Nalgonda district became part of Andhra Pradesh w.e.f. 1st November, 1956 i.e., after reorganization of states. It was formerly known as Neelagiri (Blue Hill). The district is in the Southern part of the Telangana Region between 16-25' and 17-50' of the Northern Latitude and 78-40' and 80-05' of Eastern longitude covering an area of 14,240 Sq. Kms. The District is bounded by Medak and Warangal districts in the North, Guntur and Mahaboobnagar districts in the South, Khammam and Krishna districts in the East and Mahabubnagar and Rangareddy district in the West.
The Geographical area of the district is 14,217 Sq. Km accounting to 5.18% of the total area of the state of A.P. The total population of the district is 34.5 lakhs and density of population is 242 per Sq. Km as per 2001 census.
The history of Nalgonda dates back to the Palaeolithic age. On the basis of the gradual evolution of the lithic material, the pre-historic period is studied under the following heads.
(227 AD - 306 AD) Ikshvakus attained control over the region and ruled with their capital Vijayapuri. During this period Sakas and Scythians settled in this region. Buddhism flourished during this period.
Palaeolithic Age During this period, Man fashioned his tools and weapons by chipping hard stones of convenient size and shape. This feature is testified by the findings of an extra-ordinarily interesting unifacial Palaeolithic implements of the Soan type at Yeleshwaram.
Neolithic Age Traces of Neolithic culture were found at Chota Yelupu, where sling stones and other objects of interest were unearthed. The existence of Megalithic culture was revealed by the discovery of innumerable burials at various places like Tipparti, Nakrekal, Nalgonda etc.
Mauryas and Satavahanas- (230 BC - 218 AD) The political history of the district commences with the Mauryas. Mauryas, during the reign of Asoka, the Great held their sway over this region. Later the region has come under the over lordship of Satavahanas who ruled between 230 BC - 218 AD. It was during this period the region established trade contacts withRoman empire.
Pallavas and Vishnukundinis After Ikshvakus, Pallavas and Vishnukundins fought for supremacy over the region. Luck favoured Vishnukundins in the form of Samudragupta's invasion of the South. Vishnukundins ruled from first quarter of the fifth century A.D to the first decade of the seventh century A.D. Later Kubja Vishnuvardhana ruled this territory with Vengi as his capital.
Rashtrakutas A major portion of the district apears to have passed from the Chalukyas of Badami to the Rashtrakutas. Rashtrakutas fell in A.D 973 and gave room to the Chalukyas of Kalyani, the Sway of Chalukyas continued till the end of 12th century.
Medieval Period The district passed under the control of the Kakatiyas from the western Chalukyas. During Prataparudra's time the kingdom was annexed to the Tughluq empire in A.D. 1323. During Muhammad-bin-tughluq's period, Musunuri chief Kapayanayaka ceded a part of Nalgonda to Ala-ud-din Hasan Bahman Shah. Later the region came under the rule of Recherlas of Rachakonda and Devarakonda. During Ahmad Shah I's period the region was annexed to Bahmani kingdom. Jalal Khan in A.D 1455 declared himself king at Nalgonda, but it was a shortlined affair. The region was brought back to Bahmani kingdom.
Qutubshahi's : During the Bahmani Sultan Shihabud-din Mahmun's time Sultan Quli was appointed as tarafdar of Telangana. From him the regions was taken by his son Jamshid. Later the district remained under the control of Qutub Shahis till A.D.1687.
Modern Period Mughals & Asaf Jahis Nizam-ul-Mulk (Asaf Jah I) defeated Mubasiz Khan at Shaker Khere in Berar and ruled the Deccan in an autonomous capacity. This district, like the other districts of Telangana, passed under the Asaf Jahis and remained under them for a period of nearly two hundred and twenty five years.
Nalgonda feature many tourist attractions in the form of popular religious and heritage sites. The popular religious sites in Nalgonda include Matampalli, Wadapally, Yadagirigutta, Kolanupaka, Pangal, Sunkishala, Gajulabanda, Yeleswaram, Phanigiri, etc. Nagarjuan Sagar, the place housing the tallest masonry dam is a sacred place for the Buddhists. The place derived its name from a known Buddhist scholar Nagarjuna. In the middle of the lake spread over here is Nagarjuna Konda that features the excavations of an ancient Buddhist civilization.
The Sunkishala Temple and Somalingeswaraswamy Temple are notable sites and sacred to Hindus. There is a mysterious fact associated with the latter mentioned place. The temple has a number of pillars one of which always casts a shadow on the shrine placed here. Which pillar remains to be a mystery. The Ethipothala waterfalls is a jubilant scene to be watched at. The fall starts from a height of 21 metres goes down, down ... filling the space with myriads of color. The Ikshvaku citadel found at Nandikonda is a surprise for many. The site has a fortified wall, gates and army barracks of the glorious past. Apart from these there are many other places worth paying visits.