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| Hyderabad
| Vijayawada
|Tirupathi| Puttuparthi
| Vishakapatnam |
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Area : 275,000
Sq.kms.
Andhra Pradesh is situated on the Deccan (south) plateau-one of the
oldest geological formations in India. This is the fifth largest
state in India and is a state with rich natural resources and an
even richer cultural heritage. It was created by combining the old
princely states of Hyderabad with the Telugu speaking portions of
the former state of Chennai. Andhra Pradesh retains much of its
regal glory and old world charm. The land replete with an equable
climate and hospitable people invites all.
To this day sun kissed beaches forests verdant green field’s lakes
and cut caves blend together to make Andhra Pradesh a fascinating
state. Not just by humans but by a wide variety of wildlife as well.
There are 20 notified sanctuaries in the state and each one of them
is a home to a variety of rare animal species such as the great
Indian Bustard Nilgai etc.
Away from its lush green coastal deltas Andhra Pradesh is often
rocky bare and dry. The thin red soils developed on the ancient
rocks of the peninsula support but its capital Hyderabad has become
one of India’s dynamic ‘electronics cities’.
Centuries ago Andhra Pradesh was a major Buddhist centre and a part
of emperor Ashoka’s sprawling kingdom. Not surprisingly traces of
early Buddhist influence are still visible in several places like
Amaravathi and Nagarjunakonda.
This state has the richest Hindu Temple in India Lord Venkateshwar
at Tirupati one of the largest ancient mosques the Mecca Masjid in
Hyderabad and a glorious church in Medak. If the female figurines of
Ramappa are enchanting the chilly heights of Araku Valley in
Vishakapatnam and Horsely Hills in Chittoor are equally bracing. The
sunny beaches of Andhra Pradesh warm you up while the forts like
Golconda transport you to a different world.
A journey to Andhra Pradesh is quite an unforgettable one. After all
the list of things to see and do is quite endless. A land of the
mighty Krishna and Godavari rivers with a rich cultural heritage of
literature art, music,dance and drama, the state abounds in
magnificent monuments which breathe history Hyderabad’s royalty
grand palaces Nizam’s treasure pearl bazaars tranquil Buddhist sites
crystal waterfalls, exotic wildlife, famous shrines, green valleys,
fascinating caves, folkdances, mouth-watering cuisine, metal craft ,
toys and a dynamic modern city that is right up there with regards
to technology and amenities.
Andhra Pradesh has a very rich cultural background. Starting with a
purely Andhra or Telegu culture the people of the State have over
the years imbibed the graces of Persian and Turkish cultures brought
in by Muslim rulers. A confluence of such cultures has created an
exclusive ‘Deccani’ culture that combines hospitality, grace,
appreciation of beauty and passion to excel. Successive dynasties
from the Ikshvakus , Pallavas, Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, Vijayanagaram
Kings, Qutub Shahis, Mughals and finally the Asah Jahis have
contributed significantly to the state’s rich cultural tapestry and
have left behind a heritage studded with spectacular monuments,
temples, mosques, palaces that are vibrant with arts, crafts, dances
and literature.
It is this driving passion that has brought the state to the
foremost position today. It already has valuable gifts that nature
has endowed with-a long coastline bordered by clean beaches; hills,
forests and a meteorologically and socially pleasant climate.
History
By the 1st century AD the flourishing Satvahana dynasty reigned
throughout the Deccan plateau. It evolved from the Andhra people
whose presence in southern India may date back as far as 1000 BC.The
first known Andhra Power the Satvahanas encouraged Buddhism which is
evident from their capital at Amaravati. The Andhras built huge
edifices in its honour. There was also a fine university at
Nagarjunakonda around 150 AD. The region became part of the new
independent India in 1947 and in 1956 the state of Andhra Pradesh
was created-an amalgamation of the Telugu-speaking area.
Vijayanagar
In 1323 Warangal which lies to the north-east of the present city of
Hyderabad was captured by armies of Muhammad bin Tughlaq. Due to the
rise of Vijayanagar Empire further Muslim expansions to the south
was prevented for two centuries. But at the Battle of Talikota in
1565 it was crushed by a shortlived federation of Muslim states.
The Muslim States
Frin then on Muslim rulers dominated the politics of central Andhra
Telangana. The Bahmani Kingdoms in the region around modern
Hyderabad controlled central Telangana in the 16th century. They
even kept the Mughals at bay until Aurangzeb finally forced them
into submission at the end of the 17th century. Hyderabad was the
most important centre of Muslim power in Central and South India
from the 17th to the 19th century. It was ruled by a succession of
Muslim Nizams from 1724 till after India’s Independence in 1947.
The Arrival of the Europeans
Through the 18th century British and French traders increasingly
came into conflict in their attempts for alliances with regional
powers. At the end of the 18th century British succeeded in reaching
an agreement with the Nizam of Hyderabad for British control of
politics and trade in exchange for British support. Thus Hyderabad
retained a measure of Independence until 1947 while accepting
British sovereignty.
Independence
There was a doubt as to whether the Princely State would accede to
India after partition. The Nizam of Hyderabad would have liked to
join Pakistan but the political disturbances in 1949 led to the
state being incorporated into the Indian Union. |
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