Nellore was known by the name of Vikrama Simhapuri till the 13 century. The city had an important role in the emergence of the Telugu language and the formation of the state of Andhra Pradesh. It had been under the rule of Maurya Dynasty, Kharavela of Chedi dynasty, Satavahanas, Kakatiyas, Pallavas, Cholas, Eastern Gangas of Kalinga Empire, Telugu Cholas, Pandyas, Vijayanagara Empire, Arcot Nawabs and other dynasties.
Mauryan and Pallava Empires
Nellore first came under Mauryan influence and was part of the Ashokan Empire in the 3rd century B.C.. It was next included in the Pallava Empire between the fourth and sixth century A.D..
Nellore Chodas (Telugu Chodas of Nellore)
There was a branch of the Telugu Chodas which ruled from Nellore and were the chieftains of the Kakatiyas. The Telugu poet, Tikkana, in the introduction of his Nirvachanottara Ramayanamu, gave an account of the history and antecedents of this family. These Chodas also claimed descent from the famous Karikala Chola. They ruled over their kingdom consisting of the Nellore, Cuddapah, Chittoor and Chengalput districts with Vikrama Simhapuri (modern Nellore) as their capital. Chola Bijjana was the first important chief in the Nellore Choda clan. As a feudatory of the Western Chalukya Someswara I (1042–1068) of Kalyani, he took part in the wars of the Chalukyas and Cholas. In recognition of the loyalty and services of his descendants to the Chalukyas of Kalyani, Vikramadiya II (1076–1126) appointed them as rulers of Pakanadu.
Later Tikka (1223–1248), father of the famous king Manumasiddhi II, extended the sway of the Nellore Telugu Chola family as far south as the Kaveri river. He owed nominal allegiance to the already crippled Chalukya-Chola emperors of the south, but was practically an independent ruler. Along with the Hoysala
