telangana

One popular etymology derives the word "Telangana" from Trilinga desha ("land of three lingas"). The region is named after 3 prominentShaivite shrines present in it: Kaleshwaram (present day Telangana), Srisailam and Draksharama (present day Andhra Pradesh).{{cite book |author=Phillip B. Wagoner |title=Mode and meaning in the architecture of early medieval Telangana (C. 1000–1300) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y3wKAQAAMAAJ |year=1986 |publisher=University of Wisconsin-Madison |access-date=20 September 2018 |archive-date=9 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609175211/https://books.google.com/books?id=Y3wKAQAAMAAJ |url-status=live }}

According to Jayadheer Tirumala Rao, a historian, the name Telangana has Gondi origins. He asserts that it is derived from "Telangadh", which means "south" in Gondi Script and has been referred in "Gond script dating back to about 2000 years".{{cite news |last1=Akbar |first1=Syed |last2=Mungara |first2=Sunil |date= 13 December 2017 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/earliest-reference-to-telangana-found-not-in-telugu-but-gond-language/articleshow/62046296.cms|title=Earliest reference to Telangana found not in Telugu, but Gond language |work=The Times of India |access-date=13 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213235534/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/earliest-reference-to-telangana-found-not-in-telugu-but-gond-language/articleshow/62046296.cms |archive-date=13 December 2017 |url-status=live}}

One of the earliest recorded uses of a similar termis to foundin the name of Malik Maqbul Tilangani (14th century CE), who was called the Tilangani, which implies that he was from Telangana. He was the commander of the Warangal Fort (Kataka Pāludu) and later Wazir— Minister under Firuz Shah Tughlaq.{{cite journal|title=The Indian elements in the bureaucracy of the Delhi Sultanate|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/11909cf4-3ca5-35a6-943a-90603777e637|page=160|last=Latif|first=Shaikh Abdul|volume=54|year=1993|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress|format=PDF|access-date=3 September 2023|archive-date=5 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005134859/https://www.jstor.org/stable/11909cf4-3ca5-35a6-943a-90603777e637|url-status=live}}{{cite book|title=Advanced Study in the History of Medieval India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iUk5k5AN54sC&pg=PA224|pages=224–225|last=Mehta|first=Jaswant Lal|volume=3|year=1979|publisher=Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd|isbn=9788120706170|access-date=3 September 2023|archive-date=5 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005135709/https://books.google.com/books?id=iUk5k5AN54sC&pg=PA224|url-status=live}}

A 16th-century travel writer, Firishta, recorded in his book:

During the just reign of Ibrahim Kootb Shah, Tulingana, like Egypt, became the mart of the whole world. Merchants from Toorkistan, Arabia, and Persia resorted to it; and they met with such encouragement that they found in it inducements to return frequently. The greatest luxuries from foreign parts daily abounded at the king's hospitable board.{{cite book|title=The Shia of India|url=https://insideismailism.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/shia-of-india-1953-john-norman-hollister_txt.pdf|page=123|author=John Norman Holister|year=1953|access-date=10 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010135146/https://insideismailism.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/shia-of-india-1953-john-norman-hollister_txt.pdf|archive-date=10 October 2018|url-status=live}}

The word "Telinga" changed over time to "Telangana" and the name "Telangana" was designated to distinguish the predominantly Telugu-speaking region of the erstwhile Hyderabad State from its predominantly Marathi-speaking one, Marathwada. It is also called "The land of Telugu people". After Asaf Jahi's ceded the Seemandhra region to the British, the rest of the Telugu region retained the name Telangana and the other parts were called Madras Presidency's Circars and Ceded.[https://books.google.com/books?id=wWDnTWrz4O8C&pg=PA684 "India Today • An encyclopedia of life in the Republic" • Vol. 1. Arnold P. Kaminsky and Roger D. Long, editors.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108223042/https://books.google.com/books?id=wWDnTWrz4O8C&pg=PA684 |date=8 January 2016}} {{abbr|ABC|American Bibliographical Center}} ‑ CLIO.

{{Main|History of Telangana}}Throughout antiquity and the Middle Ages, the Telangana region was part of multiple Indian empires; such as the Mauryans, Satavahanas, Vishnukundinas, Chalukyas, Cholas, Rashtrakutas, Kakatiyas, Delhi Sultanate, Bahmani Sultanate and Golconda Sultanate. During the 17th-19th centuries, the region was ruled by the Mughals and Nizam of Hyderabad.{{cite web |title=Telangana State Portal Language & Culture |url=https://www.telangana.gov.in/about/language-culture |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214192358/https://www.telangana.gov.in/About/Language-Culture |archive-date=14 February 2015 |access-date=23 February 2018 |website=telangana.gov.in }}{{cite book |author=Liam D. Anderson |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BiAEvKgVOmAC&pg=PA173 |title=Federal Solutions to Ethnic Problems: Accommodating Diversity |publisher=Routledge |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-415-78161-9 |pages=173– |access-date=15 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108223042/https://books.google.com/books?id=BiAEvKgVOmAC&pg=PA173 |archive-date=8 January 2016 |url-status=live}} In 1823, the Nizams ceded Northern Circars—(Coastal Andhra) and Ceded Districts—(Rayalseema) to British India under a subsidiary alliance which reduced it to that of a landlocked princely state bounded on all sides by British India.

Following the Indian Independence in 1947 the Hyderabad state joined the Union of India in 1948 after a police action. In 1956, the Hyderabad State was dissolved and its Telugu-speaking region Telangana was merged with the Andhra State to form Andhra Pradesh. A peasant-driven movement began to advocate for separation from Andhra Pradesh starting in the early 1950s, and continued until Telangana was granted statehood on 2 June 2014.{{cite web |date=4 March 2014 |title=Notification |url=https://www.egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2014/158365.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327091502/https://www.egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2014/158365.pdf |archive-date=27 March 2014 |access-date=4 March 2014 |work=The Gazette of India |publisher=Government of India}}

The historic city Golconda in Hyderabad established itself as a diamond trading centre, and until the end of the 19th century the Golconda market was the primary source of the finest and largest diamonds in the world. Thus, the legendary name Golconda Diamonds became synonymous with Golconda itself.

{{See also|Maurya Empire}}

From 230 BCE to 220 CE, the Satavahana dynasty became the dominant power in this area. It originated from the lands between the Godavari and Krishna rivers and was based at Amaravathi and Dharanikota.{{cite book|title=The Rough Guide to India|publisher=Penguin|year=2011|at=Rise of the south section}} After the decline of the Satavahanas, various dynasties, such as the Vakataka, Vishnukundina, Chalukya, Rashtrakuta and Western Chalukya, ruled the area.{{cite news|title=A brief history of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh|publisher=DNA|author=Ratnakar Sadasyula|date=4 March 2014|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/standpoint-a-brief-history-of-telangana-and-andhra-pradesh-1966737|access-date=2 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307172449/https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/standpoint-a-brief-history-of-telangana-and-andhra-pradesh-1966737|archive-date=7 March 2014|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Kakatiya dynasty}}

File:Ramagiri Fort.jpg ruins at Begampet in Peddapalli district is an ancient fort initially built by the Sathavahanas and modified many times by other dynasties until the 16th century.]]

File:Shiva Temple Warangal.JPG, temple ruins built in the 12th century by Kakatiyas at Ghanpur, Mulug in Warangal district]]

The Telangana area experienced its golden age during the reign of the Kakatiya dynasty, which ruled most parts of the present-day Andhra Pradesh and Telangana from 1083 to 1323 CE. Rudrama Devi and Prataparudra II were prominent rulers from the Kakatiya dynasty. The dynasty weakened with the attack of Malik Kafur in 1309 and was dissolved after the defeat of Prataparudra by the forces of Muhammad bin Tughluq in 1323.A Social History of the Deccan: 1300–1761, R. M. Eaton, 2005, Cambridge University Press, pp. 15–26, {{ISBN|0-521-25484-1}}Telugu Vignana Sarvaswamu, volume 2, History, Telugu University, Hyderabad

File:Golconda Fort 013.jpg]]

The area came under the rule of the Delhi Sultanate in the 14th century, followed by the Bahmani Sultanate. Quli Qutb Mulk, a governor of Golconda, revolted against the Bahmani Sultanate and established the Qutb Shahi dynasty in 1518. On 21 September 1687, the Golconda Sultanate came under the rule of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb after a year-long siege of the Golconda fort.{{cite journal|title=The Hyderabad Karnatik, 1687–1707|publisher=Cambridge University Press|first=J. F.|last=Richards|year=1975|journal=Modern Asian Studies|pages=241–260|doi=10.1017/S0026749X00004996|volume=9|issue=2|s2cid=142989123| issn = 0026-749X }}

During the early seventeenth century a strong cotton-weaving industry existed in Telangana. Large quantities of cotton were produced for domestic and exports consumption. High quality plain and patterned cloth made of muslin and calico was produced.{{Cite book|last=Moreland|first=T.H.|title=Relation of Golconda in the Early Seventeenth Century|publisher=Halyukt Society|year=1931|pages=XVIII, XIX, XX}}

In 1712, Qamar-ud-din Khan was appointed by emperor Farrukhsiyar as the viceroy of Deccan with the title Nizam-ul-Mulk (meaning "Administrator of the Realm"). He was later recalled to Delhi, with Mubariz Khan appointed as the viceroy. In 1724, Qamar-ud-din Khan defeated Mubariz Khan to reclaim the Deccan suba, establishing it as an autonomous province of the Mughal empire. He took the name Asif Jah, starting what came to be known as the Asaf Jahi dynasty. He named the area Hyderabad Deccan. Subsequent rulers retained the title Nizam ul-Mulk and were called Asif Jahi Nizams or nizams of Hyderabad. Hyderabad Nizams remained the tributary of marathas after suffering series of defeats paying annual chauth in return for retaining their domain. The Medak and Warangal divisions of Telangana were part of their realm.{{cite web|title=Asif Jahi Dynasty (1724–1948)|url=https://mahabubnagar.tripod.com/Nizam_Dynasty.htm|publisher=mahabubnagar.tripod.com|access-date=2 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606212820/https://mahabubnagar.tripod.com/Nizam_Dynasty.htm|archive-date=6 June 2014|url-status=live}}

{{multiple image|perrow=1|total_width=200|caption_align=center

| image1 = India Palace .jpg|caption1=Telangana was the seat of numerous dynasties. The Chowmahalla Palace was home to the Nizams of Hyderabad.

| image2 = Hyderabad state from the Imperial Gazetteer of India, 1909.jpg|caption2=Hyderabad State in 1909

}}

When Asif Jah I died in 1748, there was political unrest due to contention for the throne among his sons, who were aided by opportunistic neighbouring states and colonial foreign forces. In 1769, Hyderabad city became the formal capital of the Nizams. The Nizam Nasir-ud-dawlah, Asaf Jah IV signed the subsidiary alliance with the British in 1799 and lost its control over the state's defence and foreign affairs.

