Socio-Economic Conditions

 Socio- Economic conditions are most important aspect to know about the existing conditions of any kingdom,families in historical aspect.Hence,Considering many facts and taking many inputs this blog is revised.Have a look at it.

Discontinuity of relations in yellapus

The relations with Rajasthan,Bihar and U.P were lost many centuries ago. Even the relations of Delhi, central India and Maharastra were also lost. People may not recognize even in Karnataka. Not even with in 200 years, the relations with coastal Andhra Pradesh are also lost. Most of the relations even with the Nalgonda district are  also lost and certain people have also joined in other castes. Some Adilabad people have lost relations with Karimnagar district. What are the different reasons for the discontinuity with the previous place people? Let us analyze as follows:

• The migration took place to very distant places. In absences of fast moving vehicles, it is very hard to maintain the relations. Hence, yellapus could not maintain relation with past place in olden days.
• The poverty of the past place people and poverty of migrated people may be one of the reasons for the disinterest in continuing the relation. For instance, the yellapus in north coastal area were leading nomadic lives. The middle class people in telangana are not at all interested in them. Similarly, Rich people of karimnagar have no concern for the poor people of Adilabad district.
• Disparities among this caste is very high.A poor person can't easily mingle with rich as usual. 
• Yellapus migrated along with other castes made them independent of others including past place people. Here maintaining the relations with past people are not required.
• Yellapus have amalgamated with other castes during their migration to different place. For instance, till the vijayanagara period they are identified with telagas. After reaching Bobbili, they maintained relations with velamas till the recent past. Similar, activity would have taken place in other states also, loosing their identity.
• The frequent wars in the olden days would have made them busy and become hurdle in maintaining their relations. Their bravery in protecting the kingdom is reason for this. The loss of lives in the wars also makes them separated from the core people.
• After the Bobbili war,they were to scatter to many places, migrations took place to different places and merged with other castes like velamas,Gavaras and tribals ,diluting the strength of yellapus.Similar thing had took place in Tamilnadu also.
• In absence of employment, some yellapus took up hunting; the society would not accept this kind of relations, which would have diluted relations. 
•  Getting promotions to the next level in the army of the kings also would have decreased their relations.Similarly in case of vassals and small rulers.

The yellapus have reached the telangana after and during the serious war of Bobbili, which vanished many families, made them unrest and could not maintain relations. Similarly, after the downfall of kakatiya dynasty, they have to migrate in hurry and loss of relations is possible.Here, those who have not migrated amalgamated with other castes.The munnuru kapus of Nirmal are classical example for this.

In addition to all the above reasons, many yellapu people lack the knowledge about their own history and migrational patterns.The illiteracy of most of the yellapu people is also reason for this. A few people, who know it, lack the platform to reveal and enlighten.Thus, they could not be stimulated to reach other places and fellow beings in the state of Andhra Pradesh also.

                         All the above reasons also contributed for the low population of Yellapus.But it is not true. the relations with the Nalgonda and Warangal should be established in full length and Warangal should take the anchor role in rebuilding the relations.Also the action to re-associate with the people of vizianagaram , orissa and karnataka shall be done in longer duration.Then,the population increases.Large population has always advantage and plays vital role in many aspects.

Genetic ailments

Basically yellapus are warriors and always maintained the interest in the hunting. Hence, they are predominantly non-vegetarian eating people with lot angry and hegemony in mind. Usually hunting material ignites diseases such as hyper tension, Diabetes, Cancer, Piles, and Paralysis, etc. The anger and stress always stimulates the hyper tension, and Diabetes. These diseases are genetic ailments of yellapus.

How to avoid the genetic ailments by Yellapus

The basic reason for the genetic ailments is habit of hunting and consumption of high level of non-vegetarian. Hence, they must become the vegetarian, which is the natural habit of most of them before migrating to the south and in south also. There are substantial epigraphic evidences are available that yellapus followed the Jainism and Polavasa kings encouraged jainism.

They killed many animals during the hunting and human beings during the war. Hence, they should make room for all the beings on the earth. This requires planting the trees and protecting them, conservation of water bodies. Thus, these activities protect the animals. Earlier, some yellapu elders had dug the wells and planted and protected the plants.This confesses their mistakes.

Another way of avoiding the genetic ailments is to perform the Yoga. It has the capacity to suppress and alter the genetic characters to certain extent.Learning the concept of Atman (that being is not the mere body )also decrease the unwanted tensions.thus, reducing the burden of diseases.

Here I would like to mention my personal experience. Now I am 36 years old and do not have the hypertension or diabetes. But, most of my cousins are affected by one of these problems by the age of 30 or 33.My job is very stressful and requires physical and mental capacities. Where as, jobs of my cousins are very cool. The reason for my health is very simple that I have become vegetarian in August, 1993 and remained the same. In the recent past I stopped eating the egg also. I always preach others to be vegetarian and converted a few. Thus, I protect the rights of the animals as a confession to the activities done by myself and my ancestors. I naturally love to grow plants and protect them. I also perform Yoga regularly.I always prefer to take light food during the night and take raw food intensionally during the functions to avoid oily food.

Another reason for the genetic ailments is hegemony attitude. Sincerely, elders of yellapu were mingled with every community. But, at present the harmonious relations are missing in many Yellapus. They should strive for the well being of the poor like their elders.

On the other hand these people are migrated to the south from the north.The major food habit in the north is wheat and jowar in Maharastra, which naturally protect from many ailments.But, where as in Andhrapradesh the staple food is rice, which do not controls the diabetes.Thus, the people should prefer to take the wheat or Jowar bread at least during night.The diversification of food, which means taking different food during the day and weeks would stimulate all the enzymes equally and subsidizes the load on single enzyme.Thus,relieving from the diabetes.

The obesity is also one of the reasons for the diabetes.It do not allow the pancreas to function in a disciplined manner.

Including ladys finger, bitter guard, bottle guard atleast twice in a week  in the food gives very good relief to the pancreas , decreasing the diabetis.

Most pathetic condition is that many of elders have ruined their end organs such eye, kidney, heart, skin,etc.some also lost their lives at the age below 50 years. But still lessons are not learnt.They continue to eat heavy food such as non-veg and oily food during functions and burdening their own organs.

Drinking heavily when offered in functions and habituating to it.Serving the unlimited liquor and non-veg during functions is a sin.Such activity always stimulate the genetic ailments, without their knowledge.But by the end of the day the worst sufferers are their children.

On the other hand the coriander leaves, curry leaves, chocolate, good sleep and potassium rich food such as banana,almond always decreases the Hypertension.The physical exercise also decreases the hypertension.

.We have to understand cancer as un-controlled process of division of cells.It is caused by pollution, taking excessive non-veg ,tobacco,liquor,etc.,stress, telling lies continuously.It can be controlled by yoga and vegetarian food habits.

In the interest of development of healthy society, i plead every reader to preach the good habits such as vegetarianism for all the people.The collective decisions are always plays vital role in paradigm shift of attitude.

I can quote one example, in north telangana districts, reddys have stopped offering the non-veg during the wedding and stopped performing the reception in grandeur.For an ordinary man it looks like a expenditure cutting business.But a lot of advantages were gained by them.

In Yellapus, there should be a change to become vegetarians would stop many ill things.It is my wish, if not a vision.

Recently i requested the Suryapet Yerukala community head to stop serving the non-veg during the marriage.They accepted reviewing the advantages.So, many more may accept.I feel that Yellapus are much ahead of these tribal in many aspects and listen to my words to follow consequently.

Assimilation into other castes

The basic reason for assimilation into other caste is that Yellapus easily mix with others locally by forgetting their ancestors from where they are migrated. The migration has started from the surroundings of Delhi after thorough assimilation of different people, as elucidated in my introductory note. So, certainly there may be people in these areas and we cannot recognize them very easily. Only assumption can be made that they may be merged or part of Rajputs, Marwadis and Gujjers.

The migration took place through the Jharkhand and Maharastra. In Jharkhand these people may be again part of Rajputs. In Maharastra, agricultural activities have started among Yellapus.Hence, some people may be amalgamated with agricultural communities and some may be among the Kshatriyas.

After becoming very rich persons and rulers, they have easily mixed with Rajus, Velamas and reddys during the period of Kakatiyas.

During the period of Krishnadeva raya, these people are merged with Kapus and telagas.

It is observed by me that some people of Yellapu surname exist in Gavara caste and their Gotra is Pydipala, which is a common Gotra among Yellapus. The merger of these people may be while other Yellapus were leaving Bobbili. Some similar family names with gotras existing both in Yellapu and Gavara are as follows:

Dadi - Janakula

Konathala - Sujnana

Malla – Midhunakula

We have to verify the Gotras of Yellapus with them, so as to retrieve some additional and valuable information. It is also interesting to know that certain Yellapus were residing in Vishakapatnam district (in vurugonda village), where these people are dominant.I also learnt from my friend that yellapu families among the Gavara caste has been existing in Anakapally and there is one street on the name of malla.yellapu is one of the famous surnames among the gavara community in that town.However, the two dominant communities in Anakapally are kapu and Gavara only.The reason for amalgamating with the Gavara community instead of kapu may be the business interest of Yellapu families.It is also learned that these people have good businesses.

It is already known that certain Business communities such as Bairushettis(Bherikomatis) merged with Yellapus. In view of the harmonious relations of Yellapus with the business communities, they merged with others and vice versa. Another interesting fact is that at least some people would have left the traditional warfare and took up business before the time of Bobbili war. Otherwise, it would not be easy to be accepted by the other business communities at later.

