Historical Chronicles of Andhra

1. Satavahanas & Ikshvakus (Ancient — 3rd Century CE)

The history of Andhra Pradesh begins with the **Satavahana Dynasty** (also known as the Andhras in Puranic texts), who dominated the Deccan from the 2nd century BCE to the 3rd century CE. They established their capital at Dharanikota (Amaravati) and Kotilingala. The Satavahanas patronized both Vedic rituals and Buddhism, sponsoring the construction of the Great Amaravati Stupa and developing maritime trade docks at Ghantasala. They were succeeded by the **Ikshvakus** of Vijayapuri, who ruled from the Krishna River valley (Nagarjunakonda). Under their queens' patronage, Nagarjunakonda became a major international center for Buddhist learning, hosting monks from Sri Lanka and China.

2. Eastern Chalukyas & Kakatiyas (624 CE — 1323 CE)

In 624 CE, Chalukya King Pulakeshin II appointed his brother Kubja Vishnuvardhana as governor of Vengi, establishing the independent **Eastern Chalukyas**. The Vengi court became a major center for Telugu culture, culminating in the 11th century under King Rajaraja Narendra, whose court poet Nannayya translated the Mahabharata into Telugu. By the 12th century, power shifted to the **Kakatiya Dynasty** of Warangal. The Kakatiyas unified the Telugu-speaking lands under rulers like Ganapatideva and his daughter Queen Rudrama Devi. They constructed complex irrigation systems (like Cumbum Lake) and established the fortress capital of Warangal before falling to Delhi Sultanate invasions in 1323 CE.

3. The Vijayanagara Empire (1336 CE — 1646 CE)

Following the fall of Warangal, local commanders consolidated territories, leading to the rise of the **Vijayanagara Empire** in 1336 CE. Under the Tuluva dynasty, specifically Emperor Krishnadevaraya (reigned 1509-1529 CE), the empire reached its cultural and military zenith. Krishnadevaraya, a scholar himself, composed the Telugu epic *Amuktamalyada* and hosted the *Ashtadiggajas* (eight poet-scholars) at his court. The empire developed the distinctive Vijayanagara architectural style, characterized by monolithic pillars and complex temple complexes (Lepakshi, Tadipatri, and the palaces of Chandragiri).

4. British Raj & The Andhra Movement (1766 CE — 1956 CE)

In 1766, the East India Company obtained the Northern Circars from the Nizam of Hyderabad, integrating coastal Andhra into the Madras Presidency. The region saw early peasant revolts and educational reforms led by Kandukuri Veeresalingam. In the 20th century, the demand for a separate state for Telugu speakers grew into the **Andhra Movement** (*Andhra Udyamam*). Following the hunger strike and demise of activist Potti Sreeramulu in 1952, the Indian government created the Andhra State in 1953 with Kurnool as its capital. In 1956, under the States Reorganisation Act, the Telugu-speaking areas of Hyderabad State were merged to form Andhra Pradesh.

5. 385-Row Year-by-Year Timeline (1000 CE — 1384 CE)