Andhra Pradesh is a state on the south-eastern coast of India. It is bordered by Odisha to the north-east, Chhattisgarh to the north, Telangana to the west and north-west, Karnataka to the south-west, Tamil Nadu to the south, and the Bay of Bengal to the east. With one of the longest coastlines among Indian states, Andhra Pradesh is known historically as the "Rice Bowl of India" for its extensive agricultural production along the deltas of the Krishna and Godavari rivers.
| Key facts | |
|---|---|
| Country | India |
| Region | South India |
| Formation | 1 November 1956 (States Reorganisation Act) |
| Bifurcation | 2 June 2014 (Telangana formed as separate state) |
| Official language | Telugu |
| Major rivers | Krishna, Godavari, Penna, Tungabhadra |
| Coastline | Bay of Bengal (among the longest in India) |
| Legislature | Bicameral (Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council) |
Background
The region corresponding to present-day Andhra Pradesh has a long recorded history, with references to the Andhra people appearing in ancient Sanskrit and Pali texts. Successive dynasties including the Satavahanas, Ikshvakus, Vishnukundinas, Eastern Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, the Vijayanagara Empire, and the Qutb Shahis ruled over parts of the territory. Acharya Nagarjuna, the Buddhist philosopher associated with the Madhyamaka school, is traditionally linked with sites such as Nagarjunakonda in the Krishna valley, after whom Acharya Nagarjuna University is named.
During the colonial period, much of the area was incorporated into the Madras Presidency under British rule. After independence, the demand for a separate Telugu-speaking state, intensified by the fast-unto-death of Potti Sreeramulu in 1952, led to the creation of Andhra State in 1953 from the Telugu-speaking districts of Madras State.
Formation and reorganisation
- 1953: Andhra State formed with Kurnool as its capital, carved out of Madras State.
- 1 November 1956: Under the States Reorganisation Act, Andhra State was merged with the Telugu-speaking areas of Hyderabad State to form Andhra Pradesh, with Hyderabad as its capital.
- 2 June 2014: The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, came into effect, creating Telangana as the 29th state of India and leaving residuary Andhra Pradesh.
- Post-2014: Hyderabad served as joint capital for a transitional period. Amaravati, located on the banks of the Krishna river in Guntur district, was developed as the new capital region, while Visakhapatnam and Kurnool have figured in subsequent proposals for a multi-capital arrangement.
Geography
Andhra Pradesh is broadly divided into the Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions. The Eastern Ghats run through much of the interior, while the coastal plains are formed by the deltas of the Godavari and Krishna rivers. Notable geographical features include the Araku Valley in the north, the Nallamala hills, and the Pulicat Lake on the southern coast. The Sriharikota island hosts the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, the primary launch facility of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Economy
Agriculture remains a major component of the state's economy, with paddy, sugarcane, cotton, chillies, tobacco and pulses being important crops. The Krishna–Godavari basin is significant for natural gas and petroleum reserves. Visakhapatnam is a major port and industrial centre, hosting shipbuilding, steel, petrochemicals and a naval command. Other key urban centres include Vijayawada, Guntur, Tirupati, Nellore, Kurnool, Kakinada and Rajahmundry.
Culture and education
Telugu literature, classical music in the Carnatic tradition, Kuchipudi dance, and Telugu cinema are central to the cultural identity of Andhra Pradesh. The state hosts pilgrimage centres such as Tirumala Tirupati, Srisailam and Simhachalam, and Buddhist heritage sites such as Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda. Major universities include Andhra University at Visakhapatnam, Sri Venkateswara University at Tirupati, and Acharya Nagarjuna University at Guntur.
Significance
Andhra Pradesh occupies an important position in the political, economic and cultural life of southern India. Its long coastline, river systems, port infrastructure, and concentration of higher-education and research institutions, including ISRO's launch facility at Sriharikota, give it strategic importance at the national level. The state's reorganisation in 2014 also makes it a significant case study in Indian federalism and capital-city planning.