra Pradesh.

The influx of the people from the coastal region into the city of Hyderabad created many social

tensions. Slowly the discontent spread among the Telangana officials and the unemployed youth who

felt that they were exploited by the people of the Andhra region. The discontent manifested itself when

a student of Khammam went on a hunger-strike in January 1969 demanding the implementation of

the safeguards for Telangana provided in the Gentlemen's Agreement. Slowly the agitation spread to

27

Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana. In the beginning, the movement demanded the

implementation of the safeguards agreed upon earlier, but later it wanted the separation of Telangana

from Andhra Pradesh.

Three more districts were added later by the creation of Prakasam in 1970, Ranga Reddy in 1978 and

Vizianagaram in 1979. Thus, the State presently has 23 districts.

The agitation took a new turn when the Congress legislators from Telangana supported the

movement. Dr.Channa Reddy entered the fray and formed the Telangana Praja Samiti to lead the

movement. But by November 1969, there was a split in the Praja Samiti when dissident Congress

legislators realised that the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was not in favour of separate Telangana.

The movement slowly petered out. In September 1971, Brahmananda Reddy, the then Chief Minister,

resigned his position to make room for a leader from Telangana to become the Chief Minister. On the

30th of September, 1971, P.V.Narsimha Rao* became the Chief Minister. The Telangana Praja Samiti

was dissolved and its members rejoined the Congress.

During 1972, another agitation known as the Jai Andhra Movement was launched in the Andhra

region. The agitation was a sequel to the Telangana agitation which demanded that only `Mulkis'

should be appointed to the posts in Telangana including the Hyderabad city. The `Mulki' issue had a

long history behind it. As early as in 1919, the Nizam of Hyderabad issued a firman laying down that

only `Mulkis' are eligible for public appointments in the State. `Mulki' was defined as one who was

born in the State of Hyderabad or resided there continuously for fifteen years and had given an

affidavit that he abandoned the idea of returning to his native place. Even after the formation of

Andhra Pradesh, the Mulki rules continued to be in force in the Telangana region. As these rules

stood in the way of the people of the Andhra region to compete for the posts, their validity was

challenged in the High Court. A full bench of the High Court by a four-one majority held that the Mulki

rules were not valid and operative after the formation of Andhra Pradesh.

But on an appeal by the State Government, the Supreme Court declared on the 3rd of October, 1972

that the Mulki rules were valid and were in force. The judgement created a great political crisis in the

State. The people of the Andhra region felt that they were reduced to the status of second class

citizens in their own State capital. They felt that the only way to uphold their dignity was by severing

their connection with Telangana and started a movement for the separation of Andhra region from

Andhra Pradesh.

As the agitation continued, President's rule was imposed in the State on the 10th of January, 1973.

Finally, a political settlement was arrived at under the aegis of the Central Government. A `Six-Point

Formula' was agreed upon by the leaders of the two regions to prevent any recurrence of such

agitations in future. The `Six-Point Formula' included (1) the abolition of Mulki rules and the

Telangana Regional Committee and (2) the establishment of a Central University at Hyderabad to

augment educational facilities.

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On December 10, 1973, President's rule in the State was revoked and a popular ministry with Sri

Jalagam Vengala Rao as the Chief Minister was inducted. With this, normalcy returned and the State

enjoyed political stability.

In the General Elections held in February 1978 for the A.P.Legislative Assembly, the Congress Party

swept the polls and Dr.M.Channa Reddy became the sixth Chief Minister of A.P. on the 6th of March

1978. He announced that separate Telangana was no longer an issue. Owing to some factional

squabbles in the party, Dr.Channa Reddy resigned in October 1980 and was succeeded by T.Anjaiah,

who remained in office only for one year and four months. In February 1982, he was replaced by Sri

Bhavanam Venkataram, who in turn was replaced by Sri K.Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy in September

1982. Thus Andhra Pradesh was administered by four Chief Ministers in four years.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**He rose to the position of Prime Minister of India during 1991-96.

Frequent changes of the Chief Ministers by the Congress High Command created dissatisfaction

among the people. Taking advantage of this popular discontent, Sri N.T.Rama Rao, a leading figure of

the film world formed a regional party called `Telugu Desam' in January 1983 and contested the

General Elections to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly held in 1983. His party became

victorious and Sri Rama Rao was sworn in as the tenth Chief Minister of the State. But, on the 16th of

August 1984, Sri Nadendla Bhaskara Rao, a cabinet colleague of Sri Rama Rao, succeeded in

becoming the Chief Minister by engineering the dismissal of Sri Rama Rao by the then Governor.

However, Sri Rama Rao was reinstated on the 16th of September 1984 consequent on the severe

criticism on the action of Governor. In the elections of March 1985, Sri Rama Rao proved that he

continued to enjoy the confidence of people by winning absolute majority in the House.

The Telugu people who were not quite pleased with some of the policies of the Telugu Desam

Government, returned Congress in 1989 general elections to the State Legislature with good majority.

During the following five years, three Chief Ministers, Dr.M.Channa Reddy, Sri N.Janardhana Reddy

and Sri K.Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy held the reins of power. The discontentment of the Telugu public

was reflected in pushing the Congress out and handing over the power again to the Telugu Desam

Party in 1994. In 1995 N.T.Rama Rao, has been succeeded by Sri N.Chandrababu Naidu. He ruled

the State as Chief Minister from 1995 to 2004. Congress returned to power in 2004 and Dr. Y.S.

Rajasekhara Reddy, became the Chief Minister of the State.

Dr.Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy introduced several popular welfare schemes viz. 'INDIRAMMA' housing

scheme for weaker sections, 'Rajiv Arogyasri' providing corporate health care to BPL families, '108'

Ambulance service and '104' Mobile Health clinics in rural areas, Rs.2 per KG rice, Free power supply

to farmers, College Fee reimbursement scheme,construction of Dams and Lift Irrigation projects

under the 'Jalayagnam' scheme, providing rural employment under the NREGA programme. 'Pavala

Vaddi' scheme and Pension scheme to members of Self Help Groups.

Dr.Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy died in a tragic incident of Helicopter crash on 2nd September 2009, in

Nallamala forest area, while going on a tour to Chittoor district, to launch the 'Rachabanda'

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programme. He won the hearts of the people of the State by virtue of introduction of several welfare

schemes and by his tireless efforts to reach out to the people.

