Kakinada

Kakinada is a historic coastal city on the Bay of Bengal in the Godavari delta region of Andhra Pradesh. Its growth is closely tied to the fertile waterways and sea routes of coastal Andhra, where settlements and market towns flourished around agriculture, salt-making, and marine trade. Over the centuries, the wider region came under major South Indian and Deccan powers such as the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi, the Kakatiyas, and later the Vijayanagara Empire—periods that strengthened irrigation, temple networks, and local commerce across the delta.

From the 16th–18th centuries, coastal Andhra saw frequent shifts in authority among regional rulers and Deccan sultanates, and maritime trade expanded with contacts across the Indian Ocean. Kakinada’s modern prominence rose strongly in the colonial era, when it developed as a significant port town (often spelled “Cocanada” in older records). Exports of rice, oilseeds, and other produce from the delta, along with improved roads and rail links, helped it emerge as a key commercial hub.

In the 20th century, Kakinada continued to grow with education, industry, and port activity, while retaining its cultural identity through temples, festivals, and local crafts. Today, it is known for its coastal economy, food culture, and long connection to trade and the Godavari delta’s prosperity.