Overview
Anantapur district is an administrative district located in the Rayalaseema region of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The district takes its name from its headquarters town, Anantapur (also spelt Anantapuramu). It lies in the south-western part of Andhra Pradesh, bordering the state of Karnataka to the west.
Key facts
| Type | District |
|---|---|
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| Region | Rayalaseema |
| Headquarters | Anantapur (Anantapuramu) |
| Country | India |
| Official language | Telugu |
Geography
Anantapur district lies on the Deccan Plateau and is characterised by a largely semi-arid landscape with rocky outcrops, scrub forest, and stretches of cultivable land. The terrain is generally undulating, with low hills forming part of the eastern flank of the Eastern Ghats system. The district receives comparatively low rainfall and is regarded as one of the driest parts of Andhra Pradesh, with agriculture historically dependent on tank irrigation, borewells, and seasonal streams. The Penna river and its tributaries, along with the Tungabhadra High Level Canal, are important sources of water for parts of the district.
Administration
The district is administered by a District Collector and Magistrate, an officer of the Indian Administrative Service. Following the reorganisation of districts in Andhra Pradesh in April 2022, the erstwhile Anantapur district was reorganised, with the new Sri Sathya Sai district being carved out of its eastern portion. The reorganised Anantapur district retained Anantapur town as its headquarters.
Economy
Agriculture and allied activities form the backbone of the district's economy. Groundnut has long been a leading crop, and Anantapur is among the major groundnut-producing districts in India. Other crops include paddy, sunflower, pulses, and cotton. Sericulture, dairying, and horticulture (notably mango, sweet lime, and pomegranate) are also significant. The district has industrial activity in sectors such as cement, automobile components, and textiles, with industrial nodes around Anantapur, Hindupur, and Penukonda. Kia Motors established its Indian manufacturing plant at Penukonda, which has been linked with the wider auto-cluster in the area.
History
The region that forms present-day Anantapur district has historically been part of several major south Indian polities. It came under the rule of the Vijayanagara Empire, whose influence is reflected in temples and forts across the district, including those at Penukonda, which served for a period as a capital after the fall of Hampi. The area subsequently came under the Qutb Shahis, the Mughals, and later the rulers of Mysore, before being ceded to the British under the arrangements following the Anglo-Mysore Wars in the late 18th century. Under British administration, it formed part of the Ceded Districts (Rayalaseema) of the Madras Presidency. After Indian independence in 1947, the district became part of Madras State, and from 1953 of Andhra State, and from 1956 of the newly formed Andhra Pradesh.
Demographics and culture
Telugu is the principal language of the district, with Kannada and Urdu also spoken in pockets, particularly near the Karnataka border and in towns. The district has a mix of urban centres and a large rural population dependent on agriculture. Cultural traditions include classical and folk forms of Telugu music and dance, and religious festivals associated with both Hindu temples and Sufi shrines.
Notable places
- Penukonda Fort – a historic hill fort associated with the Vijayanagara rulers.
- Lepakshi – known for the Veerabhadra Temple, famed for its mural paintings, hanging pillar, and monolithic Nandi.
- Gooty Fort – an ancient hill fort with a long military history.
- Tadipatri – noted for the Bugga Ramalingeswara and Chintala Venkataramana temples, known for intricate stone carving.
- Hindupur – an important commercial and textile centre in the district.
Education
Anantapur is home to several institutions of higher learning, including Sri Krishnadevaraya University at Anantapur and the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Anantapur (JNTUA). The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning maintains a women's campus at Anantapur.