During their stay in khammam and nalgonda it is very much evident that they are mixed with Telagas.

During their stay in Karimnagar it is very much evident that they are mixed with velamas again and some people identify themselves with them only. In Warangal and Nizamabad they are mixed with Munnuru Kapus, as they are strong caste and access more privileges than Yellapus.

There are many advantages in being recognized as munnurukapu.Munnuru kapus are large in number. so, they enjoy the political power in many areas and in the state . Especially, all the political parties eagerly strive for the votes of munnuru kapus. The unity amongst the caste and regular meetings forces them to be intelligent and with many educational facilities, hostel facilities and function halls. The administrative opportunities and the economic opportunities have increased to make some of them rich. In contrary, yellapus are not united till the recent past. The formula of the forgetting the stayed people in all the areas has made them minority, without the political and administrative power. The gap between the rich and poor is wide and it force the poor to mingle with kapus and rich are alienated with velamas.

Historical relations with vyshyas

Vyshyas are integral part of Yellapu families since Rajasthan days. Basically, yellapus are warrior community providing safety to many other communities, in addition to participating in wars. Vyshyas are also one such community, which require the safety to their products and them. This safety use to be provided by the yellapus. Also some yellapus also did business.

        As per the opinion of elders of yellapu community, they married the vyshya girls in olden days. They prefer to have meals in the vyshya families than velamas and reddys.Interestingly, some yellapus people were vegetarians till recent decade, supporting my view. Also these people are closely connected with Vyshyas.

       Here, I am dealing the historical relations between yellapus and vyshyas and the reasons for relations and the rationality behind it is as follows:

      It was already told that Anabheri is corrupt form of Ranabheri. It is a drum like instrument used during the war to terrify the enemies and it is also used to indicate the starting the war. Here, we can find the Bhairu shetty families in yellapus. It is a corrupt form of Bherishetty. It indicates that their profession is to sell the Bheris. Here, I want to deduce two things. Anabheri families are end users of Bheris. The sellers of Bheris were also along with them in the form of Bherishetties. As per Micheal Katten, Bhairushetty (Bheri Komati) men were out during the Bobbili war on business engagement. It clarifies that they were continuing their business. Bheri Komati women during the war has killed about 200 soldiers using the stones in special way. It is discussed in the caste and in North coastal area that yellapu women are skilled in warfare. Especially, it is told in case of Anabheri women. Hence, the women of Anabheri families may be also present along with Bheri Komati sthris during the war of Bobbili. Micheal Kattam might not mention the Anabheri sthris, due to confusion between Bheri Komati sthris and Anabheri sthris. It may be at the time of gathering the information.

        There are Basa families in yellapu community. They may take a Oath during the war. It may require some special items, which is again to be supplied by Vyshyas only. Hence, there are Bashetty families in yellapus. It may be corrupt form of Basa shetty. The materials sold by Bashetty families to Basa families are not known.

       There are Dadi and Dadishetty families in yellapus. Dadi families played vital role in community right from North to down south in Tamilnadu. There are many villages on the names of Dadi families / family members. They also played vital role during kakatiyas.To that effect inscriptions are also available. During the Vijayanagara also they played vital role. It is clarified by the village names on their families in south also. The Dadi shetty families may be following the Dadi families from the North. They might be also supplying the war material, requirements etc., to all the Dadi families.

      There are puram and puram shetty families. Puram means town in Sanskrit. When the people of same community living in town and rural areas, such surname is given to town people. The business people in town get the surname of puram shetty.

     There are Ramneni and Ram shetty families in yellapus. Ramshetty is famous surname in Rajasthan. Hence, both these families migrated from Rajasthan. Ramneni families are feudatories of kings and Ramshetty families are business persons and may be suppliers to Ramneni families. However, as per the evidences available, the Ram shetty families are also capable warriors. It is proved in the unofficial war between Bandalalingapur Samsthan and Metpally. One Ram shetty Venkanna (famous as Jamedar Venkanna) fought against Metpally forces valiantly and forced them to retreat, while later was trying to take over lands, as per the court orders. He played very vital role in the administration of samsthan.

     We also here about chetty and shetty families. Shetty families are business people of North. Where as chetty families are business people in the Sourth, especially in Tamilnadu. There is one chettykulam village in Tirunalvelvi District near Avaraikulam and Vellakulam villages, revealing the influence of chetti families in that village.

    There are no conclusive proofs of doing business by some families such as Akula, Lakkakula and chinthapandu families. But comparatively these people are intelligent and money saving. 

I have also observed the Polishetty, Bolishetty and Kolishetty families in the Telagas in Nalgonda and Coastal area. The Polineni family is also observed in same community in same areas. 

Hence, all the evidences prove that Vyshyas are very much part of yellapu families and they have maintained matrimonial relations too from times immemorial. If we count the Gavaras as sub-caste of Vyshyas, the relations further increases. But the Gavara relations are separately dealt in a separate blog.