All of the Telugu speaking regions of modern Telangana, Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema were all under the rule of Asaf Jahi I. However, after the second monarch, Nizam Ali Khan (1762-1803), signed the Treaty of Subsidiary Alliance with the British in 1798, the rulers were soon under financial duress as the state had to pay the British East India Company lakhs of rupees a year to maintain the foreign troops.

The Nizam’s government kept borrowing money from Palmer and Company in the first half of the 19th century, which it could not pay back. Instead, the EIC paid-off the bank, and in return took away the present day Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions away from the Nizams, which were since then referred to as Circars (which means the region sold to the British lords) and Ceded, respectively.{{Cite news |last=Lasania |first=Yunus |date=3 June 2022 |title=Why Telangana and Andhra were never meant to be merged in 1956 |url=https://www.siasat.com/why-telangana-and-andhra-were-never-meant-to-be-merged-in-1956-2340199/#google_vignette |work=The Siasat Daily |access-date=31 January 2025}}

Hyderabad State became a princely state among the presidencies and provinces of British India.

In 1787, heavy flooding killed over 20,000, causing a plague which killed about 10,656 people in Telangana.{{cite book|title=Hyderabad, 400 Glorious Years|page=116|quote=While the floods drowned 20000 people in hours, plague killed another 10,656,000 of the total population of the State.}}

When India became independent from the British Empire in 1947, the Nizam of Hyderabad did not want to merge with the Indian Union and wanted to remain independent. The Government of India annexed Hyderabad State on 17 September 1948 after a military operation called Operation Polo. It appointed a civil servant, M. K. Vellodi, as first chief minister of Hyderabad State on 26 January 1950.{{cite news|title=Post-Independence Era|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.aponline.gov.in/quick%20links/hist-cult/history_post.html|access-date=2 June 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220113947/https://www.aponline.gov.in/quick%20links/hist-cult/history_post.html|archive-date=20 December 2013}} He administered the state with the help of English-educated bureaucrats from the Madras and Bombay states, who were familiar with British systems of administration unlike the bureaucrats of Hyderabad State who used a completely different administrative system. The official language of the state was switched from Urdu to English.

In 1952, Dr. Burgula Ramakrishna Rao was elected chief minister of the Hyderabad State in its first democratic election. During this time, there were violent agitations by some Telanganites to send the Madras state bureaucrats back and implement a rule by the natives (mulkis) of Hyderabad (Syed Alam Sharjil) was elected chief minister of Hyderabad after (Dr. Burgula Ramakrishana Rao) for one year after he resigned from the post.{{cite news|title=1952: Hyderabad incidents|url=https://hindu.com/2002/09/06/stories/2002090603210900.htm|access-date=14 July 2014|date=6 September 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716212854/https://hindu.com/2002/09/06/stories/2002090603210900.htm|archive-date=16 July 2014|work=The Hindu|url-status=dead}}

{{Main|Telangana Rebellion}}

The Telangana Rebellion was a peasant revolt supported by the communists. It originated in the Telangana regions of the Hyderabad State between 1946 and 1951, led by the Communist Party of India (CPI).{{Cite journal|last=Elliot |first=Carolyn M. |title=Decline of a Patrimonial Regime: The Telangana Rebellion in India, 1946–51 |journal=Journal of Asian Studies |volume=34 |issue=1 |pages=24–47 |date=November 1974 |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/15377979/Decline-of-a-Patrimonial-Regime-The-Telengana-Rebellion-in-India-194651 |doi=10.2307/2052408 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023090101/https://www.scribd.com/doc/15377979/Decline-of-a-Patrimonial-Regime-The-Telengana-Rebellion-in-India-194651 |archive-date=23 October 2012 |jstor=2052408 |s2cid=59483193 |url-access=subscription }}

The revolt began in the Nalgonda district against the feudal lords of Reddy and Velama castes. It quickly spread to the Warangal and Bidar districts. Peasant farmers and labourers revolted against the local feudal landlords (jagirdars and deshmukhs) and later against the Nizam Osman Ali Khan. The violent phase of the movement ended after the government of India's Operation Polo.{{cite web|url= https://swaminomics.org/declassify-report-on-the-1948-hyderabad-massacre/|title= Declassify report on the 1948 Hyderabad massacre|access-date= 25 September 2013|date= 25 November 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140202234418/https://swaminomics.org/declassify-report-on-the-1948-hyderabad-massacre/|archive-date= 2 February 2014|url-status= live|df= dmy-all}} Starting in 1951, the CPI shifted to a more moderate strategy of seeking to bring communism to India within the framework of Indian democracy.{{cite web |url=https://countrystudies.us/india/114.htm |title=India • Communist Parties |publisher=Country Studies, US |access-date=3 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629134923/https://countrystudies.us/india/114.htm |archive-date=29 June 2011 |url-status=live }}

In December 1953, the States Reorganisation Commission (SRC) was appointed to form states on a linguistic basis.{{cite web |url=https://indiansaga.com/history/postindependence/reorganization.html |title=History of India |publisher=Indian Saga |access-date=3 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140604184400/https://indiansaga.com/history/postindependence/reorganization.html |archive-date=4 June 2014 |url-status=live }} An agreement was reached between Telangana leaders and Andhra leaders on 20 February 1956 to merge Telangana and Andhra with promises to safeguard Telangana's interests.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19560201&printsec=frontpage |title=SRC sub-committee said no decision on Visalandhra taken |work=The Indian Express |date=1 February 1956 |access-date=3 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117041552/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19560201&printsec=frontpage |archive-date=17 November 2015 |url-status=live }} After reorganisation in 1956, the region of Telangana was merged with Andhra State to form Andhra Pradesh.

Following this Gentlemen's agreement, the central government established the unified state of Andhra Pradesh on 1 November 1956.{{cite web |url=https://www.aponline.gov.in/quick%20links/hist-cult/history_post.html |title=Post-Independence Era |publisher=Government of Andhra Pradesh |access-date=14 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220113947/https://www.aponline.gov.in/quick%20links/hist-cult/history_post.html |archive-date=20 December 2013 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.hindu.com/2006/03/07/stories/2006030704410900.htm |title=Andhra Pradesh to be formed with safeguards to Telangana |date=7 March 2006 |access-date=3 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906172226/https://www.hindu.com/2006/03/07/stories/2006030704410900.htm |archive-date=6 September 2013 |work=The Hindu |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=https://www.hindu.com/2006/11/02/stories/2006110200140901.htm |title=Andhra Pradesh formed |date=2 November 2006 |access-date=3 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906173849/https://www.hindu.com/2006/11/02/stories/2006110200140901.htm |archive-date=6 September 2013 |newspaper=The Hindu |url-status=dead }} G.O 553 of 1959 from the united Andhra Pradesh state moved two revenue divisions of Bhadrachalam from East Godavari and Aswaraopeta from West Godavari to Khammam for administrative convenience.

{{Main|Telangana movement}}

There had been several movements to revoke the merger of Telangana and Andhra, major ones occurring in 1969, 1972, and 2009. The movement for a new state of Telangana gained momentum in the 21st century by an initiative of Kalvakuntla Chandrashekhar Rao from Bharat Rashtra Samithi later joined by the Telangana Political Joint Action Committee (TJAC), including political leadership representing the Telangana area.{{cite news |title=How Telangana movement has sparked political turf war in Andhra |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/report/how-telangana-movement-has-sparked-political-turf-war-in-andhra/20111005.htm |newspaper=Rediff |date=5 October 2011 |access-date=4 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123122405/https://www.rediff.com/news/report/how-telangana-movement-has-sparked-political-turf-war-in-andhra/20111005.htm |archive-date=23 January 2012 |url-status=live }} On 9 December 2009 the government of India announced the process of formation of the Telangana state. Violent protests led by people in the Coastal Andhra and Rayalseema regions occurred immediately after the announcement, and the decision was put on hold on 23 December 2009.

