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Nellore
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Nellore, also spelt as Nelluru, is a city located on the banks of Penna River,[5] in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, India.[6] It serves as the headquarters of the district, as well as Nellore mandal and Nellore revenue division.[7] It is the fourth most populous city in the state. It is at a distance of 279 kilometres (173 mi) from Vijayawada, 660 kilometres (410 mi) from Visakhapatnam, 455 kilometres (283 mi) from Hyderabad and about 170 km (110 mi) north of Chennai, Tamil Nadu and also about 380 km (240 mi) east-northeast of Bangalore, Karnataka. It is the administrative headquarters of Nellore District.
Key Information
Etymology
[edit]There are various theories linked to the origin of the name Nellore. According to a mythological story from the Sthala Purana, the name is connected to a sacred lingam in the form of a stone found beneath a Phyllanthus emblica tree, also known as the nelli tree (nelli, meaning 'emblica tree' in Proto-Dravidian and Telugu). The presence of the nelli tree in this story is believed to be one of the etymological roots of the region's name.
Another theory is that the name "Nellore" is derived from the Tamil word "nellu", which means "paddy" or "rice." The region is renowned for its vast rice cultivation, and the name reflects its agricultural heritage and the importance of rice production in the area. Over time, the name "Nelluru" evolved into the modern form "Nellore," used in both Telugu and Tamil-speaking regions.[8]
Historically, the area was known as Vikrama Simhapuri in medieval era. The abundance of paddy fields eventually led to the name being changed to Nellore. The region has long been associated with agriculture, particularly rice cultivation, which continues to play a significant role in its economy today.[9][10]
History
[edit]Nellore had been under the rule of Mauryas, Satavahanas, Cholas, Pallavas, Pandyas, Kharavela of Chedi dynasty, Kakatiyas, Eastern Gangas of Kalinga Empire, Vijayanagara Empire, Arcot Nawabs and other dynasties.[citation needed]
Nellore was ruled by Ashoka of the Mauryan dynasty in the 3rd century BCE. Nellore was conquered by the rulers of the Pallava dynasty and it was under their rule till the 6th century CE, subsequently the Chola rulers ruled Nellore for a long period of time. The Cholas met their decline in the 13th century CE. Tamil inscriptions indicate that it formed part of Chola kingdom till their decline in the thirteenth century CE.[11] It later became a part of Kakatiyas, Vijayanagara Empire, Sultanate of Golconda, Mughal Empire and Arcot Nawab. In 1758 Marathas under the command of Balwant Rao Captured Nellore from Nazibulla.[12] In the 18th century, Nellore was taken over by the British from the Arcot Nawabs and was part of the Madras Presidency of British India.
British rule – Madras Presidency
[edit]The first account was produced by John Boswell in 1873 as collector. This report by the British Includes Climate, agriculture, health statistics as well important taxation information. Social structure including important families of Nellore from the 1800s. These included Venketagiri Raja, kalhastri Rajah, The Chundi Zamindhar, The Mutiyalpad Zamindhar, Sayidapur Zamindhar, Jupalli Zamindhars of Udayagiri, Udayagiri Jaghirediar, the Vazella Zamidhars of Gudur, Zamindhars of Ongole, Turrawar Poligar, Tadeboyina Polighar, The Chettiars Polighar, The Udathawar Polighar, The Gangulawar Poighar and Buchireddypalem Family. These families under the British Raj were responsible for the villages and lands in their possession. The British recognized the importance of Nellore in cultivation as well as important port of Krishnapatam.[13] The city had an important role in the emergence of the Telugu language and the formation of the state of Andhra Pradesh. Potti Sriramulu, who fasted until death for the formation of Andhra Pradesh, hailed from Nellore.[14] On 4 June 2008, the Government of Andhra Pradesh officially renamed Nellore district as Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district in honor of Potti Sriramulu’s sacrifice for the formation [15]
Geography
[edit]Location
