Kurnool

The original name of Kurnool is found in historical records as Kandanavōlu or Kandanōlu.{{citation |first=K. |last=Iswara Dutt |chapter=Kamma commanders of the Vijayangara armies |title=Journal of the Andhra Historical Society |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.55404/page/n9 |year=1937 |publisher=Andhra Historical Research Society |pages=222–224}} It used to be a crossing on the Tungabhadra River, where the bullock cart caravans are believed to have greased their wheels ("kandana" being a reference to grease).{{cite web|title=Heritage in Kurnool|url=http://www.aptdc.gov.in/heritage-in-kurnool.html|publisher=AP Tourism Department|access-date=10 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713231824/http://www.aptdc.gov.in/heritage-in-kurnool.html|archive-date=13 July 2014|url-status=dead}} The city is often referred to as "The Gateway of Rayalaseema".{{cite book|last1=Sarkar|first1=Siddhartha|title=International Journal of Economic and Political Integration: Vol.1, No.1|date=2011|publisher=Universal-Publishers |isbn=978-1-61233-544-5|page=15|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gcSN4vUx5LQC&q=Gateway+to+Rayalaseema.&pg=PA15|access-date=18 July 2015}}

The Ketavaram{{cite web |url=http://www.aparchaeologymuseum.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Kurnool.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-06-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217085054/http://www.aparchaeologymuseum.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Kurnool.pdf |archive-date=17 December 2013}} rock paintings from the Palaeolithic era and are 18 kilometres from Kurnool. Also the Jurreru Valley, Katavani Kunta{{cite journal|last=Petraglia|first=Michael|title=New rock art discoveries in the Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh, India|journal=Antiquity|volume=84|issue=324|pages=335–350|url=https://www.academia.edu/483477|publisher=academia.edu|access-date=28 May 2014}} and Yaganti in Kurnool District have some important rock art and paintings in the vicinity that may be dated from 35,000 to 40,000 years ago.

Ashoka's rock edicts were inscribed in the 3rd century BCE. The inscription is in Prakrit language and Brahmi script. Both the major and minor edits are found at Erragudi (also called the Yerragudi or Jonnagiri site). These are among the oldest discovered inscriptions in India. The site is close to the Andhra-Karnataka border, in Kurnool district. It is an ASI protected site under Indian law.

File:Jonnagiri Erragudi Yerragudi Asoka Inscription site, Andhra Pradesh India - 2.jpg

Belum Caves are geologically and historically important caves in the district. There are indications that Jain and Buddhist monks were occupying these caves centuries ago. Many Buddhists relics were found inside the caves. These relics are now housed in the Museum at Ananthapur. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) found remnants of vessels and other artifacts of the pre-Buddhist era and has dated the remnants of vessels found in the caves to 4500 BC.[http://www.showcaves.com/english/in/showcaves/Belum.html] Show Caves of India: Belum Caves

Little was known about Kurnool town before the 11th century. The earliest knowledge of this settlement dates from the 11th century. It has developed as a transit place on the southern banks of the river Tungabhadra.

Ruled by the Cholas in the 12th century and later taken over by the Kakatiya dynasty in the 13th century, Kurnool developed into a transit point on the southern banks of the Tungabhadra River. It eventually fell under the rule of a jaghirdar before becoming a part of the Vijayanagar dynasty. King Achyuta Raya, successor of Sri Krishnadeva Raya constructed the Kurnool Fort during the 16th century.

The Abyssinian, Abdul Wahab Khan, defeated King Gopal Raja of the Vijayanagar Kingdom in the 17th century and went on to rule the land for 16 years until his death.

