Kurnool

Kurnool is a city in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It formerly served as the capital of Andhra
State (1953–1956). The city is often referred to as "The Gateway of Rayalaseema".Kurnool is
also known as The City of Gem Stones. It also serves as the district headquarters of its Kurnool
district. As of 2011 census, it is the fifth most populous city in the state with a population of
484,327.[3][5] It is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra river. Although the area has been
inhabited for thousands of years, modern Kurnool was founded in the 16th century CE with the
construction of the Konda Reddy Fort.
 Kurnool
Kandanavōlu (Kandanōlu)

City

Top: Konda Reddy Fort

Bottom: View of Kurnool city from Abhayanjaneya Swamy Temple

Nickname: The Gateway of Rayalaseema

Kurnool

Location in Andhra Pradesh and in

India
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Coordinates: 15.83°N 78.05°E (https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Kurnool&params
=15.83_N_78.05_E_type:city(425214)_region:IN-AP)

Country  India
State Andhra Pradesh
Region Rayalaseema
District Kurnool
Area[1]
 • City 69.51 km2 (26.84 sq mi)
 • Rank 107
Elevation 274 m (899 ft)
Population (2011)[2]
 • City 425,214
  • Rank 109th (India)

5th (Andhra Pradesh)

 • Density 6,100/km2 (16,000/sq mi)
 • Metro[3] 484,327
Demonym Kurnoolion
Languages
 • Official Telugu
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN 518001, 518002, 518003, 518004, 518005,
518006, 518007
Vehicle registration AP-21[4]
Website Kurnool Municipal Corporation (http://kurnool.cdm
a.ap.gov.in/)

Etymology

The original name of Kurnool is found in historical records as Kandanavōlu or Kandanōlu.[6] It

used to be a crossing on the Tungabhadra River, where the bullock cart caravans are believed to
have greased their wheels ("kandana" being a reference to grease).[7] The city is often referred to
as "The Gateway of Rayalaseema".[8]

History

Palaeolithic era

The Ketavaram[9] rock paintings from the Paleolithic era and are (18 kilometres from Kurnool).
Also the Jurreru Valley, Katavani Kunta[10] and Yaganti in Kurnool District have some important
rock art and paintings in the vicinity, may be dated from 35,000 to 40,000 years ago.

Belum Caves are geologically and historically important caves in the district. There are
indications that Jain and Buddhist monks were occupying these caves centuries ago. Many
Buddhists relics were found inside the caves. These relics are now housed in Museum at
Ananthapur. Archaeological survey of India (ASI) found remnants of vessels and other artifacts
of pre-Buddhist era and has dated the remnants of vessels found in the caves to 4500 BC.[11]

Vijayanagara era
Little was known about Kurnool town before the 11th century. The earliest knowledge of this
settlement dates from the 11th century. It has developed as transit place on the southern banks
of the river Tungabhadra.

Ruled by the Cholas in 12th Century and later taken over by the Kakatiya dynasty in 13th century.
Kurnool developed into a transit point on the southern banks of the Tungabhadra River. It
eventually fell under the rule of a jaghirdar before becoming a part of the Vijayanagar dynasty.
King Achyuta Raya, successor of Sri Krishnadeva Raya constructed the Kurnool Fort during the
16th century.

Mughals Rule

The Abyssinian, Abdul Wahab Khan, defeated King Gopal Raja of the Vijayanagar Kingdom in the
17th century and went on to rule the land for 16 years until his death.

In 1686, Kurnool fell under the influence of the Mughals who were ruled by Emperor Aurangzeb.
Later on in Kurnool's history, it was ruled by the Nawabs until the British Government took over in
1839.[12]

Nawabs

Ghulam Rasul Khan Bahadur (died on 12 July 1840) was the last Nawab of Kurnool, Andhra
Pradesh.[13] He ruled from 1823 to 1839 until the kingdom was defeated by the East India
Company.[14] On 12 October 1839, a war broke out between British Indian Army and the kingdom
and continued for six days until the king was detained on 18 October. He was subsequently sent
to Tiruchirappalli Central Prison where he died on 12 July 1840.[15]

Post independence

Kurnool was the capital of erstwhile Andhra State between 1 October 1953 and 31 October
1956.[16][17] The state was later merged with Telugu speaking districts of Hyderabad State to
form Andhra Pradesh with Hyderabad as the state's capital on 1 November 1956.[18][19] Presently
Kurnool is in the divided Andhra Pradesh state.

Geography
Demographics

Government and politics

Kurnool serves as the district headquarters of its Kurnool district.[28][29] The city is administered
by Kurnool Municipal Corporation.

Education

The primary and secondary school education is imparted by Government, aided and private
schools of the School Education Department of the state.[30][31]
Notable institutions located in the
city include:

Kurnool Medical College

Osmania College

Rayalaseema University

Indian Institute of Information Technology Design and Manufacturing Kurnool

Silver Jubilee Government College

Transport

Roadways

National Highway 44 (India) which runs from Srinagar to Kanyakumari and also highway of
Bangalore to Hyderabad. passes through Kurnool.

National highway 340C [ Kurnool-Dornala ] which connects to Srisailam, Vinukonda, Guntur,

Vijayawada.

National Highway 40, [ Rayalaseema Expressway ] which runs from Kurnool to Chittoor, are the
major highways passing through the city.

The city has a total road length of 519.22 km[32] State owned bus transport system, APSRTC,
operates buses from Kurnool bus station to other parts of the state.[33][34]
Railways

Kurnool City railway station lies on the Bengaluru – Hyderabad railway line. It is classified as an
A–category station in the Hyderabad railway division of South Central Railway zone. Another
railway station name Kotla lies in the middle of the city.

Airport

Kurnool Airport, officially known as Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy Airport, is located at Orvakal
and is situated on the National Highway 40, about 18 km (11 mi) from Kurnool and 54 km
(34 mi) from Nandyal. Commercial operations of the greenfield airport were started in March
2021.

Economy

Kurnool is endowed with good mineral resources. The important minerals are Iron ore, dolomite,
limestone, ochre, quartz and silica.[35]

Notable people

See also

References

External links

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