[edit]Nellore is located at 14°26′N 79°59′E / 14.44°N 79.98°E.[16][17] It has an average elevation of 18 metres (59 ft).[17]
Climate
[edit]The climate of Nellore city can be placed under the tropical savanna climate (As, closely bordering Aw) category according to Köppen climate classification which has hot and humid summers and warm winters. April and May are the hottest months and the hot conditions generally last until the end of the June. December, January and February are the coolest months. As the Bay of Bengal is at a distance of 24 kilometres (15 mi) from the city, the sea breeze renders the climate of the city moderate both in winter and in summer. Humidity level in the city is high due to its proximity to the coast. Nellore only receives small amounts of rain from the south-west monsoon. Most rainfall in Nellore occurs between the months of October and December due to the north-east monsoon. This period gives about 60 percent of the city's annual rainfall. Cyclones are common in the city during this period, causing floods.[18]
The maximum temperature is 36 to 46 °C (97 to 115 °F) during summer[19] and the minimum temperature is 23 to 25 °C (73 to 77 °F) during winter. The rainfall ranges from 700 to 1,000 mm (28 to 39 in) through South West and North East Monsoons. Nellore is subject both to droughts and to floods based on the seasons.[20]
| Climate data for Nellore (1991–2020, extremes 1901–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 35.6 (96.1) |
39.4 (102.9) |
43.9 (111.0) |
45.6 (114.1) |
46.7 (116.1) |
46.7 (116.1) |
42.2 (108.0) |
40.6 (105.1) |
41.7 (107.1) |
40.7 (105.3) |
36.9 (98.4) |
35.4 (95.7) |
46.7 (116.1) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 30.2 (86.4) |
32.4 (90.3) |
35.3 (95.5) |
37.8 (100.0) |
40.1 (104.2) |
38.2 (100.8) |
36.0 (96.8) |
35.1 (95.2) |
35.0 (95.0) |
33.3 (91.9) |
30.5 (86.9) |
29.5 (85.1) |
34.5 (94.1) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 25.5 (77.9) |
27.2 (81.0) |
29.5 (85.1) |
32.0 (89.6) |
33.8 (92.8) |
32.7 (90.9) |
31.3 (88.3) |
30.6 (87.1) |
30.4 (86.7) |
29.1 (84.4) |
27.0 (80.6) |
25.4 (77.7) |
29.5 (85.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 21.1 (70.0) |
22.2 (72.0) |
24.1 (75.4) |
26.5 (79.7) |
28.7 (83.7) |
28.6 (83.5) |
27.5 (81.5) |
26.9 (80.4) |
26.6 (79.9) |
25.5 (77.9) |
23.6 (74.5) |
21.8 (71.2) |
25.3 (77.5) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 15.0 (59.0) |
16.1 (61.0) |
17.2 (63.0) |
20.2 (68.4) |
20.2 (68.4) |
21.1 (70.0) |
22.2 (72.0) |
21.7 (71.1) |
21.5 (70.7) |
18.9 (66.0) |
16.7 (62.1) |
14.4 (57.9) |
14.4 (57.9) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 19.7 (0.78) |
2.3 (0.09) |
3.5 (0.14) |
8.7 (0.34) |
36.1 (1.42) |
40.5 (1.59) |
84.0 (3.31) |
107.6 (4.24) |
97.1 (3.82) |
268.6 (10.57) |
287.9 (11.33) |
111.4 (4.39) |
1,067.4 (42.02) |
| Average rainy days | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 3.6 | 5.8 | 6.5 | 5.6 | 8.5 | 9.0 | 3.7 | 45.8 |
| Average relative humidity (%) (at 17:30 IST) | 65 | 61 | 61 | 62 | 54 | 52 | 54 | 57 | 62 | 70 | 75 | 70 | 62 |
| Source 1: India Meteorological Department[21][22][23] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Tokyo Climate Center (mean temperatures 1991–2020)[24] | |||||||||||||
Nellore has been ranked 18th best “National Clean Air City” under (Category 2 3-10L Population cities) in India.[25]
Demographics
[edit]As of the 2011[update][needs update][a] census, Nellore city had a population of 505,258. The average literacy rate stands at 83.59% (male 87.53%; female 79.52%) with 387,192 literates, higher than the state average of 73.00%.[29][30] The expanded city population, post-merger of 15 gram panchayats into Nellore Municipal Corporation stands at 631,791[31]
| Year | Population | Growth rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 106776 | --- |
| 1971 | 133590 | 25.1% |
| 1981 | 237065 | 77.5% |
| 1991 | 316606 | 33.6% |
| 2001 | 404775 | 27.8% |
| 2011 | 558,548 | 35.29% |
Education
[edit]The primary and secondary school education is imparted by government, aided, and private schools of the School Education Department of the state.[32][33] The medium of instruction followed by different schools are English and Telugu.[34]
Vikrama Simhapuri University is located in Nellore City which offers multiple graduation and post graduation courses to students.
