History of Visakhapatnam

 Visakhapatnam now is one of the India’s largest sea ports with a natural harbor on the Bay of Bengal on the eastern cost of Andhra Pradesh state of India. Apart from being a major seaport on east coast it also houses the Eastern Naval Command Headquarters and is a home to various public sector companies. In olden days Visakhapatnam was ruled by King Visakha Varma during BC period.  In about 260 BC it was under the rule of Emperor Ashoka and was attached to Kalinga Kingdom. Later it was passed over to Vengi Kings and finally to Pallavas of Andhra Pradesh. The city finds its mention in epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Later texts of Hindu mention that in 5Th century the city was under Kalinga rule which was extended up to Godavari River. After wards King Ashoka won over Kalinga in the most ghastly battle which ultimately led Ashoka to embrace Buddhism. The territory of Visakhapatnam later came under the rule of vengi passed on to Pallavs and was attached to Surya Vamsi Gajpati kings of Orissa from 10Th Century to 16Th century AD.

 The temples in Visakhapatnam were built under Gajpati Kings during 11Th and 12Th century. In 16Th century the kingdom came under Nizam rule of Hyderabad. During later half of 16Th Century the natural harbor was used by French, and other European traders  for export of Paddy, Tobacco, Iron Ore, Coal, Ivory and Muslin and other textile products to Europe and other western countries. In the 18Thcentury the costal Andhra and Costal Orissa region was under French rule and later passed on to British rule. After India’s Independence Visakhapatnam was the biggest district in India, so it was divided into three districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam.