Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam (Vizag) is a historic coastal city on the Bay of Bengal in Andhra Pradesh, shaped by its natural harbour, hill ranges, and long maritime links. The region has ancient roots and is traditionally associated with early settlement and temple culture; nearby Buddhist sites such as Thotlakonda and Bavikonda show that the area was an active centre of Buddhism and trade in the early centuries CE. Over time, the wider coastal belt came under major South Indian and Deccan powers, including the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi, the Kakatiyas, and later the Vijayanagara Empire, each contributing to temple patronage, local governance, and agrarian growth.

From the 16th century onward, Visakhapatnam’s coastline became part of expanding Indian Ocean commerce, and the area witnessed European contact and competition. Under British rule, the town gradually developed into a modern port and administrative centre, benefiting from improved transport and trade networks. A major turning point came in the 20th century with the growth of the harbour and heavy industries, especially after independence—most notably the establishment of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and the city’s role as a naval hub with the Eastern Naval Command.

Today, Visakhapatnam is known as a key port city and industrial centre, while also preserving cultural landmarks, beaches, and hill temples that reflect its layered history and coastal identity.