The movement continued in Hyderabad and other districts of Telangana.{{cite news|title=Pro-Telangana AP govt employees threaten agitation|url=https://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-02-10/news/31046433_1_pro-telangana-telangana-employees-separate-statehood-demand|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=10 February 2012|access-date=18 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202095651/https://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-02-10/news/31046433_1_pro-telangana-telangana-employees-separate-statehood-demand|archive-date=2 February 2014|url-status=dead}} There were hundreds of claimed suicides,{{cite web|url=https://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/02/25/telangana-protests-student-suicides-increase-in-hyderabad-durin/|title=Telangana Protests, Student Suicides Increase in Hyderabad During Budget Sessions|work=Politics Daily|access-date=16 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222152602/https://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/02/25/telangana-protests-student-suicides-increase-in-hyderabad-durin/|archive-date=22 February 2015|url-status=live}} strikes, protests and disturbances to public life demanding separate statehood.

{{See also|Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014}}

On 30 July 2013, the Congress Working Committee unanimously passed a resolution to recommend the formation of a separate Telangana state. After various stages the bill was placed in the Parliament of India in February 2014.{{cite web|title=Telangana bill passed in Lok Sabha; Congress, BJP come together in favour of new state |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/telanganathetroubledstate/parliament-adjourned-till-noon-over-telangana-issue/article1-1185194.aspx |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=18 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140218081502/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/telanganathetroubledstate/parliament-adjourned-till-noon-over-telangana-issue/article1-1185194.aspx |archive-date=18 February 2014 }} In February 2014, Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 bill was passed by the Parliament of India for the formation of Telangana state, comprising ten districts from north-western Andhra Pradesh.{{cite web|title=Telangana bill passed by upper house|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/telangana-bill-in-rajya-sabha/liveblog/30712218.cms|work=The Times of India|date=20 February 2014 |access-date=20 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220103407/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/telangana-bill-in-rajya-sabha/liveblog/30712218.cms|archive-date=20 February 2014|url-status=live}} The bill received the assent of the president and was published in the Gazette on 1 March 2014.{{cite web|title=The Andhra Pradesh reorganisation act, 2014|url=https://www.mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/APRegACT2014_0.pdf|publisher=Ministry of law and justice, government of India|access-date=3 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108223043/https://www.mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/APRegACT2014_0.pdf|archive-date=8 January 2016}}

The state of Telangana was officially formed on 2 June 2014. Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao was elected as the first chief minister of Telangana, following elections in which the Bharat Rashtra Samithi party secured a majority.{{cite news|author1=Amarnath K Menon |title=Telangana is born, KCR to take oath as its first CM |url=https://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/telangana-braces-to-celebrate-its-birthday-celebrations-kcr/1/364724.html |access-date=14 July 2014 |work=THE INDIA TODAY GROUP |date=1 June 2014 |location=Hyderabad |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111151025/https://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/telangana-braces-to-celebrate-its-birthday-celebrations-kcr/1/364724.html |archive-date=11 November 2014 }} Hyderabad would remain as the joint capital of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for a period. Within the decade, Hyderabad would become the capital of the state of Telangana, and a new capital was selected for Andhra Pradesh.[https://www.ndtv.com/article/cheat-sheet/amid-chaos-and-slogans-rajya-sabha-clears-telangana-bill-485953 Amid chaos and slogans, Rajya Sabha clears Telangana bill] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306024335/https://www.ndtv.com/article/cheat-sheet/amid-chaos-and-slogans-rajya-sabha-clears-telangana-bill-485953 |date=6 March 2014 }} – NDTV, 20 February 2014 Andhra Pradesh picked Amaravati as its capital and relocated its secretariat in 2016 and its legislature in 2017.{{cite web|title=Andhra Pradesh Secretariat starts functioning from interim government complex at Amaravati|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-andhra-pradesh-secretariat-starts-functioning-from-interim-government-complex-at-amaravati-2260970|access-date=23 June 2017|date=3 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802182034/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-andhra-pradesh-secretariat-starts-functioning-from-interim-government-complex-at-amaravati-2260970|archive-date=2 August 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu inaugurates new Andhra Pradesh Assembly|date=2 March 2017 |url=https://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/new-andhra-pradesh-assembly-chandrababu-naidu-velagapudi-guntur-district/1/895448.html|access-date=23 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619230346/https://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/new-andhra-pradesh-assembly-chandrababu-naidu-velagapudi-guntur-district/1/895448.html|archive-date=19 June 2017|url-status=live}}

{{See also|List of cities and towns in Telangana}}

File:Telangana State English Map.svg

Telangana is situated on the Deccan Plateau, in the central stretch of the eastern seaboard of the Indian Peninsula. It covers {{convert|112077|km2}}. The region is drained by two major rivers, with about 79% of the Godavari River catchment area and about 69% of the Krishna River catchment area, but most of the land is arid.{{cite web |title=Administrative and Geographical Profile |url=https://www.telangana.gov.in/About/State-Profile |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214053810/https://www.telangana.gov.in/About/State-Profile |archive-date=14 February 2015 |access-date=14 July 2014 |publisher=Telangana State Portal |format=PDF}} Telangana is also drained by several minor rivers such as the Bhima, the Maner, the Manjira, the Musi, and the Tungabhadra.

The annual rainfall is between 900 and 1500mm in northern Telangana and 700 to 900mm in southern Telangana, from the southwest monsoons. Telangana contains various soil types, some of which are red sandy loams (Chalaka), Red loamy sands (Dubba), lateritic soils, salt-affected soils, alluvial soils, shallow to medium black soils and very deep black cotton soils. These soil types allow the planting of a variety of fruits and vegetable crops such as mangoes, oranges, coconut, sugarcane, paddy, banana and flower crops.{{Cite web|url=https://www.slideshare.net/sireeshasudharani/soils-of-telangana-and-water-management|title=Soils of telangana and water management|date=16 February 2017|access-date=3 August 2019|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808031512/https://www.slideshare.net/sireeshasudharani/soils-of-telangana-and-water-management|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://telangana.pscnotes.com/telangana-geography/soil-of-telangana/|title=Soil of Telangana for Telangana PSC|date=24 October 2017|access-date=3 August 2019|archive-date=3 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803063834/https://telangana.pscnotes.com/telangana-geography/soil-of-telangana/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Characterization and Classification of Soils of Northern Telangana|url=https://www.jtropag.in/index.php/ojs/article/viewFile/102/97|publisher=Journal of Tropical Agriculture|access-date=14 July 2014|page=24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311061934/https://www.jtropag.in/index.php/ojs/article/viewFile/102/97|archive-date=11 March 2015|url-status=live}}

Telangana is a semi-arid area and has a predominantly hot and dry climate. Summers start in March, and peak in mid-April with average high temperatures in the {{convert|37-38|C|F}} range. The monsoon arrives in June and lasts until Late-September with about 755 mm (29.7 inches) of precipitation. A dry, mild winter starts in late November and lasts until early February with little humidity and average temperatures{{cite web |title=Hyderabad Weather |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/tags/weather-today |website=The Hans India |access-date=1 July 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709181828/https://www.thehansindia.com/tags/weather-today |url-status=live }} in the {{convert|22|-|23|C|F}} range.

The Central Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forests ecoregion covers much of the state, including Hyderabad. The characteristic vegetation is woodlands of Hardwickia binata and Albizia amara. Over 80% of the original forest cover has been cleared for agriculture, timber harvesting, or cattle grazing, but large blocks of forest can be found in Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve and elsewhere.Wikramanayake, Eric; Eric Dinerstein; Colby J. Loucks; et al. (2002). Terrestrial Ecoregions of the Indo-Pacific: a Conservation Assessment. Island Press; Washington, DC. pp. 324–326 The more humid Eastern Highlands moist deciduous forests cover the Eastern Ghats in the eastern part of the state.

Telangana has three National Parks: Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park in Hyderabad district, and Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park and Mrugavani National Park in Ranga Reddy district.

File:Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) near Hyderabad W IMG 4818.jpg) near Hyderabad|alt=|left]]

Wildlife sanctuaries in Telangana include Eturunagaram Wildlife Sanctuary and Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary in Warangal District, Kawal Tiger Reserve and Pranahita Wildlife Sanctuary in Adilabad district, Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary in Khammam district, Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary in Medak district, Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Nalgonda and Mahbubnagar districts, Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary in Medak and Nizamabad districts, Shivaram Wildlife Sanctuary in Karimnagar district.

Sacred groves are small areas of forest preserved by local people. Sacred groves provide sanctuary to the local flora and fauna. Some are included within other protected areas, like Kadalivanam in Nagarjunsagar–Srisailam Tiger Reserve, but most stand alone. There are 65 sacred groves in Telangana—two in Adilabad district, thirteen in Hyderabad district, four in Karimnagar district, four in Khammam district, nine in Mahbubnagar district, four in Medak district, nine in Nalgonda district, ten in Ranga Reddy district, and three in Warangal district.{{cite web|author1=Kailash C. Malhotra |author2=Yogesh Gokhale |author3=Sudipto Chatterjee |author4=Sanjeev Srivastava |year=2001 |title=Cultural and Ecological Dimensions of Sacred Groves in India |publisher=Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi, and Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal. |url=https://himalayanconnections.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/Malhotra_2001_CultureEcologySacredGrovesIndia_IAS.pdf |access-date=20 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808033418/https://himalayanconnections.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/Malhotra_2001_CultureEcologySacredGrovesIndia_IAS.pdf |archive-date=8 August 2014 }}

{{See also|List of cities and towns in Telangana|Demographics of Telangana|List of districts of Telangana}}

[[File:Language Map of Telangana (2011 Census).svg|left|200px|thumb|Languages spoken by district

Telugu

{{legend|#d6edb5|30–40%}}

{{legend|#c7e699|40–50%}}

{{legend|#9dd350|60–70%}}

{{legend|#82bc2f|70-80%}}

{{legend|#71a329|80-90%}}

{{legend|#628e24|90–100%}}

]]

