This is an archive article published on March 26, 2015
Introducing Andhra Pradesh’s new ‘capital’ Amaravathi
A profile of the likely capital of Andhra Pradesh.
Written by Sreenivas Janyala
Amaravathi | Updated: March 26, 2015 09:55 AM IST
3 min read
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A 125-foot high statue of the Meditating Buddha was unveiled in Amaravathi recently.
A profile of the likely capital of Andhra Pradesh – Amaravathi:
A TELUGU IMPERIAL CITY
Ancient and medieval Amaravathi was the centre of the Telugu empire for over 1,800 years from the 2nd century BC to the 16th century AD, and the political and cultural capital of the Satavahanas, Ikshavakus, Eastern Chalukyas, Telugu Cholas, the Kota chiefs, Pallavas, Kakatiyas, the Reddy kings and the Vijayanagara empire.
ON THE BANKS OF KRISHNA
The city is on the right bank of the mighty Krishna in Guntur district, close to where the river is joined by its northern tributary, the Munneru. The new capital city zone is 35 km from old Amaravathi, where the government has procured nearly 33,000 acres between Vijayawada and Guntur through a land-pooling scheme.
WHERE THE RIVER FLOWS NORTH
Historian and archaeologist D Kanna Babu says Amaravathi is one of the few places where a river flows north instead of south or east. This is considered auspicious, and the Satavahanas chose the site to build their capital at Dharanikota, two km from Amaravathi town, well over 2,000 years ago. It is 32 km from Guntur and 39 km from Vijayawada.
A MELTING POT OF RELIGIONS
Amaravathi was a seat of Buddhism before the rise of the Satavahanas, a stupa and monastery having been built there during the reign of Emperor Ashoka (269-232 BC). The Satavahanas patronised Hinduism, and the ancient temple of Amaralingeshwara (Shiva) gave the city the name of Amararamam. Subsequent dynasties patronised Jainism as well, and the city came to be known as Sridhanyakataka or ‘City of Tolerance’.
COLONIALISM AND AFTER
It was in the 18th century that Raja Vasireddy Venkatadri Naidu, the last king of the Vasireddy clan, gave the city its name of Amaravathi, says Babu. In 1750, as part of the territory of Nizam of Hyderabad, Amaravathi was ceded to the French. The British took over in 1759, and with the establishment of the Madras Presidency, Amaravathi faded into insignificance.
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LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
The ancient city of Amaravathi is being developed separately from the new capital zone as a heritage town with funds from the Centre. Officials are working on linking the capitals separated by over two millennia. Amaravathi is now a gram panchayat with a population of 16,000, and will soon be part of the AP Capital Region Development Authority.
Sreenivas Janyala is a Deputy Associate Editor at The Indian Express, where he serves as one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political and economic landscape of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. With a career spanning over two decades in mainstream journalism, he provides deep-dive analysis and frontline reporting on the intricate dynamics of South Indian governance.
Expertise and Experience
Regional Specialization: Based in Hyderabad, Sreenivas has spent more than 20 years documenting the evolution of the Telugu-speaking states. His reporting was foundational during the historic Telangana statehood movement and continues to track the post-bifurcation development of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Key Coverage Beats: His extensive portfolio covers a vast spectrum of critical issues:
High-Stakes Politics: Comprehensive tracking of regional powerhouses (BRS, TDP, YSRCP, and Congress), electoral shifts, and the political careers of figures like K. Chandrashekar Rao, Chandrababu Naidu, and Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Internal Security & Conflict: Authoritative reporting on Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), the decline of the Maoist movement in former hotbeds, and intelligence-led investigations into regional security modules.
Governance & Infrastructure: Detailed analysis of massive irrigation projects (like Kaleshwaram and Polavaram), capital city developments (Amaravati), and the implementation of state welfare schemes.
Crisis & Health Reporting: Led the publication's ground-level coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic in South India and major industrial incidents, such as the Vizag gas leak.
Analytical Depth: Beyond daily news, Sreenivas is known for his "Explained" pieces that demystify complex regional disputes, such as river water sharing and judicial allocations between the sister states. ... Read More
3 min read
A 125-foot high statue of the Meditating Buddha was unveiled in Amaravathi recently.