Sri Konijeti Rosaiah, was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, on 3rd September 2009

     List of Governors

Governors of Andhra Pradesh

Sl.No. Name From To

1 Sri.E.S.Lakshmi Narasimhan 28/12/2009

2 Sri. Narayan Dutt Tiwari 21/08/2007 27/12/2009

3 Sri. Rameshwar Thakur 04/01/2006 21/08/2007

4 Sri. Sushil Kumar Shinde 04/11/2004 04/01/2006

5 Sri. Surjeet Singh Barnala 03/01/2003 03/11/2004

6 Dr. C. Rangarajan 24/11/1997 02/01/2003

7 Sri G. Ramanujam 22/08/1997 23/11/1997

8 Sri Krishan Kant 07/02/1990 21/08/1997

9 Smt. Kumudben Manishankar Joshi 26/11/1985 07/02/1990

10 Dr. Shanker Dayal Sharma 29/08/1984 26/11/1985

11 Sri Ramlal 15/08/1983 29/08/1984

12 Sri K.C. Abraham 15/08/1978 14/08/1983

13 Smt. Sharada Mukerjee 05/05/1977 14/08/1978

14 Sri Justice B.J. Diwan 17/02/1977 04/05/1977

15 Sri R.D. Bhandare 16/06/1976 16/02/1977

16 Sri Mohanlal Sukhadia 10/01/1976 15/06/1976

17 Sri Justice S. Obul Reddi 25/01/1975 09/01/1976

18 Sri Khandubai Kasanji Desai 11/04/1968 25/01/1975

19 Sri P.A. Thanu Pillai 04/05/1964 10/04/1968

20 Genl. S.M. Shrinagesh 08/09/1962 03/05/1964

21 Sri Bhimsen Sachar 01/08/1957 07/09/1962

22 Sri C.M. Trivedi 01/11/1953 31/07/1957

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     List of Chief Ministers

Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh

 Name From ToSri Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy 25/11/2010

Sri K. Rosaiah 03/09/2009  24/11/2010

Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy 14/05/2004 02/09/2009

Sri N. Chandra Babu Naidu 01/09/1995 13/05/2004

Sri N.Janardhana Reddy 17/12/1990 09/10/1992

Sri N.Bhaskara rao 16/08/1984 16/09/1984

Sri N.T.Rama Rao12/12/1994

01/09/1995

 16/9/1984 2/12/19899/1/1983 16/8/1984

Sri K.Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy 10/10/1992 11/12/199420/09/1982 08/01/1983

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Sri Bhavanam Venkataram Reddy 24/02/1982 19/09/1982

Sri Tanguturi Anjaiah 11/10/1980

 

 23/02/1982

 

Dr. Marri Chenna Reddy

  03/12/1989

 

17/12/1990

 

06/03/1978 10/10/1980

Sri. Jalagam Vengala Rao 10/12/1973 06/03/1978

President's rule 10/01/1973 10/12/1973

Sri P.V.Narasimha Rao 30/09/1971 18/01/1973

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Sri Kasu Bramhananda Reddy 29/02/1964 30/09/1971

Sri Damodaram Sanjivaiah 11/01/1960 11/03/1962

Sri (Dr.) Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy

12/03/1962 28/02/1964

 

01/11/1956 11/01/1960

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State Profile - Andhra Pradesh                                                                                                                                                               back

The State is richly endowed with natural and human resources with competitive socio-economic advantages. It’s geographical spread of 274.40 lakh Hectares accounting for 8.37% of the Country’s area makes it the 4th largest State in the country.  A projected population of 8.27 Crores as on 1st March, 2007 accounting for 7.4% of country’s population makes it the 5th most populous State. During 2005-06, the net area sown was 108.39 lakh Hectares, constituting 39.5% of its geographical area.  Similarly, the State has about 62 lakh Hectares of forest area, accounting for about 23% of its geographical area. The State also has the 2nd longest coastline of 974 km. The total surface water of entire river systems, across the State is estimated at 2,764 TMC at 75% dependability.  It is one of the few states in the country blessed with riverine geography. Millennial History through Ages                                                                                                                                                              back

Andhra Pradesh represents a unique microcosm of Indian union itself – blending its linguistic, ethnic and geographical diversity. Its land has been visited by Gods since time immemorial.  Lord Rama with His family is believed to have set foot at Bhadrachalam.  Its people since the dawn of history are known for their indomitable courage.  Its army had participated in Mahabharata war in lands afar.  Subsequently, Buddhism influenced its coastal flanks in Kalinga country.  Nagarjuna, a famous Buddhist King was ruling from Amaravathi. Therefore, universal outlook amongst Telugu speaking people is an essential part of its hoary heritage.

From seventh century onwards, when Indo gangetic valley was rocked by waves of foreign penetration, political turmoil and social unrest, great empires rose in deccan sweeping Godavari, Krishna and Tungabhadra valleys.  Satavahanas ruled deccan with its borders been washed by waters of Arabian sea and Bay of Bengal.  Kakatiyas are immortalized through irrigation and culture and of course, Vijayanagar Empire is remembered as the golden period.  The mantle of Indian heritage and its glitter of prosperity was held aloft by the people living on this very land till as late as mid sixteenth century.

After the battle of Tallikota in 1565 and the fall of Golconda in 1682, the Telugu speaking people suffered gradual dismemberment and fell on troubled days.  Then came the European conquests.  Two centuries of colonial exploitation and misrule followed by successive famines completely crippled the peasantry and reduced the countryside to a state of abject poverty and misery.

It is from this historic perspective that one must judge the awakening of its people as part of larger reawakening of India.  The great revolt of 1857 was our first expression of nationalism and our first revolt against foreign rule.  This great event threw upon some of the best and bravest of rebels.  In the dark period during 19th century, these warriors descended like meteors and embraced heroic death long before the dawn of freedom.  Thousands of rebels fell fighting in the very prime of their life, unseen, unheard, unwept and unsung.  They sacrificed for freedom and unity then – so that we can live and breathe free now. (for more on A.P. History, please visit http://www.portal.ap.gov.in/Pages/History.aspx)Decadal Journey since Independence                                                                                                                                                    back

Six decades in the life of a free people is an important milestone and naturally calls for both celebration and introspection.  Looking back, it is a matter of deep satisfaction that despite initial set backs during its formation during Fifties, A.P. caught up with the national rhythm sooner than later.  During Sixties, the edifice of several multipurpose river valley projects, also known as temples of Modern India was rising dramatically.  And, from Seventies onwards, the life giving waters of Nagarjunasagar and Pochampadu had reached millions of farmers across A.P.  Several major power projects like Srisailam, VTPS and KTPS generated enough energy to electrify its villages.  Several national and international institutions were located in and around Hyderabad and Vizag.  It surely helped the state to emerge as an important knowledge

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hub in coming decades.