{{See also|Telugu language}}

{{Pie chart

|caption=Languages of Telangana (2011){{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue |url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-2800.XLSX |work=Census of India 2011 |publisher=Office of the Registrar General |access-date=30 May 2021 |archive-date=10 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410101126/https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-2800.XLSX |url-status=live }} (Excludes mandals transferred to Andhra Pradesh, but includes census towns not transferred with mandals - Bhadrachalam and Sarapaka). It was assumed area of Burgampahad mandal transferred to Andhra Pradesh had same proportion of languages as rural areas of the mandal as a whole.

|label1 = Telugu |value1 = 75.51 |color1 = steelblue

|label2 = Urdu |value2 = 12.32 |color2 = green

|label3 = Lambadi |value3 = 5.55 |color3 = peachpuff

|label4 = Marathi |value4 = 1.77 |color4 = red

|label5 = Hindi |value5 = 1.52 |color5 = orange

|label6 = Others |value6 = 3.33 |color6 = grey

}}

Telugu, one of the classical languages of India, is the official language of Telangana and Urdu is the second official language of the state.{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/urdu-is-telanganas-second-official-language-4940595/|title=Urdu is Telangana's second official language|date=16 November 2017|work=The Indian Express|access-date=27 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227094158/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/urdu-is-telanganas-second-official-language-4940595/|archive-date=27 February 2018|url-status=live}} About 75% of the population of Telangana speak Telugu and 12% speak Urdu.{{cite web |url=https://pibarchive.nic.in/archieve/others/2011/jan/d2011010502.pdf |title=Region-wise distribution of religious groups 2001 |at=Table 7.3 in page 393 of SKC report |access-date=3 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908201053/https://pibarchive.nic.in/archieve/others/2011/jan/d2011010502.pdf |archive-date=8 September 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|title=Urdu in Andhra Pradesh|url=https://www.languageinindia.com/april2003/urduinap.html|publisher=Language in India|access-date=22 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713110121/https://www.languageinindia.com/april2003/urduinap.html|archive-date=13 July 2015|url-status=live}} Before 1948, Urdu was the official language of Hyderabad State, and due to a lack of Telugu-language educational institutions, Urdu was the language of the educated elite of Telangana.{{cite web|title=Census of India 1921, Hyderabad state, Part II|url=https://dspace.gipe.ac.in/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10973/18941/GIPE-015142.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y|publisher=Hyderabad state Census|access-date=3 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004034654/https://dspace.gipe.ac.in/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10973/18941/GIPE-015142.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y|archive-date=4 October 2017|url-status=live}} After 1948, once Hyderabad State joined the new Republic of India, Telugu became the language of government, and as Telugu was introduced as the medium of instruction in schools and colleges, the use of Urdu among non-Hyderabadi Muslims decreased.{{cite web |url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_Data_Online/Language/Statement3.htm |title=Census of India – Distributions of 10,000 persons by language |publisher=censusindia.gov.in |access-date=14 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011050151/https://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_Data_Online/Language/Statement3.htm |archive-date=11 October 2012 |url-status=live }} Both Telugu and Urdu are used in services across the state, such as the Telangana Legislature website, with Telugu and Urdu versions of the website available,{{cite news |last=PTI |date=7 March 2017 |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Telangana/2017-03-06/Telangana-Legislature-website-to-be-available-in-Telgu-Urdu/285077 |title=Telangana Legislature website to be available in Telgu, Urdu |newspaper=The Hans India |access-date=27 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228041236/https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Telangana/2017-03-06/Telangana-Legislature-website-to-be-available-in-Telgu-Urdu/285077 |archive-date=28 February 2018 |url-status=live}} as well as the Hyderabad metro, wherein both languages are used on station names and signs along with English and Hindi.{{Cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/no-language-wars-here-hyderabad-metro-to-use-4-languages-1458925.html|title=No Language Wars Here, Hyderabad Metro to Use 4 Languages|work=News18|access-date=27 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227153459/https://www.news18.com/news/india/no-language-wars-here-hyderabad-metro-to-use-4-languages-1458925.html|archive-date=27 February 2018|url-status=live}} The Urdu spoken in Telangana is called Hyderabadi Urdu, which in itself is a dialect of the larger Dakhini Urdu dialects of South India. Although the language is spoken by most Hyderabadi Muslims, the language in a literary context has long been lost, and standard Urdu is used.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O_WNqSH4ByQC|title=Mediaeval Deccan History: Commemoration Volume in Honour of Purshottam Mahadeo Joshi|last=Kulakarṇī|first=A. Rā|date=1 January 1996|publisher=Popular Prakashan|isbn=9788171545797|language=en}} Hindi is spoken mainly in Hyderabad, as well as some other urban areas like Warangal. Lambadi, a language related to Rajasthani dialects, is used across the state. Marathi is predominant in regions bordering Maharashtra, especially in the old Adilabad district, while Kannada is spoken by significant minorities along some parts of the Karnataka border. The old Adilabad district has a large number of speakers of tribal languages such as Gondi and Kolami, while Koya is a language spoken by significant numbers in Bhadradi Kothagudem district and along the Chhattisgarh border.{{cite web|title=Language – India, States and Union Territories|url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/C-16_25062018_NEW.pdf|work=Census of India 2011|publisher=Office of the Registrar General|pages=13–14|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114073412/https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/C-16_25062018_NEW.pdf|archive-date=14 November 2018|access-date=29 September 2018}}

Telangana ranked eighth in the Fiscal Health Index (FHI) 2025, with a score of 43.6.{{Cite news |last=Gupta |first=Cherry |date=28 January 2025 |title=India’s top 10 best-performing states in the Fiscal Health Index 2025 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/top-10-listing/indias-top-10-best-performing-states-in-the-fiscal-health-index-2025-9801341/ |work=The Indian Express |access-date=20 February 2025}}

{{pie chart

|caption = Religion in Telangana (2011)

|label1 = Hinduism |value1 = 85.09 |color1 = orange

|label2 = Islam |value2 = 12.69 |color2 = green

|label3 = Christianity |value3 = 1.27 |color3 = dodgerblue

|label4 = Buddhism |value4 = 0.09 |color4 = blue

|label5 = Sikhism |value5 = 0.09 |color5 = white

|label6 = Jainism |value6 = 0.08 |color6 = brown

|label7 = Other |value7 = 0.01 |color7 = chartreuse

|label8 = Not stated |color8 = black |value8 = 0.68

}}

According to the 2011 census, Hindus form 85.1% of the state's population. Muslims form 12.7% and Christians form 1.3%.{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=Population by Religion - Andhra Pradesh |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11363/download/14476/DDW28C-01%20MDDS.XLS |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India |access-date=13 May 2023 |archive-date=28 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528173240/https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11363/download/14476/DDW28C-01%20MDDS.XLS |url-status=live }}

Religious edifices like the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, Makkah Masjid in Hyderabad, the ancient Bhadrakali Temple and Govinda Rajula Gutta in Warangal, Alampur Jogulamba Temple in Jogulamba Gadwal district and Medak Cathedral, Kondagattu Anjaneya Swamy Temple, Kothakonda Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, Lord Shiva temple in Vemulawada of Rajanna-Sircilla district are several of its most famous places of worship. Buddhism also flourished in the region and many Aramams can be found.

Hyderabadi cuisine and Kakatiya architecture both from Telangana, are on the list of creativity UNESCO creative city of gastronomy and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The cultural centers of Telangana, Hyderabad and Warangal, are noted for their wealth and renowned historical structures – Ramappa Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Charminar, Qutb Shahi Tombs, Falaknuma Palace, Chowmahalla Palace, Warangal Fort, Kakatiya Kala Thoranam, Thousand Pillar Temple and the Bhongir Fort.

File:Yadadri Temple on the hilltop.jpg|left]]

According to the 2011 census, Telangana's literacy rate is 66.46%. Male literacy and female literacy are 74.95% and 57.92%, respectively. Hyderabad district has the highest literacy rate with 80.96% and Mahabubnagar district has the lowest with 56.06%.{{cite web|title=Literacy of Rural – Urban (Andhra Pradesh)|url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2-vol2/data_files/AP/Chapter_VI.pdf|publisher=Government of India|access-date=9 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130226113601/https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2-vol2/data_files/AP/Chapter_VI.pdf|archive-date=26 February 2013|url-status=live}}

In a 2019 report, the Key Indicators of Household Social Consumption on Education in India, by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Telangana has a literacy rate of 72.8% which is the fourth lowest among large states. It also has the second lowest literacy rate among rural women at 53.7%. 37.1% of the population aged 3–35 years received free education at pre-primary and higher levels in Telangana.{{cite news |title=Telangana literacy rate fourth-lowest among big states |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2019/nov/25/telangana-literacy-rate-fourth-lowest-among-big-states-2066624.html |access-date=6 September 2020 |work=The New Indian Express |date=25 November 2019|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218181119/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2019/nov/25/telangana-literacy-rate-fourth-lowest-among-big-states-2066624.html |archive-date=18 February 2021 }}

{{Main|List of districts of Telangana|List of revenue divisions in Telangana|List of mandals in Telangana}}

File:Map of Telangana at the time of formation on June 02 2014.svg

The state is divided into 33 districts. The latest two new districts, Mulugu and Narayanpet, were formed on 17 February 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Telangana/2019-02-16/Telangana-to-have-33-districts-from-tomorrow/496123|title=Telangana to have 33 districts from tomorrow|date=16 February 2019|website=The Hans India|access-date=17 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217142318/https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Telangana/2019-02-16/Telangana-to-have-33-districts-from-tomorrow/496123|archive-date=17 February 2019|url-status=live}} The districts are divided into 70 revenue divisions which are further divided into 584 mandals.{{cite web|title=TSDR-Portal|url=https://newdistrictsformation.telangana.gov.in/FirstPage.do|website=newdistrictsformation.telangana.gov.in|access-date=22 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825165347/https://newdistrictsformation.telangana.gov.in/FirstPage.do|archive-date=25 August 2016|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last1=Kurmanath|first1=K V|title=Telangana govt to create 21 new districts in Oct|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/telangana-issues-draft-notification-on-new-districts/article9018000.ece|access-date=22 August 2016|date=22 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823172719/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/telangana-issues-draft-notification-on-new-districts/article9018000.ece|archive-date=23 August 2016|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Telangana State Statistical Abstract 2021 |url=https://www.tsdps.telangana.gov.in/Statistical_Abstract_2021.pdf |access-date=2 May 2023 |publisher=Government of Telangana |archive-date=24 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524012042/https://tsdps.telangana.gov.in/Statistical_Abstract_2021.pdf |url-status=live }} There are a total of 10,909 revenue villages in the state. Each district is administered by a District Collector, each revenue division is headed by a Revenue Divisional Officer, and each mandal is managed by a Mandal Revenue Officer.

