Andhra Pradesh

A synthesis of the ancient and the modern,and of various religious beliefs, with a skyline dotted by temples, mosques, minarets, stupas and churches that is the essence of Andhra Pradesh. The fifth largest state of India situated on the south-eastern coast, Andhra possesses its own unique charms. The recorded history of Andhra begins with the Mauryan period. The Satavahans founded a long dynasty of 30 kings and ruled over the region around Hyderabad for nearly 450 years. They were followed by the Ikshavakus, the Pallavas and the Eastern Chalukyas of the 7th century who ruled over the area for four centuries. The Chalukyas were followed in the 13th century by the Kakatiyas and in 1336 was founded the famous Vijayanagar kingdom.

Andhra Pradesh

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The 16th century witnessed the rule of the Qutub Shahi kings who were followed a little later by the famous Nizams of Hyderabad. The latter contributed immensely by way of art, architecture, culture, tradition, monuments, life-style, and riches. The state of Andhra Pradesh was created out of a portion of the old Madras state and with the addition of the erstwhile state of Hyderabad. The remarkable monuments of Hyderabad speak of the architectural genius of the Qutub Shahi rulers, and it was from the

bowels of the Golconda mines that the most controversial, most coveted and most magnificent of diamonds, the Kohinoor, was extracted in 1656. Great writers like Meghasthenes and Pliny also mention Andhra in their writings, and the Puranas, too, do not leave it out. Buddhist stupas, viharas and sculptures show Andhra as one of the important religious centres of Buddhism.

Important tourist places in Andhra:

Hyderabad, Nagarjunakonda, Tirupathi, Vishakhapatnam, Golconda, Warangal, Puttaparthi.

For further information, please contact: The Managing Director, Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, Yatri Niwas, S.P.Road Secunderabad 500003; or the Deputy Director, 1, Ashok Road, New Delhi 110001.

Shopper's delight

Hyderabad is famous forits pearls, silver filigreework, printed tapestries, Kondapalli clay toys, stone studded lac bangles and brightly coloured mirrored Banjara embroidery. Andhra has a beautiful tradition of arts and crafts which has been handed down from one generation to the next. You can shop for Bidri a metalcraft using an alloy of zinc oxidised and intricately inlaid with silver, or you can pick up items in Nirmal Art decorative wooden articles like furniture, boxes etc, beautifully painted in the miniatures of the Pahar, Kangra and Ajanta Schools. Himroo is a luxurious fabric with a cotton base and silk or arts silk weave which can be made into stoles, gowns, and furnishings.
Depicting scenes of mythology is Kalamkari, using vegetable dyes and made by kalam or the pen. And then there are leather puppets, as well as exquisite silk and cotton sarees pochampalli, Venkatgiri, Siddipet, Gadwal, Narayanpet and Dharmavaram.
But, one of the things that you just cannot miss out on are the pearls of Hyderabad. The art of matching, stringing and setting of pearls to create beautiful pieces of jewellery has been perfected by the artisans of Hyderabad and thus it is that this city has become the largest pearl centre of India. In addition, you can also pick up colourful, stone studded lac bangles, at bargain prices.
some good shops of the city are Government Handicrafts Emporium, Lepakshi, Gunfoundry; Khadi Bhandar Sultan Bazar; Nirmal Industries Khairataba; Khadi N Crafts, Basheerbagh.