Andhra Pradesh: Ratna Garbha State of India
Andhra Pradesh
Capital: Hyderabad
Created on: October, 1, 1953
State Day: November, 1
Area: 160,205
Population 4, 93, 86,799
Population Density: 308
Sex ration: 933
Major Spoken Languages: Telugu, Urdu, Hindi and Banjara,
Literacy Rate: 67.41
Male: 75.56
Female: 59.74
Largest City: Visakhapatnam
State Flower: Lotus
State Bird: Indian Roller
State Sport- Kabaddi
State Animal: Black Buck
First Chief Minster- Tanguturi Prakasham
First Governor- Chandulal Madhavlal Trivedi
Number of Districts: 13
Lok Sabha Seats from Andhra Pradesh: 25
Rajya Sabha Seats from Andhra Pradesh: 11
Andhra Pradesh is one of the important states of South India. It has a very ancient and long history. Its regular history begins with the 236 BC. It has witnessed the rules of Satavahanas, Sakas, Ikshvaus, Chalukyas and akatiyas. Ganapati Deva was the greatest king of Kakatiya ruler and his region was known as the “Golden Period” of the Andhra history. Later on, it was ruled by the rulers of Vijayanagar and Qutub Shahi dynasty followed by Mir Qumruddin and his successors, who were known as the Nizams. With the coming of Britishers in India, this region was merged in Madras Province.
After India became independent, Telugu-speaking area was carved out from Madras Province and a new Andhra State came into being on 1st October, 1953. In fact, Andhra Pradesh is the outcome of States Reorganization Act, 1956 under which Hyderabad state and Andhra State were merged. Thus Andhra Pradesh came into existence on 1st November, 1956.
Bifurcation
Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014 had bifurcated Andhra Pradesh resulting in the formation of Telengana.
Agriculture is the major occupation of the people in Andhra Pradesh. Rice is the staple food of the state. Other important crops of Andhra Pradesh are jowar, bajra, maize, ragi, small millets, pulses, castor, tobacco, sugarcane and cotton.
Forests cover about 23 per cent of Andhra Pradesh. Important power project of the state are the Nagarjunasagar and Neelam Sanjiva Reddy Sagar , Upper Sileru, Lower Sileru, Tungabhadra Hydel projects and Nellore, Ramagundam, Kothagudem etc.
Andhra Pradesh is known for its variety of rocks and minerals. It has the largest deposits of quality chrysotile asbestos in the country. Apart from it, Andhra is rich in ore, manganese, mica, coal and limestone.
Andhra Pradesh has launched a unique health insurance scheme. It is named on the former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi and thus called “Rajiv Arogyasri”. Under this scheme poor people who are suffering from chronic diseases may undergo treatment costing upto two lacs rupees.
Andhra Pradesh has a number of tourist places such as Charminar, Salarjung Museum, Thousand Pillar Temple , Golconda Fort , Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple , Buddha Stupa, Sri Venkateswara temple , Araku Valley, Horsley Hills, Nelapattu etc.