The districts in the state are:

There are a total of 12 cities in the state. Hyderabad is the biggest city in the state and 4th largest city in India. There are 13 municipal corporations and 132 municipalities in the state for urban governance. Each local body has its own elected councils and members and executive staffs for governance and administration.

There are 12,769 gram panchayats in the state for rural governance.

{{Main|Government of Telangana|Politics of Telangana}}

{{See also|List of chief ministers of Telangana}}

File:Hyd Legistative Assembly.jpg building]]

Telangana is governed by a parliamentary system of representative democracy, a feature the state shares with other Indian states. Universal suffrage is granted to residents. There are three branches of government.

1. Executive authority is vested in the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, although the titular head of government is the Governor. The governor is the head of state appointed by the President of India. The leader of the party or coalition with a majority in the Legislative Assembly is appointed as the chief minister by the governor, and the Council of Ministers are appointed by the governor on the advice of the chief minister. The Council of Ministers reports to the Legislative Assembly.
2. The legislature, the Telangana Legislative Assembly and the Telangana Legislative Council, consists of elected members and special office bearers such as the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, that are elected by the members. Assembly meetings are presided over by the speaker or the deputy speaker in the speaker's absence. The Assembly is bicameral with 119 Members of the Legislative Assembly and 40 Member of the Legislative Council. Terms of office run for five years unless the Assembly is dissolved prior to the completion of the term. The Legislative Council is a permanent body with one-third of members retiring every two years.
3. The judiciary is composed of the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad and a system of lower courts.

Auxiliary authorities known as panchayats, for which local body elections are regularly held, govern local affairs. The state contributes seats to Lok Sabha.

The main political parties in the regional politics are the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, Bharatiya Janata Party and Indian National Congress. Following the Telangana Legislative Assembly Election in 2023, the Indian National Congress under Anumula Revanth Reddy was elected to power.

{{Main|Economy of Telangana}}

{{See also|List of districts in Telangana by GDP}}

File:Coal Handling Ropeway near Pamulapalli.jpg, Bhadradri Kothagudem district]]

The economy of Telangana is mainly driven by agriculture. Two important rivers of

India, the Godavari and Krishna, flow through the state,

providing irrigation. Farmers in Telangana mainly depend on rain-fed water sources for irrigation. Rice is the major food crop. Other important crops are cotton, sugar cane, mango, and tobacco. Recently, crops used for vegetable oil production such as sunflower and peanuts have gained favour. There are many multi-state irrigation projects in development, including Godavari River Basin Irrigation Projects and Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, the world's highest masonry dam.{{cite web|url=https://agri.ap.nic.in|title=Agriculture dept. of Telangana|access-date=21 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709142554/https://agri.ap.nic.in/|archive-date=9 July 2011|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.apind.gov.in/indussectors.html|title=Key Sectors of Telangana|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221073936/https://apind.gov.in/indussectors.html|archive-date=21 February 2009}}

The state has also started to focus on the fields of information technology and biotechnology. Telangana is one of top IT-exporting states of India. There are 68 Special Economic Zones in the state.{{cite web|title=TG Special Economic Zones |url=https://sezindia.nic.in/HTMLS/578FormalapprovalsgrantedunderSEZAct19thJune,09.pdf |publisher=sezindia |access-date=3 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007035200/https://www.sezindia.nic.in/HTMLS/578FormalapprovalsgrantedunderSEZAct19thJune%2C09.pdf |archive-date= 7 October 2009 }}

Telangana is a mineral-rich state, with coal reserves at Singareni Collieries Company.{{cite web|title=The Singareni Collieries Company Limited|url=https://scclmines.com/scclnew/index.asp|publisher=scclmines|access-date=3 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625044937/https://scclmines.com/scclnew/index.asp|archive-date=25 June 2014|url-status=live}}

File:Warangal IMG 4286.JPGs in Warangal district]]

Rice is the major food crop and staple food of the state. Other important crops are maize, tobacco, mango, cotton and sugar cane.{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/telangana-will-show-its-might-in-cotton-maize/article4982372.ece|title=Telangana will show its might in cotton, maize|author=K. V. Kurmanath|work=Business Line|access-date=16 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140622051901/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/telangana-will-show-its-might-in-cotton-maize/article4982372.ece|archive-date=22 June 2014|url-status=live}} Agriculture has been the chief source of income for the state's economy. The Godavari and Krishna rivers flow through the state, providing irrigation. Apart from major rivers, there are small rivers like Tunga Bhadra, Bima, Dindi, Kinnerasani, Manjeera, Manair, Penganga, Pranahitha, peddavagu and Taliperu. There are many multi-state irrigation projects in development, including Godavari River Basin Irrigation Projects and Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, the world's highest masonry dam.{{cite web|url=https://guntur.nic.in/nagarjuna_sagar.html|title=WELCOME TO GUNTUR DISTRICT OFFICIAL WEBSITE|work=guntur.nic.in|access-date=16 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150324163602/https://guntur.nic.in/nagarjuna_sagar.html|archive-date=24 March 2015|url-status=live}}

Agri Export Zones for the following produce have been proposed for the following locations:{{Cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=186993|title=Agri Export Zones|website=pib.gov.in|access-date=1 September 2019|archive-date=1 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901151642/https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx%3Frelid%3D186993|url-status=live}}{{citation needed|date=June 2018}}

• Gherkins: Mahabubnagar, Rangareddy, Medak, Karimnagar, Warangal
• Mangoes and grapes: Hyderabad, Rangareddy, Medak, Mahabubnagar

In 2019, environmental anthropologist Andrew Flachs raised concerns regarding the financial and social pressures experienced by small cotton farmers in Telangana after conducting ethnographic research in the area. The GM (genetically modified) seeds he focused on were introduced to combat pests and low yields. Within 10 years, GM cottonseeds, which are solely bred by private breeders, were able to capture more than 90% of the Indian market, which was formerly a public market. The privatisation of seed brands in formerly public markets has been accompanied by pesticides, fertilisers, consultations, and herbicides which are needed to manage the new monocultures. He found that this introduction, however, negatively impacted farmers’ ecological knowledge about seed choices and cotton-plant management.Flachs, A., 2019. Planting and performing: Anxiety, aspiration, and "scripts" in Telangana cotton farming. American Anthropologist, 121(1), pp.48-61.

Flachs surveyed farming households about their experiences with GM hybrid cottonseeds from 2012 to 2016. His research initially focused on the agricultural decision-making process among Telangana cotton farmers in the wake of genetically modified seed market expansion, then later on the concept of manci digubadi as a script. Manci digubadi means "good yields," with a more extended phrasing being "manci digubadi annakunthunnanu," which translates to "I’m hoping for good yields." The concept of manci digubadi, as described by Flachs, posits that seed choice should be made based on whether or not it has "good yields,"  which is dependent solely on what the individual believes is "good." Flachs further argues that this script is used in the absence of reliable experiential knowledge in the face of agricultural development and GMOs. This is because, in the pursuit of a good yield, cotton farmers learn little about the seeds they use before they switch to the next promising new brands, some of which have been smuggled in or bought on the black market. Marketing, the constant influx of new options, and the fear of missing out on popular seeds also contribute to the high turnover. This high turnover and the resulting lack of experiential knowledge have resulted in cotton farmers unwittingly planting the same type of seed multiple times because they are under different brand names. In contrast to this, farmers adopt and abandon seeds from public-sector-bred crops like rice and heirloom vegetables more slowly so they can rely more on experiential knowledge to make decisions.

Telangana cotton farmers are at risk for debt and suicide caused by agricultural pressures such as unreliable credit, pest problems, and agricultural management uncertainty. Flachs argues that seed choices and the rationalisation behind the choice are central to the agricultural political economy, as seed choice is "the first decision that cotton farmers make and one that they cannot take back." Flachs argues that cotton seed choices are driven less by economic rationalism and more by an aspiration to overcome generational poverty and historical marginalisation. Flachs found evidence in his work suggesting that many farmers' seed choices are influenced by the choices of their neighbours or more wealthy landowners. As an example of manci digubadi being used in place of experiential knowledge, Flachs gives the story of a farmer who had planted the Mahyco company's Neeraja cottonseed for nine years abandoned that seed in favour of Kaveri's Jaadoo seed after hearing reports that the Jaadoo seeds had done well in a neighbouring village. Farmers also seek advice from non-household experts such as pesticide shop managers and university extension agents. There is no objective cost-benefit analysis because the costs and benefits are ambiguous due to things variations of factors like weather and pests and farmers having no reliable measure for what constitutes a good yield for cotton.

