Centuries ago, Andhra Pradesh was a major Buddhist centre and
a part of Emperor Ashoka's 
sprawling kingdom. After the death of Emperor Ashoka, the
Satavahanas established their kingdom in this region. They were
succeeded by the Ikshvakus, who ruled Andhra Pradesh for the next
57 years. Several Buddhist stupas , including the giant one at
Nagarjunakonda were built during the reign of Ikshvakus. The
expanding Pallava empire put an end to the rule.
During the 7th century, the Chalukyas took over Andhra Pradesh
until the 10th century, when the Cholas seized power. In the 14th
century, the Mughals finally reached this southern State and for
centuries, the land witnessed Hindu-Muslim power struggle.
Finally, it was taken over by a General of the Mughal Emperor
Aurangzeb in 1713. The successors of this General, known as the
Nizams, ruled the State till the time of Indian independence in
1947.
Successive dynasties from the Ikshvakus, Pallavas, Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, Vijayanagaram kings, Qutub Shahis, Mughals and finally, the Asaf Jahis, contributed significantly to the State's rich cultural tapestry in the form of spectacular monuments, temples, mosques and palaces.
Formed with the unification of old princely state of Hyderabad and the Telugu speaking belts of the former state of Madras, Andhra Pradesh to this day retains much of its regal glory and old world charm.