During Eighties, political change inherent in democratic polity saw Rs. 2/- per kg rice and other welfare measures reaching to all needy families.Similarly, Nineties witnessed the rise of A.P. on ICT map of India.  It also witnessed the SHG program of women transforming into a silent, yet, solid movement.  The latest political change brought in by the same democratic polity is agrarian focused with farmer and poor at its centre.  Mandate now is for a healthy economic growth for broadening opportunity spectrum to include all sections of society.  It is also for a balanced sectoral development so as to improve regional harmony.  Therefore, the collective wish of the people of A.P. during six decades of their democratic journey as free citizen appear to be simple – balanced sectoral development for optimal regional harmony so as to facilitate the collective journey for all its people into 21st century.  Economy                                                                                                                                                                                                 back

The broad picture of A.P. economy since independence appears to follow the millennial historic flow indicating rise, decline and eventual restoration.  Experts broadly agree that after independence, A . P’s economy like national economy broke from the past growth trend in and around 1980. 

During Eighties, the state GSDP growth averaged 6.03% - higher than Nation’s GDP average of 5.68%.  Relative slippage commenced during mid Nineties and became too glaring thereafter. Our GSDP growth during 1995-2002 averaged 5.67%, significantly lower than National GDP average of 6.13%.  However, due to bold policy initiatives during its mid course in several major areas, the growth trend during 10th Plan in A.P. is looking up and trying to catch up with the National trend.

Therefore, state is confidently targeting for 9% annual growth in its overall economy during Eleventh Plan (2007-12).  The sectoral targets are 4.5% for agriculture and livestock, 9.5% for industrial sector and 11% for services sector.  However, the centrality of bold state intervention as a necessary precondition for achieving this  lofty  goal  has   been  understood – and  imbibed by all participants in the growth process.Macro-Economic Aggregates                                                                                                                                                                     back

As per the advance estimates for 2006-07, the Gross State Domestic Product at 1999-2000 prices registered a growth of 7.15%, which is mellowed down by the negative growth in Agriculture yet continuing growth in other sectors on almost the same lines as All India reflecting the multi faceted development in the State. The GSDP is expected to touch Rs.2,02,117 Crores. Per Capita Income at 1999-2000 prices for the year 2006-07 is estimated at Rs.22,521 as against the quick estimate of Rs.21,277 for the year 2005-06 registering a growth of 5.85%. Gross Fixed Capital Formation has shown a growth of 17.07% during 2004-05 and as percentage of GSDP, it works out to 24.18. The Sectoral composition of GSDP in A.P. during 2006-07 is Rs.53,859 Crores (26.6%) primary sector, Rs.43,611 Crores (21.6%) secondary sector and Rs.1,04,647 Crores (51.8%) for tertiary sector (Annexure 2.1 to 2.10).

As per advance estimates for All India, the Gross Domestic Product at 1999-2000 prices stood at Rs.28,44,022 Crores registering a growth of 9.20% over previous year. The share of Primary Sector is (Rs.582678 Crores) 20.5%, Secondary Sector is (Rs.694441 Crores) 24.4% and Tertiary Sector is (Rs.1566903 Crores) 55.1%.Public Finance                                                                                                                                                                                          back

The Revenue Receipts under State's own Taxes during the year 2006-07 (R.E) stood at Rs.25,256 Crores as against Rs.19,611 Crores during 2005-06 registering a growth rate of 28.78%. Sales Tax is the major source of revenue in the State.  The revenue realized through Sales Tax during 2006-07 (R.E) is Rs.16,839 Crores as against Rs.12,946 Crores during 2005-06 registering an increase of  30.07%. Out of total expenditure of Rs.56,101 Crores during the

35

year 2006-07 (R.E), capital expenditure is 18.20%. 

(for more on Budget, please visit http://budget.ap.gov.in/) Prices                                                                                                                                                                                                       back

Price situation in the State from April to December, 2006 reveal that the average daily retail price of Rice, Red gram dal and Ground nut were varying marginally while that of Red Chillies and Tamarind were increasing significantly.  The Consumer Price Indices for different groups (Industrial workers, urban non-manual employees and Agricultural Labor) indicate that the prices of essential commodities have shown significant increase in the State as well as in the Country. Average daily wages of Artisans and Field Laborers have also been increasing. Public Distribution                                                                                                                                                                                     back

41,296 Fair Price Shops are functioning in the State, out of which 6,915 are in urban areas and 34,381 are in rural areas.Seasonal Conditions                                                                                                                                                                               back

South-west Monsoon accounts for about 70% of the annual rainfall in the state. During South-west Monsoon 2006, the State received an average rainfall of 627 mm., as against the normal of 624 mm. The State received uneven rains interspersed with dry spells and heavy downpours during South-west Monsoon.  It was distributed unevenly across the state.  Therefore, the rainfall pattern adversely affected the Kharif crops in some of the areas in the state. During North-east Monsoon, the state received 168 mm. as against the normal 224 mm., showing a deficit of 25%. Agriculture 2006-07 (Kharif)                                                                                                                                                                     back

Owing to uneven distribution of rainfall in the State, Area, Production and Productivity suffered in some of the areas. As per the advance estimates for the year 2006-07, as at the end of December 2006, the area sown under food grains is likely to decrease to 70.75 lakh Hectares in 2006-07 from 71.68 lakh Hectares in 2005-06. Similarly the area under groundnut also decreased to 13.21 lakh Hectares in 2006-07 from 18.76 lakh Hectares in 2005-06. Production of food grains is likely to decrease to 159.97 lakh tonnes in 2006-07 from 169.50 lakh Tones in 2005-06. The production of Rice is expected to decrease to 121.27 lakh tonnes in 2006-07 from 117.04 lakh Tones in 2005-06. Similarly the production of groundnut may decrease to 7.09 lakh Tones in 2006-07 from 13.66 lakh Tones during 2005-06. 

