Narasapuram | |
---|---|
Town | |
Location in Andhra Pradesh, India | |
Coordinates: 16°26′10″N 81°42′06″E / 16.4361°N 81.7016°ECoordinates: 16°26′10″N 81°42′06″E / 16.4361°N 81.7016°E | |
Country | India |
State | Andhra Pradesh |
District | West Godavari |
Revenue division | Narasapuram |
Mandal | Narasapuram |
Named for | Lord Narasimha |
Government | |
• Type | Municipal council |
• Body | Narasapuram Municipality |
• Municipal Commissioner | D.Ramesh |
• Municipal Chairperson | Pasupuleti Ratnamala |
• MLA | Bandaru Madhava Naidu |
• MP | Gokaraju Ganga Raju |
Area | |
• Total | 11.32 km2 (4.37 sq mi) |
Elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
Population (2011) | |
• Total | 58,770 |
• Density | 5,200/km2 (13,000/sq mi) |
Languages | |
• Official | Telugu |
Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
PIN | 534275 |
Telephone code | 08814 |
Vehicle registration | AP-37 |
Narasapuram (or Narsapur), is a town in West Godavari district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a municipality and mandal headquarters of Narasapuram mandal in Narasapuram revenue division. The town is situated on the banks of the Vasista Godavari River. The city exports Lace as the lace industry is more prevalent in the city and its surroundings.
Narsapur was also known as "Nrusimhapuri", named after the Lord Narasimha. Gradually it changed into Narasimhapuram and now to Narasapuram.
The existence of Narsapur dates back to 1173 AD. Dutch people landed in Narsapur in 1626. Narsapur used as a port by the Dutch and ships and boats were built here. It was noted for its ship building activity and some of the Europeans also were customers at this place. Even, though big ships are not built, the craft is still kept up here by building small boats. In 16th century, Portuguese established their own factory which remained as a trading centre for few years. In the 18th century, Narsapur became an important trading port. From this port, teak was exported to other regions. The ports at Kakinada and Narsapuram became famous for manufacturing ships. At present there is no port handling at Narsapur.
Madhavayapalem (Madapallam) is celebrated as one of the earliest places where the English established a factory and was famous for its trade in cloth. According to Alexander Hamilton's A New Account of the East Indies (1727):
"Next to Matchulipatam (Machilipatnam) is Narsipore, where the English had a Factory for long Cloth, for the Use of their Factory of Matchulipatam, when they manufactured Chintz there. It also affords good Teak Timber for building, and has a fine deep River, but a dangerous Bar, which makes it little frequented."
The trade of the town has steadily declined since the abolition of the company's factory in 1827. Before independence, British civilians made imports and exports from Narsapur.