Machilipatnam మచిలీపట్నం Masulipatnam Masula |
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City | |
Koneru center, the business center of Machilipatnam
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Nickname(s): Bandar | |
Location in Andhra Pradesh, India | |
Coordinates: 16°10′N 81°08′E / 16.17°N 81.13°ECoordinates: 16°10′N 81°08′E / 16.17°N 81.13°E | |
Country | India |
State | Andhra Pradesh |
District | Krishna |
Mandal | Machilipatnam |
Founded | 14th century |
Government | |
• Type | Municipal council |
• Body | Machilipatnam Municipality |
• MLA | Kollu Ravindra (Telugu Desam Party) |
• Municipal commissioner | A.S.N.V.Maruthi Diwakar |
Area[1] | |
• Total | 26.67 km2 (10.30 sq mi) |
Elevation | 14 m (46 ft) |
Population (2011)[2] | |
• Total | 169,892 |
• Density | 6,875/km2 (17,810/sq mi) |
Languages | |
• Official | Telugu |
Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
PIN | 521 xxx |
Telephone code | 91-8672 |
Vehicle registration | AP-16 |
Website | mmc |
Machilipatnam ( pronunciation (help·info)) is a city in Krishna district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a municipality and the administrative headquarters of the district.[3] It is also the headquarters of Machilipatnam mandal and Machilipatnam revenue division of the district.[4][5] It is located at a distance of 67 kilometres (42 mi) to Vijayawada.
The settlement was founded in the 14th century. In the seventeenth century, it was a major trading port for the British, Dutch and French.[6]
Contents
Etymology[edit]
In seventeenth century, it was then known with the name Masulipatnam or Masula. The gateway of the settlement was decorated with the eyes of a fish. Machili translates to Fish and Patnam means Settlement. Hence, the name Machilipatnam.[6] It was also known as Bandar.[7]
History[edit]
The town has existed since the 3rd century BCE (Satavahana period) when, according to Ptolemy, it was known as Maisolos. The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea calls it Masalia in the 1st century BCE.[8] The port is located on the southeastern, or Coromandel Coast, of India. Situated in the mouth of the River Krishna on the Bay of Bengal, the Masula port saw flourishing sea trade. Muslin clothes were traded by ancient Greeks from the town and the word muslin originated from the name Maisolos.[9] Muslin was an important source of income for the town, being a favourite of Roman traders for domestic consumption. Several Roman coins were found during excavations of Buddhist towns located near Machilipatnam.[10]
When Marco Polo visited India, probably some time around 1289-1293, Machilipatnam was a major port of the Kakatiya dynasty. He referred to the place as Mutfiliffn, and it was also known as Masulipatam.[11][12]
The naming of the eastern gate of Charminar as Machili-Kaman (literally meaning "gate of fish", in this case specifically meaning a gate to the fishing town of Machilipatnam) testifies the symbiotic relationship between port and the capital. There were Arab merchants in the area at least since the 13th century. The Portuguese controlled what they called Masulipatão between 1598 and 1610, when they vacated the place. The East India Company built its first factory in India in Masulipatnam, which became a 17th-century trading port for French, British and Dutch ships. The port has a medium-size fishing harbour which can accommodate 350 fishing vessels and an active carpet-weaving industry. The other products from the town include rice, oilseeds and scientific instruments. This town is a railway terminus and an important educational centre. Andhra Bank was established in 1923 at Machilipatnam.
The area is vulnerable to storm surges caused by the frequent cyclones in the Bay of Bengal. The 2004 Tsunami affected many fishing villages around Machilipatnam. The Government and NGOs are involved in rebuilding and reconstructing devastated villages.
Geography[edit]
Machilipatnam city is located at 16°10′N 81°08′E / 16.17°N 81.13°E on the southeast coast of India and in the east coast of Andhra Pradesh.[13] The city has an average elevation of 14 meters (45 feet).[14]
Climate[edit]
Machilipatnam city gets most of its annual rainfall due to the southwest monsoon. It has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw) with hot summers and moderate winters. The hottest months are between April and June. The average normal rainfall in the district is 959 millimetres (37.8 in).
