:Rayalaseema

{{Multiple issues|

}}

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Rayalaseema

| other_name = Dathamandalam, Hiranya Rashtramu

| settlement_type =

Geographic region of Rayalaseema

| image_skyline = {{multiple image

| border = infobox

| total_width = 250

| image_style =

| perrow = 1/2/2/2

|image1 = Andhra Pradesh - Landscapes from Andhra Pradesh, views from Indias South Central Railway (77).JPG

|image2 = Venkateshwara Tirupati Temple.jpg

|image3 = Shiva's Bull at Lepakshi (Lepakshi Nandi).jpg

|image4 = 23 - Telugu Talli Statue with Kondareddy Buruju as background.JPG

|image5 = Garudasila at Tirupati 7.jpg

|image6 = Saumyanatha temple.JPG

|image7 = 200 years memorable pylon.jpg

}}

| image_alt =

| image_caption = Clockwise from top: Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary, Lepakshi Monolithic Bull, Tirumala Garudasila, 200 years memorable Pylon in YSR Kadapa, Sri Soumyanatha Swamy Temple (Nandalur), Konda Reddy Fort, and Venkateswara Temple.

| nickname = Cultural Region of Andhra Pradesh

| image_map = Rayalaseema Andhra Pradesh new districts.png

| image_map1 = {{Infobox mapframe|ids=Q15212,Q15213,Q110714853,Q15342,Q15381,Q110714854,Q110714863,Q110714861}}

| map_caption = Rayalaseema in Andhra Pradesh

| coordinates =

| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = {{flagu|India}}

| subdivision_type1 = State

| subdivision_name1 = {{flagicon image|}}Andhra Pradesh

| subdivision_type2 = District(s)

| subdivision_name2 = *Anantapuramu district

| subdivision_type3 = Largest cities

| subdivision_name3 = *Kurnool

| established_title =

| established_date = 17 November 1928, Nandyal

| founder =

| named_for =

| government_type =

| governing_body =

| unit_pref = Metric

| area_footnotes = {{cite web|url=http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/andhrapradesh/andhrapradesh-factsheet.htm|title=Andhra Pradesh Fact Sheet|work=mapsofindia.com}}

| area_total_km2 = 71060

| area_rank = 17

| elevation_footnotes =

| elevation_m =

| population_footnotes =

| population_total = 15184908

| population_as_of = 2011

| population_rank =

| population_density_km2 = 226

| population_demonym =

| demographics_type1 = Languages

| demographics1_title1 = Official

| demographics1_info1 = Telugu

| timezone1 = IST

| utc_offset1 = +05:30

| postal_code_type =

| postal_code =

| registration_plate = AP02, AP03, AP04, AP21, AP39, AP40

| blank1_name_sec1 = Largest airport

| blank1_info_sec1 = Tirupati Airport

| website =

| official_name =

}}

File:Gooty Fort Watchtower.jpg

File:Gandikota fort view.jpg

File:PSLV-C40- Lift off from First Launch Pad of SDSC SHAR Sriharikota 004.jpg

Rayalaseema (IAST: Rāyalasīma) is a geographic region in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It comprises four southern districts of the State, from prior to the districts reorganisation in 2022, namely Kurnool, Anantapur, Kadapa, and Chittoor. Four new districts were created from these, namely Sri Sathya Sai, Nandyal, Annamayya, and Tirupati.{{cite news|last1=Rajeev|first1=M|title=Rayalaseema in a state of discontent|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/state-view-rayalaseema-in-a-state-of-discontent/article7747573.ece|access-date=8 December 2015|work=The Hindu|date=11 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208064748/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/state-view-rayalaseema-in-a-state-of-discontent/article7747573.ece|archive-date=8 December 2015}} As of 2011 census of India, the western four districts (before the district realignment) of the region had a population of 15,184,908 and cover an area of {{convert|77424|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|title=Population of AP districts(2011)|url=http://www.ap.gov.in/Other%20Docs/Population.pdf|publisher=ap.gov.in|access-date=25 May 2014|page=14|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112141602/http://www.ap.gov.in/Other%20Docs/Population.pdf|archive-date=12 November 2013|df=dmy-all}}

Etymology

The region was previously called Ceded districts during the rule of the British Raj. This is with reference to the time when the Nizam of Hyderabad, Ali Khan, ceded the region to the British as a part of subsidiary alliance. Chilukuri Narayana Rao, a Telugu lecturer and activist from Anantapur, deemed the term "ceded" as derogatory and coined the term Rayalaseema.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/the-birth-of-rayalaseema/article5948111.ece|title=The birth of Rayalaseema|last1=Correspondent|first1=Special|work=The Hindu|access-date=12 June 2017}} In the Andhra Mahasabha and Ceded Districts Conference held at Nandyala in November 1928, he moved a resolution to the effect which was accepted by the other delegates of the conference.

