Guntur Pincodes

Guntur was designated as the headquarters of a district, which was initially abolished in 1859 but later reestablished in 1904. The city’s significance grew as it became a major agricultural market, thanks in part to the opening of a railway link in 1890. Post-independence, this expansion continued, focusing mainly on what is now known as “New Guntur.” This development encompassed urban areas like Brodipet and Arundelpet, as well as suburban areas such as Pattabhipuram, Chandramouli Nagar, Sita Rama Nagar, and Brindavan Gardens.

History:

Over the last 800 years, as India faced invasions from the west, the Guntur region experienced the effects of foreign colonization and exploitation. In 1752, the French relocated their headquarters from Kondaveedu Fort to Guntur, likely due to the abundant water supply from two large tanks. This move marked the beginning of the modern city. Subsequently, the city came under the rule of the Nizams of Hyderabad and Hyder Ali before falling under British control in 1788. Notably, in 1868, the French astronomer Pierre Janssen observed a solar eclipse and discovered helium in Guntur, Madras State, British India.

In 2012, the city boundaries were extended through the merger of ten surrounding villages: Nallapadu, Pedapalakaluru, Ankireddipalem, Adavitakkellapadu, Gorantla, Pothuru, Chowdavaram, Etukuru, Budampadu, and Reddypalem.

Geography:

Guntur, positioned on the plains with an average elevation of 33 m (108 ft), has a landscape characterized by its geographical features. In the vicinity, you’ll find a few hills in the suburban areas, along with the Perecherla Reserve Forest situated to the north-west. Moreover, the city is situated approximately 64 km to the west of the Bay of Bengal, which is on the east coast of India. Notably, a portion of the Krishna delta extends into the Guntur district. Additionally, the region boasts other smaller rivers and channels, including the Guntur Channel, Chandravanka, Naagileru, and Guntur Branch Canal, among others.

Demographics:

In the 1981 census, Guntur recorded a population of 367,699, displaying a significant growth rate of 36.19%. By the time of the 2011 census, the city’s population had surged to 670,073, consisting of 371,727 males and 371,612 females. This demographic distribution resulted in a sex ratio of 1004 females per 1000 males, surpassing the national average of 940 females per 1000 males. As of 2018, the estimated population of the city stands at around 8.5 lakh.

Language and religion:

Telugu serves as the predominant language in Guntur, boasting a substantial number of native speakers, totaling 545,928. Following closely, there are 109,574 Urdu speakers. Additionally, a noteworthy minority of residents in the city communicate in languages such as Hindi, Odia, and Tamil. When it comes to the religious composition, Guntur has a diverse population. Hindus make up the majority, with 522,030 adherents, accounting for 77.91% of the population.

Muslims constitute a significant portion, with 120,974 followers, representing 18.05%. Furthermore, there are 21,787 Christians (3.25%), 2,312 Jains (0.35%), and 2,605 individuals (0.82%) who haven’t declared any religious affiliation. Interestingly, Guntur is home to one of the purportedly lost tribes of Israel, known as Bene Ephraim, which maintains a presence in the city and even has a Jewish synagogue.