Machilipatnam city is frequently hit by cyclones originating in the Bay of Bengal. The Andhra Pradesh coast between Ongole and Machilipatnam is vulnerable to high surges of the sea due to cyclones. The 1977 Andhra Pradesh cyclone crossed the coast near Nizampatnam and took approximately 10,000 lives. As the storm approached the coast, gale winds reaching 200 km/h lashed Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna, East Godavari and West Godavari districts. A storm surge, 5 metres high, inundated the Krishna estuary and the coast south of Machilipatnam city (Bandar)
On 8 December 2004, a high capacity S-Band Doppler cyclone warning radar was installed, commissioned and made operational at the city.[15] It was purchased from a German manufacturer, Gematronik. With the installation of the radar, the state will be better equipped to track cyclones by the onset of monsoon, according to an official from the State Met Office talking to the newspaper The Hindu. This facility will monitor the 960 km long coastline of the state.[16]
Climate data for Machilipatnam | |||||||||||||
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Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 32.4 (90.3) |
34.6 (94.3) |
38.1 (100.6) |
41.8 (107.2) |
46.5 (115.7) |
45.4 (113.7) |
40.8 (105.4) |
38.6 (101.5) |
36.8 (98.2) |
37.2 (99) |
33.3 (91.9) |
33.0 (91.4) |
46.5 (115.7) |
Average high °C (°F) | 28.5 (83.3) |
30.2 (86.4) |
32.5 (90.5) |
34.6 (94.3) |
37.3 (99.1) |
36.7 (98.1) |
33.7 (92.7) |
32.6 (90.7) |
32.5 (90.5) |
31.6 (88.9) |
30.1 (86.2) |
28.8 (83.8) |
32.43 (90.38) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 23.8 (74.8) |
25.5 (77.9) |
27.5 (81.5) |
30.2 (86.4) |
32.4 (90.3) |
32.4 (90.3) |
29.7 (85.5) |
29.0 (84.2) |
28.9 (84) |
27.8 (82) |
25.8 (78.4) |
24.3 (75.7) |
28.11 (82.58) |
Average low °C (°F) | 19.0 (66.2) |
20.8 (69.4) |
22.6 (72.7) |
25.7 (78.3) |
27.5 (81.5) |
27.0 (80.6) |
25.6 (78.1) |
25.4 (77.7) |
25.3 (77.5) |
24.0 (75.2) |
21.6 (70.9) |
19.9 (67.8) |
23.7 (74.66) |
Record low °C (°F) | 14.0 (57.2) |
15.6 (60.1) |
17.3 (63.1) |
17.8 (64) |
17.6 (63.7) |
21.0 (69.8) |
18.8 (65.8) |
18.8 (65.8) |
18.1 (64.6) |
17.8 (64) |
15.3 (59.5) |
14.6 (58.3) |
14 (57.2) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 6 (0.24) |
9 (0.35) |
7 (0.28) |
9 (0.35) |
20 (0.79) |
86 (3.39) |
171 (6.73) |
181 (7.13) |
156 (6.14) |
177 (6.97) |
116 (4.57) |
21 (0.83) |
959 (37.77) |
Average rainy days | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 2.2 | 7.7 | 13.8 | 12.6 | 10.4 | 9.2 | 5.6 | 1.2 | 65.1 |
Average relative humidity (%) | 76 | 75 | 73 | 73 | 66 | 62 | 72 | 74 | 78 | 79 | 75 | 75 | 73.2 |
Source: NOAA (1971–1990)[17] |
Demographics[edit]
As of 2011[update] census, Machilipatnam had a population of 170,008. The total population constitute, 83,561 males and 86,447 females —a sex ratio of 1035 females per 1000 males. 13,778 children are in the age group of 0–6 years, of which 7,076 are boys and 6,702 are girls. The average literacy rate stands at 83.32% with 130,173 literates, significantly higher than the state average of 67.41%.[2][18]
Government and politics[edit]
Machilipatnam municipality was established in the year 1866.[19] It is the governing body of the city, covering an area of 26.67 km2 (10.30 sq mi) under its jurisdiction. The present municipal commissioner of the city is A.S.N.V.Maruthi Diwakar.[20]
Politics
Machilipatnam is a part of Machilipatnam (Assembly constituency) for Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly. Kollu Ravindra is the present MLA of the constituency from Telugu Desam Party.[21][22] The assembly segment is also a part of Machilipatnam (Lok Sabha constituency), which was won by Konakalla Narayana Rao of Telugu Desam Party.[23]
Culture[edit]
Dance
Kuchipudi, a popular Indian Classical Dance form originated at Kuchipudi, 25 kilometres from Machilipatnam.
Cuisine
The city is well known for a sweet known as Bandar Laddu.[24]
Tourism[edit]
Dattashram is a pilgrimage site on the coast., home to ancient Shiva temple and a recently built Datta temple. Manginapudi is popularly known as "Datta Rameswaram" due to the consecration of 12 wells for bathing (recalling those at Rameswaram).[25] Panduranga Swamy temple at Chilakalapudi near the city, Agastheeswara Temple etc.
The Jodugudlu temple in Edepalli is also one of the oldest temples with more than 150 years of history. The temple was built during the 19th century, by Velama Doralu which is a social group found mainly in Andhra Pradesh. Velamas are classed as "warrior caste". The temple was handed over to the Endowments Department in the year 1936. Currently the temple has been developed by an un-organised group[clarification needed].
