Andhra

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Andhra is an area that forms the coastal region of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Historically, both the Andhra and Rayala Seema regions were part of the Telugu-speaking northern districts of the Madras Presidency under British rule. Telugu speaking region of Madras state was carved out to form Andhra State on 1 October, 1953. On 1 November 1956 Andhra state was merged with the Telangana region of Hyderabad State to form the single state of Andhra Pradesh.

Coastal Andhra Region or Andhra region marked in white.

History and Geography

The earliest mention of the Andhras is said to be in Aitereya Brahmana (2000 BC).^[1] It indicates that the Andhras, originally living in north India migrated to south of the Vindhyas.^[1] Regular history of Andhra Desa, according to historians, begins with 236 BC, the year of Ashoka's death. During the following centuries, Satavahanas, Sakas, Ikshvakus, Eastern Chalukyas, Kakatiyas ruled Andhra country.^[1]

Other dynasties that ruled over the area in succession were the kingdoms of Vijayanagara.

According to 11th century inscriptions, Andhra is bounded by Mahendragiri mountains (in north-eastern border with Gajapati district of Orissa), Kalahasti temple (in Chittoor district near the border of Nellore district), Srisailam temple (in Kurnool district near the border of Mahbubnagar district and Prakasham district). This region represent coastal Andhra region of Andhra Pradesh state.^[2]

By 13th century, Kakatiyas, a Telugu dynasty, who ruled most of Telugu country, with capital in Warangal in Telangana region.^[2][3]

Andhra is bound on the north by Orissa and Chhattisgarh, on the west by Telangana and Rayalseema,also on the south by Rayalseema and on the east by the Bay of Bengal with a coastline of 974 km.^[1]

Andhra Districts

• Coastal Andhra Region
  • Srikakulam District
  • Vizianagaram District
  • Visakhapatnam District
  • East Godavari District
  • West Godavari District
  • Krishna District
  • Guntur District
  • Prakasam District
  • Nellore District

See also

• Coastal Andhra, a coastal region on the eastern coast of India in the state of Andhra Pradesh
• Andhra State, 1953–1956, precursor to Andhra Pradesh. Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions were part of this state.
• Andhra Pradesh, a state in southern India. Telangana was merged with Andhra state to form Andhra Pradesh state in 1956.
• Andhra Bank, a nationalised commercial bank in India
• Andhra in Indian epic literature, a kingdom mentioned in the epic Mahabharata
• Telugu people, an ethnic group of Andhra Pradesh

References