In 1686, Kurnool fell under the influence of the Mughals who were ruled by Emperor Aurangzeb. Later on in Kurnool's history, it was ruled by the Nawabs until the British Government took over in 1839.{{cite web|url=http://www.worldstatesmen.org/India_princes_K-W.html|title=Indian Princely States K-Z|first=Ben|last=Cahoon}}

{{Main|Kurnool State}}

Ghulam Rasul Khan Bahadur (died on 12 July 1840) was the last Nawab of Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/wahab-khan-tomb-in-kurnool-to-get-a-facelift/article4872731.ece|title=Wahab Khan tomb in Kurnool to get a facelift|newspaper=The Hindu|date=2 July 2013|via=www.thehindu.com}} He ruled from 1823 to 1839 until the kingdom was defeated by the East India Company.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/25435/lot/160/|title=Bonhams : A silver seal made for Ghulam Rasul Khan Bahadur, Nawab of Kurnool (reg. 1823-39) South Deccan, dated AH 1239/AD 1823-24|website=www.bonhams.com}} On 12 October 1839, a war broke out between the British Indian Army and the kingdom and continued for six days until the king was detained on 18 October. He was subsequently sent to Tiruchirappalli Central Prison where he died on 12 July 1840.{{Cite web|url=http://heritagetimes.in/nawab-of-kurnool/|title=Nawab of Kurnool Ghulam Rasool Khan A Great Freedom Fighter of India who fought against the British Empire.|first=Syed Naseer|last=Ahamed|date=28 November 2017}}

Kurnool was the capital of erstwhile Andhra State between 1 October 1953 and 31 October 1956.{{Cite web|title=Andhra Pradesh - History|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Andhra-Pradesh|access-date=2020-04-17|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ap.gov.in/?page_id=228|title=First Capital of AP|access-date=17 April 2020|archive-date=15 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615190824/https://www.ap.gov.in/?page_id=228|url-status=dead}} The state was later merged with the Telugu-speaking districts of Hyderabad State to form Andhra Pradesh with Hyderabad as the state's capital on 1 November 1956.{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19560221&printsec=frontpage|title=The Indian Express – Google News Archive Search|work=google.com}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/capital-loss-madras-kurnool-now-hyderabad/article6095031.ece|title=Capital loss: Madras, Kurnool, now Hyderabad|last=Somasekhar|first=Ch RS Sarma / M|website=The Hindu Business Line|access-date=11 April 2016}} Currently Kurnool is in the divided Andhra Pradesh state.

Kurnool is located at {{Coord|15.8333|N|78.05|E|}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/02/Kurnool.html|title=Maps, Weather, and Airports for Kurnool, India|work=fallingrain.com}} It has an average elevation of 273 metres (898 feet). Kurnool lies on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. The Hundri and Neeva rivers also flow through the city. The K.C.Canal (Kurnool–Cuddapah) was built by the Dutch for transportation, but later used for irrigation.

File:21 - Front View of Kondareddy Buruju.JPG

Landmarks in and around the city include Konda Reddy Fort Formerly called Kondareddy Burj is the historical monument and major tourist attraction of Kurnool located at the northeast part of the city.{{cite news|title=Gopal Darwaza stands as a witness to history|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/gopal-darwaza-stands-as-a-witness-to-history/article5937777.ece|access-date=28 February 2016|work=The Hindu|date=22 April 2014|location=Kurnool}} Orvakal rock Garderns is the sculpture garden with an ancient cave lying on the southeast of the city.{{cite news|last1=Kurmanath|first1=K.V|title=A rocky, solid gift from nature|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-economy/article1737560.ece|access-date=28 February 2016|work=The Hindu Business Line|date=22 June 2006|location=Orvakal (Kurnool district)}} [https://www.nativeplanet.com/kurnool/attractions/jagannatha-gattu-temple/ Jagannatha Gattu] Temple is a popular tourist site of Kurnool. It is famous for its Lord Shiva Temple and is located in B. Thandrapadu, in Kurnool. The history behind the Linga makes it a popular destination.

