Krishna district is a district in the Coastal Andhra region in Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, with Machilipatnam as its administrative headquarters. It is surrounded on the east by Bay of Bengal, west by Guntur, Bapatla and north by Eluru and NTR districts and south again by Bay of Bengal.

Etymology

It was named after the Krishna River (also known as Krishnaveni in literature) the third longest river in India. The river flows through the district before it empties itself into Bay of Bengal, near Hamsaladevi village.

History

thumb|A view of the famous [[Jaggayyapeta Buddhist stupa]]

The history of this region dates back to the 2nd century BCE. The area was ruled by the Satavahanas (230 BCAD 227); Pallavas (AD 340AD 500), Chalukyas (AD 6151070 AD) and later by Cholas, Kakatiyas, Musunuri Nayaks, Reddy dynasty and Gajapati kings of Odisha.

Satavahana period (230 BCAD 227): The Satavahanas ruled this region with headquarters at Srikakulam, at present a village in Ghantasala mandal of the district. Prominent rulers during this period were Srimukha (founder), Gotamiputra Satakarni and Yajnasri Satakarni (last Satavahana king). The Satavahanas imparted more stability and security to the life of the people of the region for more than four centuries.

Pallava Kingdom (AD 340AD 500), spread over from Krishna river to Tungabhadra, including Amaravati in the East, Bellary in the West and Kancheepuram in the South with capital cities at Venginagar near Eluru and Pithapuram, both in Vengidesa. Bruhitpalayanas, the contemporaries of Pallavas ruled the district with Koduru as their capital. Vishnukundinas (AD 6th century) rulers created cave temples at Mogalrajapuram (now in Vijayawada) and Undavalli.

Eastern chalukyas (AD 615AD 1070), the entire Andhra country was under the control of a single ruler under their reign. The Eastern Chalukyas were credited with the excavations of the cave temple at Undavalli, rock cut shrines, and Shiva temples.

Medieval period

Aurangazeb ruled this region as part of the province of Golconda. Asaf Jah who was appointed as subedar or viceroy of the Deccan in AD 1713 with the title of Nizam-ul-Mulk. The province of Golconda comprised five Nawabs’ charges viz. Arcot, Cuddapah, Kurnool, Rajahmundry and Chicacole (Srikakulam). This region was part of the Nawab of Rajahmundry. There are no changes in its jurisdiction except some minor changes (in Divi taluk and Munagala paragana).

After 1947

Krishna district had 10 talukas in 1971. In 1978 they were increased to 21 talukas. In 1985, mandal system was created and 50 mandals were formed in the district. In 2022 the district was divided into Krishna and NTR districts.

Historical demographics

census of India, the district had a population of 4,517,398 with a density of 518 persons per km<sup>2</sup>. The total population constitute, 2,267,375 males and 2,250,023 females –a ratio of 992 females per 1000 males. The total urban population is (40.81%). There are literates with a literacy rate of 73.74%.|align=center

Geography

Krishna district is surrounded on the east by Bay of Bengal, west by Guntur and Bapatla districts and north by Eluru and NTR districts and south by Bay of Bengal. It occupies an area of . It has a total coastline of .

Flora and fauna

The forest occupies only 9 percent of the total undivided district area. However, it contains reserved forest areas in Nandigama, Vijayawada, Tiruvuru, Nuzvid, Gannavaram, Machilipatnam and Divi Seema Talukas. A type of light wood known as ‘Ponuku’ (Gyrocapus Jacquini) is found in the Kondapalli hills. The wood is used for the manufacture of the well known Kondpalli toys. The most noticeable trees are pterocarpus, Terminalia, Anogeissus and Logustroeinai and Casuarina.

Panthers, dholes, jungle cats, foxes, bears and other carnivorous mammalian fauna are found here. Deer, spotted deer, sambar, blackbuck and other herbivorous animals are found in the inland forests. The district has a large number of Murrah buffaloes and cows.

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After reorganisation the district had a population of 17,35,079, of which 482,513 (27.81%) live in urban areas. The district has a sex ratio of 996 females per 1000 males and a literacy rate of 73.75%. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 346,989 (20.00%) and 37,716 (2.17%) of the population respectively.