The effective functioning of any institution largely depends on the socio-economic environment in which it is functioning. It is especially true in case of institutions which are functioning for the development of rural areas. Hence, an attempt is made here to present a socio economic profile of Anantapur district, which happens to be one of the areas of operation of DRDA under study.
Profile of Anantapur District
Anantapur offers some vivid glimpses of the pre-historic past. It is generally held that the place got its name from 'Anantasagaram', a big tank, which means ‘Endless Ocean’. The villages of Anantasagaram and Bukkarayasamudram were constructed by Chilkkavodeya, the Minister of Bukka-I, a Vijayanagar ruler. Some authorities assert that Anantasagaram was named after Bukka's queen, while some contend that it must have been known after Anantarasa Chikkavodeya himself, as Bukka had no queen by that name.
Anantapur is familiarly known as ‘Hande Anantapuram’. 'Hande' means chief of the Vijayanagar period. Anantapur and a few other places were gifted by the Vijayanagar rulers to Hanumappa Naidu of the Hande family. The place subsequently came under the Qutub Shahis, Mughals, and the Nawabs of Kadapa, although the Hande chiefs continued to rule as their subordinates. It was occupied by the Palegar of Bellary during the time of Ramappa but was eventually won back by his son, Siddappa. Morari Rao Ghorpade attacked Anantapur in 1757. Though the army resisted for some time, Siddappa ultimately bought off the enemy for Rs.50,000.
Anantapur then came into the possession of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. Tipu hanged all the male members of the Siddappa family except Siddappa who escaped from his confinement at Srirangapatnam. After Tipu's death, it was once again taken back by Siddappa. Siddappa submitted himself to Nizam because of the treaty of 1799, who took the total control of the area. He was later pensioned off when British occupied the territory.
Anantapur district was formed in the year 1882 having been separated from Bellary district. Later on, it was expanded with the addition of Revenue Mandals of Kadiri, Mudigubba, Nallamada, N.P.Kunta, Talupula, Nallacheruvu, O.D.Cheruvu, Tanakal, Amadagur and Gandlapenta (previously Kadiri Taluk) from Kadapa district in the year 1910.
During the year 1956, the present Revenue Mandals of Rayadurg, D.Hirehal, Kanekal, Bommanahal and Gummagatta of Bellary district were added to Anantapur district.
Presently the district has been divided into 3 Revenue Divisions consisting of 63 Revenue Mandats (Anantapur Division 20, Dharmavaram Division 17 and Penukonda Division 26).
Topography of the District
Anantapur district lies between 13°-40 and 15°-15' Northern Latitude and 76° -50' and 78° -30' Eastern Longitude physically.
The district may be divided into 3 natural divisions. They are,
Boundaries of the District
It is bounded by Bellary, Kurnool district on the North, Kadapa and Kolar district of Karnataka on South-East and North respectively. The district is roughly oblong in shape, the longer side running North to South with a portion of Chitradurg district of Karnataka State intruding into it from West between Kundurpi and Amarapuram Mandals. The Map 4.1 gives clear picture of boundaries of Anantapur district.
