Kadapa district (officially: YSR district; formerly: Cuddapah district) is one of the twenty six districts in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. In 2022 reorganisation of Andhra Pradesh districts, the district boundary is largely restricted to Kadapa parliamentary constituency area. It is also one of the eight districts in the Rayalaseema region. Kadapa is the administrative headquarters for this district.
Barytes, Lime Stone, Asbestos and Uranium are major mineral resources of the district. The district is home to many religious and historic places of interest. Kodandarama Temple at Vontimetta, Chennakesava temple of Pushpagiri, Siddavatam Fort and Gandikota gorge are some of the famous places.
The old records of the district reveal that Kadapa was previously called Gadapa which translated in Telugu to threshold. The ancient village of Kadapa with its large tank and temple of Lord Venkateswara at Devuni Kadapa was convenient camping place for the myriads of pilgrims travelling to the holy shrine of Tirupati. On 19 August 2005, the nomenclature of “Cuddapah” had been changed to “Kadapa” by the Government of A.P. It was renamed as Y.S.R District during the year 2010, in honour of Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the former chief minister of United Andhra Pradesh.
This region was part of Maurya Empire, Satavahana dynasty, Chola dynasty, Pallava dynasty, Bana Kingdom, Rashtrakuta dynasty, Kakatiya dynasty, Vijayanagara Empire, Maratha Empire, Kingdom of Mysore and Carnatic Sultanate during the course of its history upto medieval period. Later on it was ruled as part of British East India company.
Many paleolithic sites were found in Kadapa district, as the surroundings of Jammalamadugu, Mailavaram Dam and Gandikota. Some megalithic burial sites were explored near Porumamilla, Sankhavaram and at Yellatur village near Kadapa. The surroundings of Vontimitta are also noted as Megalithic cultural sites.
Paleolithic rock paintings found at Chintakunta caves near Muddanur in Kadapa district are said to be the second largest group of paintings in India after Bhimbetika rock art paintings.