The name Rayalaseema hearkened back to the Vijayanagara times, whose Kings used a suffix Rāya (tadbhava of Sanskrit Rāja) or Rāyalu in Telugu as their regnal title. The boundaries of Rayalaseema roughly match the territorial extent of the Aravidu dynasty, the last dynasty to rule the Vijayanagara Empire. People of region coined their land as a Raya Desam.

= Post independence =

The four districts of the region were part of the Madras Presidency until 1953.{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19531001&printsec=frontpage|work=The Indian Express|via=Google News Archive Search|title=The Indian Express - Google News Archive Search}} From 1953 to 1956, the region was a part of Andhra State and in 1956, the Telangana region was merged with Andhra State to form Andhra Pradesh State.{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19560221&printsec=frontpage|work=The Indian Express|via=Google News Archive Search|title=The Indian Express - Google News Archive Search}} On 2 February 1970, three taluks from Kurnool i.e., Markapur, Cumbum and Giddalur were merged along with some other taluks of Nellore district and Guntur district to form Prakasam district.

In February 2014, the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 bill was passed by the Parliament of India for the formation of Telangana state comprising ten districts. Hyderabad will remain as a joint capital for 10 years for both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.{{cite web |title=The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 |url=http://www.indiacode.nic.in/acts2014/6%20of%202014.pdf|website=India Code Legislative Department|publisher=Ministry of Law and Justice|access-date=14 July 2015|page=2|date=1 March 2014}} The new State of Telangana came into existence on 2 June 2014 after approval from the President of India.{{cite web

|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/Telangana-State-to-Be-Born-on-June-2/2014/03/04/article2090470.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307142700/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/Telangana-State-to-Be-Born-on-June-2/2014/03/04/article2090470.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 March 2014|title=Telangana state formation gazette|publisher=The New Indian Express|access-date=14 May 2014}} The formation of a new state named Telangana from Andhra Pradesh is not considered an amendment to the Constitution of India per article 3 and 4 of that document.{{cite web | url=http://indiankanoon.org/doc/1015123/ | title=Constitution of India Sub-section |website=Indiankanoon.org| date=4 March 2014 | access-date=23 April 2014}}

File:Rayalaseema in Andhra Pradesh.png

{{Pie chart

|caption = Languages of Rayalaseema {{Cite web |title=Table C-16 Population by mother tongue: Andhra Pradesh |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10193/download/13305/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-2800.XLSX |publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India |access-date=4 January 2023 |archive-date=12 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221112190710/https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10193/download/13305/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-2800.XLSX |url-status=live }}

|label1 = Telugu |value1 = 81.09 |color1 = steelblue

|label2 = Urdu |value2 = 12.10 |color2 = green

|label3 = Tamil |value3 = 3.00 |color3 = cornflowerblue

|label4 = Kannada |value4 = 2.13 |color4 = darkslateblue

|label5 = Others |value5 = 1.68 |color5 = grey

|thumb=right}}

Geography

Rayalaseema region is located in the southern region of the state of Andhra Pradesh. The region borders the state of Tamil Nadu to the south, Karnataka to the west and Telangana to the north, Nellore, Prakasam districts and bay of bengal in the east. Some areas in Coastal Andhra, such as Markapur revenue division of Prakasam district, share similar geography, culture and climate to Rayalaseema as they are once part of the Kurnool district.{{cite news|title=Andhra Pradesh – end of an era|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/andhra-pradesh-end-of-an-era-113073001018_1.html|access-date=8 April 2016|work=Business Standard|date=30 July 2013|location=Hyderabad}}

Education

= Universities =

= Medical colleges =

= Central institutions =

= Deemed universities =

Sri Sathya Sai University, Puttaparthi
Annamacharya Institute of Technology And Science, Rajampeta

Transport

= Roadways =

File:Plvd-Kdp road.jpg

The road network in region consists of many National Highways such as, NH 40, NH 42, NH 44, NH 140, NH 167, NH 340, NH 67, NH 69, NH 71, NH 716.

File:NH 716 Near Renigunta.jpg

= Railways =

File:Long View of Station Building.jpg

The rail connectivity is getting better with the projects allocated or being part of the region such as, Nandyal–Yerraguntla, Nadikudi–Srikalahasti, Kadapa–Bangalore sections are the under development projects which forms a part of the region.{{cite news|title=Proper rail connectivity still a far cry in Rayalaseema|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/proper-rail-connectivity-still-a-far-cry-in-rayalaseema/article6850373.ece|access-date=26 May 2017|newspaper=The Hindu}} Most of the region falls under the jurisdiction of Guntakal railway division of South Central Railway zone.

