Raichur is located at an elevation of about 1300 feet between the Krishna and Tungabhadra Rivers. Kannada is the official language. The population of the city is more than 2,00,000. As per the 2011 census, the total population of the Raichur district is 2 million, out of which 47 percent belong to the working age. This includes 70 percent of the population that is engaged in agriculture, 2 percent in the household industry and the balance 28 percent in industry and services. The citys economy is largely dependent on agriculture and allied activities, owing to the rich alluvial and varied soil type and favorable weather conditions. The region has been governed by many leading dynasties of the past such as the Chalukayas, Mauryans, Bahmanis and Vijaynagara. The name of the city was initially “RaiChoor” which etymologically signifies “The palace of a king” as “Raya” translates to King and “Oor” to town in Kannada. On the other hand it is also believed that the name of city signifies “A Stone Town” since in Telugu, “Rai” translates to stone and “Ooro” to town.
