Kadapa

The city's name originated from the Telugu word "Gadapa" meaning threshold or gate. It acquired this name with its relation to the Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala; one had to pass through this city in the olden days to reach Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala.{{Cite web |title=About District {{!}} District YSR(Kadapa), Government of Andhra Pradesh {{!}} India |url=https://kadapa.ap.gov.in/about-district/#:~:text=The%20city%20is%20nicknamed%20Gadapa,in%20Kadapa%20than%20in%20summer. |access-date=2025-05-08 |language=en-US}} In Telugu, the word Gadapa means a threshold and over time, the name evolved into Kadapa. It was spelled "Cuddapah" but was changed to "Kadapa" on 19 August 2005 to reflect the local pronunciation of the name.{{cite news|title=It will be 'Kadapa' henceforth|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/08/18/stories/2005081805760200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100710054942/http://www.hindu.com/2005/08/18/stories/2005081805760200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 July 2010|access-date=8 October 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=18 August 2005}} Some of the inscriptions found recently have mentioned about this place as Hiranyanagaram as well as there are official records that show it was also called Nekanamabad.dilazak empire

The history of Kadapa dates back to the second century BC. The evidences of Archaeological Survey of India suggest that it started with Mourya and Satavahana dynasty. And since then it has been under the rule of numerous dynasties including Chalukya, Cholas and Pallava. Among all of these dynasties, first one to rule over Kadapa was Pallava dynasty. Pallava kings ruled over the city during the fifth century after penetrating into North of Kadapa. After that Cholas ruled till the eighth century after defeating Pallavas. Later Banas ruled over Kadapa.{{cite web|title=Kadapa Municipal Corporation About Kadapa|url=http://www.kadapamunicipalcorporation.org/Aboutkadapa.aspx|website=Kadapa Municipal Corporation|access-date=28 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214105329/http://www.kadapamunicipalcorporation.org/Aboutkadapa.aspx|archive-date=14 February 2016|url-status=dead}}

File:Vijayanagara_1450s.png ruled between 1336 - 1646]]

File:Siddhout Fort near Kadapa.jpg

After Banas, Rashtrakutas ruled Kadapa region Among the popular rulers of Kadapa was King Indra III, who served during the period of 915 AD. In his period, Kadapa gained a lot of power and influence, which declined with his death later. Telugu Cholas, were the next one to rule Kadapa. Ambadeva ruled Kadapa in the latter half of the 13th century when he established the capital at Vallur, which is located at a distance of about 15 km from Kadapa.

After the death of Ambadeva, the Kakatiya king Prataparudra II ruled until the early 14th century. Prataparudra was defeated by Muslims in the reign of Khalji emperor Alla Uddin. Later in the mid-14th century, Hindus of Vijayanagar dynasty drove the Muslims out of Warangal and subsequently Kadapa and ruled for around two centuries till they were defeated by the Gulbarga sultans. The most illustrious ruler during this time was Pemmasani Thimma Nayudu (1422 CE) who developed the region and constructed many tanks and temples here. Muslims of Golkonda conquered the region in 1594 when Mir Jumla II raided Gandikota fort and defeated Chinna Thimma Nayudu by treachery. Marathas took over the city in 1740 after defeating the Nawab of Kurnool and Cuddapah.

Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan also ruled the city (1784–1792) before it fell in the hands of Nizam by the Treaty of Seringapatam{{cite web |url=http://www.kadapaonline.in/city-guide/history-of-kadapa |title=History of Kadapa |work=kadapaonline.in}} in 1792.

Tipu's grandmother, Hyder Ali’s mother Fatima Fakhr-un-Nisa was the daughter of Mir Muin-ud-Din, the governor of the fort of Kadapa.

