Nineteen Seventies were a crucial period in Indian soci­ety. Apart from the earthshaking political developments. Re­lated to this were some of the reverberations in the intellec­tual climate of the country. Secular historical writings came under severe attack which witnessed a country – wide pro­test against it. Establishment of hew centers of historical learning and research such as Javaharlal Nehru University and an apex funding body to encourage research like the Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi, gave nec­essary impetus to the growth of scientific History. These ef­forts were slowly but steadily percolating down to the re­gional levels. They provided necessary enthusiasm to un­dertake the promotion of historical research and launch steps to bring together the kindered souls interested in new ways of learning.

It was in the above context that the founding of Andhra Pradesh History Congress took its shape. Inspired by the pioneering efforts made by the earlier savants of Andhra History like Kommarraju, Chilukuri, Nelaturi, Mallampalli, Rallabandi, Suravaram, Bhavaraju, H.K.Sherwani and Yazdami and a host of others to the cause of the study of Andhra History and also following the footsteps of the Andhra Historical Research Society (Rajahmundry) a few serious minded scholars headed by Dr. M. Pattabhiram Reddy, af­fectionately called M.P.R., initiated the steps to organise the founding session at Kavali in 1976. Jawahar Bharati (earlier known as Kavali College) is an educational institution of considerable repute consisting of progressive and forward-looking intellectuals of different hues became the venue of the first session.

To recapitulate the main aims and objectives of Andhra Pradesh History Congress, as stated in the Constitution are, “to promote historical studies”, and to organise the research activities and discuss problems of historiography in Andhra Pradesh”. The same were elaborated by the founding Sec­retary, Dr. M.P.R., when he stated, during the first session, “to lay the foundations of scientific historiography in Andhra Pradesh”.

To the appeal made by Dr.M.P.R., and his friends, en­couraging response came from all quarters of history teach­ers. Particular mention should, however, be made of the overwhelming support received from the leading historians like Dr. Nelaturi Venkataramanaiah (who in the capacity of first General President blessed the organisation). Dr. Raviprolu   Subrahmanyam,   Sri   Kambhampati Satyanarayana, Bangory and Sarada Raju attended. At­tended by 72 delegates, representing different parts of Andhra Pradesh, the founding session at Kavali was a rea­sonable success. It also had 24 research papers. The con­stitution was framed, the body was registered and the head­quarters were established at Kavali.

FORMATIVE STAGE

The next four sessions, 1977 to 1980, held at Ramachandrapuram, Vijayawada, Chirala, and Guntur could be considered as formative years of Andhra Pradesh His­tory Congress. Necessary succor and support were provided in the increasing participation by scholars from all over Andhra Pradesh. It was during this period that the organisation developed certain healthy conventions and broadened its perspective. Contacts with like-minded schol­ars outside the state were strengthened and similarly, with national bodies such as the Indian History Congress and Indian Council of Historical Research. It was made an un­written convention that atleast one outstanding historian from ‘ outside Andhra was to be invited to preside over one of its sections. This facilitated the much needed interaction be­tween the regional and the national perspectives. The publi­cation of the annual proceedings was done regularly even though, the financial position of the organization was far from satisfactory. For the first time, the organisation started receiving modest financial support from the Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi, to meet the partial costs of publication of the proceedings. It is not out of place to mention the services rendered by Prof. R. Subrahmanyam and Dr. G. Rudrayya Chowdary who nurtured the tender organisation with commitment during this period.

CRITICAL PHASE

On the solid academic foundations laid in the formative years, the A.P. History Congress encountered, during the pe­riod from 1980 to 1988, the problems of finances and organisation in view of its increasing needs and growth on one side, safeguarding and, at the same time, enlarging the base of the organisation and, initiating new steps. It required a patient and dogged perseverance and commitment to meet the new demands, both academic and financial. Also, at times, the organisers faced the problem of finding a suitable venue to hold the sessions. This was the time during which new institutions and fresh contacts shielded the organiza­tion with their spontaneous support. Teachers from affiliated colleges, particularly, put their weight behind the organisation and kept it going. Organizationally, the second generation of history teachers meticulously built up the tradition of collec­tive leadership. Consensus became the watchward in run­ning the organisation and interests of all sections represent­ing various regions of Andhra Pradesh were taken care of. Realising the consolidated base of the organisation and its smooth functioning, it should be said, to the credit of the elder generation who adopted a benign attitude, that they blessed the steady growth of the organisation whole heartedly. This harmonious understanding between the two gen­erations, in fact, made a number of enthusiastic young schol­ars come into the fold of Andhra Pradesh History Congress without any reservations