Gross Area irrigated in the state increased to 59.96 lakh Hectares in 2005-06 from 49.87 lakh Hectares in 2004-05. Wells account for a major share of 27.96 lakh Hectares (46.6%). (for more on Agriculture, please visit (http://agri.ap.nic.in) Crop Insurance                                                                                                                                                                                        back

National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) provided cover for 10 crops during Rabi 2005-06 and 19 crops during Kharif 2006 including Soybean - newly introduced during Kharif 2006. Bengalgram is introduced during Rabi 2006-07. Government continued the Pilot project “Village as Insurance Unit” for the Kharif 2006. The selected 5 districts are Prakasam, Kadapa, Anantapur, Mahabubnagar and Karimnagar and the crops notified are redgram, groundnut, castor and maize. During kharif 2005-06, 19.80 lakh farmers were covered and were benefited with 6.61 lakhs.Co-operation                                                                                                                                                                                           back

2,940 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies are functioning in the State. A.P. State Co-operative Bank provided Rs.2,271.62 Crores as production credit to farmers through the Societies during the year 2004-05. (http://cooperation.ap.nic.in)Horticulture                                                                                                                                

36

                                                             backState is endowed with varied agro-climatic conditions for growing a variety of horticulture crops like fruits, vegetables, spices, tuber crops, plantation crops and floriculture.  An area of about 16.49 lakh Hectares is under various horticulture crops with an estimated production of 143.87 lakh Tones, 1,202 Million coconuts and 88.50 lakh cut flowers. A.P. holds 1st position in production of mango, mosambi, lime, papaya, chillies, turmeric and oil palm, 2nd in tomato and coriander, 3rd in pomegranate, 4th in tapioca, bendi and grapes, 5th in banana, sapota and onion. A.P. stands 1st in area, production and productivity under oil palm. During 2005-06, 1.49 lakh MTs of Horticulture commodities costing Rs.805.36 Crores were exported from the state. Govt. of Andhra Pradesh and Govt. of India have jointly set up 4 agri. export zones in the state.    (http://www.horticulture.com)Livestock and Livestock Products                                                                                                                                                            back

Veterinary Polyclinics, 281 Veterinary Hospitals, 1,794 Veterinary Dispensaries and 2,916 Rural Livestock Units are attending to animal health needs in the State. According to an integrated sample survey, the total milk production in the State during 2005-06 was 76.24 lakh MTs.Fisheries                                                                                                                                                                                                  back

The State ranks 1st in brackish water shrimp and in fresh water prawn production, 2nd in fresh water fish and in total value of fish/prawn production and 5th in marine fish production. Fish and Prawn production during 2005-06 was 8.91 lakh Tones. The State is contributing about Rs.2,500 Crores by way of marine exports, which accounts for 40% of the marine exports from India.Forestry                                                                                                                                                                                                   back

The State has 63,814 sq. Kms under forest area constituting 23.2% of the total geographical area in the state. Income accrued from forestry was Rs.94.54 Crores in 2005-06. At present, 8,499 Vana Samrakshana Samithis are functioning, managing an area of 23.94 lakh Hectares. About 6.66 lakh Hectares of degraded forests have been treated. 15.38 lakh people including 7.54 lakh women and 7.84 lakh SC/ST are actively participating in conservation and regeneration of degraded forests. (http://forest.ap.nic.in)Kolleru Lake                                                                                                                                                                                            back

Kolleru lake, a precious heritage, is the largest fresh water eco systems of International importance.  However, it fell victim to human greed.  The situation worsened due to decades of neglect.  But government brought the political will to implement Supreme Court directive to clear all illegal encroachments.  There is commitment to restore and sustain the lake’s pristine glory.Sericulture                                                                                                                                                                                              back

Sericulture, an agro based labor intensive industry is providing gainful employment mostly to rural people, especially women. The state occupies 2nd position in the country in production of silk. The reeling cocoon production during 2005-06 is 46,785 MTs while raw silk production is 5,336 MTs. The employment generation is for 4.88 lakh persons.(http://seri.ap.gov.in)Marketing                                                                                                                                                                                                back

There are 310 Market Committees and 889 Notified Markets in the State. The income of all the Market Committees during 2005-06 was Rs.202.84 Crores.

(http://market.ap.nic.in)Industries and Labor                                                                                                                                                                               back

Since liberalization during August 1991, so far upto 30.11.2006, 2,435 units involving an investment of Rs.29,974 Crores and providing employment to 3,60,067 persons have gone into

37

production. 56 Mega Projects with an investment of Rs.36,061 Crores have also gone into stream.

The Foreign Direct Investment in the State has been increasing steadily due to policy of liberalization initiated by the State Government with the establishment of good infrastructure and competitive power tariff. The State as at the end of August 2006 received 1,060 proposals with a foreign equity of Rs.16,893 Crores, of which, 310 proposals were grounded with a foreign equity of Rs.4,231 Crores.

Since inception (1993-94) 2,44,306 Prime Minister’s Rojgar Yojana units were grounded by providing financial assistance of Rs.1,371.83 Crores with an employment of 4,71,931 persons till November 2006.

The average Index Number of Industrial Production in the state with the base year 1993-94 showed a growth of 11.1% during 2006-07 (April-November) when compared with that of the corresponding period of previous year. (for more on Industries, please visit http://apind.gov.in) APIIC                                                                                                                                                                                                       back

Cyber Towers and Cyber Gateway were providing employment to 5,000 and 7,500 respectively. Cyber Pearl with an investment of Rs.125 Crores was constructed in 6.05 acres.

APIIC Ltd. has taken possession of Government land measuring 1,109 acres in Raviryal village of Ranga Reddy district for establishment of Hardware Park. The Corporation developed a layout in 168.27 acres of land and allotted to Catalytic Software, Millennium Appliances India Ltd., Astra Microwave Products, HCL Infosystems, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, Vem Technologies, Aga Khan Foundation and JT Holdings Private Ltd. New companies coming up are Gems & Jewellery Park and Ananth Technologies Private Limited. Proposed investment in Hardware Park is about Rs. 2,000 Crores (including 3 IT Developers) and the proposed built up area will be around 2.00 lakh sq. mts. The employment will be around 2 lakhs. 

To meet the growing needs of Pharma industry, Govt. of A.P. approved Development of Pharma City at Parwada, Visakhapatnam district in an extent of 2,200 acres of land and it is taken up on Public Private Partnership basis.

