Vijayawada ( pronunciation (help·info)) is the biggest city of the Krishna District and the third largest city in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, after Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam, with an area of 61.88 km². The city has a population of 1,048,240 (2011 Census), while the population of the metropolitan area is 1,491,202. The name Vijayawada, meaning "Land of Victory" is derived from the presiding deity, Kanaka Durga, also called Vijaya. The city is also popularly known by its historic name Bezawada, which is also used by the Indian Railways in assigning its railway station code "BZA".

The city originated along the southern bank of the river Krishna, with hills on its northern bank. By 1855 AD, it took shape as small settlement on the eastern side of the Indrakiladri hills. The city has been ruled by different dynasties from time to time, including the Chalukyas of Kalyan and the great ruler Krishna Deva Raya.

The city experienced modest socio-economic growth in pre-independence India. As the commercial capital of Andhra Pradesh, the city is politically active, sociologically dominant, agriculturally rich, and is an industrial transportation hub.