Andhra Pradesh General Knowledge-History Districts Geography


History of Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh region was ruled by many great rulers of Satavahana Empire, Simuka, Satakarni, Ikshvakus, Pallavas, Vijayanagara Empire. The Nizam wanted Hyderabad state to be independent from India, but the people of the region opposed the decision. With the help of Operation Polo in 1948 the state of Hyderabad was forcibly joined to the Republic of India. Potti Sreeramulu fasted until death in 1952 for independent state based on linguistic differences and to protect the interests of the Telugu-speaking people. Andhra State was formed from Madras State on 1 October 1953, with Kurnool as its capital city. Andhra Pradesh was formed by merging Andhra State and Telugu-speaking areas of Hyderabad State, and Hyderabad was made the new capital city. After the formation of Telangana state from Andhra Pradesh, in 2nd June 2014, Hyderabad was made the common capital for 10 years.




Geography of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh is located on the southern part of India. It shares its borders with Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Bay of Bengal. A small enclave of 30 sq kms of Yanam, a district of Puducherry, lies in the Godavari delta to the northeast of the state. With a coastline of 974 km, it has the second longest coastline in India. State is spread in 160205 sq kms, making it the eight largest state in the country.

Government and Administration of Andhra Pradesh
For administration purpose Bihar is divided into two divisions and 13 districts. The major political parties of the state are Telugu Desam Party and YSR Congress Party. Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly consists of 175 seats. Andhra Pradesh contributes 25 members to the Indian Assembly.

Language and Culture of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh is famous for doll making, which are made from mud, dry grass, wood and lightweight metal alloys. Andhra Pradesh has different classical dance forms like Kuchipudi, Veeranatyam, Andhra Natyam, Bhamakalapam and folk dances like Tappeta Gullu, Lambadi, Butta bommalu, Dhimsa, and Chindu. Harikathaa Kalakshepam also known as Harikatha is narration of a story, with various songs relating to the story is originated here. Pickles and chutneys are famous here, people here eat lot of spicy food. Telugu is widely spoken in the state followed by Urdu, Hindi, Banjara, English Tamil, Kannada, Marathi and Oriya.

Education Status in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh has a literacy rate of almost 91% which is one of the highest compared to other states. Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at Visakhapatnam is sanctioned and it will be functioning from the academic year 2015-16. Andhra Pradesh also houses Indian Space Research Organization which is a satellite launching station. Important universities in the state are Andhra University, Dr. N.T.R. University of Health Sciences, Sri Venkateswara University. National Institute of Technology and Indian Institute of Technology are announced by announced by Government of India.

Economy of Andhra Pradesh
The gross state domestic product (GSDP) of Andhra Pradesh was 2359.3 billion in 2012–13. Economy of Andhra Pradesh mainly depends on services followed by agriculture and industry. Rice is the major food crop and staple food of the state and also known as “Rice bowl of India”. Other than rice, jowar, bajra, wheat, maize, minor millet, coarse grains are the cash crops. Livestock and poultry is also another profitable business. Pharmacy, Automobile, Textiles are the important industrial sector in the state.

Tourism in Andhra Pradesh
Since state has the second highest coastline in the country it has many beaches throughout the coast line. Borra Caves in the Ananthagiri Hills near Vishakhapatnam are famous for million-year-old stalactite and stalagmite formations. Belum Caves in Kurnool district are the second largest natural caves on the Indian subcontinent. They are many hills and valleys like Araku valley, Horsley Hills, Papi Hills, etc. Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala, one of the richest temples in the world is housed in Andhra Pradesh. Apart from this they are many religious destinations like Simhachalam Temple, Srisailam temple, Kanaka Durga Temple etc.

Festivals: Celebrated in Andhra Pradesh
Ugadi is known as Telugu New Year. On this day, 'Ugadi Pacchadi' preparation comprising of six tastes is made. The ingredients of this preparation, though of different tastes when mixed in definite proportions result in a delicious dish. The Rayalaseema food and dance Festival celebrated in the month of October to exhibit the art and cuisine of the region. Tirumala Brahmotsavam is a Hindu festival celebrated for nine days at Tirumala Venkateswara Temple at Tirupati. Apart from these all the major festivals of the country are celebrated in the state.