Nalgonda

Nalgonda::

Nalgonda/Nallagonda(from Nalla-Konda) (Telugu: నల్గొండ/నల్లగొండ, Urdu: نلگونڈا)  pronunciation (help·info) is a town and a municipality in Nalgonda district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Its name is derived from two Telugu words Nalla (black) and Konda (hills).[1] Nalgonda in the past is referred to as Nilagiri. During the period of Bahamani kingdom, it had been renamed as Nallagonda.[2] Later in Nizam rule, during the later kings rule the name has been transformed in to Nalgonda(for official uses). But in popular culture its called as Nallagonda only. Recently A.P. govt. has changed its name to Nalgonda for convenience(for official purpose).

But the popular name, Nallagonda(నల్లగొండ), with which it is referred to by one and all and finds the name frequently even in "Poetry of the famous Telangana Liberation Struggle", should be restored back in view of its history and popular usage.

Geography::

Nalgonda is located at 15.05°N 78.27°E.[3] It has an average elevation of 421 meters (1381 ft). Nalgonda experiences a semiarid climate. Summer temperatures, during the months of March to May, are quite high with the temperature often crossing 40 degrees Celsius. The relative humidity during these months is also quite low although the dry monotony is broken occasionally by thunderstorms on the evenings of hot days. Lighting strikes and hails storms during these thunderstorms sometimes kill farmers and cause damage to crops, especially mangoes. Much of the rainfall though is concentrated in the summer months of June to August, transforming the brown and bleak landscape into lush green. Winters are pleasant with mild temperatures, crisp sunshine, clear blue skies and cool breeze.

Much of the soil is of red yellow type. Many areas have deep red soil (locally referred to as "erra mannu") derived from the decomposition of the granitic base rock. Riverine tracts have alluvial soil where rice paddy is grown. Due to the semiarid climate, poor soil and lack of adequate irrigation, dry land farming is widely prevalent. Horticulture is also practiced, there are a number of citrus and mango plantations.

Nalgonda Town

Nalgonda is one of the few district headquarters in AP which are not directly connected to National Highway. This might be a reason for Nalgonda not being a major business center in the District. Neighbouring towns like Miriyalaguda and Suryapeta enjoy more business than Nalgonda. Drought conditions in the district do not favour Nalgonda to develop economically. Despite of all the natural causes, Nalgonda has better internal road network and underwater drainage system (with work currently in progress for 50% of the town). Main source of drinking water is from Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir on the river Krishna.

Economy

Nalgonda district is major producer of Cement in Andhra Pradesh (AP) due to the availability of lime stone across the borders of Nalgonda district and neighboring Guntur district. the large number of Cement industries. Nalgonda has record number of legal and illegal chit fund companies which lend money at high interest rates. People from nearby villages and local residents approach these lenders to fulfill their urgent needs. Many families rely on salaries and income from small business. Due to the IT boom in India, Nalgonda too reaped fruits from it.

Poverty and unemployment is a major problem in the town as well as district. Measures taken by government bodies has thus far failed to create enough jobs in this area.In Nalgonda district town called Miryalaguda is famous for rice mills, most of the economy growing through rice business

History

Paleolithic Age

During this period, people fashioned tools and weapons by chipping hard stones of convenient size and shape. This feature is testified by the findings of uni facial Paleolithic implements of the Sloan type at Yellowhammer.

Neolithic Age

Traces of Neolithic culture were found at Chota Yelupu, where sling stones and other objects of interest were unearthed. The existence of Megalithic culture was revealed by the discovery of innumerable burials at various places like Tipparti, Nakrekal, Nalgonda etc.

Mauryas and Satavahanas (230 BCE - 218 BCE)

The political history of the district commences with the Mauryas. Mauryas, during the reign of Ashoka the Great held their sway over this region. Later the region came under the overlordship of the Satavahanas who ruled between 230 BCE - 218 BCE. It was during this period the region established trade contacts with the Roman empire.

Ikshvakus (227 - 306)

The Ikshvakus attained control over the region and ruled with their capital Vijayapuri. During this period Sakas and tled in this region. Buddhism flourished during this period. Iksvaku's are one of the greatest Andhra dynasties ever ruled.

Pallavas and Vishnukundinis

After the Ikshvakus, Pallavas and Yadavas fought for supremacy over the region. Luck favoured the Vishnukundins in the form of Samudragupta's invasion of the South. Vishnukundins ruled from first quarter of the fifth century to the first decade of the seventh century. Later Kubja Vishnuvardhana ruled this territory with Vengi as his capital.

Rashtrakutas

A major portion of the district appears to have passed from the Chalukyas of Badami to the Rashtrakutas. Rashtrakutas fell in 973 and gave room to the Chalukyas of Kalyani. The sway of the Chalukyas continued until the end of the 12th century.

Medieval period

The district passed under the control of the Kakatiyas from the western Chalukyas. During Prataparudra's time the kingdom was annexed to the Tughluq empire in 1323. During Muhammad bin Tughluq's period, Musunuri chief Kapayanayaka ceded a part of Nalgonda to Ala-ud-din Hasan Bahman Shah. During Ahmad Shah I's period the region was annexed to Bahmani kingdom. Jalal Khan in 1455 declared himself king at Nalgonda, but it was a short-lived affair. The region was brought back to the Bahmani kingdom.

Qutubshahi

During the time of the Bahmani Sultan Shihabud-din Mahmun Sultan Quli was appointed as tarafdar of Telangana. From him the region was taken by his son Jamshid. Later the district remained under the control of Qutub Shahis until 1687.

