Visakhapatnam: A Blend of Valor and Heritage

Context:

This analysis portrays Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Andhra Pradesh’s financial hub and Eastern Naval Command seat, as a city rich in military history and Telugu cultural legacy. Highlighting its museums and strategic significance, the piece offers insights into its dual identity, relevant for understanding regional history, defense, and cultural diversity as of March 22, 2025.

1. Strategic Hub: Home to the Eastern Naval Command, Vizag is a key naval base with INS Kalinga, responsible for missile storage and delivery, bolstering India’s maritime defense.
2. Military Legacy: The city hosts India’s first submarine museum, INS Kursura, opened in 2002, showcasing naval history with artifacts like periscopes and torpedoes.
3. Visakha Museum: Located near YSR Junction, this museum (inaugurated 1991) displays Kalingandhra relics—musical instruments, military gear, and Dutch coins—reflecting Telugu heritage.
4. Cultural Splendour: Vizag celebrates Telugu traditions through artifacts like palm leaf manuscripts and hosts folk performances at venues like Gurajada Kalakshetram.
5. Historical Depth: Traces its maritime past to the 6th century BCE under Kalinga rulers, later shaped by British trade and colonial influence, evident in its port and museums.
6. Economic Role: Known as Andhra Pradesh’s ‘Financial Capital,’ its port handles 75 million tonnes of cargo annually, driving industrial growth (e.g., steel, shipbuilding).
7. Tourism Appeal: Museums like the Maritime Gallery and Tu-142 Aircraft Museum draw visitors, blending education with tourism, managed by the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA).
8. Defense Milestone: INS Visakhapatnam, a stealth destroyer named after the city, was dedicated in 2022, symbolizing its modern military significance.
9. Cultural Preservation: Efforts like the Visakha Museum’s expansion preserve Andhra’s folk arts and history, countering urban overshadowing of traditions.

Key Terms:

• Eastern Naval Command: India’s naval headquarters in Vizag overseeing eastern maritime security.
• INS Kursura: Decommissioned submarine turned museum, opened in 2002.
• Visakha Museum: Cultural repository of Kalingandhra artifacts since 1991.
• INS Kalinga: Naval base in Vizag for missile operations.
• Kalingandhra: Historical region linking Andhra’s past to Kalinga rulers.
• VMRDA: Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority managing urban and cultural projects.
• INS Visakhapatnam: Indigenous stealth destroyer commissioned in 2022, named after the city.

Link To The Original Article – https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/visakhapatnam-a-city-of-military-might-and-cultural-splendour/article69357157.ece