Nellore

Nellore is a city and municipal corporation in the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Nellore is the 6th most populous city in Andhra Pradesh and the administrative headquarters of Sri Potti Sri Ramulu Nellore district.[5] The ancient name of Nellore was "Vikrama Simhapuri".[6] Nellore is situated about 168 kilometres (104 mi) north of Chennai on the Chennai-Kolkata highway and 453 kilometres (281 mi) south east of Hyderabad, the state capital. It is located on the banks of the Penner River and is well known for itsaquaculture and agricultural produce.

Nellore existed from the times of Mauryan empire and was ruled by Ashoka in 3rd century B.C. It was annexed by the Pallavas between the fourth and sixth century A.D. Tamil inscriptions indicate that it formed part of Cholas kingdom until their decline in the thirteenth century. Nellore was known by the name of Vikrama Simhapuri till the 13th century. In 18th century, Nellore was taken over by the British from the Arcot Nawabs and was part of the Madras Presidency of British India. The city had an important role in the emergence of the Telugu language and the formation of the state of Andhra Pradesh. Potti Sriramulu who fasted until death for the formation of Andhra Pradesh, hailed from Nellore.