alluvial earth and the rest of arenaceous soils. The average rainfall is the highest in the district, namely 44.88 inches in the year.
The taluk is an agricultural area, and boasts few other industries. Devangas weave white cloths in fair quantities in several villages, but the industry has greatly declined since the days when Bendamurlanka was a busy port and one of the outlets for the great trade of the East India Company in cotton piece-goods. A large cattle-fair, known beyond the district, takes place at Ambajipeta. A number of places of local religious interest exist; but only two of these, namely Vanapalli and Vadapalli, are known much beyond the limits of the taluk. Periiru is the home of a class of Brahmans who have immigrated from the Tamil country and are called Kona Sima Dravidas. Relics of the Jains are found at Nedunuru and Atreyapuram ; and the large wells so common in the taluk are popularly ascribed to the followers of that creed.
Amalapuram, the head-quarters of the taluk and a union, is situated on the main canal of the central delta 38 miles south-east of Rajahmundry. Population 9,510. It contains the offices of a tahsildar, sub-registrar, stationary sub-magistrate and district munsif, a travellers' bungalow, a coronation rest-house for natives, a local fund hospital (founded 1880) and high school, and a police-station.
Popular legends say that Amalapuram was the capital of the king of Panchala, the father-in-law of the Pandava brothers ; and the taluk is known throughout the district as the 'Panchala country.' Another name for it is the Kona Sima, or the 'end country.' The town contains two temples of local repute. One was built for an idol of Venkatasvami which was found there some years ago by a man of the place, who, as usual, stated that he was told of its existence in a dream ; the other is a shrine to the serpent god, Subbarayudu, the festival at which, held in Margasiram (December-January) is fairly attended. A little weaving of white cloths goes on, counts as fine as 150s being used for the best work, and a little wood-carving of a good class.
Ambajipeta : A hamlet of Machavaram (population 5,66l) which lies five miles west by north of Amalapuram. Contains a police-station and is famous for its large cattle-fair, which is held every Wednesday and is visited even by buyers from other districts. The place is a centre for the manufacture of cocoanut ropes and oil, and a large number of general traders live there.
