History:

Nellore was part of the compositeMadras state until October 1, 1953. On November 1, 1956, when the states were reorganized on a linguistic basis, the district was transferred to Andhra Pradesh. Potti Sriramulu, a Telugu patriot and activist from Nellore fasted to death for formation of the Andhra Pradesh state.Nellore was a historically an important Telugu city. It was under the Pallavas, Cholas, Chalukyas, Kakatitayas and Vijayanagara empire in its history. The city was most famous in 13th century, when Tikkana Somayaji translated Mahabharat into Telugu. The city was then known as Vikrama Simhapuri and was the capital of Manumasiddhi of Nellore Cholas. Tikkana, also a minister in the court of the king ManumaSiddhi, developed friendly relations with mighty Kakatiya kings with his poetry and was instrumental in getting military support from Warangal for his king. Molla, the second Telugu poetess had also written Telugu Ramayan here.Later it became part of the nawabs of Arcot who ruled from Vellore and was known as part of circars. Udayagiri fort stands still for the symbol of its great history. Till 1911 it was part of Guntur district which later became Nellore. Venkatgiri has several old temples and a hilltop fortress with a grand view.