Krishna District History

In the olden days this place was under the rule of Sathavahanas, Cholas, Reddy kings, Golkonda Nawabs and many other kings. During 230 BC -227 AD Srimukha was founder of Satavahana Dyanasty with headquarters at Srikakulam and Python. Goutamputra Satakarni was the greatest king among the Satavahans Yagnasri Satakarni was the last king in Satavahana dynasty. The Satavahanas imparted more stability and security to the life of the people of the region for more than four centuries. between 250 AD - 340 AD The pallava kingdom was spread between amaravati in the east, bellary in the west and kancheepuram in the south with capital cities at venginagar nere Ellore and Pithapuram.

The 5th century rulers whose reign saw the construction of cave temples at Mogalrajapuram and Undavalli. It is ruled under Eastern chalukyas between 615 AD - 1070 AD. They ruled up to 1323 AD. The greatest kings among the Kakatiyas are Prataparudra – 1, Rudrama Devi, Prataparudra – 2. In 1323 Prataparudra –2 was captivated by Alla-Ud-din. This was the first appearance of Muslims in the Deccan.

About 1516 Krishna Devaraya the great king of Vijayanagar conquered ruled here. In 1611 the English founded their settlement at Masulipatnam which continued to be their headquarters until they were finally removed to Madras in 1641. The Emperor Aurangazeb included this district in the province of Golconda, which remained under Asaf jah who was appointed as Subedar or Viceroy of the Deccan in 1713 with the tittle of Nizam-ul-Mulk. Upon the death of the old Nizam-ul-Mulk in June 1748 his heirs strove for the succession with the support of the English and the French. When Nizam Ali Khan was proclaimed ruler of Golconda in 1761 the British secured at first the divisions of Masulipatnam, Nizampatnam and part of Kondaveedu and later the entire Circars. At first the district was administered by a chief and council at Masulipatnam but in 1794 Collectors, directly responsible to the Board of Revenue, were appointed at Masulipatnam.