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An important event in the history of the Vizianagaram district is the war between the Rajahs of Vizianagaram and Bobbili, popularly known as Bobbili Yuddham. The war was fought between the Rajah of Vizianagaram aided by the French General Bussy and the Rajah of Bobbili on January 24, 1757. The bravery and valour displayed by the soldiers of Bobbili in the war is still remembered by the people of the area. Many songs and folklore are based on it.

Another important event in the history of the district is the war between the French and the English fought at Chandurthi in 1758, in which the French were defeated and the Northern Circars was handed over to the British under a ‘firmana’ from the Mughal Emperor, Shah Alam in 1765. In 1794, the Chiefs and Councils were abolished and Vizagapatam was arranged into three divisions each under a Collector. Almost the entire area of Vizianagaram district fell under the second division.

J.P.L. Gwynn (1953 to 1956) was the last British Collector, post independence, of this district. He was known for his administrative acumen and was loved by the natives. He was the Collector when Vizagapatam was the largest district in India, compris ing the present Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, Jeypore districts and parts of the adjoining agency areas. He was very much concerned about the welfare of the Girijans and would tour the agency areas on a regular basis on horseback. His fondness towards the local language impelled him to author a lexicon from Telugu to English that was subsequently published from UK.

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