Gavara relations

             During my recent visit to vizag to participate in a international conference on Slum Free Urban India held in Novotel hotel, I found one Yellapu Suribabu, belongs to the telugudesam party. I started thinking once again about the caste after a long time. The name of the surname has further changed to Yellapu from the Yellapu, which has long phonetic in telangana area. Earlier also I learnt from one of my friends belongs to Anakapally that the pronounciation is Yellapu only. Moreover they are belongs to Gavara community.

             Interestingly, Gavaras and kapus are dominant castes in the Anakapally town. But Yellapus have merged with the Gavaras only. After the war of Bobbili did they fear to some one of extermination? Did the yellapus found it easy to continue the business with the help of Gavaras?Is it a terminating point to loose the relationship with kapus in north coastal area? One fact is that the existing yellapus along with other malla,dadi and konathala families are no more yellapu. They may do not like to know the history or identify themselves. But we have to unearth the history.I could not get the time to go to Anakapally.But I have to know it from the known persons. I may have to visit them all the way.

         On the other hand I have to visit vijayanagaram district also to know about yellapi community, who are still leading nomadic life. The visit of bobbili may be the best option to serve the purpose.

         The merger of yellapu families in to Gavara community may be due to following historical event: The yellapu families maintained separate entity during and after bobbili war.Their men were involved in the business also, in addition to the warfare. It is also learnt from the elders and stories told in north coastal area that women of yellapu were equally competent in warfare. As per Micheal katten, the yellapu men, especially bhairushetty families were went outside on business work at the time of War of bobbili.At this time many women were killed, when these women pelted the stones in special way and killed about 200 soldiers of opposite camp. On the other hand many women and children were killed by their own people to save from the humiliation. Some people migrated else where along with Velamas.Some people lost employment and continuing as nomads.Some families migrated to telangana area during the war time and after also. That is why there may be shortage of women and forced the yellapu families including konatham, malla,dadi to join in to gavara community, as both of these families are well acquainted with one other in business and both are minority castes.

         The reason for upkeeping the surnames and caste name is to marrying of Gavara women by yellapu men. The information available in the inscriptions revealed about the Gavaras tells that dadi familes were under the service of kakatiyas.Similarly, yellapus and dadi families have also worked under kakatiyas.Hence, these castes may have known each other since many centuries and that facilitated easy merger.

         The Gavaras are called Gavara Naidus. It may be due to merger of some Naidu families in to Gavaras. These Naidus may also include Yellapu families. Gavaras spread to the areas of Karnataka and Tamilnadu, as per the Gavara website.In those areas there are places like dadinayakanpalayam ,dadikkombu,dadithota,etc, which testifies to the authority as well as dominance of the dadi families in those area.

        Intersetingly the yellapus have migrated to tamilnadu during the period of krishnadevaraya.This clarifies that yellapus and Gavaras have very good relations during this period also. The Gavara dominant areas of Rayapalayam and the yellapu/Nadar dominant areas of Avaraikulam, chettikulam are in near by areas.It is already mentioned that yellapus came back from those areas and some people would have stayed there itself.But, these migrations during the period of krishnadevaraya to fight against the father of vishwanatha Naika in Tamilnadu has developed close relations between Yellapus and Gavaras.

         In the later stages, after the Bobbili war the merger of Yellapu families in to Gavara community is completed. Another interesting thing is that both the yellapu and Gavaras are migrated from the Near by areas of Delhi.The yellapus migrated from the delhi and meerut districts.where as Gavaras are from ahichchatra, a near by place of delhi and meerut.Delhi to meerut is 65 k.m. and delhi to ahichchatra is 250 k.m. Thus, these people would have close contacts from ancient days.and that may be fecilitated in the close relations and merger of yellapu families in to Gavara caste.

The yellapus have merged with Gavaras.The question now is which family members have possibly merged with them? Usually the family name changes frequently in migrating communities.But the gotram is almost constant. The Pydipala is the Gotram of Yellapu families in Gavaras.So, the Kotte and Koppula families have the same Gotram.Hence, it is clear that Kotte and koppula families have merged with Gavaras after Bobbili war.Other Yellapu families might have also merged in small number and upkeeped the same Gotram or we do not have information about it.I also informed the same to sri.Yellapu mukunda Ramarao, a gavara researcher.

Let us also examine the other substantiating factors for merger,which are not mentioned above that Kotte families migrated to Tamilnadu as a part of Vijayanagara army and many Gavara families also migrated there and came back.Thus, they have historical relations. It might have fecilitated merger.\

Velama Relations:

Velamas married the yellapu Girls during the period of Bobbili.

 Marrying the Girls of yellapus is a great technique to merge yellapus in to their castes. It is not only due to their beauty but also to make use of their valor for their safety.During the needy times Velamas claim that both the velama and yellapu castes are related and one same.Hence, yellapus has to serve for their cause.However, there are cordial relations are existing in many places between these people.