The working results of 29 State Level Public Enterprises (SLPEs) during 2004-05 revealed that the net profit has increased from Rs. 405 Crores in 2003-04 to Rs. 904 Crores in 2004-05. The return on investment has increased from 8.62% in 2003-04 to 9.30% in 2004-05.

The State is the 2nd largest in major mineral production & value of mineral production and 1st in minor mineral production. The State accounts for Rs.974 Crores by way of foreign exchange earnings. As per the index number of industrial production, mining and quarrying during 2006-07 (April-November) registered a negative growth of (-)4.9% when compared to that of corresponding period of last year.

The exports from the State have increased from Rs.18,281 Crores in 2004-05 to Rs.24,408 Crores in 2005-06. The major exports are software, drugs and pharmaceuticals, leather, animal and marine products and agriculture & agro-based products.

The number of Strikes increased whereas, Lockouts decreased during the year 2006 (Till September, 2006). Number of workers involved increased from 12,770 during the year 2005 to 16,086 during 2006 (Up to the end of September 2006). Similarly number of man days lost also increased from 6.84 lakhs in 2005 to 20.19 lakhs during 2006 (Up to the end of September 2006).

(for more on APIIC, please visit http://www.apiicltd.com).Irrigation                                                                                                                                     

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                                                             backHighest ever priority has been accorded for development of Irrigation Infrastructure in backward and drought prone regions of the state. State Government initiated ‘JALAYAGNAM’ with the aim of completing 54 Irrigation Projects taken up with a revised estimate of Rs. 72,406 Crores in a time bound and planned manner. For the early completion of ongoing projects, financial assistance from World Bank, Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC), NABARD, from Govt. of India under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) and through A.P. Water Resources Development Corporation is being obtained and works are in progress.

According to the 3rd Minor Irrigation Census which was conducted with 2000-01 as reference year, there were 20,35,697 minor irrigation sources in the state showing an increase of 22.32% when compared with the previous Census. Out of all the schemes, dug-wells contribute 58% of the total minor irrigation schemes followed by shallow tube-wells with 32%. (for more on Irrigation, please visit http://irrigation.ap.gov.in) Power                                                                                                                                                                                                      back

The installed capacity including central sector as on 30.9.2006 is 11,182 M.W.  The energy available for use as on 30.9.2006 is 28,366 M.U. Number of consumers served has increased from 1.73 Crores as at the end of March 2006 to 1.77 Crores as at the end of September 2006. Subsidy provided to Agricultural sector including cross subsidy during 2006-07 is Rs.3,141 Crores. In order to ensure free supply of power to the eligible, Govt. started rationalization of the process in addition to avoid power losses with the use of modern low cost gadgets to be fixed to the pump sets. Power thus saved can help those in the eligible segment. Priority is given for promoting Lift Irrigation in order to reduce   exploitation of ground water. However, to meet the ever growing demand for power, the Government have been constructing projects in State sector and encouraging private sector to implement gas based and other projects. (for more on Power, please visit http://www.aptransco.gov.in) Roads                                                                                                                                                                                                      back

As on 31-3-2006, there are 15 National Highways in the state covering a length of 4,648 kms. The R & B network is 63,625 kms., of which, state highways constitute 10,217 kms., major district roads constitute 32,222 kms. and rural roads constitute 21,186 kms. In addition, Panchayat Raj has a Road network of 1,21,079 kms. Transport                                                                                                                                                                                                 back

Road transport plays a vital role in the economic development of the state. Comprehensive database is being built to provide online services for facilitating effective and fool proofing the process of issue of driving licenses, registrations, permits, taxation etc. Vehicular pollution control monitoring has been stepped up with 475 PUC centers functioning in the State. (for more on Transport, please visit http://www.aptransport.org)Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation                                                                                                                                 back

(APSRTC) is the largest State Road Transport undertaking in the country, which not only got entry in the Limca Book of Records 2000, but also entered the Guinness World Records on 31st

October 1999.  The fleet strength of the Corporation decreased from 19,609 as on 31.3.2005 to 19,407 as on 31.3.2006. The Corporation operates over 66.56 lakh kms. per day, carrying 1.28 Crores of passengers daily.  The Corporation’s fuel efficiency was 5.27 kms. per liter in 2005-06. The staff ratio per bus was 6.31 during 2005-06. Employee’s productivity increased from 51 kms. in 2004-05 to 53 kms. in 2005-06. (for more on APSRTC, please visit http://www.apsrtc.gov.in) Airports                                                                                                                                                                                                    back

Hyderabad International Airport at Shamshabad is being developed under Public Private Partnership (PPP). The developer is GMR-MAHB Consortium. The equity participation of Govt. of A.P., Airports Authority of India (AAI) and developer is 13:13:74. The revised project cost is about Rs.2,584 Crores. Work is going in full swing and 55% of the work is completed and the first phase will be completed by the end of 2007.  The Airport shall be operational next

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year.        (for more on Hyderabad International Airport, please visit http://www.hyderabad.aero)Ports                                                                                                                                                                                                        back

The minor ports of Andhra Pradesh handled 18.43 Million Tones of cargo during 2006 and A.P. is the 2nd highest cargo handling state in India. The A.P. State has prepared a perspective development plan for development of ports according to which 173 million tones of cargo by next 15 years it is programmed to handle.(http://www.andhraports.com)Communications                                                                                                                                                                                     back

As on March 2006, there were 16,177 Post Offices in the state, of which 101 Head Offices, 3 Mukhya Dak Ghars, 2,352 Sub-offices, 13,686 Branch offices and 35 Extra Departmental Sub-offices. There were 3,568 Telephone Exchanges and 44.12 lakh telephone connections in the state as at the end of March 2006.Banking                                                                                                                                                                                                   back

At the end of September 2006, there were 5,502 Bank Offices. The aggregate deposits as on September 2006 were Rs.1,26,349 Crores and the advances stood at Rs.1,06,562 Crores.Tourism                                                                                                                                                                                                   back

Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) has been developing tourist infrastructure and package development for overall development of Tourism in the state. The Corporation is involved in many areas of development i.e., hotels, resorts, wayside amenities, tourist packages and boats etc. The Corporation has 43 accommodation and catering units. There are 800 hotel rooms with bed strength of 1,762. (for more on Tourism, please visit http://www.aptourism.in) Information Technology                                                                                                                                                                          back