Later the British took control of Kadapa District in 1800 CE.{{Cite web |title=Official Website of YSR District Police |url=https://kadapapolice.ap.gov.in/History.html |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=kadapapolice.ap.gov.in}} Although the town is an ancient one, it was probably extended by dilazak Neknam Khan, the Qutb Shahi commander, who called the extension as "Neknamabad". The name "Neknamabad" was used for the town for some time but slowly fell into disuse and the records of the 18th century refer to the rulers not as "Nawab of Kadapa". Except for some years in the beginning, Kadapa District was the seat of the Mayana Nawabs in the 18th century. With the British occupation of the tract in 1800 CE, it became the headquarters of one of the four subordinate collectorates under the principal collector Sir Thomas Munro. In 2004, Kadapa was recognised as a municipal corporation.{{cite web |url=http://cdma.gov.in/KADAPA/ |title=Brief about Kadapa Municipal Corporation |publisher=Municipal Administration & Urban Development Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh |access-date=27 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116192051/http://cdma.gov.in/KADAPA/ |archive-date=16 November 2012 |df=dmy-all }}

File:Palkonda Hills.jpg

Kadapa in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh is located at {{Coord|14.47|N|78.82|E|}} about 260 km from Chennai, 250 km from Bangalore and 360 km from Vijayawada.{{cite web|url=https://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/02/Cuddapah.html|title=redirect to /world/IN/02/Cuddapah.html|work=fallingrain.com}} The city is situated in the Bugga vanka or Ralla Vanka rivers bordered by the Palakondas to the south and to the east by a patch of hills casting north for the Lankamalas on Penna's other side.{{cite web|url=http://www.kadapaonline.in/city-guide/geography-of-cuddapah|title=Geography of Cuddapah, Climate of Cuddapah, Rivers in Kadapa|work=kadapaonline.in}} It has an average elevation of 138 metres (452 ft).{{cite web|url=http://kadapacityrayalseema.blogspot.com/2010/12/geography.html|title=Kadapa City|author=Hussain|work=kadapacityrayalseema.blogspot.com|date=18 December 2010 }} Veligonda hills separates the districts of Nellore and Kadapa.{{cite news |last1=Prasad |first1=P. V. |title=Railways building South India's longest tunnel |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2018-06-14/Railways-building-South-Indias-longest-tunnel/388988 |access-date=24 April 2019 |work=www.thehansindia.com |date=14 June 2018}}

Kadapa has a hot semi-arid (Köppen BSh) climate characterised by year round high temperatures. It has a record of reaching 45 degree Celsius.{{Citation needed|date=October 2016}} Summers are especially uncomfortable with hot and humid conditions. During this time temperatures range from a minimum of {{convert|25|°C|°F|1|disp=or}} and can rise up to a maximum of {{convert|45|°C|°F|1|disp=or}}. Humidity is around 75% during the summer months. The monsoon season brings substantial rain to the area, and Kadapa gets some rainfall from both the southwest monsoon and the northeast monsoon. About {{convert|615|mm|in|1|disp=or}} of the average total annual rainfall of around {{convert|770|mm|in|1|disp=or}} occurs between June and October. Winters are comparatively milder and the temperatures are lower after the onset of the monsoons. During this time the temperatures range from a minimum of {{convert|17|°C|°F|disp=or}} and can rise up to a maximum of {{convert|32|°C|°F|disp=or}}. Humidity is much lower during the winter season, which is the best time to visit the area.{{cite web|url=http://www.mustseeindia.com/Kadapa-weather|title=KADAPA Weather, Temperature, Best Season, Kadapa Weather Forecast, Climate|work=mustseeindia.com|access-date=20 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071455/http://www.mustseeindia.com/Kadapa-weather|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}

{{Weather box

| location = Kadapa (1991–2020, extremes 1901–present)

