Samalkota
Samarlakota | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Samarlakota Location in Andhra Pradesh, India | |
| Coordinates: 17°03′11″N 82°10′10″E / 17.0531°N 82.1695°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| District | Kakinada district |
| Area | |
• Total | 14.08 km2 (5.44 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 9 m (30 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 56,864 |
| • Rank | 3rd in East Godavari dist |
| • Density | 4,000/km2 (10,000/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Telugu |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 533 440 |
| Telephone code | +91-884 |
| Vehicle Registration | AP05 (Former) AP39 (from 30 January 2019)[2] |
Samarlakota is a town in Kakinada district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The town forms a part of Kakinada Urban Development Authority.[3] It was previously known as Chamarlakota, which dates back to a local kaifiyat that was written in the mid-eighteenth century.[4]
History
Samalkot, historically known as Chamarlakota, was part of the Pithapuram estate and was closely associated with the sirdar family that founded the zamindari. It is believed to have been the original capital of the estate before being temporarily replaced by Pithapuram. However, in the 18th century, Samalkot regained its status as the estate's capital.[5]
The fort in Samalkot held strategic importance during the conflicts of 1759, serving as a focal point in the power struggles between the English, French, and local forces. The fort frequently changed hands during this period. Later, in the latter half of the 18th century, it became a sanitarium for British troops. Barracks were constructed in 1786, establishing Samalkot as the principal garrison of the British forces in the Rajahmundry region. However, the fort was demolished in 1838, and the military station was abandoned by 1868. Following the Rampa disturbances of 1879, a small British military presence was reestablished but was finally withdrawn in 1893.[5]
Samalkot's commercial significance grew with the establishment of a large sugar refinery and distillery in 1899. The town also became a hub for the weaving industry, with many Devangas producing plain cotton cloths, including some with lace borders. Additional industries in the area included chintz-stamping, dyeing, and the production of kas-kas tattis.[5]
Historically, Samalkot was connected by canal to Kakinada and Rajahmundry, facilitating transport and trade.[5]
Geography
Samarlakota is located at 17°03′00″N 82°11′00″E / 17.0500°N 82.1833°E.[6] It has an average elevation of 9 m (30 ft)
Transport
The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation operates bus services from Samarlakota bus station.[7] Samarlakota railway station is an important railway junction on the Visakhapatnam-Vijayawada section of Howrah-Chennai main line. The railway line to Kakinada branches at this railway junction. The nearest airport to Samarlakota town is Rajahmundry Airport, which is 40 km (25 miles) away.
Demographics
Samarlakota is a municipal town in the district of Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. Samarlakota is divided into 18 wards, for which elections are held every five years. Samarlakota Municipality has a population of 56,864, of which 28,115 are males and 28,749 are females, according to a report released by Census India 2011.
The population of children aged six or younger is 5,793, which is 10.19% of total population of Samarlakota. In Samarlakota Municipality, the male:female sex ratio is 1,023 per 1,000 males, against state average of 993. The child sex ratio in Samarlakota is around 948 compared to the Andhra Pradesh state average of 939. The literacy rate of Samarlakota is 74.58%, higher than state average of 67.02%. Male literacy is around 78.77% while female literacy rate is 70.51%.
Governance
Samarlakota municipality has over 16,044 houses to which it supplies basic amenities like water and sewerage. It is authorized to build roads within the municipality limits and impose taxes on properties coming under its jurisdiction.
Economy
Manufacturing industries at an industrial estate include oil, food and spice manufacture; companies are Ammbati Subbanna & Co, AS Brand Oil, Arun Dorakula Food & Spices Company, and ADR brand, RAK Ceramics are situated in Samarlakota.
Attractions
Religious organisations are:
- Sri Chalukya Kumararaama Sri Bheemeswara
- Mandavya Narayana Swamy Temple
- Swami vaari temple,
- Prasanna aanjaneya Swami temple
- Ganapati Temple,
- Mehar complex
- Mutyalamma temple
- Sai Baba Temple
- Station centre
- Municipal Centre
- Bhimavarampeta
- St.Anthony Shrine Catholic church
- Centenary Baptist Church,
- Augustana Lutheran church
- True Gospel church
- Andhra Baptist Churches
Education
The town's first boarding school was established in 1882,[8] by the Canadian Baptist Mission[9] it was known as C. B. M. Boys' School.[10] Notable among those who were associated includes A. B. Masilamani[11] and his teacher Chetty Bhanumurthy.[11]
Primary and secondary school education is imparted by government, aided and private schools, under the state's School Education Department.[12][13] The medium of instruction followed by schools are English and Telugu.
References
- ^ "Municipalities, Municipal Corporations & UDAs" (PDF). Directorate of Town and Country Planning. Government of Andhra Pradesh. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 February 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
- ^ "New 'AP 39' code to register vehicles in Andhra Pradesh launched". The New Indian Express. Vijayawada. 31 January 2019. Archived from the original on 3 February 2019. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
- ^ "Constitution of Godavari Urban Development Authority with headquarters at Godavari" (PDF). Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department. Government of Andhra Pradesh. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
- ^ Sources of the History of India. Vol. 1. Institute of Historical Studies. 1978. p. 159. ISBN 9788186336472.
- ^ a b c d "Madras District Gazetteers - Godavari". The Superintendent, Government Press, Madras. 1915. Retrieved 21 November 2024 – via Wikisource.
- ^ Falling Rain Genomics. Samarlakota
- ^ "Bus Stations in Districts". Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
- ^ Baptist Missionary Review, Volume 26, 1922, p.468
- ^ Sivasankaranarayana, M. V. Rajagopal, N. Ramesan (Compiled), Andhra Pradesh District Gazetteers: East Godavari, Printed by Director of Printing and Stationery at the Government Secretariat Press, Hyderabad, 1979, p.429. [1]
- ^ Indian Church History Review, Volume 13, 1979, p.70
- ^ a b R. R. Sundara Rao, Bhakti Theology in the Telugu Hymnal, CISRS, Bangalore, 1993, pp.48, 56, 57. [2]
- ^ "School Education Department" (PDF). School Education Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
- ^ "The Department of School Education – Official AP State Government Portal | AP State Portal". ap.gov.in. Archived from the original on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2016.