Highly esteemed people of yellapus are recognized as Dhora.Hence, many matrimonial relations are there leading to merger of yellapus in to velamas.An authentic velama book revealed that Adi velama people are yellapus only. But, one thing is clear that the Rajasthani tradition among the velamas is because of merger of Yellapus,as per the Historians.

Religion

Predominantly these people are Hindhus. Negligible amount of people have converted to Christianity. It is astonishing to learned from Rapole brothers that some people in Nizam period was converted to Muslims in pembi area of Adilabad district.However, converts maintained harmonious relations with Hindhu family members.Most of them follow the vaishnavite traditions in Adilabad district. Lord Venkateshwara is the families God of these people.

Due to the influence of Vemulavada, most of the Yellapus are shivites in karimnagar and Warangal districts. A few of these follow the vegetarian. In olden days some of they may be followed the Jainism or Buddhism, which are famous in the lands of Rajasthan (Jainism) and Bihar, U.P (Buddhism).

It is pertinent to mention that the polasa kings belongs to yellapu families not only followed the Jainism but also  encouraged the relegion. The extracts of their help was engraved in the inscriptions and image evidences ,as per shodganga website is follows:

“the Polavasa chiefs continued to patronize the Jainism in their principality.The Jain image recovered recently from Polavasa stirs our imagination to believe that there might have been a Jinalaya at Polavasa also, which was the capital of the Polavasa Chiefs, the patrons of Jainism. There is epigraphic evidence that Medaraja-I have built Virakamala Jinalaya at Banajipet in Narsampet taluk ,which was under his sway. According to the Padmakshi temple inscription of Hanumakonda dated 1117 A.D. Medaraja-II of Polavasa made gifts of lands to Kadalalaya-basadi lying on the top of the hill. The above acts reveal that the Polavasa Chiefs patronized Jainism and one can infer that their capital Polavasa was also a popular Jain centre during their times.( I personally visited Padmakshi temple in the year 2002 and found the image of Mahaveera carved on the hill rock.)”

Sri.Kaluvala Karunakar Rao explained that they followed Vaishnavism and Guru system in Nalgonda district.The Guru of these families was a kannadiga. He followed the vaishnavite tradition. He uses to stay for one week when he arrives in the village. He use to do the Yagnam for the welfare of the people. He use to put the sauthrinam, a typical mark put with the burning iron rod.

Guru had agraharams allocated by the kings. Out of which Guru had given 600 Acres to the Kalvala Narahari Rao, Grandfather of Sri.Karunakar Rao, for the benevolent and serving nature. Astonishingly, he asked to give the land to the poor also. Guru replied that I will give them land but not as you expected for them. Finally, the poor also got the lands.

Similar illustration is also received from Penchala Rajaiah Of Nagunuru. The Guru of Penchala families during his childhood was Sri.Veda Vyasa Bhattarvar, a native of Srirangam, who’s family is presently living in Bengaluru. To collect the information of his own family, sri. Rajaiah went to srirangam also.But he learned the names of three generations and came back. The whole information was kept at Ramalayam in Srirangam. The same is not accessed due to the death of the Guru and absence of his children.But , fortunately he met the family of Guru.

Guru was a vaishnavite. He use to spread the vaisnavite culture. He used to conduct the Chakranthams.Chakrantham are briefly explained by him.Earlier, sri.Kalvala Karunakar Rao also tried to explain this vaishnavite tradition. However, I could not understand. The shanku-chakras are Gold ornaments in that form. The same is heated in the dried cow dung mixed with the rice husk. The ahuthi is given with cow ghee and cooled with the milk of cow and pressed to the shoulders, so as to visible the marks on the same. During that pain, Guru imparts the Ashtakshari Mantra. It is believed that the pain relieves and concentration would be high.After that the Sandhyavandanam and closure of Non-veg was also used to preached.

Occupations

The principle occupation of the Yellapus in the ancient days is Military activity under the kings and independent military activity to certain extent. They worked under the kakatiyas, vijayanagara, Kalingas,velamas of Bobbili,etc. During their stay in Maharastra, they worked as soldiers. This includes vassals and chief vassals.In earlier days they worked under Gurjara- pratiharas, Rastrakutas and Kalyani Chalukyas. Some people are believed to be have established kingdoms.

In prior to their entry in to Maharastra, there is the elements of business, which is supported by the family names of shetty, ramshetty, puramshetty.

After their entry into Maharastra, some they have started the agricultural activity. Many agricultural terms have entered into the family names of Yellapus.

A few people have also worked as priests. The family name of velpula suggests the same.

Interestingly, after loosing their principle occupation, they have resorted for , mendicants and hunting, which was some of their primitive occupation. The land of valmiki is also matches with the ancestral lands of Yellapus. It is the dignity to the yellapu families that there are plants on the name of their caste name in Annamalai hills near Koimbattur.