Apart from it, The south headquarters of Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM) is also in Nellore.
Governance
[edit]
Civic administration
[edit]Nellore Municipal Corporation was constituted as a municipality on 1 November 1866 by the Madras District Municipality Act.[35][36] It was upgraded to corporation on 18 October 2004 and has a jurisdictional area of 150.48 km2 (58.10 sq mi) with 54 wards.[37] In 2013, fifteen gram panchayats namely, Allipuram, Ambhapuram, Buja Buja Nellore, Chinthareddypalem, Gudupallipadu, Gundlapalem, Kallurupalli, Kanaparthypadu, Kodurupadu, Narayanareddypeta, Navalakulathota, Nellore Bit-I (Kothuru), Peddacherukuru, Pottipalem, Vavilatepadhu were merged into the municipal corporation.[38] Present mayor of the city is Sravanthi.[39]
The city is one among the 31 cities in the state to be a part of water supply and sewerage services mission known as Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).[40]
Politics
[edit]Nellore is represented by Nellore City assembly constituency and Nellore Rural assembly constituency for Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly. Ponguru Narayana is the present MLA of Nellore City assembly constituency representing Telugu Desam Party.[41] Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy is the present MLA of Nellore Rural assembly constituency representing Telugu Desam Party.[42][43]
Culture
[edit]
The residents of the city are generally referred as Nelloreans.[44] The Rottela Panduga (Roti festival) is an annual urs event celebrated at the Bara Shaheed Dargah (shrine of twelve martyrs) on the banks of Swarnala Cheruvu.[45] The event got its name after the practice of exchanging flat breads and attracts visitors from all religious backgrounds every year and from all over the country and also from foreign countries.[46]
Cuisine
[edit]Chepala Pulusu (fish curry) is a non-vegetarian recipe of the Nellore district, prepared from Korramennu.[47] Malai Kaja Nellore Famous Sweet is a local sweet made from maida, milk and sugar.[48]
Amenities
[edit]Media
[edit]Zaminryot newspaper, established in 1930,[49] and the Lawyer Weekly newspaper[50] are based out of Nellore. In addition, Eenadu Vaartha AndhraJyothy[51] and Sakshi[52] newspapers are also printing local editions in Nellore.
Transport
[edit]Local transport in the city include, two, three and four wheelers.[53] Of these, privately operated auto rickshaws numbered around 6,000 in 2017, dominating most parts of the city for local commuting.[54] Nellore bus station of the city operates district and long-distance services.[55] Nellore railway station is classified as an A grade and Adarsh station in the Vijayawada railway division of South Central Railway zone.[56] The city also has three small railway stations namely, Nellore South,[57] Vedayapalem.[58] and Padugupadu railway station The Southern Railway operates MEMUs regularly for commuting between Nellore and Chennai Central.[59] There is also a proposal to build a no frills airport for the city.[60]
The city has a total road length of 1,189.95 km (739.40 mi).[61] The proposed Outer Ring Road, existing arterial and internal roads helps reduce traffic congestion.[54] The city is connected with major National highways such as, National Highway 16, a part of Asian Highway 45 and Golden Quadrilateral, bypasses the city.[62]
Notable people
[edit]- Acharya Aatreya, playwright, poet
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, playback singer
- Venkatesh Geriti, political activist
- Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India
- Kalahasti P. Prasad, electrical engineering researcher and educator
- Rajanala Kaleswara Rao, Telugu actor
- Bezawada Gopala Reddy, Former Chief Minister of United Andhra Pradesh
- Ramana Reddy, Telugu actor/comedian
- Potti Sreeramulu, Indian Freedom Fighter
- Puchalapalli Sundarayya
- Tikkana, poet, one of the "Trinity of Poets"
- Vanisri, actress
- Shakeela, actress
- Ashwin Hebbar, Cricketer
- Ponguru Narayana, Politician
- Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy, Politician
- Poluboina Anil Kumar, Politician
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ The planned 2021 census of India was delayed due to the Covid pandemic. As general elections are due in April 2024, further postponement has become necessary. It is now envisaged it will commence in late 2024.[27][28]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Swachha Andhra Corporation (October 2016). "4.0 Brief about the Project Area". Integrated Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Management Project: Draft Detailed Project Report for Nellore (CLUSTER V) Nellore Cluster (PDF) (Report). Government of Andhra Pradesh. p. 20. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
- ^ a b c Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India (June 2014), "District Census Handbook – Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore: Village and Town Wise Primary Census Abstract (PCA)", 2011 Census of India, Directorate of Census Operations Andhra Pradesh, pp. 27, 427–441, Series 29 — Part XII B, retrieved 14 November 2015 (PDF file download– 5MB) Archived 2 June 2022 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Ravikiran, G. "Fertile lands turning into concrete jungle". The Hindu. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
- ^ ":: DES-AP ::". Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ Ravikiran, G. "Lakhs celebrate 'gobbemma festival'". The Hindu. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
- ^ Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India (June 2014), "District Census Handbook – Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore: Village and Town Wise Primary Census Abstract (PCA)", 2011 Census of India, Directorate of Census Operations Andhra Pradesh, p. 25, Series 29 — Part XII B, retrieved 14 November 2015 (PDF file download– 5MB) Archived 2 June 2022 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "District Census Hand Book : Guntur (Part A)" (PDF). Census of India. Directorate of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh. 2011. p. 164. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
- ^ Burrow, T.; Emeneau, M. B. (1984). A Dravidian Etymological Dictionary. Clarendon Press.
