Why in the News?

Machilipatnam, once a flourishing ancient port city on India’s east coast, is witnessing a major transformation with the construction of a modern Greenfield port.

About Machilipatnam:

• Alternate Names: Also known as Masulipatnam, Maisolia, or Manjarika.
• Geographic Location: Located in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, on the southeastern Coromandel Coast, at the mouth of River Krishna, ~70 km east of Amaravati.
• Historical Importance:
  • One of the most significant east coast port cities for ~1,700 years.
  • Played a key role in maritime trade across ancient, medieval, and early modern periods.
• Global Trade Connections:
  • Attracted traders from Rome, Arabia, Persia, Southeast Asia, and Europe.
  • Known for exporting high-quality Muslin textiles prized in Roman markets.
  • The term “muslin” likely derives from “Maisolia,” an ancient name of the city.
• Cultural Contributions:
  • Known for Kalamkari art, a traditional textile art featuring hand-painted or block-printed designs.
• Dynastic Port Usage:
  • Satavahanas (1st BCE – 2nd CE): Used as a major trade gateway.
  • Vishnukundins (4th–6th CE): Trade wealth supported Buddhist monument construction (e.g., Nagarjunakonda).
  • Qutb Shahis (16th–17th CE): Transformed it into a global hub for diamonds, muslin, and Kalamkari.
  • Nizams of Hyderabad (18th century): Controlled the port until partial cession to the British.
• Mentions in Ancient Texts:
  • Appears as Maisolia in Periplus of the Erythraean Sea.
  • Listed as Maisolos in Ptolemy’s Geographia.
• Colonial Involvement:
  • Dutch built a fort in the 17th century.
  • British East India Company established its first Bay of Bengal factory here in 1611.
  • Between 1686–1759, it changed hands among French, Dutch, and British; seized by British from the French in 1759.
• Decline of the Port:
  • Anchorage Issue: Unsuitable for large ships, with anchorage 5 miles offshore.
  • Cyclone Damage: A severe cyclone in 1779 killed ~20,000 and destroyed Dutch structures.
  • Trade Shift: Decline due to growing prominence of Madras (Chennai) and Visakhapatnam under British rule.
• Post-Independence Claim:
  • In 1947, 7th Nizam of Hyderabad attempted to reclaim it for sea access to an independent Hyderabad state.
• Modern Revival:
  • A Greenfield port at Manginapudi is under construction, expected to be operational by 2026.
  • Aims to restore Machilipatnam’s historical maritime legacy.

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now