The town thrives on trade and agriculture. The region around the town has fertile soil irrigated by the Krishna river and its canals. Major crops include Lemons, Bananas, Sugar Cane, Rice, Lentils, Sapota (Chickoo) and Turmeric(Pasupu). Pulses like black gram and red gram are grown as rice fallows in the area. Maize has recently been introduced in the region which has become a major commercial crop. Tenali is famous for Handloom Pattu (Silk) Sarees, Gold Jewelry, Wood and Steel Utensils.
The town holds a huge middle class, making up more than 75% of the total population. Major source of income is agriculture (with two to three crops each year) followed by small scale businesses. Tenali is also considered as the most reliable town for the purchase of Pure Gold in Andhra pradesh. MARTYR'S MEMORIAL _________________ ==Martyr’s Memorial and Independence Movement : During the QUIT INDIA movement,situation went out of control and several enraged youth have stopped PURI passenger train that was entering the railway station burnt it inspite of polite requests from the local congress leaders Kalluri Chandramouli,Ravi satyanarayana and veluvolu Sitaramaiah who reached the station a few minutes before.After burning the train the mob has reached the old bus stand area and the district collector and the top police officials have also reached the area at the same time.The collector has issued firing orders when the stone pelting has started.Seven people were shot dead and several were injured.That place is now called RANARANGA CHOWK(Battle field)and Chandramouli and Sitaramaiah were arrested in a few hours and sent as detenues to Vellore central jail. The martyrs Memorial at Ranarangam Chowk is a well known symbol in Tenali; it was unveiled to mark the sacrifices made by seven martyrs in the Quit India Movement. The memorial has a statue of Mother India holding a dying child in her arms with 7 pillars as a backdrop representing 7 freedom fighters who sacrificed their