- ^ Sastri, Nilakanta (1935). The Colas. University of Madras.
- ^ Ramaswamy, Vijaya (2007). Historical Dictionary of the Tamils. Scarecrow Press.
- ^ (1908) The Imperial Gazetteer of India. Volume 19. Nayakanhatti to Parbhani. Clarendon Press. p. 9
- ^ Madras, Government of (2004). Gazetteer of the Nellore District: Brought Upto 1938. Asian Educational Services. pp. 70–71. ISBN 978-81-206-1851-0.
- ^ Boswell, John (1873). A Manual of the Nellore District (1 ed.). H. Morgan at the Government Press. p. 891.
- ^ Mahotsav, Amrit. "Potti Sriramulu". Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Archived from the original on 12 September 2024. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ "History | Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore District, Government of Andhra Pradesh | India". spsnellore.ap.gov.in. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
- ^ "Latitude and Longitude of Nellore, Andhra Pradesh | Nellore Coordinates". www.mapsofindia.com. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
- ^ a b "Maps, Weather, and Airports for Nellore, India". fallingrain.com.
- ^ "Welcome to Nellore". ap.nic.in. Archived from the original on 31 January 2015.
- ^ "Nellore and Ongole record season's highest temperatures". Deccan Chronicle. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
- ^ "District Profile | Nellore Municipal Corporation". Archived from the original on 23 October 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
- ^ "Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
- ^ "Station: Nellore Climatological Table 1981–2010" (PDF). Climatological Normals 1981–2010. India Meteorological Department. January 2015. pp. 549–550. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
- ^ "Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. December 2016. p. M16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
- ^ "Normals Data: Nellore – India Latitude: 14.45°N Longitude: 79.98°E Height: 19 (m)". Japan Meteorological Agency. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
- ^ "Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024" (PDF). Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024. 7 September 2024. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 September 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
- ^ "Census of India – Socio-cultural aspects". Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs. Archived from the original on 20 May 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
- ^ Singh, Vijaita (5 January 2023). "Decennial census exercise postponed till September 2023". The Hindu.
- ^ "Census to be delayed again, deadline for freezing administrative boundaries pushed to January 1, 2024". The Indian Express. 2 July 2023.
- ^ "Cities having population 1 lakh and above" (PDF). Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
- ^ "Literacy of AP (Census 2011)" (PDF). AP govt. portal. p. 43. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
- ^ "Smart wards: Nellore woos industrialists". The Hindu. Nellore. 26 January 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
- ^ "School Education Department" (PDF). School Education Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 December 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
- ^ "The Department of School Education – Official AP State Government Portal | AP State Portal". www.ap.gov.in. Archived from the original on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
- ^ "Nellore Municipal Corporation school outshines corporate". Deccan Chronicle. 23 June 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
- ^ Ravikiran, G. (1 April 2014). "Fertile lands turning into concrete jungle". The Hindu. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
- ^ "Municipalities, Municipal Corporations & UDAs" (PDF). Directorate of Town and Country Planning. Government of Andhra Pradesh. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
- ^ "Municipality Profile". Nellore Municipal Corporation. Archived from the original on 19 June 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
- ^ "SPSR NELLORE-District Panchayat". www.nellorzp.appr.gov.in. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
- ^ Ravi Kiran, G (12 April 2015). "Civic body gears up to tackle water woes". Th Hindu. Nellore. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
- ^ Vadlapatla, Sribala (11 August 2015). "Amaravati among 31 AP cities selected for Amruth development". The Times of India. Hyderabad. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
- ^ "Nellore City Assembly 2014 Election Results". Elections.in. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
- ^ "MLA". AP State Portal. Archived from the original on 8 October 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
- ^ "Nellore City Assembly 2014 Election Results". Elections.in. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
- ^ Prasad, P. V. (30 November 2016). "Gutti Vankaya curry no more a delicacy". The Hans India. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
- ^ G. Ravikiran (31 October 2014). "'Rottela Panduga' from Nov. 4 in Nellore". The Hindu.