| width = auto

| metric first = Yes

| single line = Yes

| Jan record high C = 37.8

| Feb record high C = 41.5

| Mar record high C = 43.5

| Apr record high C = 45.3

| May record high C = 46.2

| Jun record high C = 45.7

| Jul record high C = 40.6

| Aug record high C = 40.0

| Sep record high C = 39.8

| Oct record high C = 39.5

| Nov record high C = 36.5

| Dec record high C = 35.6

| year record high C = 46.2

| Jan high C = 32.3

| Feb high C = 35.2

| Mar high C = 38.8

| Apr high C = 40.8

| May high C = 40.5

| Jun high C = 37.3

| Jul high C = 34.9

| Aug high C = 33.7

| Sep high C = 33.4

| Oct high C = 32.4

| Nov high C = 31.2

| Dec high C = 30.5

| year high C = 35.1

| Jan low C = 18.6

| Feb low C = 20.4

| Mar low C = 23.9

| Apr low C = 26.9

| May low C = 27.7

| Jun low C = 26.6

| Jul low C = 25.4

| Aug low C = 25.0

| Sep low C = 24.5

| Oct low C = 23.8

| Nov low C = 21.1

| Dec low C = 18.5

| year low C = 23.5

| Jan record low C = 10.0

| Feb record low C = 12.0

| Mar record low C = 12.6

| Apr record low C = 17.2

| May record low C = 18.0

| Jun record low C = 17.6

| Jul record low C = 16.2

| Aug record low C = 16.0

| Sep record low C = 14.6

| Oct record low C = 16.0

| Nov record low C = 13.8

| Dec record low C = 10.6

| year record low C = 10.0

| rain colour = green

| Jan rain mm = 0.6

| Feb rain mm = 0.4

| Mar rain mm = 6.7

| Apr rain mm = 16.3

| May rain mm = 47.6

| Jun rain mm = 78.5

| Jul rain mm = 109.8

| Aug rain mm = 115.2

| Sep rain mm = 153.4

| Oct rain mm = 147.4

| Nov rain mm = 64.2

| Dec rain mm = 18.5

| year rain mm = 758.7

| Jan rain days = 0.1

| Feb rain days = 0.1

| Mar rain days = 0.5

| Apr rain days = 1.0

| May rain days = 2.2

| Jun rain days = 4.2

| Jul rain days = 6.2

| Aug rain days = 6.5

| Sep rain days = 6.9

| Oct rain days = 6.7

| Nov rain days = 4.0

| Dec rain days = 1.3

|year rain days = 39.8

|time day = 17:30 IST

| Jan humidity = 52

| Feb humidity = 43

| Mar humidity = 33

| Apr humidity = 31

| May humidity = 35

| Jun humidity = 46

| Jul humidity = 52

| Aug humidity = 56

| Sep humidity = 58

| Oct humidity = 64

| Nov humidity = 66

| Dec humidity = 61

|year humidity = 50

|source 1 = India Meteorological Department{{cite web

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf

| title = Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| access-date = April 8, 2024

}}

{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf

| archive-date = 5 February 2020

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf

| title = Station: Cuddapah Climatological Table 1981–2010

| work = Climatological Normals 1981–2010

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| date = January 2015

| pages = 213–214

| access-date = 17 February 2020}}

{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf

| archive-date = 5 February 2020

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf

| title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| date = December 2016

| page = M7

| access-date = 17 February 2020}}

}}Kadapa has been ranked 23rd best “National Clean Air City” under (Category 2 3-10L Population cities) in India.{{Cite web |date=7 September 2024 |title=Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024 |url=https://prana.cpcb.gov.in/ncapServices/robust/fetchFilesFromDrive/Swachh_Vayu_Survekshan_2024_Result.pdf |website=Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024}}

{{Historical population

| source = {{Cite web |url=http://www.kadapamunicipalcorporation.org/images/kadapabasicinformation.pdf |title=Kadapa Municipal Corporation |access-date=16 March 2015 |archive-date=24 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224192452/http://www.kadapamunicipalcorporation.org/images/kadapabasicinformation.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{bare url inline|date=September 2022}}

| 1871 | 16307

| 1891 | 18307

| 1901 | 16432

| 1911 | 17807

| 1961 | 49027

| 1971 | 66195

| 1981 | 103125

| 1991 | 121463

| 2001 | 287093

| 2011 | 344893

| align = center

}}

{{bar box

|title=Religion in Kadapa (2011){{cite web |title=C-01 Population By Religious Community: Andhra Pradesh|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11363/download/14476/DDW28C-01%20MDDS.XLS|publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India}}