At this stage, the number of research papers registered continuous growth along with more and more delegates at­tending the sessions. All the departments or History in the Universities of Andhra Pradesh became active associates. During this period, despite the recurring financial crunch, the annual sessions were regularly held and the proceedings published. The ever increasing awareness of the useful contribution made by the APHC, government departments like Archaeology and Museums and the host institutions and individuals came forward to provide financial assistance. By the end of the crucial phase, the organisation was becoming financially stable.

It was precisely during this period that the APHC started looking for new pastures for its activities. Not contented much with annual sessions and publication of proceedings, it initi­aled to think of new programs such as bringing out mono­graphs, occasional papers and organising associations and holding sessions at district level. Appropriate steps were ini­tiated in this direction which are taking a definitive shape today. More importantly, the long-felt need of preparing the comprehensive History of Andhra Pradesh was mooted. For seasons of convenience and effective functioning the central office was shifted from Kavali to Guntur in 1988. The young band of enthusiastic scholars in Guntur came for­ward, along with the Hindu College management which pro­vided necessary accommodation to look after the office.

CONSOLIDATION PHASE

The consistent efforts made during the formative and critical phases started reaping fruits during the period from 1988 onwards. The APHC became a self supporting body and its -ability could now be seen through when more than one host institution was coming forward to organise the annual sessions. Its vialbility at the national level was seen in the laudable compliments paid for its contribution to Andhra Pradesh History by several eminent historians. They include prof.T.V. Mahalingappa, prof.G.S.Dixit, prof.D.C. Sircar, prof.R.S.Sarma, prof. Sarvepalli Gopal, prof. Romila Thapar, prof. Bipan chandra, prof. Barun de, prof. M.G.S. Narayanan, prof. Y.Subbarayulu, prof. IrfanHabib, prof. D.N. Jha, prof. SumitSarcar, prof. K.M.Shrimali, prof.Ravinder Kumar, prof. Harbans Mukhia, prof. K.N.Pannikkar, prof. R. Champaka Lakshmi, prof. Arjun Dev, prof. S.Settar, Dr.H. Sarkar, prof. Ajayamitra Sastry, prof.T.V.Pathy, prof. A.V.Narsimha Murthy, prof. B.R.Gopal who attended and presided over its annual sessions and enriched the deliberations. The organisation has been rated as one of the best organised regional bodies in the country. Some of its senior members were called upon to shoulder the national bodies like the Indian History Con­gress. Prof. V.Ramakrishna served the Indian History Con­gress as its Secretary along with Prof.K.S.S.Seshan as Trea­surer and Dr. Atlury Murali became its joint secretary. During this period some historians from Andhra Pradesh were honored with a place in the academic activities of the all India organisations. Mention in this connection should be made of Oruganti Ramachandrayya, B.S.L. Hanumantha Rao M.LK.Murthy, Dr. V.V.Krishna Sastry, V.Rama Krishna who became sectional presidents of Indian History Congress. The Andhra Pradesh History Congress, with all its humility con­sidered this as a gesture for its sound record of its service to the cause of history in addition, of course, to their academic achievements.

The district associations, consisting of History lecturers to pursue micro-level historical studies, by organising semi­nars and conferences, were held at Nellore, Guntur and Cuddapah. This development, we consider, as a healthy fea­ture that augurs well for future historical research as these district bodies have launched the preparation of district level studies. One such volume has been brought out recently for Nellore (Comprehensive History of Nellore district, Nellore, 1995).

A growing organisation will have to tackle a number of organisational challenges. To meet them and to preserve its vitality, The constitution of APHC was amended in the year 1993 at Tirupathi session.

Mamidipudi Venkata Rangayya Foundation, Hyderabad, approached the APHC with a request to organise annual memorial lectures in the name of late prof.M.Venkata Rangayya, a doyen of social scientists of Andhra Pradesh and have been organised from 1989 onwards. Several lead­ing historians were invited to deliver memorial lectures.