- ^ G. Ravikiran (5 November 2014). "2 lakh devotees throng Bara Shahid dargah". The Hindu.
- ^ Prasad, P. V. (4 March 2017). "Cultured korameenu takes sheen off fish curry". The Hans India. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
- ^ Prasad, P. V. (21 April 2016). "Nellore Malai Kaja goes online". The Hans India. Nellore. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
- ^ "Zaminryot Home: Longest Living Newspaper in Telegu Journalism". Zaminryot (in Telugu). Retrieved 9 October 2023.
- ^
- "హోం పేజి" [Home page]. Lawyer Telugu Weekly (in Telugu). Retrieved 9 October 2023.
- "Lawyer Telugu Weekly | Lawyer Patrika ePaper Archives". Lawyer Telugu Weekly (in Telugu). Retrieved 9 October 2023.
- ^ "వార్త ఆంధ్రజ్యోతి Nellore main edition". epaper AndhraJyothy Vaartha-Telugu News (in Telugu). Retrieved 9 October 2023.
- ^ "SPSR Nellore". Sakshi (in Telugu). Retrieved 9 October 2023.
- ^ "Growing number of vehicles cause of traffic chaos in Nellore". The Hindu. Nellore. 13 February 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
- ^ a b "ORR proposed for Nellore to decongest city traffic". The Hans India. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
- ^ "Bus stations across AP to be linked to PNBS". The Hindu. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
- ^ "Vijayawada Division – a profile" (PDF). Indian Railways. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
- ^ "Railways will help develop AP". The Hans India. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
- ^ "Nellore South Railway Station". Indian Railways Trains & Stations – India Rail Info. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ "Nellore-Central MEMU services from tomorrow". The Hindu. Chennai. 8 November 2002. Retrieved 4 July 2017.[dead link]
- ^ Reddy, B. Dasarath (25 December 2015). "Traffic rise in old airports gives a boost to Andhra's plan to build 6 new runways". Business Standard India. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
- ^ "Details of Roads in each ULB of Andhra Pradesh". Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department. Archived from the original on 1 August 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
- ^ "NHAI Under Pressure to Lay Another Bypass Road". The New Indian Express. 25 August 2014. Archived from the original on 28 August 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
External links
[edit]Nellore
View on GrokipediaEtymology
Name Origin and Historical References
The name Nellore derives from Nelluru, a compound term in Telugu signifying "paddy place" (nel or nellu for paddy, and uru for place or settlement), underscoring the region's historical reliance on rice agriculture as a staple crop.[6][7] This etymology aligns with the area's fertile coastal plains, where paddy fields have dominated land use for centuries, though similar linguistic roots appear in adjacent Tamil nomenclature (nel for paddy and ooru for village).[8][9] Early historical references identify the locale as Vikramasimhapuri or Simhapuri, denoting a fortified settlement possibly linked to lion symbolism or royal patronage, with mentions in regional records predating widespread use of Nelluru.[10] By the medieval period, the name Nelluru gained prominence in Telugu administrative and literary contexts, reflecting linguistic standardization amid Telugu-speaking polities, before solidifying as Nellore in colonial-era surveys and maps from the 19th century onward.[7][10]History
Ancient and Medieval Periods
Archaeological excavations along the banks of the Penna River in Nellore district have uncovered evidence of Paleolithic habitation, including 28 quartz tools indicative of later Paleolithic settlements in the region.[11] Early human activity centered around riverine resources, with additional finds such as stone axes reported in nearby areas, suggesting sustained prehistoric occupation tied to the fertile Penna valley.[12] The Nellore region transitioned to organized rule under successive South Indian dynasties, beginning with the Pallavas around the 6th century CE, whose influence extended into the area through inscriptions and temple patronage.[10] Following the Pallava decline by the 9th-10th centuries, Telugu Chola branches, known as the Nellore Cholas, asserted dominance from approximately 1100 to 1350 CE, claiming descent from ancient Tamil Chola kings like Karikala and establishing local principalities centered on Nellore.[13] These rulers fortified the region against rivals, but their power waned in the 13th century amid internal fragmentation. A pivotal figure was Manumasiddhi II (r. 1248–1263), under whose reign Nellore endured repeated incursions from Pandyas and rival Chola factions, including Kopperunjinga II, eroding territorial control and culminating in the dynasty's effective collapse.