Nellore has a history that dates back to the Mauryan Empire (around 3rd century BCE).
It was ruled by several major dynasties:
Mauryas
Satavahanas
Pallavas
Cholas
Kakatiyas
Vijayanagara Empire
Under the Chola dynasty, it became an important agricultural and trade center.
Origin of the name: "Nellore" is believed to come from the Tamil word "Nel" meaning paddy, indicating the area's historical association with rice cultivation.