Govt. of A.P. aspires to transform the state into a knowledge society and make available the benefits of Information Technology to all citizens, especially those in rural areas. A.P. ranks 4 th at National level with exports of Rs.12,521 Crores in 2005-06, recording 51% growth over previous year.  The exports are slated to go up to Rs. 19000 Crores during the current year – registering an unprecedented growth of 50% for successive years.  Jawahar Knowledge Centers (JKC), a forward step in the direction of Human Resource promotion initiative of the Government. At present there are 70 Engineering JKCs and 26 Degree JKCs with 224 participating Campus Placement Mission (CPM) registered colleges in the state. Govt. launched RAJiv Internet Village Programme to bring Govt. Services/benefits closer to the people living in rural areas. At present 513 Centers are operating in the state. (for more on IT, please visit http://www.apit.gov.in) Population                                                                                                                                                                                               back

The decadal growth rate during 1991-2001 is 14.59%, which is lower than All India decadal growth rate of 21.53%. Therefore, the share of A.P. population has come down from 7.9% in 1991 to 7.4% in 2001. The density of the State is 277 persons per square kilometer as against 313 in the country. For the first time, the sex ratio in the State has increased and it stood at 978 as against 933 for All India. Population of SCs and STs works out to 16.19% and 6.59% respectively.(http://www.censusindia.net)Education                                                                                                                                                                                                 back

The literacy rate in Andhra Pradesh during 2001 was 60.47% as against the literacy rate of 64.84% in All India.

Govt. of Andhra Pradesh intends to achieve the goal of universalization of Elementary Education by recognizing Education as a potential instrument for Human Development.  The primary goal of the state is to increase steadily the overall literacy levels.

During the year 2005-06, under the Elementary Education sector there were 62,159 Primary

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Schools and 17,290 Upper Primary Schools. Under Secondary Education, there were 15,437 High Schools and 98 Higher Secondary Schools. The total enrolment as on 30.9.2005 in the state was 135.12 lakhs and there were 4,19,507 teachers in all types of schools. The Dropout rate in the Primary stage, Upper Primary stage and in Secondary schools is 24.73, 51.30 and 63.67 respectively. The Teacher Pupil Ratios in the Primary, Upper Primary and Secondary Schools worked out to 1:28, 1:25 and 1:30 respectively. The Percentage of pass in S.S.C. Examinations has increased from 72.41 in 2004-05 to 73.16 in 2005-06.

There are 3,813 Junior Colleges under different managements.  Vocational courses are offered in 814 Junior Colleges. The Percentage of pass of regular candidates in Intermediate Examinations in March 2006 is 57.33%.

There are 178 Govt. Degree Colleges and 179 Aided Degree Colleges in the state with strength of 4,23,664.

There are 282 Engineering Colleges with an intake of 98,475, 270 MCA Colleges with an intake of 15,215 and 206 MBA Colleges with an intake of 12,415. On-line decentralized admissions for EAMCET, ECET-FDH and CEEP were successfully conducted at Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Guntur, Tirupati, Warangal and Kadapa during 2006-07. (http://ssa.ap.nic.in, http://www.apsche.org)Family Welfare                                                                                                                                                                                        back

Birth rate, Death rate and Infant Mortality Rate for the year 2004 in the case of State are 19.0, 7.0 and 59 respectively as against 24.1, 7.5 and 58 for All India. Expected life at Birth, (2006-11) for Male and Female in the case of State are 63.9 and 66.2 as against 65.6 and 67.2 for All India.

Govt. of A.P. has been making concerted efforts to provide universal access to comprehensive health and family welfare services of acceptable standards of quality. Family Welfare services are being rendered through 1,570 PHCs, 12,522 Sub-centers, 131 Urban Family Welfare Centers and 82 Post Partam Units in the state. 520 PHCs in backward areas have been designated as 24-hours Mother and Child Health Centres to provide normal delivery services. Reproductive and Child Health-II Project is being implemented focusing on generating demand for preventive health care services (http://cfw.ap.nic.in).A.P. Vaidya Vidhana Parishad (APVVP)                                                                                                                                                  back

There are 228 hospitals in the state, of which, 19 are District Hospitals with 4,900 beds, 57 Area Hospitals with 5,900 beds, 117 Community Health Centres with 4,600 beds, 10 Specialty Hospitals with 824 beds and 25 Dispensaries under the control of APVVP. APVVP hospitals are providing Out patient, In patient services, Diagnostic services and Laboratory services. These hospitals along with Primary Health Centers act as a platform for implementation of various national health programs like Malaria, Tuberculosis, Family welfare, AIDS, etc. (http://health.ap.nic.in/apvvp/apvvp_hospitals.html)Health                                                                                                                                                                                                      back

To promote awareness on Goitre and Iodine Deficiency Disorders and their prevention among people, National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme, a 100% Central Sponsored Scheme is being implemented in the state. Under Diabetic Care and Control Programme, Awareness Campaigns and Screening Camps are being conducted at PHC/ district level. During the year 2005-06, 17.77 lakh School Children were treated under Telugu Chiranjeevulu Sukheebhava Pathakam.(http://health.ap.nic.in)AIDS Control                                                                                                                                                                                            back

For the first time in the country HIV/AIDs Coordination Committee has been set up with Hon’ble

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Chief Minister as the Chairman to plan and coordinate efforts of all the Departments concerned involving Chief Secretary, DGP, Secretaries of 16 Departments, Representatives of positive network, Donor agencies and prominent NGOs. A similar Steering Committee has been formed with Chief Secretary as the Chairman to monitor the implementation of the plans and to ensure interdepartmental coordination. A District Program Management Team is being placed at the district headquarters of the 10 most high burden districts to provide necessary techno-managerial support to the Additional District Medical & Health Officers. Ultimately serious and sincere efforts are being made to make the interventions a people’s program through reduction of stigma & discrimination to reverse the trend of new cases in one year (http://www.apsacs.org).Welfare                                                                                                                                                                                                   backWomen Development and Child Welfare

Supplementary Nutrition, Immunization, Pre-school Education, Health checkups etc. are provided through Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), a 100% Central Sponsored Scheme. During 2005-06, 61.09 lakh women and 73.51 lakh children were covered under the scheme. Girl-Child Protection Scheme to eliminate prejudice against the girl child is being implemented. (http://anganwadi.ap.nic.in/)Disabled Welfare                                                                                                                                                                           

At present, 40 Hostels and 3 Homes are functioning in the State with a sanctioned strength of 4,080 boarders/inmates. 11 Residential Schools are functioning in the State with a sanctioned strength of 1,850 students. Economic Rehabilitation and Development scheme is being implemented by sanctioning 20% of the outlay as margin money and the remaining 80% is being arranged through Nationalized Banks to enable the Disabled person to start self employment scheme to make a living. Multi-purpose identity cards are issued to the Disabled persons to avail all the benefits.

