An Introduction to Rajahmundry:
Its original name was Raja Mahendri or Raja Mahendravaram. It was the first capital of many known Telugu Kingdoms. The Chalukya ruler Rajaraja Narendra ruled this city around 1022.
The city has traces of 11th century fine palaces, and fort walls. However, new archeological evidence suggests that the city may have existed far before the Chalukyas.[1] In the Middle Ages, it was called Raja Mahendra Varam. Later the name underwent various changes to Rajahmahendravaram, Rajahmahendramu, Rajamandramu and Rajahmundhri. It later became Rajahmundry during British rule.
Nannayya, the poet laureate, who was called 'Adi Kavi' (The first Poet) of Telugu belonged to this place. He, along with Tikkana and Yerrana, is responsible for the translation of Jaya, Sanskrit version of Mahabharata, into telugu. Kandukuri Veeresalingam, who is a social reformer and also the author of Rajashekhara Charithra, the first Telugu novel, was also from Rajahmundry