{{See also|Software industry in Telangana}}

File:MindSpace campus in Hyderabad, India.jpg is a major IT hub of Hyderabad.]]

File:JP Morgan Tower, Hyderabad, India.jpg

Several major manufacturing and services industries are in operation mainly around Hyderabad. Automobiles and auto components, spices, mines and minerals, textiles and apparels, pharmaceutical, horticulture, and poultry farming are the main industries in Telangana.{{cite news|last=Shankar|first=B V Shiva|date=6 June 2014|title=Telangana government plans big IT push to rebuild brand Hyderabad|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-news/Telangana-government-plans-big-IT-push-to-rebuild-brand-Hyderabad/articleshow/36121006.cms|url-status=live|access-date=1 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214102758/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-news/Telangana-government-plans-big-IT-push-to-rebuild-brand-Hyderabad/articleshow/36121006.cms|archive-date=14 February 2015}}

In terms of services, Hyderabad is nicknamed "Cyberabad" due to the location of major software industries in the city.{{cite book|title=Worlding cities: Asian experiments and the art of being global|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|page=253|year=2011|isbn=978-1-4051-9277-4|last1=Roy|first1=Ananya|last2=Aihwa|first2=Ong}}{{cite news|last=Chand|first=Swati Bharadwaj|date=13 October 2011|title=An Amazon shot for city|newspaper=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/An-Amazon-shot-for-city/articleshow/10335301.cms?referral=PM|url-status=live|access-date=13 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226140847/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/An-Amazon-shot-for-city/articleshow/10335301.cms?referral=PM|archive-date=26 February 2015}} Prior to secession, it contributed 10% to India's and 98% to Andhra Pradesh's exports in the IT and ITES sectors in 2013{{cite news|title=Special governance for Hyderabad needed for growth|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Special-governance-for-Hyderabad-needed-for-growth/articleshow/20753414.cms?referral=PM|newspaper=The Times of India|date=25 June 2013|access-date=25 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910200409/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Special-governance-for-Hyderabad-needed-for-growth/articleshow/20753414.cms?referral=PM|archive-date=10 September 2015|url-status=live}} With Hyderabad in the front line of Telangana's goal to promote information technology in India, the city boasts the HITEC City as its premier hub. IT companies/hubs have also been set up in Warangal,{{Cite web|last=Sharma|first=E Kumar|date=8 January 2020|title=Telangana pushes for investment in Tier II cities; Tech Mahindra, Cyient open centres in Warangal|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/corporate/story/telangana-pushes-for-investment-in-tier-ii-cities-tech-mahindra-cyient-open-centres-in-warangal-241817-2020-01-08|access-date=30 June 2021|website=Business Today|language=en|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709181926/https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/corporate/story/telangana-pushes-for-investment-in-tier-ii-cities-tech-mahindra-cyient-open-centres-in-warangal-241817-2020-01-08|url-status=live}} Karimnagar, and Khammam.{{Cite news|date=7 December 2020|title=IT product companies to set up base in Khammam|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/it-product-companies-to-set-up-base-in-khammam/article33272247.ece|access-date=30 June 2021|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182114/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/it-product-companies-to-set-up-base-in-khammam/article33272247.ece|url-status=live}}

The state government is in the process of developing industrial parks at different places, for specific groups of industries. The existing parks are Software Park at Hyderabad, HITEC City for software units, Apparel Park at Gundlapochampalli, Export Promotion Park at Pashamylaram, Biotechnology park at Turkapally.{{citation needed|date=November 2014}}

Hyderabad is also a major site for healthcare-related industries including hospitals and pharmaceutical organisations such as Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Yashoda Hospitals, LV Prasad Eye Care, Akruti Institute of cosmetic and plastic surgery, Fever Hospital, Durgabai Deshmukh, Continental Hospitals and Apollo Hospitals. Many pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical-related companies like Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Shantha Biotechnics and Aragen (Formerly GVK BIO) are based out of Hyderabad.

In addition, Hyderabad-based healthcare non-profits include the Indian Heart Association, a cardiovascular disease NGO.{{cite web|title=Indian Heart Association|url=https://www.indianheartassociation.org|publisher=Indian Heart Association Webpage|access-date=27 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518120648/https://indianheartassociation.org/|archive-date=18 May 2015|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Tourism in Telangana}}

Telangana Tourism Development Corporation (TGTDC) is a state government agency which promotes tourism in Telangana.{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Huge-challenges-ahead-for-new-Telangana-tourism-corporation/articleshow/34847749.cms |title=Huge challenges ahead for new Telangana tourism corporation |work=The Times of India |date=9 May 2014 |access-date=4 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512212438/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Huge-challenges-ahead-for-new-Telangana-tourism-corporation/articleshow/34847749.cms |archive-date=12 May 2014 |url-status=live }} Telangana has a variety of tourist attractions including historical places, monuments, forts, waterfalls, forests and temples.

File:Kuntala-waterfalls1.jpg in Adilabad district]]

• Kuntala Waterfall ({{convert|45|m|ft}}) is located in Kuntala, Adilabad district.
• Bogatha Waterfall is located in Koyaveerapuram G, Wazeedu Mandal, Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, Telangana.{{cite news|last1=Reddy|first1=AuthorP Laxma|date=6 July 2019|title=Telangana's Niagara, the Bogatha waterfall offers feast to eyes|work=Telangana Today|url=https://telanganatoday.com/telanganas-niagara-the-bogatha-waterfall-offers-feast-to-eyes|url-status=live|access-date=25 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116031449/https://telanganatoday.com/telanganas-niagara-the-bogatha-waterfall-offers-feast-to-eyes|archive-date=16 January 2021}}{{cite news|date=28 July 2019|title=Telangana starts one-day tours to Bogatha waterfalls|work=The New Indian Express|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2019/jul/28/telangana-starts-one-day-tours-to-bogatha-waterfalls-2010580.html|url-status=live|access-date=25 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831061408/https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2019/jul/28/telangana-starts-one-day-tours-to-bogatha-waterfalls-2010580.html|archive-date=31 August 2020}}
• Savatula Gundam Waterfalls in Adilabad district

The print media mainly consists of Telugu and English newspapers. Nava Telangana, Sakshi, Andhra Jyothi, Eenadu and Namaste Telangana are all Telugu newspapers. Mainly in English newspapers are Deccan Chronicle, The Times of India, The Hindu, Telangana Today and The Hans India.{{cite web |title=Ministry of Information & broadcasting - Publications on DAVP Panel as on 05 March 2021 |url=https://www.davp.nic.in/Upload/(S(cyeh5555jplw0355y44lfe45))/advtg_report.aspx |website=davp.nic.in |access-date=5 March 2021 |archive-date=2 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302111256/http://www.davp.nic.in/upload/(S(0hr24j45unirzi553rv1nz45))/advtg_report.aspx |url-status=live }} Notable Urdu newspapers include Etemaad Daily, The Munsif Daily, and The Siasat Daily.

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{{Main|List of power stations in Telangana}}

File:TSRTC's JnNURM Metro Express bus in Khammam.jpg (TGSRTC) bus]]

The state is well connected with other states by means of road, rail and airways. The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) is the major public transport corporation that connects all the cities and villages.{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/it-will-be-tgsrtc-from-june-2/article6014676.ece | title=It will be TGSRTC from June 2 | work=The Hindu | date=16 May 2014 | access-date=2 June 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606235217/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/it-will-be-tgsrtc-from-june-2/article6014676.ece | archive-date=6 June 2014 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }} Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (M.G.B.S) in Hyderabad is the central bus-station of the state.{{cite web|url=https://www.apsrtc.gov.in/Contact%20Us/Grievances/Citi-Chart.htm |title=citi-Charter |publisher=apsrtc.gov.in |access-date=19 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917143549/https://apsrtc.gov.in/Contact%20Us/Grievances/Citi-Chart.htm |archive-date=17 September 2010 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.aponline.gov.in/Quick%20links/apfactfile/naturaladvantages.html#Airways|title=Andhra Pradesh • Natural Advantages|publisher=Government of Andhra Pradesh|access-date=3 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403042513/https://www.aponline.gov.in/Quick%20links/apfactfile/naturaladvantages.html#Airways|archive-date=3 April 2009|url-status=dead}} Jubilee Bus Station in Secunderabad serves inter city bus services.