Kurnool has a tropical savanna type of climate bordering on hot semi arid climate (Köppen BSh) with temperatures ranging from {{convert|26|C|1}} to {{convert|46|C|1}} in the summer and {{convert|12|C|1}} to {{convert|31|C|1}} in the winter. The average annual rainfall is about {{convert|840|mm|in|0}}.Kurnool city gets good share of rains from pre-monsoon to monsoon seasons. City locations is influenced by the orography effect of Nallamala hills on east. August is the rainiest month and February is the driest month. The highest amount of rainfall recorded in 24 hours is 386mm in the month of June 1989 and marking the rainiest month of all time with 527mm.

{{Weather box|width = auto

| location = Kurnool (1991–2020, extremes 1901–2020)

| metric first = Yes

| single line = Yes

| Jan record high C = 37.3

| Feb record high C = 39.9

| Mar record high C = 43.3

| Apr record high C = 45.6

| May record high C = 45.9

| Jun record high C = 45.6

| Jul record high C = 39.9

| Aug record high C = 39.3

| Sep record high C = 38.7

| Oct record high C = 38.4

| Nov record high C = 38.8

| Dec record high C = 35.5

| year record high C = 45.9

| Jan high C = 32.4

| Feb high C = 34.9

| Mar high C = 38.0

| Apr high C = 40.8

| May high C = 39.6

| Jun high C = 35.6

| Jul high C = 33.7

| Aug high C = 32.8

| Sep high C = 32.8

| Oct high C = 32.8

| Nov high C = 31.5

| Dec high C = 30.5

| year high C = 34.7

|Jan mean C = 25.0

|Feb mean C = 27.7

|Mar mean C = 31.2

|Apr mean C = 34.0

|May mean C = 33.6

|Jun mean C = 30.6

|Jul mean C = 28.9

|Aug mean C = 28.2

|Sep mean C = 28.2

|Oct mean C = 27.8

|Nov mean C = 26.1

|Dec mean C = 24.3

| Jan low C = 17.2

| Feb low C = 19.8

| Mar low C = 24.0

| Apr low C = 27.2

| May low C = 26.9

| Jun low C = 25.6

| Jul low C = 24.5

| Aug low C = 24.0

| Sep low C = 23.9

| Oct low C = 22.9

| Nov low C = 20.0

| Dec low C = 17.9

| year low C = 22.9

| Jan record low C = 8.3

| Feb record low C = 11.1

| Mar record low C = 12.8

| Apr record low C = 15.5

| May record low C = 19.4

| Jun record low C = 17.6

| Jul record low C = 19.2

| Aug record low C = 19.9

| Sep record low C = 17.0

| Oct record low C = 13.0

| Nov record low C = 9.3

| Dec record low C = 6.7

| year record low C = 6.7

| rain colour = green

| Jan rain mm = 4.7

| Feb rain mm = 2.5

| Mar rain mm = 9.8

| Apr rain mm = 31.2

| May rain mm = 60.0

| Jun rain mm = 99.6

| Jul rain mm = 131.9

| Aug rain mm = 162.4

| Sep rain mm = 161.0

| Oct rain mm = 140.7

| Nov rain mm = 41.1

| Dec rain mm = 3.9

| year rain mm = 847.8

| Jan rain days = 0.3

| Feb rain days = 0.2

| Mar rain days = 0.7

| Apr rain days = 1.5

| May rain days = 2.6

| Jun rain days = 5.4

| Jul rain days = 8.0

| Aug rain days = 8.8

| Sep rain days = 7.7

| Oct rain days = 5.1

| Nov rain days = 1.6

| Dec rain days = 0.3

| year rain days = 42.2

|time day = 17:30 IST

| Jan humidity = 34

| Feb humidity = 26

| Mar humidity = 23

| Apr humidity = 25

| May humidity = 28

| Jun humidity = 44

| Jul humidity = 55

| Aug humidity = 57

| Sep humidity = 58

| Oct humidity = 55

| Nov humidity = 50

| Dec humidity = 43

|year humidity = 42

|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: Kurnool Climatological Table 1981–2010

| work = Climatological Normals 1981–2010

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| date = January 2015

| pages = 443–444

| access-date = 18 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 = M12

| access-date = 18 February 2020}}

|source 2 = Tokyo Climate Center (mean temperatures 1991–2020)