For BCs, there are 1,429 Govt. BC Hostels including 14 Hostels for Denotified and Nomadic Tribes. A total strength of 1.73 lakh students was admitted into the BC Hostels during 2006-07. There are 30 BC Residential Schools with strength of 12,060 students. The percentage of pass in 10th class in Residential Schools and Hostels in 2006 was 99.60 and 77.75 respectively. Post-matric Scholarships were sanctioned to 4,23,506 BC students during 2005-06. A.P. Backward Classes Co-operative Finance Corporation Ltd. is implementing Margin Money Programme and Rajiv Abhyudaya Yojana in the state.

For SCs, there are 2,356 Hostels with strength of 2.59 lakhs and 79 Ananda Nilayams with strength of 6,655. 296 Social Welfare Residential Schools are functioning with strength of 1.38 lakhs and 129 SC College Hostels with strength of 18,121. In March 2006 SSC Examinations, the percentage of pass among the hostellers was 76.24 as against the State’s average of 73.16. A.P. Study Circle provides coaching for Civil Services Examinations of UPSC. Government based on 2001 Census, issued orders enhancing the allocations towards Special Component Plan from 15% to 16.2% of Plan funds of all the Departments from the year 2006-07 onwards. 3,86,885 SC families are provided house sites with expenditure Rs. 46.01 Crores during the year 2006-07 up to October 2006.

For STs, there are 504 Ashram Schools with strength of 1.50 lakhs, 506 Hostels with strength of 0.80 lakh and 4,317 Govt. Primary Schools (TW) with strength of 1.02 lakhs during the year 2006-07. The Department is also maintaining 33 Residential Schools, 38 Upgraded Residential Junior Colleges, 5 Exclusive Residential Junior Colleges, 3 Junior Colleges of Excellence, 3 Schools of Excellence and 41 Primary Residential Schools with strength of 49,736.  69% of students in Hostels, 76% of students in Ashram Schools and 88% of students in Tribal Welfare Residential Schools passed in SSC Examinations 2006. 65% of students in TW Residential Junior Colleges passed in Intermediate Examinations, 2006. Post-metric scholarships were awarded to 1,45,477 students during 2005-06 and 1,40,466 students during 2006-07. A special project is being implemented in ITDA, Paderu, in an extent of 27,000 acres of Coffee and 45,000 acres of Silver Oak Plantation benefiting 60,000 ST families at a cost of Rs. 144.00 Crores. During the year 2005-06, A.P. Scheduled Tribe Co-operative Finance Corporation

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(TRICOR) provided financial assistance to 1,27,519 ST beneficiaries with an outlay of Rs.90.73 Crores.

A.P. State Minorities Finance Corporation is providing margin money loans and direct loans to the weaker sections of Minorities.  The scholarships to the students of minority communities have been increasing exponentially during the last 3 years.  During 2004-05 the budgeted amount Rs. 4.0 Crores was enhanced to Rs. 10.0 Crores during 2005-06 and to Rs. 31.0 Crores during the year 2006-07.  It is proposed to double this allocation during the current year.  The impact of education on girl children in the medium and long term is expected to be quite positive.Youth Services                                                                                                                                                                                        back

A priority self-employment scheme named as Rajiv Yuva Shakthi is being implemented covering all habitations in the state. 61,095 units covering 76,038 youth were grounded with an outlay of Rs. 440.56 Crores during 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07 (Upto 20.10.2006). 13,269 youth were trained under Skill Development during 2005-06. Housing                                                                                                                                                                                                   back

Under Weaker Sections Housing Program from inception till the end of November 2006, number of houses completed was 62.11 lakhs, comprising of 56.79 lakhs in rural areas and 5.32 lakhs in urban areas. During the year 2006-07 (Up to November, 2006) 2,63,147 houses have been completed comprising of 2,22,234 in rural areas and 40,913 in urban areas. (for more on Housing, please visit http://housing.ap.gov.in) Urban Water Supply and Sanitation                                                                                                                                                        back

There are 122 Municipalities and 14 Municipal Corporations in the state.  The development and stabilization of water supply and sewerage systems of Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad and 12 Municipal Towns of Ranga Reddy district is being looked after by Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB). Public Health Department controls over all Engineering Works in 110 Municipalities and 11 Municipal Corporations. Water Supply is above 70 Liters Per Capita Daily (LPCD) in 74 Towns and below 70 LPCD in 47 Towns.Outer Ring Road Project (ORR)                                                                                                                                                               back

Govt. of A.P. has taken up construction of 162 kms. long Outer Ring Road Project around the twin cities to decongest the cities and set up a direction for the future growth of the cities. The Project is proposed to be implemented in 2 Phases. Project Estimate is Rs. 3,199 Crores, Rs. 699 Crores in 1st Phase of 24 kms. stretch and Rs. 2,500 Crores for the balance length of 138 kms. (http://www.hyderabadringroad.com)Rural Development                                                                                                                                                                                 back

Watershed Development, Drought Prone Area, Desert Development, Integrated Waste Land Development and Indira Prabha are a few important programs being implemented under Rural Development.

A.P. Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (APREGS), a Central Sponsored Scheme, is being implemented in 13 districts of A.P.  Elimination of heavy machinery, minimization of intermediary layers, equal wages to female workers and social audit are some of the novel features of this historic initiative.  It is indeed going to transform rural employability, poverty and asset creation in years to come.  This scheme will provide at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in every financial year to every household wholly adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. Rural Development Department has taken up the responsibility of conducting Social Audit.  So far Social Audit process was carried out in more than 2,500 Habitations in Anantapur, Nalgonda, Ranga Reddy, Medak, Warangal, Khammam and Kadapa

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districts. All those willing to do manual work have been covered.

Sampoorna Grameena Rojgar Yojana (SGRY) is being implemented on cost sharing basis between Central and State in the ratio of 75:25. The food grains however will be provided free of cost by Govt. of India. This scheme is to provide additional wage employment in the rural areas, as also food security, alongside creation of durable community, social and economic assets and infrastructure development. Under this scheme, 5 kgs. of food grains will be distributed as part of wages per manday. The scheme is being implemented in 9 districts of the state, which are not covered under APREGS. 

