Eluru is a city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh and the administrative headquarters of Eluru district. Situated in the deltaic plains between the Krishna and Godavari rivers, it is one of the older urban settlements in coastal Andhra and is known regionally for its hand-woven wool pile carpets, agricultural trade, and as a centre of education and local government.
Key facts
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| District | Eluru |
| Region | Coastal Andhra |
| Civic body | Eluru Municipal Corporation |
| Languages | Telugu (official), Urdu, English |
| Known for | Wool pile carpets, paddy and agricultural trade, district administration |
Etymology and names
The city has been historically referred to by several names, including Helapuri and Ellore, the latter being the form widely used in colonial-era records. The modern Telugu name Eluru was officially adopted in later usage.
Geography
Eluru lies in the West Godavari–Krishna delta belt of coastal Andhra Pradesh. The Tammileru rivulet and the Eluru Canal, an important navigation and irrigation channel that historically connected the Krishna and Godavari river systems, pass through the city. The terrain is generally flat alluvial plain, and the surrounding region is dominated by paddy cultivation, aquaculture, and horticulture.
Climate
The city has a tropical climate with hot summers, a south-west monsoon season from June to September, and mild winters. It lies in a region periodically affected by cyclonic depressions originating in the Bay of Bengal.
History
Eluru has a long recorded history as a regional centre. It was an important seat of power under the Eastern Chalukyas and later came under successive dynasties including the Kakatiyas, the Reddi rulers of Kondaveedu, the Vijayanagara Empire, the Qutb Shahis of Golconda, and the Nizams of Hyderabad. The town was subsequently incorporated into the Madras Presidency under British rule, where it served as an administrative and trading hub in the Krishna and West Godavari districts.
Following the formation of Andhra State in 1953 and the larger Andhra Pradesh in 1956, Eluru became the headquarters of West Godavari district. After the reorganisation of districts in Andhra Pradesh on 4 April 2022, a new Eluru district was constituted, and the city continues to serve as its headquarters.
Civic administration
Eluru is administered by the Eluru Municipal Corporation, which is responsible for civic services, town planning, and local infrastructure. The city is part of the Eluru Lok Sabha constituency and contains the Eluru Assembly constituency in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
Economy
The economy of Eluru is closely tied to the agricultural output of the surrounding delta, particularly paddy, sugarcane, pulses, and aquaculture products. The city is historically renowned for its wool pile carpets, a craft introduced during the Mughal–Persian cultural contact and sustained over centuries by local weaving communities; Eluru carpets have been exported to several countries. Other significant activities include rice milling, oil extraction, dairy processing, and trade in agricultural commodities.
Transport
- Rail: Eluru railway station lies on the Howrah–Chennai main line of the South Coast Railway zone and is a stop for many long-distance and passenger trains.
- Road: National Highway 16 (part of the Golden Quadrilateral) passes through the city, connecting it to Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam. State highways link it to Bhimavaram, Tadepalligudem, and other towns of the delta region.
- Waterway: The Eluru Canal historically functioned as part of the inland navigation network of the Krishna–Godavari delta.
- Air: The nearest major airports are at Vijayawada (Gannavaram) and Rajahmundry.
Education
Eluru hosts a number of government and private institutions offering school, undergra