|titlebar=#fcd116

|float=left

|bars=

{{bar percent|Hinduism|darkorange|65.42}}

{{bar percent|Islam|green|31.65}}

{{bar percent|Christianity|dodgerblue|1.81}}

{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|1.12}}

}}

The population of Kadapa was first counted in 1871 during the first census of India, which was held until 1911{{Cite book|url=http://dspace.gipe.ac.in/xmlui/handle/10973/36770|title=Madras Districts Gazetteers: Cuddapah District|first=C. F.|last=Brackenbury|date=10 May 1915|publisher=Superintendent Government Printing, Madras|via=dspace.gipe.ac.in}} (pg 176). However, after no historical records are available until 1961. Kadapa is one of the largest and fastest developing cities in Andhra Pradesh. As per the 1991 census the population of the town was 1,21,463. It didn't increase much as per the 2001 census which recorded 1,26,505 lakhs for 20 wards population with an average decadal growth rate of 0.36 per cent.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}} Later it was converted to a Municipal Corporation in 2005. As per provisional data of 2011 census, Kadapa urban agglomeration has a population of 344,078, out of which males are 172,969 and females are 171,109. The literacy rate is 79.34 per cent. The religious population has 65% Hindus, 32% Muslims and 2% Christians.{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf | title = Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above |work= Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011 |access-date = 20 October 2012 }}{{cite web| url = http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_2_PR_Cities_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf | title = Cities having population 1 lakh and above |work= Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011 |access-date = 20 October 2012}}

{{Pie chart

|caption = Languages of Kadapa (2011)

|label1 = Telugu |value1 = 67.37 |color1 = steelblue

|label2 = Urdu |value2 = 31.04 |color2 = green

|label3 = Others |value3 = 1.59 |color3 = grey

}}

At the time of the 2011 census, 67.37% of the population spoke Telugu and 31.04% Urdu as their first language.{{cite web |title=Table C-16 Population By Mother Tongue (Town level): Andhra Pradesh |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10254/download/13366/DDW-C16-TOWN-STMT-MDDS-2800.XLSX |website=Census of India |publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India}}

File:Service road Kadapa.jpg

The Kadapa Municipal Corporation oversees the civic needs of the city and was constituted in the year 2005. It has 50 municipal wards represented by a corporator through direct election, who in turn elects the Mayor.{{cite web|url=http://cdma.ap.gov.in/KADAPA/Elected_Representatives.html|title=:: KADAPA MUNICIPAL CORPORATION|work=ap.gov.in|access-date=20 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140622113013/http://cdma.ap.gov.in/KADAPA/Elected_Representatives.html|archive-date=22 June 2014|url-status=dead}}

The Kadapa District Court is located in Kadapa.

The city has rich culture and heritage with the influence of different dynasties. There are different rituals, customs and traditions with the existence of different religions such as, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism and Jainism. The city is known for its historic Devuni Kadapa and Ameen Peer Dargah.

Shilparamam is a crafts village situated in the outskirts of Kadapa.{{cite web|url=http://www.ysrkadzp.appr.gov.in/hidden/-/asset_publisher/di5XrVERUf8s/content/shilparamam-kadapa|title=Y.S.R.-District Panchayat|work=appr.gov.in|access-date=5 May 2015|archive-date=29 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629223101/http://www.ysrkadzp.appr.gov.in/hidden/-/asset_publisher/di5XrVERUf8s/content/shilparamam-kadapa|url-status=dead}}

Kadapa is well known for its spicy and culinary food which is very similar to the South Indian food. Karam dosa is one of the most favourite item of kadapa citizens. People have dosa, idly, sambar and chutney in their breakfast. Rice, daal and curry is usually served as lunch. Most of the restaurants serve South Indian thali including these dishes in their lunch and dinner menu. Although it has a South Indian touch in its dishes it also has a diverse variety of its own which include Ragi Sangati or Ragi Mudda, Boti Curry, Natukodi Chicken, Paya Curry etc. Ragi sangati with chicken curry is the staple food in Kadapa and is also one of the most famous dishes in the city. Many other varieties of dishes can also be found in the local restaurants. Like many other cities of India fast food is also increasing its reach in the city.{{cite web|url=http://www.kadapaonline.in/city-guide/cuisine-of-kadapa|title=Cuisine of Kadapa|work=kadapaonline.in}}