[14] Post-Chola, Kakatiya overlords from Warangal incorporated Nellore into their domain by the late 13th century, maintaining suzerainty until the rise of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th century. Vijayanagara emperors, notably Krishnadevaraya (r. 1509–1529), consolidated control through military campaigns, capturing Udayagiri Fort in 1513 after an 18-month siege against Gajapati forces, integrating the area into their Deccan stronghold.[15] Surviving architectural features from this era include the Udayagiri Fort, initially erected in the 14th century by Gajapati chieftain Langula Gopanna under Orissa's rulers for defensive purposes amid hilly terrain, later adapted by Vijayanagara armies for strategic oversight of eastern routes.[16] These remnants underscore Nellore's role as a contested frontier in medieval power shifts, with inscriptions and structural analyses confirming layered construction phases reflective of dynastic transitions.[17]Colonial and British Rule
Nellore town came under British East India Company control in 1781 when Nawab Azim-ud-Daula ceded it for revenue collection purposes, with the surrounding district fully transferred in 1801 as part of territories yielded by the Nawab of Carnatic following subsidiary alliances and financial pressures.[18][19] This integration placed Nellore within the Madras Presidency, where the Company established direct administrative oversight through collectors focused on land revenue maximization via the ryotwari system, first experimentally applied in Nellore villages like Cavoor by local officials in the early 1800s and systematically expanded under Thomas Munro's governorship from 1820 onward.[20] The system assessed revenue directly on individual cultivators (ryots), bypassing intermediaries, which stabilized collections but imposed fixed demands that strained peasants during crop failures, contributing to economic precarity in Nellore's rain-fed agrarian economy reliant on the Penna River basin.[21] Several famines afflicted Nellore under British rule, exacerbating rural distress amid the revenue system's inflexibility; for instance, droughts in the 1830s and the Great Famine of 1876–1878 severely impacted the district, with government relief limited initially to task works and well-sinking advances rather than revenue suspensions, leading to high mortality among agricultural laborers.[22] Infrastructure developments included irrigation enhancements, such as the Nellore Anicut built across the Penna River in 1862–1863 to support about 100,000 acres under the Sarvepalli canal, and the Sangam Anicut constructed between 1882 and 1886 to feed multiple channels for agriculture and water supply.[23][24] Railway connectivity arrived with the extension of the Madras-Vijayawada line, including the Cuddapah-Nellore section opened in 1887 and Nellore station operational by 1899 on the broader Howrah-Chennai route, facilitating trade in rice, groundnuts, and cotton but primarily serving colonial export needs.[25][26] Local resistance to British authority manifested in sporadic uprisings, including poligar revolts and anti-tax protests in coastal Andhra extending to Nellore, with pre-1857 sepoy mutinies in the district among the largest in the south, violently suppressed through executions to deter further dissent. The 1857 rebellion had limited direct impact in Nellore due to its southern location and weaker sepoy presence, though it prompted heightened surveillance and contributed to the East India Company's dissolution, transitioning the district to direct Crown rule under the Government of India Act 1858, which maintained the Madras Presidency framework but emphasized centralized control and military reforms.Post-Independence Era
Following India's independence in 1947, Nellore district remained part of Madras State until 1 October 1953, when it was integrated into the newly created Andhra State through the separation of Telugu-speaking districts under the Andhra State Act, 1953.[27] [28] This reorganization addressed linguistic demands by carving out 11 districts, including Nellore, from the northern Circars and southern Rayalaseema regions of Madras Presidency.[29] On 1 November 1956, under the States Reorganisation Act, Andhra State merged with the Telugu-speaking areas of former Hyderabad State to form Andhra Pradesh, preserving Nellore's boundaries and administrative structure as one of the state's foundational districts. Agriculture dominated Nellore's post-independence economy, with efforts centered on expanding irrigation to capitalize on the Green Revolution's high-yield varieties introduced in the 1960s, primarily for paddy in the Penna River delta.[30] The Pennar River Canal System, an existing major project, was modernized to irrigate approximately 0.79 lakh hectares, though coverage remained limited by the river's non-perennial flow. By the late 1970s, initiatives like the Somasila Project on the Penna began construction, aiming to stabilize water supply for Rayalaseema and Nellore command areas, but full benefits materialized only in the 1980s amid challenges from silting and uneven monsoons.