{{cite web

| url = https://ds.data.jma.go.jp/gmd/tcc/tcc/products/climate/normal/parts/NrmMonth_e.php?stn=43213

| title = Normals Data: Kurnool – India Latitude: 15.80°N Longitude: 78.07°E Height: 280 (m)

| publisher = Japan Meteorological Agency

| access-date = 1 December 2022}}

|date=May 2015}}Kurnool has been ranked 21st 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}}

As per final data of the 2011 census, the Kurnool City had a population of 425,214, making it the fifth largest city in the state of Andhra Pradesh.{{Cite web|url=https://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/419-kurnool.html|title=Kurnool City Population Census 2011-2019 | Andhra Pradesh|website=www.census2011.co.in}} The literacy rate of Kurnool was 77.37 per cent at the time of the 2011 census.

{{bar box

|title=Literacy in Kurnool

|titlebare=#ddd

|float=right

|bars=

{{bar percent|All|lightgrey|77.37}}

{{bar percent|Male|lightblue|83.01}}

{{bar percent|Female|pink|71.24}}

}}

{{bar box

|title=Religions in Kurnool city (2011)

|titlebar=#Fcd116

|left1=Religion

|right1=Percent

|float=left

|bars=

{{bar percent|Hinduism|darkorange|67.20}}

{{bar percent|Islam|green|29.20}}

{{bar percent|Christianity|dodgerblue|2.50}}

{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|1.10}}

|caption=Distribution of religions

}}

As per final data of 2011 census, Hindus formed the majority in the Kurnool urban agglomeration. Other religious groups found in Kurnool are Muslims, Christians, and Jains.{{Cite web|title=Table C-01 Population by Religion: Andhra Pradesh|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW28C-01%20MDDS.XLS|date=2011|website=Census of India |publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India}}

{{Pie chart

|caption = Languages of Kurnool City (2011)

|label1 = Telugu |value1 = 67.91 |color1 = steelblue

|label2 = Urdu |value2 = 28.17 |color2 = green

|label3 = Hindi |value3 = 1.02 |color3 = orange

|label4 = Others |value4 = 2.90 |color4 = grey

}}

Telugu (67.91%) is the official and most spoken language. Urdu (28.17%) and Hindi (1.02%) are also spoken.{{Cite web |title=Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Andhra Pradesh (Town level)|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}}

Kurnool serves as the district headquarters of its Kurnool district.{{cite web|title=District Census Handbook : Kurnool|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/2821_PART_B_DCHB_KURNOOL.pdf|access-date=21 August 2015|website=Census of India|page=50}}{{Cite news|author=Staff Reporter|date=2020-01-20|title=Andhra Pradesh Cabinet clears decentralised capital across Amaravati, Visakhapatnam and Kurnool|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/andhra-pradesh-cabinet-clears-decentralised-capital-across-amaravati-visakhapatnam-and-kurnool/article30605273.ece|access-date=2020-04-17|issn=0971-751X}} The city is administered by Kurnool Municipal Corporation. State level Government institutions located in the city include:

• Andhra Pradesh Lokayukta
• Andhra Pradesh State Human Rights Commission
• Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission
• Andhra Pradesh State Wakf Tribunal, Kurnool
• CBI Court, Kurnool
• Government Regional Press, Kurnool

• Gargeyapuram

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/20160319051231/http://rmsaap.nic.in/Notification_TSG_2015.pdf |archive-date=19 March 2016 }}{{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 }}

Notable institutions located in the city include:

• Dr. Abdul Haq Urdu University
• G Pulla Reddy College of Engineering & Technology
• Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing, Kurnool
• Kurnool Medical College
• Osmania College, Kurnool
• Rayalaseema University
• Silver Jubilee Government Degree College

National Highway 44 (India) which runs from Srinagar to Kanyakumari and also highway of Bangalore to Hyderabad. passes through Kurnool.

