Kadapa

Kadapa(Cuddapah) కడప کڑپہ Cuddapah
City
200 Years Memorable Pylon
Kadapa(Cuddapah)
Coordinates: 14°28′N 78°49′E / 14.47°N 78.82°E / 14.47; 78.82Coordinates: 14°28′N 78°49′E / 14.47°N 78.82°E / 14.47; 78.82
Country	India
State	Andhra Pradesh
Region	Rayalaseema
District	Kadapa
Founded	1808 AD
Government
• Type	Mayor–Council
• Body	Kadapa Municipal Corporation
• MP	Y. S. Avinash Reddy
• MLA	Amzath Basha S.B
• Mayor	Kothamaddi Suresh Babu
• Municipal Commissioner	P.Chandramouliswara Reddy
Area
• City	164.08 km2 (63.35 sq mi)
Area rank	4th (in AP)
Elevation	138 m (453 ft)
Population (2011)
• City	343,054
• Rank	130th (India) 6th (Andhra Pradesh)
• Density	2,100/km2 (5,400/sq mi)
• Metro	344,893
Languages
• Official	Telugu
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	516001,002,003,004
Telephone code	08562
Vehicle registration	AP-04
Website	Kadapa Municipal Corporation

Kadapa (formerly known as Cuddapah) is a city in the Rayalseema region of the south-central part of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is the district headquarters of YSR Kadapa district. As of 2011 Census of India, the city had a population of 344,078. It is located 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) south of the Penna River. The city is surrounded on three sides by the Nallamala and Palkonda Hills lying on the tectonic landscape between the Eastern and Western ghats. Black and Red ferrous soils occupy the region. The city is nicknamed "Gadapa" ('threshold') since it is the gateway from the west to the sacred hills of Tirumala.

Kadapa has been under the rule of different kingdoms, including the Nizams and Cholas, the Vijayanagara Empire and Kingdom of Mysore. It is also well known for its spicy and culinary food.

The city's name originated from the Telugu word "Gadapa" meaning threshold or gate. It acquired this name with its relation to the Tirumala Hills; one had to pass through Cuddapah in olden days to reach Tirumala Hills. In old Telugu the word Kadapa meant a threshold which in modern standard Telugu is evolved to gadapa while the city's name retained the old flavour. It was spelled "Cuddapah" but was changed to "Kadapa" on 19 August 2005 to reflect the local pronunciation of the name.

The history of Kadapa dates back to the 2nd century BC. The evidences of Archaeological Survey of India suggest that it started with Mourya and Satavahana dynasty. And since then it has remained battle field for numerous dynasties including Chalukya, Cholas and Pallava. Among all of these dynasties, first one to rule over Kadapa was Pallava dynasty. Pallava kings ruled over the city during the 5th century after penetrating into North of Kadapa. After that Cholas ruled till the 8th century after defeating Pallavas. Later Banas came into existence as the next dynasty to rule over Kadapa.