The Nagarjuna Sagar Dam's construction began in 1955 and was completed in 1969. It was a major project of independent India, aimed at harnessing the Krishna River for irrigation and power generation. The dam's name honors the Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna, who once had a major university in the area. The project resulted in the formation of the Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world. The construction required the relocation of several villages and also submerged many historical sites. The dam played a crucial role in boosting the agricultural output of the region.