National highway 340C [ Kurnool-Dornala ] which connects to Srisailam, Vinukonda, Guntur, Vijayawada.

National Highway 40, [ Rayalaseema Expressway ] which runs from Kurnool to Chittoor, are the major highways passing through the city.

Surat–Chennai Expressway which is under construction also passes through the city outskirts.

The city also has an Outer Ring Road which is under construction connecting from Gargeyapuram National Highway 340C (India) and connects National Highway 40 (India), National Highway 44 (India), under construction Surat–Chennai Expressway and Kurnool - Bellari State Highway.

The city has a total road length of 519.22 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}} State owned bus transport system, APSRTC, operates buses from Kurnool bus station to other parts of the state.{{cite web|title=Bus Stations in Districts |url=http://www.apsrtc.gov.in/Bus%20Stations.aspx |website=Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation |access-date=8 March 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322233330/http://apsrtc.gov.in/Bus%20Stations.aspx |archive-date=22 March 2016 }}{{cite news|last1=Krishnamoorthy|first1=Suresh|title=Several bus stations lack CCTV surveillance|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/several-bus-stations-lack-cctv-surveillance/article7126950.ece|access-date=8 March 2016|work=The Hindu|date=22 April 2015|location=Hyderabad}}

File:Kurnool Railway station board.jpg

Kurnool City railway station lies on the Bengaluru – Hyderabad railway line. It is classified as an A–category station in the Hyderabad railway division of South Central Railway zone. Another railway station name Kotla lies in the middle of the city.

Kurnool Airport, officially known as Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy Airport, is located at Orvakal and is situated on the National Highway 40, about {{Convert|18|km|abbr=on}} from Kurnool and {{Convert|54|km|abbr=on}} from Nandyal. Commercial operations of the greenfield airport were started in March 2021.

The GDP of Kurnool City is $3.266 Billion.{{Cite web |title=Metroverse {{!}} Harvard Growth Lab |url=https://metroverse.cid.harvard.edu/city/8065/overview |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=metroverse.cid.harvard.edu |language=en}}

Kurnool is endowed with good mineral resources. The important minerals are iron ore, dolomite, limestone, ochre, quartz and silica.{{Cite web |url=http://dcmsme.gov.in/dips/Kurnool%20dip%20%20amended%20march.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=30 October 2015 |archive-date=19 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219003656/http://dcmsme.gov.in/dips/Kurnool%20dip%20%20amended%20march.pdf |url-status=dead }}

• Abdul Hafeez Khan, Former MLA Kurnool, YSRCP
• K. E. Krishnamurthy, former Deputy Chief Minister, Andhra Pradesh
• Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar - Founder of Justice party, Diwan of Mysore and the First President of UNESCO
• Kotla Jayasurya Prakasha Reddy, former member of parliament and Union minister, Railways
• Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy, former Chief Minister, United Andhra Pradesh
• Damodaram Sanjivayya, former Chief Minister, United Andhra Pradesh
• Machani Somappa, industrialist and recipient of Padma sri honour
• T. G. Venkatesh, Indian businessman and politician

• List of cities in Andhra Pradesh by population
• List of Urban Agglomerations in Andhra Pradesh
• List of municipal corporations in Andhra Pradesh

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Kurnool}}

• {{wikivoyage inline|Kurnool}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20150728174241/http://www.aponline.gov.in/quick%20links/apfactfile/info%20on%20districts/kurnool.html Kurnool district Mandal Information]

{{Andhra Pradesh}}

{{Kurnool district}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in Andhra Pradesh

Category:Former capital cities in India

Category:District headquarters of Andhra Pradesh