History

History:

This district was formed on 2nd February 1970 by merging some taluks of the districts of Nellore, Kurnool and Guntur. Hence its history is the history of the 3 districts. In 1981 the district was divided into 14 taluks and again divided into 56 mandals in 1983.

After the decline of Andhra Sathavahanas, this area was ruled by ikshwaks. During their rule the present Pakanadu, part of this district was called as Pooginadu. After ikshwakas, this area was joined into the kingdom established by the pallavas in 3rd century and under their reign till 7th century. In 611 A.D. the west chalukya king sathyasraya pulakesi possessed this area from the pallavas. In the 9th century the boya leaders in kanigiri taluk declared independence and established their kingdom. The east Chalukya veingi king, after suppressed them and occupied kanigiri, podili, darsi, kandukuru and some part of Nellore area and made kandukuru as a protection fort.

In 12th century, after the fall of vengi chalukas, their tributory rulers-Velanati chodulu-established a kingdom. The east Chalukya vengi king after suppressed them and occupied kangiri,Podili, Darsi, Kandukuru and some part of Nellore area and made Kandukuru as a protection fort. In 12th century, after the fall of Vengi Chalukas, their tributory rulers-Velanati Chodulu-established a kingdom with Chandavolu as its capital and Prakasam district was a part of that. After the decline of Kakatiya's dynasty, numbers of Independent kingdom were vanished and later in 1324 Prolaya Vemareddy established Kondveeti Reddy kingdom with Addanki as its capital. Anapota Reddy, son of Vemareddy, shifted the capital from Addanki to Kondaveedu, Narsaraopet taluk. In 1427 Vijayanagara kings conquered Kandukur Cheruvu were constructed by Vijayanagara Kings.

Later this area was undertaken  by Golkonda Nawabs followed by Karnataka  Nawabs. In 1811 Kingdom of Karnataka Nawabs was taken under control by British people and up to 1947 it was

under their charge. On February 2nd, 1970 Ongole district with Ongole as its head quarter was created by separating Kandukuru, Podili and Darsi taluks from Nellore district, Giddalur and Markapur taluks from Kurnool district, Ongole and Bapatla taluks from Guntur district. In 1972 this district was renamed as Prakasam district in memory of the late Tanguturu Prakasam panthulu who belonged to this district.

One roman Catholic chapel was there in Ongole by the time of 1860. Bastion church was opened on January 1st, 1867. In 1876, Ongole was formed into municipality. During the British rule, it was decided to merge chirala and perala into one municipality. Against the interest of people these two towns were merged into one municipality. As the people rejected to pay the taxes, 12 persons including a woman were arrested in March 1921. She was the first woman imprisoned during the agitation for freedom.

On April 6th, 1921 Mahatma Gandhi visited Chirala, advised the agitators to continue the agitation in non-violent way or to go to other place leaving Chirala and perala. Following this advice, Duggirala Gopala Krishnaiah established a voluntary army Ramdandu and helped the people. For leaving the place all of them returned to their homes only in 1922 after the non-cooperation movement was stopped. Till 1939 there was district board in Ongole. Kasu Brahmananda Reddy worked as its president for a long period.

The Ongole town has a prominent place in history. Its old names were Oomvolu and Ogiprolu when it was the capital of Vengi kingdom which was extended from Kunditarangani (gundlakamma) to Sriparvatham. The kingdom of Yagnasri Satakarni was extended up to Ongole. As a result of the Tallikota war Ongole had gone into the reign of Nawabs. It was said that during the reign of Aurangazeb, descendants of Mandapati family in Ongole had established Kingdom. As per the historic narrations, Raghupatiraju one of these kings constructed the present fort and Chennakesavaswamy Temple. Prakasam Bhavan, an aggregate of 32 offices, was built  in memory of Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu. This is a special attraction, not  available in any other district.