File:EPFO,Kadapa.jpg, Kadapa]]

As of 2020, the GDP of Kadapa city was $2.038 billion.{{Cite web |title=Metroverse {{!}} Harvard Growth Lab |url=https://metroverse.cid.harvard.edu/city/8326/overview |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=metroverse.cid.harvard.edu |language=en}}

The economy of the city is largely based on agriculture crops like ground nut, cotton, red gram, Bengal gram are grown here and mining. Being a district headquarters all types of government departments are situated within the city. For most of the families the source of income is through the government jobs and private sector jobs in various departments including shops, hospitality industry, and marketing. Tourism also forms a part of the city's economy. Kadapa is one of the 49 metropolitan clusters selected by McKinsey & Company as growth hotspots in India.{{cite web|url=http://m.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/mckinsey-identifies-49-metropolitan-clusters-that-could-be-growth-hotspots/article6547995.ece|title=McKinsey identifies 49 metropolitan clusters that could be growth hotspots|date=30 October 2014}}

The primary and secondary school education is imparted by government, aided and private schools of the School Education Department of the state.{{cite web|title=School Education Department |url=http://rmsaap.nic.in/Notification_TSG_2015.pdf |publisher=School Education Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh |access-date=7 November 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227185018/http://rmsaap.nic.in/Notification_TSG_2015.pdf |archive-date=27 December 2015 }}{{cite web|title=The Department of School Education – Official AP State Government Portal {{!}} AP State Portal |url=http://www.ap.gov.in/department/organizations/school-education/ |website=www.ap.gov.in |access-date=7 November 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107155331/http://www.ap.gov.in/department/organizations/school-education/ |archive-date= 7 November 2016 }}

File:RIMS Medical college entrance.jpg

• Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Kadapa
• KSRM College of Engineering
• Yogi Vemana University
• Fathima institute of Medical Sciences

Kadapa City is well connected by road, rail and air.

File:Plvd-Kdp road.jpg

File:Kadapa Bus Station.jpg

Kadapa has good road connectivity to the other major cities like Tirupati, Bangalore, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Kakinada, Nellore, Kurnool, Anantapur. APSRTC provides bus services to various destinations of the Kadapa district and other cities across South India. The city has a total road length of 803.84 km.{{cite web|url=http://centralapp.cdma.ap.gov.in:8080/CDMAAPTaxesInfo/RoadDetails.jsp |title=DETAILS OF ROADS IN EACH ULB OF ANDHRA PRADESH |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801101300/http://centralapp.cdma.ap.gov.in:8080/CDMAAPTaxesInfo/RoadDetails.jsp |archive-date= 1 August 2016 }}

File:Long View of Station Building.jpg

File:Kadapa Airport terminal.jpeg

Kadapa has its own railway station in the city. It is one of the oldest railway stations in the state and opened around 1866. The Mumbai–Chennai line, one of the busiest lines in the south coast region, passes through Kadapa railway station. It is one of the A category railway stations in South Coast Railway zone under Guntakal railway division. A new railway line Kadapa–Bangalore section is under construction. As of August 2021, there is no direct train to Bengaluru from Kadapa, although occasional special trains and diverted trains do connect them. Kadapa is well connected by road so bus services are widely used.

Kadapa Airport was opened for air traffic on 7 June 2015. It is located at a distance of 12 km north west of the city.

• List of urban agglomerations in Andhra Pradesh
• List of municipal corporations in Andhra Pradesh

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Kadapa}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20180619003548/http://kadapa.ap.nic.in/ Official website]

{{Geographic location

|Northwest = Guntakal, Bellary

|North = Kurnool, Hyderabad

|Northeast = Guntur, Vijayawada

|West = Anantapur

|Centre = Kadapa

|East = Nellore

|Southwest = Hindupur, Bangalore

|South = Rayachoti, Chittoor

|Southeast = Rajampet, Tirupati, Chennai

}}

{{Andhra Pradesh}}

{{Municipalities of Andhra Pradesh}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in Andhra Pradesh

Category:District headquarters of Andhra Pradesh