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.