Amaravati facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Amaravati
Capital city
Clockwise from top:Buildings under construction in Amaravati Government Complex, High Court of Andhra Pradesh in Nelapadu, SRM University, Seed Capital Access road
Nickname(s):  Place for immortals
Amaravati Location in Andhra Pradesh Show map of Andhra Pradesh Amaravati Location in India Show map of India Amaravati Location in Asia Show map of Asia Amaravati Location in Earth Show map of Earth
Country	India
State	Andhra Pradesh
Region	Coastal Andhra
District	Guntur
Established	2014
Founded by	N. Chandrababu Naidu
Named for	Amaravati Stupa, Amararama
Government
• Type	Urban Planning Agency
• Body	Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority
Area
• Capital city	217.23 km2 (83.87 sq mi)
• Metro	8,352.69 km2 (3,224.99 sq mi)
Elevation	49 m (161 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Capital city	103,000
• Metro	5,873,588
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
Pincode(s)	520 XXX, 521 XXX, 522 XXX
Vehicle registration	AP-7, AP-8, AP-39
Official languages	Telugu

Amaravati is the capital city of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located in Guntur district, right in the middle of the state. The city sits on the right bank of the Krishna River, southwest of Vijayawada. Its name comes from the historic Amaravathi site. This ancient city was the capital of the Satavahana dynasty over 2,200 years ago. The area around Amaravati, called the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region, includes the nearby cities of Guntur and Vijayawada.

Amaravati is a planned urban area. The Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) manages its development. This authority oversees the city and the surrounding region. The capital city covers about 217.23 square kilometers. It includes villages from three areas: Mangalagiri, Thullur, and Tadepalle. A smaller core area, called the "seed capital," is about 16.94 square kilometers.

In 2014, Andhra Pradesh was divided into two states. The new state of Telangana got Hyderabad as its capital. This left Andhra Pradesh without a capital city. So, the government, led by N. Chandrababu Naidu, decided to build a new capital. They chose Amaravati. Farmers in Guntur district helped by giving 33,000 acres of their land. They did this through a special "land pooling" plan. In return, they received developed plots and rent payments for ten years. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, laid the first stone for the new city on October 22, 2015. Government offices started working in new buildings in Velagapudi in March 2017.

What Does Amaravati Mean?

The name Amaravati means 'the place for immortals'. This name has deep historical, spiritual, and mythological roots. It was also used for a village near Dharanikota in the 18th century. Dharanikota was an ancient capital of the Satavahana dynasty.

A Look Back: Amaravati's History

Amaravati has a rich history, from ancient times to its modern foundation.

Key Moments in Amaravati's Journey

Ancient Roots: Early History of the Region

The nearby city of Dharanikota was the capital of the Satavahana dynasty. This dynasty was very important in the history of Andhra Pradesh. Their history goes back to the 2nd Century BCE. They spoke Prakrit and used the Brahmi script, which later influenced the Telugu language.

Buddhism was very popular during the Satavahana rule. The dynasty helped spread Buddhism in the area. The city was also a holy site for Mahayana Buddhism. It had a large Buddhist Stupa, now known as Amaravati Stupa. Many Buddhist followers from Southeast Asian countries visited this center of Buddhist learning and art.

Over centuries, many different empires ruled this region. These included the Cholas, Kakatiyas, and the Mughal Empire. Later, the East India Company took control. In the late 1700s, Vasireddy Venkatadri Nayudu founded the modern Amaravati village. He built it near the ancient stupa ruins.

Building a New Capital: Amaravati's Foundation

After Andhra Pradesh was divided in 2014, Hyderabad became the capital of the new state, Telangana. This meant Andhra Pradesh needed a new capital. The Indian government formed a committee to find the best location. They looked at land, water, resources, and transportation.

The government decided to build the new capital near Vijayawada. This decision was made on September 1, 2014. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu wanted to develop the state with three large cities and 14 smart cities. Many people supported the Vijayawada-Guntur region for the new capital.

To get land for the new city, the government used a "land pooling" plan. This allowed landowners to give their land voluntarily. In return, they received developed plots and money for ten years. About 33,733 acres were collected this way. This plan helped create a large area for the new capital.

On October 22, 2015, Amaravati was officially chosen as the new capital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Naidu attended the foundation ceremony. They planned for an energy-efficient city with business areas. They also planned a 200-kilometer ring road to connect Amaravati with Vijayawada and Guntur.

Setting Up Government: Secretariat and High Court

The temporary Andhra Pradesh Secretariat was built in Velagapudi. It was finished in October 2016. This building houses the Chief Minister's Office and other government departments. The Andhra Pradesh High Court also moved to a new temporary building in Amaravati. Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi opened this new court complex. It has 16 courtrooms and office space. Even with some early challenges, people are hopeful about the future of the new high court and the capital city.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the foundation ceremony of Amaravati, with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Governor ESL Narasimhan.