Vellapula” plant is a shrub. Edible fruit & medicinal plant using by tribal’s of Anamalai hills, western Ghats, Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu. Scientific name: Euphorbiaceae Securinega virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.).Its collecting season is summer.

              Later I have searched on the similar lines and found two more plants on our family name.

 1.Plant-Altternanthera Tenella(L) colla

 Family-Amaranthaceae
Local name-Vellaponnankanni
Habit-Herb
Collecting season-Rainy 
Meaning of this plant is the precious plant for maidens found by vellapu community.It has proved that anti viral and anti microbial properties.Such plant is definitely very much useful to fight against many unknown viral and microbial born ailments.It is not out of place to mention that many tribals die due to such ailments.

2.Plant-Cleome monophylla L

Family- Capparidaceae
 Local name-Vellai
 Habit-Herb
Collecting season-Rainy

3.Plant-Rugosa Lam


Family-Rhamnaceae
 Local name-kottai
 Habit-Shrub
Collecting season-Rainy

Kottai or kotte is a famous surname in yellapu community. It again proves that plant is existing on the surname also, as is in the case of villages existing both on family names and caste names.

In the modern age, these people were mostly agriculturists and hunters. Slowly they entered into the Government jobs. After the reservations are given to these people, the number of persons entered in to the government jobs have increased.But, most of the people are get in to teachers and police jobs.In the recent past software engineers have increased and migrated to U.S.A. and other countries.

Poverty

Poverty amongst the yellapus is more among the rural people. Till the recent past most of them are below poverty line .The level of poverty is relatively higher among the Adilabad district Yellapus. In karimnagar district the percapita availability of lands is higher. In adilabad district yallapus mostly depended on hunting. the persons could not access the lands have migrated to these areas. the so called Jamindars and vatandars are belongs to karimnagar district only. But in adilabad district nobody is a dora, except a few. The family planning was also a late starting in the adilabad district, which stimulated the poverty.

Poverty is also due to loss of their traditional occupations and their inability to fill the gap. Still some people feel prideful and they do not work. There is large scale envy among these people, always results in non-co-operation among these people.

The usual reason of high size of the family, lack of employment opportunities, illiteracy, under employment is also reason for the poverty.

The nomadic living and high prevalence of barter system is the special reasons for the poverty in Adilabad district.

Loss of bread winner, due to genetic ailments and vices are reason for the poverty in some families.

In the recent past, due to reservation, this caste people have accessed the government jobs and mitigated the poverty to certain extent. The people living in rural areas, who could not access the quality education is still in distress. There is no cooperation between these caste people. Hence, there may not be much progress in the lives of rural poor.

Disparities

There are large scale disparities among the Yellapus. It is evident from the fact that Yellapus has worked under the Yellapus as subordinates in olden days. The family names of Lakkam and Lakkakula, Madapati and Madapally, sunkara and sunki,Mahadasu and Narahdasu, Puram and Puramshetty, etc. supports this view. One of the families among the sets is subordinates of the others.

It is also very clear that some families have maintained the rich living and some surnames such as Akireddy,Rapole, Bethi,Chataraju, salvaji,saini supports the same. They either ruled some territories or worked in the premier positions in the army. But it is not ascertained from some of the family names based on the names of the villages.Their ancestral surnames has to be find out and it is most difficult.

It is also clear that some families such as Ramshetty, chetty , puramshetty and Bairushetty did their business. Naturally they are rich in terms of cash, properties, etc.Hence, they may be richer than their other caste members leaving disparities among the caste.

There were disparities even in the living styles in terms of Urbanization. The surnames of Palle and puram support this view.

In the present days the disparities still exist for the following reason

• The people in certain villages are continued as vatandars, Zamindars and maintained the forts in certain villages. The system of yellapu servants at their caste people continued leaving the disparities continued.

• The people of karimnagar district accessed the lands from Nizam and their children are still enjoying them. Some people still don’t access even inch of lands.

• The people of Adilabad migrated for want of accessing the forest animals and products, who are naturally poor than Karimnagar Yellapus.

Family set up

Usually family is headed by the male member. Patriarchal systems prevail in the Yellapus. Soon after marriage, bride arrives at groom’s house. In olden days also women was also given priority, as it is believed that women has also maintained the large structure of the body. Some widows head the family. They have enjoyed the respect from the family members.

In the recent past, there are women dominated families, due to continuing vices of men in this caste.

Marriage

Method: The marriage among these people is similar with other Hindu people, with a variation of veera pooja. The usual sapthapadi, arundhanti darshanam, mangalya dharana, gauri pooja, etc are quiet common.The priest use to perform the sacred activities.The marriage use to take place in the bride’s village.in view of the convenience, people allow the marriage in grooms village or at some other place also. In olden days they used to serve the non-vegetarian food at the time of marriage and reception too.But, now mostly there is no serving of non-vegetarian at the time of marriage.

