| Conventional Long Name: | Godavari district |
| Status Text: | Former district in Madras Presidency |
| Year Start: | 1859 |
| Event Start: | District established |
| Year End: | 1925 |
| Event End: | District bifurcated |
| P1: | Rajahmundry District |
| S1: | East Godavari District |
| S2: | West Godavari District |
| Image Map Caption: | Godavari district in Madras Presidency |
| Common Name: | Godavari district |
| Capital: | Cocanada (now Kakinada) |
The Godavari district was a former administrative region in the Madras Presidency in during British India. It was established in 1859, following the reorganization of the Rajahmundry District, which had been created in 1823. It was remodelled in 1907–1908, when part of it was transferred to Kistna district.[1] It was divided into two separate districts in 1925: East Godavari and West Godavari, with Kakinada and Eluru as their capitals. These districts retained their names until 2022.[2]
In September 1859, Sir Charles Trevelyan, the Governor of Madras, visited the region to address key developmental needs, including improving the port of Cocanada (now Kakinada), expanding irrigation systems, and developing navigation on the Godavari River. His visit led to several administrative changes, including the reorganization of district boundaries.[3]
Previously, the Rajahmundry and Masulipatnam districts had overlapping and irregular boundaries, causing administrative difficulties, particularly in the management of irrigation systems. The Godavari and Krishna river deltas, under separate jurisdiction, were also impacted. To resolve these issues, the region was split into two districts: Godavari and Krishna, with boundaries following the Upputeru and Tamileru rivers. The administrative headquarters were set at Cocanada (for the Collector), Narsapuram (for the Sub-Collector), and Rajahmundry (for the Head Assistant-Collector). This reorganization was implemented on December 16, 1859.
The growing administrative workload in Rajahmundry led to the creation of a Sub-Collector position in the 1830s. Initially, most of the land was under zemindari control, with limited government intervention. However, as more estates lapsed or were acquired by the government, the responsibilities of the Collector expanded. In 1853, Sir Henry Montgomery recommended the appointment of a Sub-Collector to assist the Collector in managing the district.
The Sub-Collector's headquarters was set at Narsapuram, overseeing the southern and western taluks, including fertile delta regions. Henry Forbes, the first Sub-Collector, operated primarily from Dowleswaram and Rajahmundry. Over the next decade, leadership in the role changed frequently, with nine different Sub-Collectors appointed due to promotions and administrative challenges.
In 1866, proposals were made to relocate various administrative offices. Among the suggestions was moving the Collector's headquarters to Rajahmundry and adjusting the locations of other officials. Despite these discussions, the Collector's office remained in Cocanada, given its importance as a growing port. The final administrative structure stationed the Sub-Collector at Rajahmundry, the Head Assistant-Collector at Eluru, and the Deputy Collector at Narsapuram, streamlining governance across the region.
It was remodelled in 1907–1908, when part of it was transferred to Kistna district. It was divided into two separate districts in 1925: East Godavari and West Godavari, with Kakinada and Eluru as their capitals. These districts retained their names until 2022.[4]