File:GNT - KCG Double Decker SF (26360228363).jpg of South Central Railway zone]]

The state has a total of 16 national highways and accounts for a total length of {{convert|3550.69|km|mi|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|title=National Highways in Telangana State|url=https://www.roadbuild.telangana.gov.in/files/451.pdf|website=Roads and Buildings Department – Government of Telangana|access-date=27 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328231109/https://www.roadbuild.telangana.gov.in/files/451.pdf|archive-date=28 March 2018|url-status=live}}

{{See also|South Central Railway zone|Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway}}

The history of railways in this region dates back to the time of Nizam of Hyderabad in 1874. The Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway, which had its beginnings in a line built privately by the HEH the Nizam. Much to the dismay of the British authorities, The Nizam bore all the expenses for the construction of the line.{{cite web|title=History|url=https://www.scr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,283|publisher=South Central railway|access-date=11 June 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108223043/https://www.scr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0%2C1%2C283|archive-date=8 January 2016}}

It operates under the auspices of the South Central Railway founded in 1966. The landmark building Rail Nilayam in Secunderabad is the Zonal Headquarters office of South Central Railway. Secunderabad and Hyderabad are the main divisions of the South Central Railway that fall in the state.{{cite web|title=History|url=https://www.scr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,283|publisher=South Central Railway|access-date=2 June 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108223043/https://www.scr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0%2C1%2C283|archive-date=8 January 2016}}

{{See also|List of airports in Telangana}}

File:Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.jpg]]

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad is an international airport serving the city of Hyderabad. It is the largest airport in the state and one of the busiest airports in the country. The government has plans to upgrade Warangal Airport, Nizamabad Airport{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/more-land-required-for-airport-at-jakranpally/article4788933.ece|title=More land required for airport at Jakranpally|work=The Hindu|access-date=29 July 2014|date=7 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130713013047/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/more-land-required-for-airport-at-jakranpally/article4788933.ece|archive-date=13 July 2013|url-status=live}} and Ramagundam Airport - it also plans to construct airports in Ramagundam and Kothagudem using the UDAN scheme.{{cite web|title=About Andhra Pradesh |url=https://www.hyderabadisearch.com/AboutAndhrapradesh.aspx |publisher=Hyderabadi search |access-date=2 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607011018/https://www.hyderabadisearch.com/AboutAndhrapradesh.aspx |archive-date=7 June 2014 }}

Warangal has a domestic airport in Mamunooru which was established in the year 1930 during the Nizam period. All the exports and imports of Azam Jahi Mills, Warangal were done through the Warangal Airport.{{citation needed|date=August 2014}}

{{Main|Culture of Telangana}}

File:Sammakka gadde at sammakka saarakka jatara.jpg is a famous Hindu festival in Telangana.]]

The state has a rich tradition in classical music, painting and folk arts such as Burra Katha, shadow puppet show, and Perini Shivatandavam,Gusadi Dance, Kolatam and Bathukamma.

The important festivals of the state are Bonalu and Bathukamma.

{{Main|Architecture of Telangana}}Badami Chalukya architecture is spread across the state, notable temple is Alampur Jogulamba Temple.

Chalukyas of Vemulavada built many temples in Vemulawada, Bheemeshvara temple, Raja Rajeswara Temple, Vemulawada.

File:Warangal fort.jpg within the Warangal Fort]]

Medieval forts such as the Bhongir Fort, Khammam Fort, and Rachakonda Fort are spread across the state. Among the notable ones is the Warangal Fort, which served as the capital of the Kakatiya dynasty.{{Cite web|title=The Glorious Kakatiya Temples and Gateways|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5889/|access-date=30 June 2021|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en|archive-date=3 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403212228/https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5889/|url-status=live}} The Kakatiya Kala Thoranam within the fort has become a symbol of Telangana, and features on the state emblem.{{Cite web|title=Telangana State Emblem Looks Simple Yet Profound|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2014/may/31/telangana-state-emblem-looks-simple-yet-profound-619441.html|access-date=30 June 2021|website=The New Indian Express|date=31 May 2014 |archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709181506/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2014/may/31/Telangana-State-Emblem-Looks-Simple-Yet-Profound-619441.html|url-status=live}} Ramappa Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fort complex, and Thousand Pillar Temple are on the tentative list of the UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Samsthanams built temples in Dravidian architecture, Kollapur, and Jataprole Samsthanams, Gadwal Samsthanam built temples in Dravidian architecture.

The Qutb Shahi dynasty established the city of Hyderabad as their capital. The Charminar, Golconda Fort, and Qutb Shahi tombs in Hyderabad were built by the Qutb Shahi dynasty.{{Cite web|title=The Qutb Shahi Monuments of Hyderabad Golconda Fort, Qutb Shahi Tombs, Charminar|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5573/|access-date=30 June 2021|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en|archive-date=1 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201205635/https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5573/|url-status=live}}

The Nizam era saw the construction of palaces such as the Chowmahalla Palace and Falaknuma Palace, as well as elaborate public buildings such as the Osmania General Hospital, all in Hyderabad.

File:Bhadrachalam temple View from Lord Narasimha Temple in 2015 (cropped).JPG]]

There are religious worship centres of different religions in the state.

Hindu worship destinations include Bhadrachalam Temple, Gnana Saraswati Temple, Yadagirigutta Temple, Ramappa Temple, Vemulawada Raja Rajeshwara temple, Kondagattu Anjaneya Swamy Temple the Thousand Pillar Temple, Statue of Equality (Ramanuja).

The Muslim worship destinations such as Makkah Masjid near Charminar, Khairtabad Mosque, Mian Mishk Masjid, Toli Masjid and Spanish Mosque.

Christian worship centres include the Diocese of Dornakal of the Church of South India, Bahe Church of South India, and Medak Cathedral. There are also some Buddhist destinations, such as Nelakondapalli, Dhulikatta, Phanigiri and Kolanpaka.{{cite web|url=https://www.templenet.com/encandh1.html|title=The Templenet Encyclopedia – Temples of Andhra Pradesh|access-date=26 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509081809/https://www.templenet.com/encandh1.html|archive-date=9 May 2008|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Telugu cinema}}

Telugu cinema, also known by its sobriquet as Tollywood, is a part of Indian cinema producing films in the Telugu language, and is centred in the Hyderabad, Telangana neighbourhood of Film Nagar.{{cite news | url=https://www.hindu.com/2007/12/26/stories/2007122650520200.htm | location=Chennai, India | title=Year of success for tinsel town | date=26 December 2007 | access-date=27 December 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020073001/https://www.hindu.com/2007/12/26/stories/2007122650520200.htm | archive-date=20 October 2013 | url-status=dead | work=The Hindu | df=dmy-all }} In the early 1990s, the Telugu film industry had largely shifted from Chennai to Hyderabad. The Telugu film industry is the second-largest film industry in India next to Bollywood.{{Cite web|last=Shafeeq|first=Mohammed|title=Telugu films with Rs 2,000 cr production value stuck due to lockdown|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/telugu-films-with-rs-2000-cr-production-value-stuck-due-to-lockdown/1818162|access-date=25 June 2020|website=Outlook|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126054807/https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/telugu-films-with-rs-2000-cr-production-value-stuck-due-to-lockdown/1818162|archive-date=26 January 2021}} In the years 2005, 2006 and 2008 the Telugu film industry produced the largest number of films in India, exceeding the number of films produced in Bollywood.{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/-Tollywood-loses-to-Bollywood-on-numbers-/articleshow/6661950.cms?referral=PM |title=Tollywood loses to Bollywood on numbers |work=The Times of India |date=2 October 2010 |access-date=31 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713203509/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/-Tollywood-loses-to-Bollywood-on-numbers-/articleshow/6661950.cms?referral=PM |archive-date=13 July 2015 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-economy/telugu-film-industry-enters-new-era/article1674075.ece |title=Telugu film industry enters new era |work=Business Line |date=6 November 2007 |access-date=31 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203163423/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-economy/telugu-film-industry-enters-new-era/article1674075.ece |archive-date=3 February 2014 |url-status=live }} The industry holds the Guinness World Record for the largest film production facility in the world.{{cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records-1/largest-film-studio |title=Largest film studio |publisher=Guinnessworldrecords.com |access-date=31 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140119000128/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records-1/largest-film-studio |archive-date=19 January 2014 }}

{{Main|Telugu cuisine|Hyderabadi cuisine|Telangana cuisine}}Telangana cuisine is a unique and delicious cuisine that is influenced by the region's rich history of deccan and Telugu culture.{{Cite news |title=A taste of Telangana cuisine |url=https://telanganatoday.com/a-taste-of-telangana-cuisine |work=Telangana Today |date=6 June 2022 |access-date=14 July 2023 |archive-date=14 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714101821/https://telanganatoday.com/a-taste-of-telangana-cuisine |url-status=live }} The cuisine is known for its use of spices,{{cite news |title=New Telangana state will mean a Telangana cuisine as well (Foodie Trail) |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/new-telangana-state-will-mean-a-telangana-cuisine-as-well-foodie-trail-114030900142_1.html |access-date=6 August 2023 |work=Business Standard |agency=IANS |date=9 March 2014 |archive-date=14 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714102432/https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/new-telangana-state-will-mean-a-telangana-cuisine-as-well-foodie-trail-114030900142_1.html |url-status=live }} millets,{{Cite journal |last=Puskuri |first=Janaki Srinath |date=April 2021 |title=Understanding the Food culture and Native foods of Telangana State -a step towards healthy dietary diversity |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350687549 |journal=ResearchGate |access-date=14 July 2023 |archive-date=9 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609175223/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350687549_Title_Understanding_the_Food_culture_and_Native_foods_of_Telangana_State_-a_step_towards_healthy_dietary_diversity |url-status=live }} and rotis. Telangana cuisine also features a variety of other dishes, including biryani, haleem, and kebabs.{{Cite news |title=Essence of Telangana cuisine: Keeping it simple and rustic |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2021/aug/28/essence-of-telangana-cuisine-keeping-it-simple-andrustic-2350776.html |access-date=14 July 2023 |work=The New Indian Express |date=28 August 2021 |archive-date=14 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714101821/https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2021/aug/28/essence-of-telangana-cuisine-keeping-it-simple-andrustic-2350776.html |url-status=live }}

