Andhra Pradesh History

The earliest mention of Andhra kingdom was found in the Sanskrit epics, like Aitareya Brahmana and Mahabharata. Regarding the history and origin of this vast state, some inscriptions revealed that there used to be a kingdom in the coast, along with Pratipalapura, ruled by Kuberaka in the 5th century BC. Probably, it had been the oldest known kingdom in South India. By the 4th century BC, the Mauryans extended their tenet over Andhra but were soon captured by the Andhra Satavahanas in the 3rd century BC.

Ikshvakus, Pallavas, Vishnukundinas, Anandagotrikas, and Cholas respectively ruled Andhra, subsequent to the fall of the Satavahanas in 220 CE. In the 5th century CE, when Renati Cholas were ruling the land, Telugu emerged as a popular language. During the rule of Vishnukundina Kings, Telugu was made the official language of the state. Following the fall of Vishnukundinas, the Eastern Chalukyas ruled for quite a long time with their capital, Vengi. Chalukyas got a wrench in the Battle of Palnadu, whereas Kakatiya dynasty emerged to be the leader in the 12th and the 13th centuries CE.

Ghiaz-ud-din Tughlaq, the Sultan of Delhi, with the help of Ulugh Khan, captured Warangal in 1323 CE. Yet again, Warangal was recaptured by Musunuri Nayaks, and ruled it for fifty years. Rated amongst the best empires in the history of Andhra Pradesh and India, Vijayanagar Empire was established by Harihara and Bukka-treasury officers of the Kakatiyas. In 1347 CE, Alla-ud-din Hasan Gangu founded an independent Muslim state, the Bahmani kingdom, in South India to rebel against the Delhi Sultanate.

For about 200 years (16th-17th century), the Outb Shahi dynasty reigned over the Andhra country. In Colonial India, Northern Circars emerged powerful only to become fraction of the British Madras Presidency. Eventually the Rayalseema region surfaced amidst the five territories, which were given to the British by the Nizam. Like the state of Hyderabad, the Nizams controlled the inner provinces of Andhra. In 1947, India got independence from the British. The Muslim Nizam of Hyderabad desired to be independent from India, but the local people started a movement to join Indian Union.

Finally, the Hyderabad state was forced to join the Republic of India in 1948. Following a lot of disagreement and civil unrest, the Government was enforced to declare the formation of a new state for Telugu speaking group. Andhra attained the status of state with Kurnool as its capital in October, 1953. In 1956, Andhra State was merged with the Telangana region of Hyderabad State to form Andhra Pradesh. In due course, Hyderabad, the past capital of Hyderabad State, was stated to be capital of Andhra Pradesh.