Guntur

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Guntur ( Telugu: గుంటూరు Guṇṭūru [ ɡuɳʈu ː ru] ) is a city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It has about 650,000 inhabitants ( 2011 census ) and is the administrative seat of the district of Guntur.

History

The oldest written record Gunturs found as engraving on objects from the reign of Vengi Chalukya king - Ammaraja I. ( 922-929 ). Guntur also appears in two other inscriptions from the years 1147 and 1158. The old Sanskrit name Gunturs is Garthapuri.

Over the last hundred years, the city has expanded considerably towards the north and west. This area is called New Guntur.

When observing the solar eclipse of August 18, 1868 by Guntur from Jules Janssen found a new line in the solar spectrum and thus helium. Joseph Norman Lockyer also took place in October 1868 observations from London the same lines. Both researchers therefore count as a discoverer of helium.

Economy

Guntur and the surrounding region is renowned for the cultivation and trade of cotton, chillies and tobacco. The state enterprise Tobacco Board India, the world's third largest producer of raw tobacco, here has its headquarters

Religion

Guntur is the seat of the Diocese of Guntur.