Indigenous art forms of Telangana include the Cheriyal scroll painting,{{Cite web|last=Das|first=Arti|title=Moving from scrolls to key chains, an art form from Telangana fights to stay relevant|url=https://scroll.in/magazine/869992/moving-from-scrolls-to-key-chains-an-art-form-from-telangana-fights-to-stay-relevant|access-date=30 June 2021|website=Scroll.in|date=19 May 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709181336/https://scroll.in/magazine/869992/moving-from-scrolls-to-key-chains-an-art-form-from-telangana-fights-to-stay-relevant|url-status=live}} Nirmal paintings, and Karimnagar Silver Filigree.{{Cite news|last=K.m.dayashankar|date=5 June 2015|title=Silver filigree art cries for promotion|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/silver-filigree-art-cries-for-promotion/article7284734.ece|access-date=30 June 2021|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709181449/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/silver-filigree-art-cries-for-promotion/article7284734.ece|url-status=live}} A distinctive Persianate style of painting, called Deccan painting developed in the region during the medieval period.{{Cite web|last=Sardar|first=Marika|title=Islamic Art of the Deccan|url=https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/decc/hd_decc.htm|access-date=30 June 2021|website=Metropolitan Museum of Art|archive-date=18 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618014716/https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/decc/hd_decc.htm|url-status=live}}

Notable museums in the state include the Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad, which is one of the largest in India.{{Cite news|last=IANS|date=20 January 2019|title=Salar Jung museum: How one man's art collection became a national treasure|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/salar-jung-museum-how-one-man-s-art-collection-became-a-national-treasure-119012000161_1.html|access-date=30 June 2021|archive-date=16 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116000108/https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/salar-jung-museum-how-one-man-s-art-collection-became-a-national-treasure-119012000161_1.html|url-status=live}} Other museums include the Telangana State Archeology Museum, City Museum, and Nizam Museum in Hyderabad, Warangal Museum in Warangal, and Alampur Museum in Alampur.

{{Main|Education in Telangana}}

Telangana has multiple institutes of higher education universities along with numerous primary and secondary schools. The Department of Higher Education deals with matters relating to education at various levels in the state of Telangana.

File:Nitw main gate.JPG|left]]

According to a 2019 report, the state has a literacy rate of 72.8%, which is one of the lowest in India. Schools in Telangana are run by the state government or private organisations, which include religious institutions. Some specialised schools such as the Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas are run by agencies of the central government.{{Cite web|last=parasa|first=Rajeswari|date=11 March 2019|title=Centre sanctions 50 Kendriya Vidyalayas, but Telangana gets none|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/110319/centre-sanctions-50-kendriya-vidyalayas-but-telangana-gets-none.html|access-date=2 July 2021|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en|archive-date=10 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710012503/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/110319/centre-sanctions-50-kendriya-vidyalayas-but-telangana-gets-none.html|url-status=live}} {{As of|2017}}, there are 41,337 schools in the state, with about 70% of them being government schools.{{Cite web|last=Jeyaranjan|first=J.|title=Aspects of Education in Telangana|url=https://www.telangana.gov.in/PDFDocuments/Telangana-Social-Development-Report-2017-Part3.pdf|access-date=2 July 2021|archive-date=21 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421073016/https://telangana.gov.in/PDFDocuments/Telangana-Social-Development-Report-2017-Part3.pdf|url-status=live}}

Telangana is home to 27 universities, which include three central universities, 17 state universities, two deemed universities, and five private universities. The Osmania University in Hyderabad, established in 1918, is the oldest modern university in the state, and one of the largest university systems in the world. The University of Hyderabad consistently ranks among the top universities in the country.{{Cite web|last=Today|first=Telangana|title=UoH retains high position in QS Global Ranking 2022|url=https://telanganatoday.com/uoh-retains-high-position-in-qs-global-ranking-2022|access-date=29 June 2021|website=Telangana Today|date=8 June 2021|language=en-US|archive-date=29 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629095230/https://telanganatoday.com/uoh-retains-high-position-in-qs-global-ranking-2022|url-status=live}} Apart from these, specialised Institutes of National Importance in the state include AIIMS Bibinagar, IIT Hyderabad, and NIT Warangal.{{Cite news|last=Reddy|first=R. Ravikanth|date=14 June 2020|title=IIT-H, NIT-W set new benchmarks in rankings|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/iit-h-nit-w-set-new-benchmarks-in-rankings/article31828368.ece|access-date=29 June 2021|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=28 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328172007/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/iit-h-nit-w-set-new-benchmarks-in-rankings/article31828368.ece|url-status=live}}

Other notable institutions include Indian School of Business, ICFAI Business School Hyderabad, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, Kakatiya University, International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad, NALSAR University of Law, Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences, National Institute of Fashion Technology Hyderabad, Footwear Design and Development Institute, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad, and Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies, Basar, among others.{{cite web|url=https://www.rgukt.in/home-aboutrgukt.html |title=Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies |publisher=Rgukt.in |access-date=8 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007142943/https://www.rgukt.in/home-aboutrgukt.html |archive-date=7 October 2011 }}

{{See also|Sports in Hyderabad#Sports and Stadiums}}

File:RGIS HYD.jpg]]

The Hyderabad FC is a professional football club based in Hyderabad and plays in top-tier league of India, the Indian Super League. The home ground of the club is G.M.C Balayogi Athletic Stadium, in Gachibowli.{{cite news |title=Hyderabad FC replace struggling FC Pune City as new ISL franchise |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/top-stories/hyderabad-fc-replace-struggling-fc-pune-city-as-new-isl-franchise/articleshow/70862303.cms |access-date=1 July 2020 |work=The Times of India |date=27 August 2020|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025002110/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/top-stories/hyderabad-fc-replace-struggling-fc-pune-city-as-new-isl-franchise/articleshow/70862303.cms |archive-date=25 October 2019 }}

The Hyderabad cricket team is represented in the Ranji Trophy and has won twice. The Sunrisers Hyderabad, an Indian Premier League franchise, is based in Hyderabad and has won the trophy once. Deccan Chargers, a currently defunct franchise from Hyderabad, also won the Indian Premier League once. The Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium is the home ground of both Hyderabad cricket team and Sunrisers Hyderabad. It hosts international as well as domestic matches.

The Hyderabad Hunters, a Premier Badminton League franchise; the Telugu Titans, a Pro Kabaddi League franchise; the Hyderabad Sky, a UBA Pro Basketball League franchise and the Telugu Tigers, a Premier Futsal franchise are also based in Hyderabad. Hyderabad Hunters have won the Premier Badminton League title.

Other stadiums include G. M. C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium, Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium and Gachibowli Indoor Stadium.

{{main|List of people from Telangana}}

• Bekkara
• Hyderabad State
• Hyderabad State (1948–1956)
• List of people from Telangana
• Telangana Language Day
• List of cities and towns in Telangana

{{Clear}}

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{refbegin|30em}}

• {{Country study |country=India |abbr=in |date=September 1995 |section=Regionalism |pd=no}} ([https://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+in0075 Direct link] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807223526/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+in0075 |date=7 August 2020 }}.)
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• {{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9Fb26pWqhScC |title=Nizam – British Relations 1724–1857 |author=Sarojini Regani |year=1986 |isbn=978-8170221951 |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |location=New Delhi |access-date=11 December 2013 |archive-date=28 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328172030/https://books.google.com/books?id=9Fb26pWqhScC |url-status=live }}
• {{Cite journal |jstor=2753831 |title=Subregionalism in India: The Case of Telangana |journal=Pacific Affairs |volume=43 |number=1 |date=Spring 1970 |pages=5–21 |publisher=University of British Columbia |author=Duncan B. Forrester |doi=10.2307/2753831}}
• {{Cite journal |jstor=2052461 |title=The Hyderabad Political System and its Participants |author=Karen Leonard |journal=The Journal of Asian Studies |volume=30 |number=3 |date=May 1971 |pages=569–582 |publisher=Association for Asian Studies |doi=10.2307/2052461 |url=https://escholarship.org/uc/item/454191gp |access-date=5 July 2019 |archive-date=25 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125040952/https://escholarship.org/uc/item/454191gp |url-status=live }}
• {{cite web|title=ReInventing Telangana – First Steps- Socio Economic Outlook 2105|url=https://www.telanganalegislature.org.in/documents/10656/19317/Socio+economic+Survey+Telangana+2015.pdf/f19fc6a4-bf8a-4432-ab8f-64b20f1d772d|publisher=Planning Department, Govt of Telangana|access-date=24 September 2015|archive-date=3 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003101639/http://www.telanganalegislature.org.in/documents/10656/19317/Socio+economic+Survey+Telangana+2015.pdf/f19fc6a4-bf8a-4432-ab8f-64b20f1d772d|url-status=dead}}
• {{cite web |last1=Narayan |first1=B. K. |title=Agricultural Development in Hyderabad State, 1900–1956: A Study in Economic History |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Av89AAAAYAAJ |publisher=Keshav Prakashan |access-date=5 July 2019 |year=1960 }}

{{Refend}}

{{Commons category}}

{{Sister project links|s=India States Reorganisation Commission Report Telangana Andhra|voy=Telangana}}

Government

• [https://www.telangana.gov.in/ Official site of Telangana government]

General information

• {{GovPubs|Telangana}}
• {{Britannica|586290|Telangana}}
• {{Wikiatlas|Telangana}}
• {{osmrelation-inline|3250963}}

{{Geographic location

|Centre = Telangana

|North = Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh

|Northeast = Chhattisgarh

|East = Andhra Pradesh

|Southeast = Andhra Pradesh

|South = Andhra Pradesh

|Southwest = Karnataka

|West = Karnataka

|Northwest = Maharashtra

}}

{{Telangana}}

{{State Agencies of Telangana}}

{{States and territories of India}}

{{Portal bar|Geography|Asia|India}}

{{Authority control}}

.

Category:States and territories established in 2014

Category:2014 establishments in India

Category:States and union territories of India