Geographical Features
Officially YSR District, formerly Cuddapah district is one of the 26 districts in Andhra Pradesh State. On 19.08.2005, nomenclature of “Cuddapah” has been changed as “Kadapa” by the Govt. of A.P. It was renamed as Y.S.R District in the year 2010 to honour of late Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, former CM of United Andhra Pradesh. Kadapa City is the administrative headquarters for this district
Geography: The district occupies an area of 11,228 square kilometres (4,335 sq miles). The main rivers are Penna, Chitravathi, Kunderu, Papagni, Sagileru. This district is surrounded by North of Nandyal district and Prakasam district South of Annamayya district ,East of SPSR Nellore district ,west of Sri Sathya Sai district and Anantapur district.
Revenue Structure: YSR District has four(04) Revenue Divisions viz Kadapa, Badvel, Pulivendula and Jammalamnadugu divisions consist of 36 mandal and 557 Gram Panchayats. It also has a Municipal Corporation of Kadapa city and seven(07) municipalities namely Badvel, Mydukur, Proddatur, Pulivendula, Jammalamadgu, Yerraguntla and Kamalapuram.
Police Structure: The District has five(05) Police Sub-Divisions viz Pulivendula, Kadapa, Proddatur, Jammalamadugu and Mydukur, 11 Circles and 47 Police stations including 15 Upgraded PSs apart from 1-SC/ST Cells-Kadapa, 1-Disha PS, 1- CCS PS, 3- Traffic Police Station ( Kadapa, Proddatur and Pulivendula), 1-DTRB, Kadapa, 2-PCRs( Kadapa and Proddatur), 2-Faction Zones( Kadapa and Proddatur), 1- Cyber Fraud Cell PS, 1-DSB- Kadapa, 1-DCRB- Kadapa, 1-DTC-Kadapa.
Population: As per 2011 census, Kadapa district has a population of 28,84,524. The district has a population density of 188 inhabitants per square kilometre. Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 10.87%. It has a sex ratio of 984 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 67.88%. After reorganization the district had a population of 20,60,654. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 3,37,860 (16.40%) and 40,994 (1.99%) of the population respectively. At the time of the 2011 census, 84.66% of the population spoke Telugu and 14.37% Urdu as their first language.
Reservoirs: THE DISTRICT HAS 04 RESERVOIRS WHICH ARE 1) BRAHMA SAGAR, 2)MYLAVARAM 3) CHITRAVATHI BALANCING 4) BUGGAVANKA AND 5) GANDIKOTA.
PREVIOUS HISTORY OF Y.S.R.DISTRICT
Rock paintings: Paleolithic rock paintings found at Chintakunta near Muddanur in the district are said to be the second largest group of paintings in India after Bhimbetika rock art paintings. The rock paintings with mystic figures are also found at Dappalle village near Mylavaram Reservoir in Jammalamadugu AC in the district.
Buddhism and Jainism: Kadapa has historical importance since the BC era. It was ruled by the Mauryan Empire and the Satavahana Empire. Buddhism flourished for many years on the bank of the river Penna and an important Buddhist site is in Khazipet in the district. Jainism also had a place in the district, the remnants of a buried Jain temple were found at Danavulapadu (v) on the banks of the Penna
Medieval history: The district is part of Rayalaseema Region, commemorating the name of Rayulu (Kings) of the Vijayanagar Empire, who ruled the area in the 16th century. Gandikota fort located on the bank of the Penna River. The old records of the district reveal that Kadapa previously called as “Gadapa” . The ancient village of Kadapa with its large tank and temple of Lord Venkateswara at Devuni Kadapa was convenient camping place for the myriads of pilgrims travelling to the holy shrine of Tirupathi. There was a belief that the pilgrims have to first visit Devuni Kadapa, before going to Tirupathi to pray to Saint Annamacharya and Saint Potuluri Veera Brahmam who foretold the future and advocated a classless society. The ancient temple at Vontimitta which inspired Pothana to compose Andhra Maha Bhagavatham is also in the district. In the olden days Kadapa was also called "Hiranyanagaram". Recent historical records reveal that Jyothi village located in Siddavatam mandal has 108 Shiva lingas on the bank of the river.
Modern History: AFTER THE TREATY OF SERINGAPATAM, THE NIZAM OF HYDERABAD ACQUIRED THE DISTRICT. HE CEDED IT TO THE BRITISH IN 1800, AND IN 1808 IT WAS DIVIDED TO FORM KADAPA (SPELT CUDDAPAH BY THE BRITISH) AND BELLARY DISTRICTS. THE DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS WERE SITUATED IN SIDDAVATAM BUT MOVED TO KADAPA IN 1812.
