Nellore

Nellore, also spelt as Nelluru, is a city located on the banks of Penna River,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, India.<ref name="census">Template:Citation (PDF file download– 5MB) Template:Webarchive</ref> It serves as the headquarters of the district, as well as Nellore mandal and Nellore revenue division.<ref name="map">Template:Cite web</ref> It is the fourth most populous city in the state. It is at a distance of Template:Convert from Vijayawada, Template:Convert from Visakhapatnam, Template:Convert from Hyderabad and about Template:Cvt north of Chennai, Tamil Nadu and also about Template:Cvt east-northeast of Bangalore, Karnataka. It is the administrative headquarters of Nellore District.

Etymology

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 (Template:Transliteration, 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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

History

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.Template: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.<ref>(1908) The Imperial Gazetteer of India. Volume 19. Nayakanhatti to Parbhani. Clarendon Press. p. 9</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> 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

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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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 <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Geography

Location

Nellore is located at Template:Coord.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="nellore geography">Template:Cite web</ref> It has an average elevation of Template:Convert.<ref name="nellore geography" />

Climate

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 Template:Convert 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The maximum temperature is Template:Convert during summer<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and the minimum temperature is Template:Convert during winter. The rainfall ranges from Template:Convert through South West and North East Monsoons. Nellore is subject both to droughts and to floods based on the seasons.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Template:Weather boxNellore has been ranked 18th best “National Clean Air City” under (Category 2 3-10L Population cities) in India.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Demographics

Template:Bar box Template:As ofTemplate:Update afterTemplate:Efn 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%.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The expanded city population, post-merger of 15 gram panchayats into Nellore Municipal Corporation stands at 631,791<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Historical population<ref name="profile"/>

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

The primary and secondary school education is imparted by government, aided, and private schools of the School Education Department of the state.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The medium of instruction followed by different schools are English and Telugu.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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

Tikkana Park in Nellore

Civic administration

Nellore Municipal Corporation was constituted as a municipality on 1 November 1866 by the Madras District Municipality Act.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=civicbody>Template:Cite web</ref> It was upgraded to corporation on 18 October 2004 and has a jurisdictional area of Template:Convert with 54 wards.<ref name="profile2">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Present mayor of the city is Sravanthi.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Politics

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy is the present MLA of Nellore Rural assembly constituency representing Telugu Desam Party.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Culture

Nellore water tank

Template:Further The residents of the city are generally referred as Nelloreans.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Cuisine

Chepala Pulusu (fish curry) is a non-vegetarian recipe of the Nellore district, prepared from Korramennu.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Malai Kaja Nellore Famous Sweet is a local sweet made from maida, milk and sugar.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Amenities

Media

Zaminryot newspaper, established in 1930,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and the Lawyer Weekly newspaper<ref>Template:Multiref2</ref> are based out of Nellore. In addition, Eenadu Vaartha AndhraJyothy<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and Sakshi<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> newspapers are also printing local editions in Nellore.

Transport

Nellore Railway Station

Local transport in the city include, two, three and four wheelers.<ref name="traffic">Template:Cite news</ref> Of these, privately operated auto rickshaws numbered around 6,000 in 2017, dominating most parts of the city for local commuting.<ref name="orr">Template:Cite news</ref> Nellore bus station of the city operates district and long-distance services.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Nellore railway station is classified as an A grade and Adarsh station in the Vijayawada railway division of South Central Railway zone.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The city also has three small railway stations namely, Template:Rws,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Vedayapalem.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Padugupadu railway station The Southern Railway operates MEMUs regularly for commuting between Nellore and Template:Rws.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref> There is also a proposal to build a no frills airport for the city.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The city has a total road length of Template:Convert.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The proposed Outer Ring Road, existing arterial and internal roads helps reduce traffic congestion.<ref name="orr" /> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Notable people

• 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

• List of urban agglomerations in Andhra Pradesh
• List of municipal corporations in India#Andhra Pradesh
• List of tourist attractions in Nellore