Modern period: Mughals and Asaf Jahis

Nizam-ul-Mulk (Asaf Jah I) defeated Mubasiz Khan at Shaker Khere in Berar and ruled the Deccan in an autonomous capacity. This district, like the other districts of Telangana, passed under the Asaf Jahis and remained under them for a period of nearly two hundred and twenty five years. apple internet

Nalgonda's place in Telangana Rebellion history

Main article: Telangana Rebellion

It has a major role in the Telangana Rebellion. Much of the struggle revolves round Nallagonda and Warangal districts alone and later spread to other regions as well. Almost all the villages in the district were involved in this. the movement was led by Andhra Maha Sabha and Communists. Marshall Law was imposed in the Dist. in 1946. Many people were killed by Razakars or by feudal lords goons and Nizam's armies. Some 3000-5000 villages were liberated and self governing bodies were formed. Lands were distributed among the poor. Many feudal landlords " Jagirdaars " were killed or ripped of their properties. Battles raged between Communists and Razakars( and Nizam's armies ).Finally this ended with Indian Forces " Police Action " and Telangana along with Hyderabad state is merged in to Indian Union.

Many leaders like Bheemireddy Narasimha Reddy, Raavi Narayana Reddy, Mallu Swarajyam (woman revolutionary) and her husband, Arutla Ramachandra Reddy and his wife, Bandi Yadagiri, Suddala Hanumanthu, etc. played an important role in the movement.

The district's (peoples) part in the rebellion is even immortalized in the poetry of the Movement which were popular then. These were used as a means to enlighten the common people about the revolt and its leaders. one such poem by Bandi Yadagiri, who penned the famous song

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[4] Nalgonda had a population of 110,651. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Nalgonda has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 72%. In Nalgonda, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age

Transport

Lateef Sheb Darga, Nalgonda

Nalgonda is a major railway station on the Guntur-Secunderabad line. It falls under the Guntur division of South Central Railway. 10 pairs of express trains halt here which connect the town to Howrah, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Vishakapatnam, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Guntur, Tenali, Repalle-Palnaadu, Bhavnagar, Kakinada and Hyderabad.

And There is Local train Facility 2 times From Kachiguda(Secundrabad)<--->Nalgonda<--->Miryalguda National Highway 9 passes through Nalgonda dist from Hyderabad to Vijayawada via Choutuppal, Chityal, Narketpally, Nakarekal and Suryapet.

Places of interest

Two Hills in the Town (due to which the name Nalgonda ) have got enormous potential to trekking adventures and also spiritually as a Dargah (Lateef Saheb dargah) is located over the hill. Every year Exhibition (Mela) locally called as 'Urus' takes place. One more hill Kapurala gutta is also present within the Town.

Two most prominent parks are located within the town namely Rajiv park and Municipal park.

Yadagiri Gutta: Yadagiri Gutta, which is the most devotional place in Nalgonda is located near Bhuvanagiri Town. It is close to Hyderabad, the capital city and the APSRTC runs many buses to the temple town from Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station. The temple draws huge crowds, especially during vacations and on weekends. This is the Place of worship of Lord Laxmi Narasimha Swami.

Nagarjunsagar dam

Nagarjuna Sagar: This is famous Dam in south India with 26 gates and a Hydroelectric plant. The place also hosts waterfalls called 'Ethipothala' and Gowthama Buddha Museum.

Bhuvanangiri Fort: Bhuvanangiri Fort was built by Tribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI on an isolated rock.The Bala Hisar or citadel on the top of the hill gives a bird's eye view of the neighbouring area. The fort is associated with the herioc queen Rudramadevi and her grandson Prataparudra's rule.

Mattapalli: One of the famous devotional places in A.P is also in Nalgonda dist.

Sri Jain Mandir, Kolanupaka: The Jain Shrine at Kolanupaka village, near Aler town is more than 2000 years old.This holy temple has three holy idols of Lord Adinath, Lord Neminath and ord Mahaveera and 21 other "Theerthankaras". It is very recently renovated by more than 150 artisans from Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Nandikonda: A small village on the banks of the Krishna River where several Buddhist structures like monasteries and pillared halls were unearthed and preserved in a museum of the Central Archeological Department.

Panagal/Panagallu: A village near Nalgonda. There are several ancient temples built under the reign of the Kakatiya, Reddy and Velama kings. There is an archeological museum which has several interesting artifacts.

Vaadapalli: This is famous for its bridge and also called 'Triveni sangamam'(Confluence) where three rivers Godavari, Krishna and Musi meet.

Nagulapahad ( Narayanagudem/Dubbagudem ): This village is about 18 km South of Suryapet, on banks of the Musi river, famous for its temples. There are two Ancient temples (Trilingeswara Aalayam (Shivalayam) and Veerabhadreswara Aalayam) in this village, founded by the "Reddy Rajas" in the Kakatiya's era...They got the amazing art and beautiful sculptures carved on the black stone....These two temples are similar to the Warangal's "Thousand pillar temple"...and Pillalamarri Temple. These templeas are famous for Every year SHIVARATHRI 'Jatara' too.

Cinema theatres

Thirumala 70 MM A/C

Nataraj 70 MM A/C

PVN Cinemax 70 MM A/C

Venkateshwara 70 MM A/C (Under construction)

Sri Lakshmi & Bhaskar (under construction, multiplex)