[31] The Telugu Ganga Project, launched in 1983 as a joint Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu endeavor, marked a key advancement by diverting Krishna River water via canals to supplement Penna basin irrigation, eventually covering over 5 lakh acres across Nellore and adjacent districts. [32] This addressed chronic water shortages, boosting crop yields in rainfed zones, yet implementation delays until the late 1980s highlighted early developmental hurdles.[33] Nellore's urban expansion accelerated in the 1960s–1980s, fueled by administrative consolidation and basic infrastructure, with the district recording a 63.9% decadal urban population growth from 1971 to 1981—the highest in Andhra Pradesh during that period.[34] Key establishments included expansions in educational and health facilities, supporting modest industrialization around agro-processing. However, relative economic stagnation persisted compared to northern coastal peers like Guntur or East Godavari, as Nellore's agriculture hinged on variable southwest monsoon rainfall averaging 800–1000 mm annually, constraining productivity in unirrigated tracts comprising over 60% of cultivable land.[35]Recent Developments (2000s–Present)
Following the 2014 bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, which led to the loss of Hyderabad as the capital and initial economic disruptions across the residual state, Nellore district experienced moderated growth but began recovery through enhanced irrigation infrastructure. The Somasila Project, a major reservoir on the Pennar River near Somasila village, supported agricultural stabilization by providing irrigation to over 41,400 acres, with Phase I of the associated High Level Lift Canal commencing in November 2014 at an estimated cost of Rs 1,080.59 crore to divert surplus water for broader ayacut development.[31][36] By 2025, renewed momentum under the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government revived stalled components, aiming to channel 5 TMC of water and bolster post-bifurcation agricultural resilience.[37] Under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's administration since June 2024, Nellore has seen accelerated infrastructural investments, including Rs 3,000 crore in urban projects via the Hybrid Annuity Model to upgrade civic amenities such as roads and drainage. In March 2025, 105 projects worth part of a Rs 3,500 crore push were launched in Nellore Rural, focusing on rapid completion within 60 days to enhance connectivity and housing. Industrial expansion advanced with the allotment of 2,776 acres to IFFCO Kisan SEZ Ltd. in September 2025 for a mega private industrial park featuring plug-and-play infrastructure, alongside preparations for a new Aerospace and Defence Policy targeting Rs 30,000 crore in investments across state nodes, positioning Nellore as an emerging hub.[38][39][40] The Nellore Master Plan 2041 outlines balanced urban expansion, allocating zones for housing, industrial corridors, and improved road networks to accommodate projected population growth while integrating green spaces. Environmental efforts complemented this with a 2025 initiative to plant trees across 960 hectares in collaboration with communities, contributing to a district-level forest cover increase of 17.77 sq km as of early 2025. Naidu highlighted Nellore's role in state GDP growth in October 2025, driven by agriculture (contributing Rs 1,763 crore in GVA, primarily from paddy at 72.78%) and emerging sectors like ports, aquaculture, and industry, with seaports and airports as key multipliers.[41][42][43][44][45][46]Geography
Location and Topography
Nellore is situated in the Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, India, at coordinates 14.44°N latitude and 79.99°E longitude.[47] The city lies approximately 176 kilometers north of Chennai along the eastern coastal corridor.[48] It is positioned on the banks of the Penna River, which flows through the region and forms a delta as it approaches the Bay of Bengal.[49] The topography of Nellore consists primarily of low-lying coastal plains, with the city center at an average elevation of 18 meters above sea level.[49] This flat terrain extends eastward to the Bay of Bengal, facilitating historical settlement patterns tied to riverine agriculture and maritime access. The surrounding Nellore district spans 13,076 square kilometers, incorporating undulating foothills of the Eastern Ghats to the west, such as the Velikonda Range, which rise gradually from the plains.[50][51] Nellore's location places it near natural features including Pulicat Lake, approximately 116 kilometers to the north, influencing local hydrology and sediment dynamics.[52] The district's western boundaries abut higher elevations of the Eastern Ghats, creating a transition from alluvial plains to hilly terrain that affects drainage and soil distribution.[53]Climate and Environmental Features