The reception is done at grooms house or village or town. Usually non-veg is served. Some people even offer the liquor.

The fist night is usually with out any muhoortham. A few people prefer muhoortham and make it happen on the auspicious day.

The veera puja use to hold before the marriage in the karimnagar district that too in the families of salvadi. It is honoring and commemorating their ancestors. There is idol of Veera in the elagandula forte. Earlier, all the family members of marrying family use to visit this place and perform the veera puja in very pompous way. But at present there is no time to these family members even to participate full day in a marriage and the tradition of veera puja is not celebrative. Simply, they are sending their servant or dependent to carry out veera puja.

The similar veera pooja is continuing in Nalgonda and Khammam districts in the erstwhile warrior families. The difference is that Nalgonda people use to carry out these pooja after marriage. The bride and groom along with their relatives visit the idol of the veera. One man is also dressed like veera painted in yellow color on his total visible body.I presume that it may be similar in olden days among Yellapus.

But, the Yellapus in Adilabad has discontinued the veera pooja . They use to perform the pochamma pooja, a village mother goddess. On this day important relatives are invited. The non-veg are served along with liquor.

Love marriages: There are love marriages among these people in the parts of karimnagar district. In Adilabad district, it is near to abysmal. There is a kind of acceptability in the family members after marriage at least.

Widow marriages: Only a few young widows are seen in these families. So, the question of considering the widow marriages may not be discussed among these people.

Divorce: The foreign habit of offering the divorce has started in these families, but in a very few marriages, for various reasons. The issue of divorce is in Hyderabad, karimnagar district only, as Adilabad and nizamabad is not so westernized.

Divorcee remarriage: The remarriage of divorcee is acceptable. The most important aspect of these marriages is that women had got inter- caste marriages. Men got caste marriages.

Social status

These people are respected wherever they stay as most of them are benevolent in nature, easily mingling with others. A few people are called dora and patella. It is highly exaggeration to say that all the Yellapus are of highly privileged class.

Due to disunity among the Yellapus and as they are minority among all others in the democratic system,they could not access political power. Hence, only a few members have been enjoyed the political power. Astonishingly, the political power is more enjoyed in Adilabad district than Karimnagar district. It is because the Yellapus of karimnagar, Nizamabad (on the borders of Karimnagar) district get the opposition from the Backward classes and scheduled castes for the hegemony of Yellapus.

In the contrary, in Adilabad district, a few people have won the hearts of poor people. Some people enjoyed the continuous faith of the people. A few to quote be Rachakonda Krishna Rao, former Municipal Chairperson, Mancherial. Some people have enjoyed the district level nominated posts.A few to quote be Mahender Rao of Rachini and Bonagiri Ganga Ram of Khanapur. Thus, they enjoyed the respect but lacked the political power.In the recent past Sri.Naradasu Laxman rao is elected as MLC from TRS.

Due to the early receiving of the education the fruits are reaped by the people of karimnagar district Yellapus. Large number of people has gained the higher status like professors, lecturers. Many numbers of people have got the teacher jobs and clerk jobs.

In the recent past many people have become software engineers, doctors and lawyers. The impetus of becoming the software engineers have been given by the sri.Bhasker Lakkakula, who initially worked hard to stabilize him self in that field.

In the contrast, there was large scale illiteracy in Adilabad district. Till 20 years ago there was no gazette officer in these families. Most of the people have joined either as teachers or police. It is told by the elders is that family heads have hated to be worked under others as servants.

In the recent past nobody is interested in Government jobs, except a few. Many people have left to foreign countries for education and employment. The early action was initiated by the chinthapandu families in Adilabad district. Still the majority of people becoming the teachers have not been ended.Economically, no Yellapu is a billionaire. Only a few people are millioners. Most of them is middle class in nature. But, they feel prideful for their past and do not compromise for belittling them.

So, to conclude, Yellapus use to enjoy the respect usually, but without much status. Socially, they enjoy the good status.Many people bear the suffix of Rao. But, in Adilabad district they have left their suffixes by bearing the names of God, for instance Gangadhar and Srinivas. In the recent past many young left their suffix Rao from their name.Some people bear Raja as prefix to thier name, but they do not register that name.In Nalgonda district some people and many people in krishna district had Rayudu as suffix.In the olden days people had naidu and Hazar in their names.Some present day surnames are titles.

How Yellapus are warriors?

So many people doubt whether the Yellapu community falls under the warrior class or not? Even the elicit class is not able to tell it confidently. This article is intended to provide the evidences of warrior class or clan status of yellapus. But it shall be also upkeep in the memory that the status is downgraded over a period of time for various reasons in more than half of the families and mergers and exclusions are also taken place. But still pride is maintained by many.

The evidences are as follows:

• The origin of Yellapus is related to Rajasthan, an abode of warrior tribes.

