Anantapur is a city (population: 516359) and a municipal corporation in Anantapur district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is the headquarters of the Anantapur District. Anantapur was headquarters of "Datta Mandalam" (Rayalaseema and Bellary districts) in 1799 and Sir Thomas Manro was the first collector for ceded districts. Anantapur was the important place for the British Indian Army in 2nd World War. Current JNTU-CEA campus, once a bunker for the British artillery. The remains can be found on campus location.