Nellore exhibits a tropical wet-dry climate (Köppen classification Aw), with average annual temperatures ranging from 25°C to 35°C, peaking above 40°C during the hot season from March to June due to its coastal proximity and low elevation. Winters from December to February are milder, with minimum temperatures around 20–22°C, while humidity remains high year-round, exacerbating heat stress. These patterns, driven by the Intertropical Convergence Zone and Bay of Bengal influences, result in significant diurnal and seasonal temperature variability, impacting human comfort and agricultural cycles.[54] Precipitation averages 800–1,000 mm annually, concentrated in the southwest monsoon (June–September), which accounts for over 60% of total rainfall, leading to erratic distribution and heightened drought risks in intervening dry periods. Meteorological records indicate increasing variability, with deficits in non-monsoon seasons straining water resources and elevating evaporation rates that exceed 2,000 mm yearly. The region's groundwater dependency is acute, supplying 60% of irrigation needs amid declining levels from over-extraction and saline coastal intrusions, particularly in red and sandy soils predominant across 40% of the district. Alluvial soils along the Penna River basin support paddy but degrade under inconsistent recharge.[55][56] Coastal exposure renders Nellore vulnerable to cyclones and associated flooding from the Bay of Bengal, as seen in Cyclone Michaung's December 2023 passage, which brought incessant rains exceeding 100 mm in rural mandals and paralyzed infrastructure. Earlier events, including 2021 floods damaging crops over 14,000 hectares and causing ₹1,190 crore in losses, underscore causal links between storm surges, riverine overflows, and soil erosion in low-lying areas. Recent mitigation includes the 2025 Harit Andhra initiative targeting 960 hectares of afforestation for enhanced green cover, groundwater recharge, and climate resilience, alongside Vanamahotsavam's planting of 430,000 saplings district-wide toward a 50% greenery goal by 2047; these efforts coincide with observed forest cover gains of several square kilometers in Nellore, per national assessments.[57][58][42][59][43]Demographics
Population Statistics and Trends
According to the 2011 Census of India, the population of Nellore city stood at 499,575, comprising 252,010 males and 247,565 females.[2] The Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district recorded a total population of 2,963,557, with 1,492,974 males and 1,470,583 females, marking a decadal growth of approximately 20% from the 2001 census figure of 2,469,523.[50] Population density in the district averaged about 284 persons per square kilometer, given its area of 10,439.75 square kilometers, while urban areas like Nellore city exhibited higher concentrations due to ongoing rural-to-urban migration patterns observed in census data.[60] Estimates project the district population to reach around 3.32 million by 2025, reflecting an annual growth rate of roughly 1.8-2%, with urban centers like Nellore city potentially expanding to 729,000 amid 2-3% annual urban growth influenced by employment opportunities in services and industry.[50][2] The district's sex ratio was 986 females per 1,000 males in 2011, showing a slight improvement from prior censuses and stability in urban subsets at 985.[50] Literacy rates stood at 68.9% for the district overall, with male literacy at 76.1% and female at 61.9%, though urban Nellore city rates were higher at approximately 80%, indicating disparities tied to access in rural areas.[61] These trends underscore gradual improvements in demographic indicators, supported by state-level interventions, though official projections remain provisional pending the delayed 2021 census.[2]Religious, Linguistic, and Social Composition
According to the 2011 Census of India, Hinduism predominates in Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district, comprising 89.07% of the population or 2,639,737 individuals out of a total of 2,963,557.[62] Muslims form the largest minority at approximately 10.2%, followed by Christians at 0.8%, with Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and others constituting less than 0.1% combined.[63] These figures reflect a stable religious composition since the 2001 census, with no significant shifts reported in subsequent official estimates.[64]| Religion | Percentage | Population (2011) |
|---|---|---|
| Hinduism | 89.07% | 2,639,737 |
| Islam | 10.2% | ~302,000 |
| Christianity | 0.8% | ~23,700 |
| Others | <0.1% | Negligible |
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