History
The city's origins can be traced back to the rule of the Chalukya king Rajaraja Narendra who reigned around 1022 A.D after whom it is named Rajamahendri or Rajamahendravaram. Remains of 11th century palaces and fort walls still exist. However, new archeological evidence suggests that the town may have existed much before the Chalukyas.[1] Rajamhendravaram was renamed Rajahmundry during the rule of the British, for whom the city was the headquarters of the Godavari district. When the district was split into East and West, subsequently, Kakinada --a well-known port city became the headquarters of East Godavari.
Rajahmundry is the acclaimed as the birthplace of Yasaswi the Great and the sweet Telugu language -- its grammar and script evolving from the pen of the city-born poet, Nannayya. Known also called 'Adi Kavi' (the first poet) of Telugu, Nannayya along with Tikkana and Yerrana, translated the Sanskrit version of Mahabharata into Telugu. Kandukuri Veeresalingam --a social reformer and the author of Rajashekhara Charithra, the first Telugu novel-- was also from Rajahmundry.
The city was one of the biggest cities in South India until the 19th century. It was the hotbed of several movements during India's freedom struggle and acted as a base for many key leaders. When the Indian National Congress had its first meeting in Bombay (Mumbai), two leaders from Rajahmundry, Nyapathi Subba Rao and Kandukuri Veeresalingam participated in it. Subba Rao, founder of Hindu Samaj in Rajahmundry, was also one of the six founders of India's noted English daily The Hindu.
The rail road connecting the city with Vijayawada was laid in 1893. Colleges and various other institutions of learning were set up at the same time. The Gowatami Grandhalayam, a well-known library was established in 1898.
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