The Prakasam district was originally constituted on the 2 February 1970, carved out of Guntur, Nellore and Kurnool districts of Andhra Pradesh. It was renamed as Prakasam district on 12 May 1972, in memory of the great patriot and Andhra Leader, Tanguturi PrakasamPanthulu, also known as Andhra Kesari (Lion of Andhra ) who was born in Vinodarayunipalem village near Ammanabrolu of this district. It was carved out of three taluks of Guntur District, i.e. Addanki, Chirala and Ongole, four taluks of Nellore district, i.e. Kandukur, Kanigiri,Podili and Darsi and three taluks of Kurnool district i.e. Markapuram, Kambum and Giddaluru. It is one of the nine districts in the Coastal Andhra region of Andhra Pradesh.
Ongole, Singarayakonda, Addanki, Inkollu, Markapur, Yerragondapalem, Podili, Darsi,Chirala,
Kandukur, Parchur, Giddaluru, Podili, Dornala, Cumbum, Kanigiri, Chimakurthi and Martur are Some of the main towns in Prakasam district .
Markapur is India's main slate manufacturing town where the historic temple of Lord Chennakesava is situated. Chimakurthi is world renowned for its granite reserves. Dornala is also known as diguva Srisailam, since it is very near the historic pilgrimage center of Srisailam.
The history of Prakasam (Ongole) district, goes back to the rule of the Mauryas.There is no doubt about the rule of later Satavahanas over this area, for an inscription of Gautamiputra Satakarni, dated in his 27th regional year was noticed at Chinaganjam, in Chirala taluk of this district. A good nuber of Roman Gold coins were recovered from Darsi area. Next, it was under the rule of the Ikshvakus, Eastern Chalukyas and Kakathiyas. During the Kakathiya rule, Motupathi served as sea port. It was visited by the Italian traveller marco Polo.It also served as a busy port during the Reddy period. This district was under the rule of the Vijayanagara and Ganapathi of Orissa for a considerable period durinmg the 15th and 16th century A D.
Prakasam District's past stretches back to the days when it was ruled by the Mauryas from 250 B.C. the rise of the Satavahanas saw Buddhism flourish in the region and the construction of several stupas. The Ikshvaku and Vijayanagar Kings,the Kakatiyas, the Qutub Shahis,the Mughals, the Addanki Reddys,the Chundi Rajas, the ongole Samsthanam Kingsand the Pellur Rajas later followed these rulers.
The people of this district contributed their due share to the growth of the Indian National Congress. The non-co-operation movement in 1920 shows the district setting with political turmoil. After the all India congress committee meeting was over, Gandhiji traveled some of the coastal districts and spread the message of nationalism. The boycott of courts by lawyers met with, a slightly better response in favour of civil disobedience and no tax campaign. Among those who suspended their practicing professions and who dedicated themselves to the cause of the country’s freedom were some of the top ranking lawyers, with late Sri T. Prakasam leading them all.