The history of proposed Parvathipuram Manyam district is
connected with hoary past of Kalinga, one of the political divisions of
ancient India. Only in modern times, the upper part of Kalinga
was gradually merged into Orissa State and the lower part into Andhra
Region. The Kalinga empire extended from Cuttak in Orissa to
Pithapuram in East Godavari District even as far back as the 4th
Century B.C. The Nandas ruled the area between 467 B.C. and 336
B.C. They were followed by the Mauryas, the Chedis, the
Satavahanas, the Pitribhaktas, the Matharas, the Vasisthas, the
Vishnukundins, the early Eastern Gangas, the Eastern Chalukyas of
Vangi, the late Eastern Gangas, the Reddis of Rajahmundry and the
Velanati Cholas who ruled over the area constituting the present
Srikakulam district till the Kakatiyas appeared on the political scene
by A.D. 1210.
Recorded evidence shows that some local dynasties like the
Rapatri Chiefs, and the Gangas of Narayanapura, (situated in the
Bobbili block), the Gangas of Jantarunadu (the track now known as
Srungavarapukota), ruled over parts of the district from the 12th
century to the middle of the 15th century at various periods of
time. The silas of Nandapura with Capitals at Nandapura and
Bobbili who acknowledged the suzerainty of the Gangas of Kalinga
held away over parts of the district for nearly a hundred years from
the middle of the 14th Century.
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The Kakatiyas under Ganapatideva defeated the Velanati Chola
Chief, Prithvisvara who was rulling over the territory in 1210 but the
territory was recovered by the Eastern Gangas during the region of
Ananga Bhima III. The Gajapatis of Orissa then came to rule the
territory after overthrowing the Eastern Gangas in A.D.1443. The rule
of the Gajapatis over the area lasted for about 140 years till the
Qutb Shahis conquered the territory around A.D.1574. Consequent
on the Occupation of Golconda by the Mughals in A.D.1687, the area
came under the control of the Mughals. When the Viceroy of
the Mughals in Deccan, Nizam-ul-Mulk-Asaf Jah declared his
independence in A.D.1724, the area came under the rule of the Asaf
Jahis.
In the war of succession after Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah died,
Salabat Jung who came to power with the backing of the French
General Bussy, rewarded the French by ceding four Circars including
the Chicacole Circar in 1753. An important event in the history of
the district which occurred by about this time is the war between the
Rajas of Vizianagaram and Bobbili, popularly known as Bobbili
Yuddham. The war was fought between the Rajah of Vizianagaram
aided by the French General Bussy, and the Rajah of Bobbili on the
24th of January 1757. The bravery and valour of the soldiers of
Bobbili displayed in this war is still remembered by the people of
the area.
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Another important event in the history of the district is the war
between the French and the English fought at Chandurthi in 1758 in
which the French were defeated and the Northern Circars were
made over to the British under a firmana from the Mughal Emperor,
Shah Alam in 1765 which were placed under the then existing Chief
and Council at Vizagapatam. In 1794, the Chiefs and Councils were
abolished and Vizagapatam was arranged into three divisions each
under a Collector. Almost the entire area of the present area of
Vizianagaram district fell under the second division. However, the
three divisions were merged and a Collectorate for the whole district
was established in 1803 after the introduction of the permanent
settlement in the area.
The history of the rebellions against the alien rule goes
back to 1830 when the people of the district particularly the tribals,
unable to beat the oppression, rose in frequent rabellions
(fituris) leading to the establishment of seperate administrative
system known as "Agency Administration" under the Indian Act XXIV
of 1839. The rebellion of Korra Malliah, a tribal chief of the Salur
area against the British rule in 1900 is another important event in
the struggle against the alien rule. The District Magistrate despatched
Reserve Police to suppress the revolt which was seriously resisted
by the people. In the skirmish that followed many were killed.
Korra Malliah along with son was arrested and kept in Jail
where he died subsequently. In the freedom struggle the people
hailing from the area enthusiastically took part in various phases
of the movement like a non-cooperation movement, civil
disobedience movement, Quit India Movement etc.,
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After abolition of the Zamindaris in 1948, Visakhapatnam
district was found to be unwieldy for administrative purposes.
Consequently, Srikakulam district was carved out in 1950,
bifurcating it from Visakhapatnam district. The constitution of
Vizianagaram district in 1979, by transferring the taluks of
Parvathipuram, Kurupam, Salur, Bobbili, Badangi and Cheepurupalle
from Srikakulam district and some taluks of Visakhapatnam, forms
the latest development in the history of the district.