Commencing from early 80’s, the process of women empowerment has swept the entire state of Andhra Pradesh in a silent yet dignified manner.  This enormous movement has over-powered caste, political and religious boundaries.  Today, there are 6 lakh Self Help Groups comprising 9 million members with a corpus of Rs. 3,000 Crores.  It has substantially become possible by subsidizing interest and making loans available at 3% rate per annum.  Membership strength and quantum of revolving fund in Andhra Pradesh, incidentally is highest in the Country.  Government is committed to broaden and deepen the movement further on a sustained basis.

Under Social Assistance Program two schemes, Old Age Pension and Family Benefit Schemes are being implemented.

During the year 2006-07, the rate of pension is increased from Rs. 100/- to Rs. 200/- per month for all the pensions. (for more on Rural Development, please visit http://www.rd.ap.gov.in) Pensions under INDIRAMMA Programme                                                                                                                                                back

As a part of the welfare programmes, State Govt. has decided to take up 1/3 of the villages for saturation each year in a period of 3 years under INDIRAMMA Programme starting from 2006-07. Under the programme, most needy and vulnerable persons in the old age, widows, people with disability and weavers will be assisted by way of pensions. A total number of 8,98,891 will be assisted under the programme with an allocation of Rs. 215.73 Crores. 8,86,457 are assisted with an expenditure of Rs. 88.65 Crores during 2006-07 upto September 2006.National Family Benefit Scheme                                                                                                                                                             back

During the year 2006-07, Rs. 14.80 Crores is proposed to assist 29,605 families and Rs. 4.11 Crores has been distributed to 8,221 families during 2006-07 upto September 2006.National Employment Guarantee Scheme                                                                                                                                              backThe NREG Act 2005 provides enhancement of livelihood security, giving atleast 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in every financial year to every household, whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. Panchayats at districts, intermediate and village levels will be the principal authorities for planning and implementation of the scheme (http://nrega.ap.gov.in/Nregs/Home_eng.jsp).                                                                 RSVY                                                                                                                                                                                                       back

Planning Commission, Govt. of India have initiated Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojana (RSVY) during the X Five year plan (2002-07) as a Backward Districts Initiative for the development of backward districts in the state and also to focus on areas under the influence of Left Wing Extremism. Principal objectives of the scheme are to address the problems of low agricultural productivity, unemployment and to fill the critical gaps in physical and social infrastructure. The Planning Commission identified 10 districts in two stages for implementation of RSVY in A.P. Out of these 10 districts, Adilabad, Warangal, Chittoor, Mahabubnagar and Vizianagaram are

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identified under Backward Districts Initiative and Karimnagar, Khammam, Medak, Nalgonda and Nizamabad identified under Left Wing Extremism. Allocation per district is Rs.45 Crores. The expenditure upto 31.12.2006 is Rs. 144.68 Crores.Rajiv Palle Bata                                                                                                                                                                                      back

Rajeev Palle Bata is a program involving dialogue between the leader and the people. During the process, people get an opportunity to represent their problems directly to their leaders. A total number of 54,523 petitions have been received during Rajeev Palle Bata (both 1st and 2nd rounds put together) and 1,198 assurances have also been made during public interactions. 96% of petitions and 76.5% of assurances have been redressed by January 2007.Prajapatham                                                                                                                                                                                           back

Prajapatham is an interaction amongst public, their elected representatives and a team of public servants to focus on priority issues. The programme was conducted in 2 phases covering all the 26,794 Grampnachayats/Wards in the State. It was a silent yet dignified success.Rajiv Nagara Bata Program                                                                                                                                                                    back

Govt. of Andhra Pradesh launched the Rajiv Nagara Bata Program (RNBP) on 9.1.2005 with an overarching goal of ensuring and deepening good urban governance in the state enhancing basic services and livelihoods in an equitable manner in all the Urban Local Bodies. The program aims at establishing mass contacts at the gross root level designed with the basic objective of improving municipal governance through downward accountability and transparency and capturing the voices of citizens especially the poor and vulnerable groups. The progamme also aims at effective targeting of different initiatives of the Government and Municipal bodies to ensure equity, better governance and systematic reforms are expected to improve the performance of Urban Local Bodies. Hon’ble Chief Minister so far visited 68 Urban Local Bodies in 21 districts of the State. As on 30-9-2006, out of 750 Assurances costing Rs. 4,001.32 Crores, 361 Assurances were redressed with a cost of Rs. 1,111.51 Crores.INDIRAMMA                                                                                                                                                                                             back

Government has taken up Development of Model Villages and Towns on saturation basis to provide the basic infrastructure along with the welfare measures in an Integrated and Focused manner and to be serviced over a period of three years. This concept of Development of Model Village and Town has been named as INDIRAMMA (Integrated Novel Development In Rural Areas and Model Municipal Areas). The basic objective of this programme is to ensure overall development of the Villages/Municipalities in a transparent manner covering wider areas every year and also to expel the uncertainty among the people regarding selection.(http://www.indiramma.gov.in)Poverty                                                                                                                                                                                                     back

The poverty ratio in the rural areas of Andhra Pradesh continues to be less than that of All India, which can be attributed mainly to massive subsidization of rice.  In case of urban areas the poverty ratio of A.P. continues to be higher than that of All India.Employment & Unemployment                                                                                                                                                                back

compound annual growth of employment in the State is significantly lower when compared with that of All India. Employment Elasticity, which reflects the responsiveness of employment generation to change in Gross Domestic Product, is low in both Andhra Pradesh and All India. Unemployment rate is defined as the number of persons unemployed per 1,000 persons in the labour force. The unemployment rate is higher in rural areas than in urban areas of A.P.Performance during X Plan                                                                                                                                                                     back

Planning Commission approved an out lay of Rs. 46,614 Crores for X Plan.  Whereas the

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actual allocation worked out to Rs. 69511 Crores, which is 49% in excess of the approved plan out lay.  When compared with IX Plan, the allocation during X Plan is more by 232%. Actual Expenditure up to December, 2006 is 78% of the allocation.  Plan performance during X Plan has been robust and accelerating like the economy of Andhra Pradesh. The trend is in harmony with the overall national rhythm (http://www.apdes.ap.gov.in/)

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