= Airports =

File:Air India and Jetairways.jpg and Jet Airways at Tirupati Airport]]

Rayalaseema region has air connectivity with four airports Tirupati International Airport, Sri Sathya Sai Airport, Kadapa Airport and Kurnool Airport.

=Waterways=

Dugarajapatnam Port is a proposed port in Tirupati district.{{cite web |title=Decks cleared for Dugarajapatnam port |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Decks-cleared-for-Dugarajapatnam-port/articleshow/30299638.cms |work=The Times of India}}

Infrastructure

= Power =

File:Rayalaseema Thermal Power Station.jpg

Rayalaseema Region has thermal as well solar power plants. Rayalaseema Thermal Power Station is located in Kadapa district and Andhra Pradesh government recently sanctioned solar power parks in Rayalaseema districts{{cite web|url=http://m.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/ap-solar-corpn-sanctions-4000-mw-power-parks/article8018438.ece|title=AP Solar Corpn sanctions 4,000 MW power parks|date=22 December 2015|website=M.thehindubusinessline.com}} with a capacity of 4000MW's.Today the state of Andhra Pradesh stood No.1 position in solar power generation with an installed capacity of 1868 MW{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/with-kurnool-solar-park-state-takes-a-giant-leap/article18289685.ece|title=With Kurnool solar park, State takes a giant leap|first=V.|last=Raghavendra|date=29 April 2017|access-date=16 February 2019|newspaper=The Hindu}} In India and also offers world's largest solar power park of 1000 MW is also located in Andhra Pradesh.

Lake

The only Lake located in the region of Rayalaseema is Pulicat Lake. The major part of the Lake is located in Sullurpeta division of Tirupati district.

Pulicat Lake is the second largest brackish water lagoon in India, (after Chilika Lake), measuring 759 square kilometres (293 sq mi). Major part of the lagoon comes under Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh. The lagoon is one of the three important wetlands to attract northeast monsoon rain clouds during the October to December season. The lagoon comprises the following regions, which adds up 759 square kilometres (293 sq mi) according to Andhra Pradesh.

Politics

Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, Damodaram Sanjivayya, Nedurumalli Janardhana Reddy, Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy, N. Chandrababu Naidu, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, N.Kiran Kumar Reddy and Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who served as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, hail from the Rayalaseema region of the state. The region saw as many as 8 chief ministers for the state.{{cite web|url=http://www.telangana.com/why_telangana.htm|title=Telangana.com – Committed For Development|website=Telangana.com|access-date=3 September 2015|archive-date=12 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612150324/http://www.telangana.com/why_telangana.htm|url-status=dead}}

= Factionalism =

{{See also|Organised crime in India#Andhra Pradesh factionalism}}Rayalaseema is home to numerous factional families who are often intertwined with political parties and violently clash with each other. Government employees consider as dead postings in the region. The high crime rate is attributed to Rayalaseema's high poverty rate. Although violence has declined since 2000s. Police records estimate that in the past 35 years, about 8,465 civilians have died as a result of factional violence.{{Cite web|title=Factionalism, Violence and Politics in Andhra Pradesh's Rayalaseema|url=https://thewire.in/politics/rayalaseema-politics-andhra-pradesh|access-date=2021-08-01|website=The Wire}}{{Cite web|agency=TNN|date=Mar 23, 2019|title=Of the sordid theatre of faction killings in Rayalaseema region {{!}} Vijayawada News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/of-the-sordid-theatre-of-faction-killings-in-rayalaseema-region/articleshow/68529414.cms|access-date=2021-08-01|website=The Times of India|language=en}}

= Sri Bagh act =

Based on Sri Bagh act signed on 18 November 1937, Kurnool was made the capital of the new state after the division of Andhra state from the Madras state.{{cite book|last1=Raju|first1=P. Yenadi|title=Rayalaseema during colonial times : a study un indian nationalism|date=2003|publisher=Northern Book Centre|location=New Delhi|isbn=978-81-7211-139-7|page=214|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I3C11beCHF0C&q=Sri+Baghpact&pg=PA214|access-date=3 September 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.aponline.gov.in/quick%20links/hist-cult/history_post.html|title=APonline – History and Culture – History-Post-Independence Era|work=aponline.gov.in|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220113947/http://www.aponline.gov.in/quick%20links/hist-cult/history_post.html|archive-date=20 December 2013|df=dmy-all}} As per the second State Resolution Commission, the state capital was shifted to Hyderabad upon formation of Andhra Pradesh by States Reorganisation Act, 1956.{{cite news|title=Revive Sri Bagh pact, demands vedika|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/revive-sri-bagh-pact-demands-vedika/article6128868.ece|access-date=3 September 2015|date=19 June 2014|location=Hyderabad}}