Kurnool:

The original name of Kurnool is found in historical records as Kandanavōlu or Kandanōlu.[9] It

used to be a crossing on the Tungabhadra River, where the bullock cart caravans are believed to
have greased their wheels ("kandana" being a reference to grease).[10]

History
Palaeolithic era

The Ketavaram[11] rock paintings from the Paleolithic era and are (18 kilometres from Kurnool).
Also the Jurreru Valley, Katavani Kunta[12] and Yaganti in Kurnool District have some important
rock art and paintings in the vicinity, may be dated from 35,000 to 40,000 years ago.

Belum Caves are geologically and historically important caves in the district. There are
indications that Jain and Buddhist monks were occupying these caves centuries ago. Many
Buddhists relics were found inside the caves. These relics are now housed in Museum at
Ananthapur. Archaeological survey of India (ASI) found remnants of vessels and other artifacts
of pre-Buddhist era and has dated the remnants of vessels found in the caves to 4500 BC.[13]

Vijayanagara era

Little was known about Kurnool town before the 11th century. The earliest knowledge of this
settlement dates from the 11th century. It has developed as transit place on the southern banks of
the river Tungabhadra.

Ruled by the Cholas in 12th Century and later taken over by the Kakatiya dynasty in 13th
century. Kurnool developed into a transit point on the southern banks of the Tungabhadra River.
It eventually fell under the rule of a jaghirdar before becoming a part of the Vijayanagar dynasty.
King Achyuta Raya, successor of Sri Krishnadeva Raya constructed the Kurnool Fort during the
16th century.

Mughals Rule

The Abyssinian, Abdul Wahab Khan, defeated King Gopal Raja of the Vijayanagar Kingdom in
the 17th century and went on to rule the land for 16 years until his death.

In 1686, Kurnool fell under the influence of the Mughals who were ruled by Emperor
Aurangzeb. Later on in Kurnool’s history, it was ruled by the Nawabs until the British
Government took over in 1839.[14]

Post independence

Kurnool was the capital of erstwhile Andhra state between 1953 and 1956 until the union with
Telangana to form Andhra Pradesh with Hyderabad as the state’s capital