The manginipudi beach is located at the coast of the city.
The Sri Ganganamma Temple was constructed in the year of 1977 when the great cyclone came i.e. uppena[clarification needed] at Rajupet, Machilipatnam. The Sree Ramalam temple is 2 kilometres from Palletummalapalem.[relevant to this section? ]
Transport[edit]
The city is well connected to most of the cities and towns by road. The National Highway 9 connects Machilipatnam to Pune, via Hyderabad and Vijayawada. National Highway 214A from Kattipudi to Ongole, passes through the city. Machilipatnam railway station is located in South Central Railway zone of Indian railways, under the jurisdiction of Vijayawada railway division. It is classified as an B–Category station and also one of the Adarsh Stations in the division.[26] It is the terminal station of Vijayawada-Machilipatnam branch line, that connects Howrah-Chennai main line at Vijayawada.[27]
Machilipatnam port was damaged by a giant ocean wave on 1 November 1864.[28] Since, then there were many efforts to build a new port. Navayuga Engineering Company Limited is in the process of building a deep water port at Gilakaladinne of the city.[29] The nearest domestic airport is Vijayawada Airport.
Education[edit]
Machilipatnam is an ancient and famous educational center. The Noble College Machilipatnam is one of the first four colleges in India and the first college in Andhra Pradesh. There are two other colleges with histories related to India's fight for independence, namely The Hindu College and The National College (Andhra Jateeya Kalasala). Kendriya Vidyalaya is the only school maintained by Government of India in Machilipatnam which was established in 1994. Krishna University has been established in Machilipatnam as the Headquarters of Krishna District in 2008 for Higher education.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Machilipatnam at Glance". Machilipatnam Municipality. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ a b "Andhra Pradesh (India): Districts, Cities, Towns and Outgrowth Wards - Population Statistics in Maps and Charts". citypopulation.de.
- ^ "District Profile Krishna" (PDF). Information Technology, Electronics & Communications Department, Government of AP. pp. 4, 9. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
- ^ "Administrative Setup". Krishna District Official Website. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
- ^ "Krishna District Mandals" (PDF). Census of India. p. 517. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
- ^ a b KV Nandini Reddy. Social Sci. (History) 7 (Rev.). Ratna Sagar. p. 72. ISBN 978-81-8332-296-6.
- ^ "Machilipatnam Growth May Trigger Off Reverse Migration". The New Indian Express (Machilipatnam). 2 April 2015. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
- ^ The Great Stupa at Nagarjunakonda in Southern India
- ^ Periplus, Point 62; http://legacy.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/periplus.asp
- ^ Buddhist Monks and Monasteries of India: Their History and Their Contribution to Indian Culture by Sukumar Butt, Motilal Banarsidas Publishers, 1988, p. 132
- ^ Rubiés, Joan-Pau (2000). Travel and Ethnology in the Renaissance: South India through European Eyes, 1250-1625. Cambridge University Press. pp. 50, 73 – via Questia. (subscription required (help)).
- ^ Chakravarti, Ranabir (1991). "Horse Trade and Piracy at Tana (Thana, Maharashtra, India): Gleanings from Marco Polo". Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient 34 (3): 159–182. JSTOR 3632243. (subscription required (help)).
- ^ "redirect to /world/IN/02/Machilipatnam.html". fallingrain.com.
- ^ http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00maplinks/mughal/bellinmasulipatam/overview1758.jpg
- ^ "Weather Radar Network of India Meteorological Department". India Meteorological Department. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
- ^ "The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Modern cyclone warning system for Machilipatnam". hindu.com.
- ^ "Musulipatnam Climate Normals 1971–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
- ^ "Literacy of AP (Census 2011)" (PDF). Official Portal of Andhra Pradesh Government. p. 43. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
- ^ "Population Glitch for Masula to Turn into Corporation". The New Indian Express (Machilipatnam). 20 February 2015. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
- ^ "Municipality commissioner". Commissioner & Director of Municipal Administration. Government of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
- ^ "MLA". Government of AP. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
- ^ "Machilipatnam Assembly 2014 Election Results". Elections.in. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
- ^ "MP (Lok Sabha)". Government of AP. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
- ^ Varma, Sujatha (13 April 2013). "In search of Bandar Laddu". The Hindu. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
- ^ "History". dattapeetham.com.
- ^ "Vijayawada Division – a profile" (PDF). Indian Railways. Retrieved 2013-02-13.
- ^ "Machilipatnam Railway Station". India Rail Info. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
- ^ T. Appala Naidu (8 August 2015). "The rise and fall of Maesolia port". Machilipatnam. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
- ^ "G.O. on development of Machilipatnam deep water port" (PDF). Department of Ports. Government of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
External links[edit]
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