History of Krishna district, India

This history of this region dates back to the 2nd century BCE. The area was ruled by the
Satavahanas (230 BC AD 227); Pallavas (AD 340 AD 500), Chalukyas (AD 615 1070
AD) and later by Cholas, Kakatiyas,Reddy dynasty and Gajapati kings of Odisha.
Satavahana period (230 BC AD 227):
The Satavahanas ruled this region with headquarters at Srikaakulam. Prominent rulers during
this period were Srimukha (founder), Gotamiputra Satakarni and Yajnasri Satakarni (last
Satavahana king). The Satavahanas imparted more stability and security to the life of the
people of the region for more than four centuries. Pallava Kingdom (AD 340 AD 500),
spread over from Krishna river to Tungabhadra, including Amaravati in the East, Bellary in
the West and Kancheepuram in the South with capital cities at venginagar near Ellore and
Pithapuram, both in Vengidesa. Bruhitpalayanas, the contemporaries of Pallavas who ruled
the district with Koduru as their capital. Vishnukundinas (AD 5th century), are rulers who
excavated cave temples at Mogalrajapuram (now in Vijayawada) and Undavalli, etc. Eastern
chalukyas (AD 615 AD 1070), the entire Andhra country was under the control of a single
ruler under their reign. The Eastern Chalukyas were credited with the excavations of the cave
temple at Undavalli and rock cut shrines and Shiva temples.
Cholas :
They ruled this region with capital at Rajamahendri . It was during Rajarajanaredra's reign
that Nannayya Bhattu translated the Mahabharata into Telugu. Kakatiyas, ruled this region up
to the early 14th century with Orugallu as their capital. Reddy dynasty, on the downfall of
Pratapa Rudra of Kakatiya, the eldest son of Pulaya Vema Reddi found himself independent
and established himself in the hill fort of Kondavedu. He also possessed himself of the
fortress of Bellamkonda, Vinukonda and Nagarjuna konda in the Palanad. The Kondavidu
Reddis were great patrons of Telugu literature. The poet Srinadha and his brother-in law
Bammera Pothana flourished at his court. The ruins of fortresses at Kondavidu, Ballamkonda
and Kondapalli are still to be seen.

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Gajapathis of Odisha:
Kapileswara Gajapathi is preserved by the village Kapileswarapuram now in Pamidimukkala
mandal. He was succeeded by Vidyadhara Gajapathi who built Vidyadharapuram (now in
Vijayawada) and constructed a reservoir at Kondapalli. Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara
empire conquered this region in the early 16th century. Qutb Shahis, in 1512, the Kingdom of
Golconda was founded by one Sultan Quli Qutub Shah. The Kingdom of Golconda included
this district within its limits. Abu-l-Hussain Shah was the last of Qutab Shahi dynasty known
as Tanisha. He had two ministers, both Brahmins, named Madanna and Akkanna. Popular
tradition attributed this preference of Vijayawada to the devotion of the two ministers to the
goddess Kanaka Durga.

Medieval period
Nizams:
The Emperor Aurangazeb included this district in the province of Golconda, which remained
under Asaf jah who was appointed as Subedar or Viceroy of the Deccan in AD 1713 with the
title of Nizam-ul-Mulk. The province of Golconda comprised five Nawabs charges viz.
Arcot, Cuddapah, Kurnool, Rajahmundry and Chicacole (Srikakulam). The Nawab of
Rajahmundry ruled the country induced in the Krishna district.
The British:
In the year 1611 the English founded their settlement at Masulipatnam which was their
headquarters until they finally moved to Madras in 1641. The Dutch and French also had
settlements at Masulipatnam. Upon the death of the old Nizam-ul-Mulk in June 1748 his
heirs strove for the succession with the support of the English and the French. When Nizam
Ali Khan was proclaimed ruler of Golconda in 1761 the British secured at first the divisions
of Masulipatnam, Nizampatnam and part of Kondaveedu and later the entire Circars. At first
the district was administered by a chief and council at Masulipatnam but in 1794 Collectors,
directly responsible to the Board of Revenue, were appointed at Masulipatnam.

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