Rajahmundry Knowledge Guide

History

Rajahmundry was established by Ammaraja Vishnuvardhana the First (919–934 AD). The city as a prominent settlement can be traced back to the rule of the Eastern Chalukya king Rajaraja Narendra, who reigned around 1022 AD. Remains of 11th-century palaces and forts still exist.Rulers: Eastern Chalukyas Kakatiyas Reddy and Gajapathi Rulers Vijayanagar Rulers Nizam Rule European Rulers and ZamindarsRajamahendravaram was under Dutch rule for some time. In 1602, the Dutch constructed a fort here. In 1857, the British conquered the Dutch. They converted it into a jail in 1864 and elevated it into a central jail in 1870. The jail is spread over 196 acres (79 ha) out of which the buildings occupy 37.24 acres (15.07 ha). In the Madras Presidency, the District of Rajahmundry was created in 1823. It was reorganised in 1859 and was bifurcated into Godavari and Krishna districts. During British rule, Rajahmundry was the headquarters of Godavari district, which was further bifurcated into East Godavari and West Godavari districts in 1925. When the Godavari district was split, Kakinada became the headquarters of East Godavari and Eluru became headquarters of West Godavari.Rajahmundry was the hotbed of several movements during India's freedom struggle and acted as a base for many key leaders. When the Indian National Congress had its first meeting in Bombay (Mumbai), two leaders from Rajahmundry, Nyapathi Subba Rao and Kandukuri Veeresalingam, participated in it. Subba Rao, founder of Hindu Samaj in Rajahmundry, was also one of the six founders of India's noted English daily, The Hindu. The Renaissance of Andhra Pradesh started in Rajahmundry. Kandukuri Veeresalingam is known as the Father of reforms in Andhra Pradesh. He started a monthly magazine Vivekavardhini, and a school for girls at Dowleswaram in 1874. The first widow remarriage took place on 11 December 1881. A society with 16 members was started on 22 June 1884, which used to look after widow remarriages in Rajahmundry. The town hall was established in 1890 by Veeresalingam. Bipin Chandra Pal visited Rajahmundry in April 1905 during the Vandemataram Movement. During his visits, he used to address the public in "Pal Chowk" (the present-day Kotipalli Bus Stand). Annie Besant visited Rajahmundry twice. First, she came during the foundations of a branch of the Divya Gyan Samaj at Alcot Gardens were being laid. She came again during the opening ceremony. Ramakrishna Mission was established in the city during 1950–51 near Kambal tank. The place is now the Ayakar Bhavan. Rajahmundry is acclaimed as the birthplace of the Telugu language—its grammar and script evolved from the pen of the city-born poet Nannayya. Also known as 'Ādi Kavi' (the first poet) of Telugu, Nannayya, along with Tikkana and Yerrana, translated the Sanskrit version of Mahabharata into Telugu. Kandukuri Veeresalingam – a social reformer and the author of Rajashekhara Charithra, the first Telugu novel – was also from Rajahmundry.

Culture

Art and crafts Damerla Rama Rao Art Gallery – It is dedicated to the works of the artist Damerla Rama Rao of the city has various paintings by him such as Krishna Leela, Godavari of Eastern Ghats and Milkmaids of Kathiawar.Ratnam pens – These are the first handcrafted pens in India since 1932. The pens are made from ebonite with gold or silver plated nibs. Ratnamson is a brand name of the K.V.Ratnam and sons, Ratnam Ball pen works at Fort Gate, Rajmudry.Literature Nannayya is the earliest known Telugu poet, and the author of the first third of the Andhra Mahabharatam, a Telugu retelling of the Mahabharata. Sri Kandukuri Veeresalingam (1848–1919), a renowned social reformer, is widely considered as the man who first brought about a renaissance in Telugu literature and Telugu people; he is also known to have fought for women's issues. General Sir Arthur Thomas Cotton, (15 May 1803 – 24 July 1899) was a British general and irrigation engineer. Sri Adurthi Subba Rao, Prominent Old-time Director & Producer of Telugu Films. Julia Maitland, a campaigner for "native" education, founded a multilingual school and reading room in the town in 1837.Music and films Durga Cinetone was the first south Indian film studio, to be built in Rajamahendravaram in the year 1936 by Nidamarthi Surayya. Many films are being shot in the city as the city has beautiful sceneries.The city has produced many well-known artists in the Telugu film industry such as S.V.Ranga Rao, Ali, Raja Babu, Jaya Prada, Sameera Reddy, Bhanupriya, Sriman, Meghna Reddy, Thotakura Venkata Raju, Uma Pemmaraju, Ramesh, and J. D. Chakravarthy.

Tourism

The river Godavari and its bridges and the Sir Arthur Cotton Museum are some of the attractions in the city. Rajamahendravaram is a major tourist destination in the state. Beautiful scenaries can be seen in the city. Daily tourist boats are availed from Pushkar Ghat to Papikondalu and Bhadrachalam. Heli Tourism is introduced from Rajahmundry Airport to see tourist places in Godavari Districts. Nurseries in Kadiam Mandal of City is another major tourist destination. Government of Andhra Pradesh is going to rehabilitate Havelock Bridge and proposed resorts and recreational places at Pichukalanka and other islands on River Godavari and eco tourism centre at Kadiyapulanka. Rajahmundry Municipal Corporation (RMC), Godavari Urban Development Authority (GUDA) and Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) is planning River Front Development. State Government is making MoUs with private agencies for constructing Malls, Multiplexes, Hotels and Recreational places on PPP mode as a part of tourism development.Rajahmundry Airport is being developed as an international airport for giving a major boost to tourism in Godavari Districts. Polavaram Project, which is 25km away from city will become another major tourist site near city.