Kurnool, city, western state of Andhra Pradesh, southern India. It is located in an upland area at the confluence of the Tungabhadra and Hindri Rivers about 160 km southeast of Hyderabad in Telangana State. Kurnool became a municipality in 1866 and was the capital of Andhra State (the predecessor of Andhra Pradesh) from 1953 to 1956, when Andhra Pradesh was founded with the capital Hyderabad. Kurnool is a trade center and transportation hub, with a railway and major highway connecting it with Hyderabad and Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu, 240 miles (385 km) to the southeast. In the city there are colleges of arts and sciences affiliated with Sri Krishnadevaraya University in Anantapur. Of historical interest are the ruins of a royal fortress dating back to the Hindu kingdom of Vijayanagar, which flourished from the 14th to the 16th century. Pop. (2001) city, 269,122; urban agglomeration. 342,973; (2011) city, 430,214; urban agglomeration., 484,327.
The Kurnool district and its synonymous headquarters are a study in history and resilience. Located in the interior of Andhra Pradesh, Kurnool has a myriad of natural wonders such as caves, rivers, densely forested slopes and of course a city bustling with people, commerce and tourists. Could you imagine the city taking its name from a Telugu word meaning "fat city" simply because it was the stopping place for ox carts transporting stone for temple construction in Alampur? With a history dating back to the 11th century, this region was ruled by the Cholas, the Kakatiya Kings and Achyuta Raya who gave the city an enduring monument in the form of the Kurnool Fort. Blessed by nature, and with a deep and impactful culture permeating it, Kurnool is intriguing to travelers, both local and foreign.