• The original name of the community vellapu and the present name Yellapu denotes the stopping/obstructing the enemy armies by staying in the front line. These people worked at two strategic positions namely mulangur and Rachakonda to obstruct the enemies on behalf of kings.

• The Gotras such as Kashyapa, Bharadwaja are predominantly of kshatriyas.

• Some family names such as avari, saini, kaluvala,Gujjeti are names of clans or sub-clans of Rajputs.

• Some people such as akireddy,aparaju, chatraju,kosnam, anabheri,etc. worked as vassals of kings of various dynasties.

• Many people of this community has worked as Hazaris, a leaders of soldiers.They maintain the army for the king on sanction of lands and grant or on salary basis.These people worked under Gurjara-Pratiharas or belongs to same clan.later worked under kakatiyas, Vijayanagara and participated in two important battles against kalinga and father of vishwanathanaika.They were important soldier community under Bobbili kings.

• Some surnames such as bethi and recherla are related to kings.

• Some families maintained their own forts at polampally, mulangur, Basheerabad, lakkora, Gullakota, Gillakota,etc.

• Some surnames such as reddy, rapolu are titles given to the warriors.

• Some families such as Ramineni,Devineni,daaluvai, etc.worked as senapathis.

• Some family names such as Vugrala, Veerla, Salvaji, Koppula, Kaluvala, Balasankula, Basa, Anabheri, muppala are related to military and bravery of these families.

• The families such as veeramalla and chirumalla liked the wrestling sport, which was encouraged by kings.

• Yellapus lived predominantly in the fort towns/villages such as Elagandula, Rachakonda,Bonagiri,Orugallu, bobbili,cuttack,karnavathi,etc.

• The suffixes of Naidu, Rayudu and Rao was frequently used by many. The prefix of Raja was also used by some.These are predominantly used by warriors only.

• The kshatriya samskaras such as veera puja, veil to women, marrying the sword,maintaining the sword, ballem, dalu was prevalent till 70 to 80 years ago.

In physique, they are tall,including women.The body structure is large.

All the above prove that Yellapu community is of warrior class beyond any doubt, though they have taken up different occupations.

Status of women

In the olden days the women of yellapu were not allowed to move freely out side. Even if they work in the fields or some other places, they are barred to come in front of men. Hence, these people were called “paradah jat sthree”. It is also possible that these people maintained paradah(veil) till the recent past, even after migration to karimnagar district. I also observed that aunts never use to come in front of their son-in-laws. Even in case of my grand mother (mother of my mother), she never came in front of my father. In the recent past, the older generation never sits in front of a male member. Even the new generation women sits, I observed that the old men irritated.

It is astonishing to observe that many women of yellapu are as strong as men.Some Yellapu women are as tall as men. It is discussed in the caste that women in olden days were able to beat four men. This strength has continued even till the recent time, even after migration to karimnagar district. It is not exaggeration to quote that women of Polampally village are much stronger than other. We can presume that women learnt the warfare. They might have also participated in the war at the time of difficult situation. It is pertinent to mention that people around the Bobbili are still with large structures and also body structure of yellapu women in telengana area is also large compared to other castes. People say them as pedda Bokka( large structure).

In bobbili war, we can observe the two women empowered issues.One, the Bairushetty women have killed the 200 well trained soldiers of French and Vijayanagara combined, in absence of their men.Another, the 100 children relating to kalvala families has sent to Albaka in Khammam district to their maternal Uncles home.It is accepting the children of woman side in the difficult moments.

We can deduce two things out of above. One, with out maintaining the good food habits, it is not possible to maintain the large structures. Two, with out continuous practice of warfare, it is not possible to teach it to kith and kin. When the men left for war, it is the duty of women to maintain the family and protect them from enemies. I learnt from my younger grand mother that there were spare sword and Ballem in every yellapu family till 70 or 80 years ago. That may be induced them to learn the warfare and keep themselves fit. They would have also taken food equal to others. I have seen that some women used to take liquor also, during the festive occasion.

Other interesting fact i learnt from Dr.V.S.Rao is that One women has robbed the rich persons in karimnagar district and distributed wealth to the poor people.It reveals her pro-poor nature and visionary approach of women. Similar stories of women guiding the entire village are learned from Bhimgal area of Nizamabad district.But exact details are yet to be obtained.

Women also got education during olden days, when most of other people were not imparted education. In women education also karimnagar stood in front than other districts.

The economic condition of the women was also good. Where there were land holdings, women use to get and maintain small amounts. They use to spend it for their family purposes. I remember that in karimnagar and in Adilabad district also, the money got on selling of vegetables and milk were kept by women only.

One of our Grand mothers of Bonagiri families at khanapur use to give the money on simple interest basis to poor people in the locality.It was more earning than some men of those days.It reveals two aspects.one she has managed money with respect.She also used the money to upkeep the relation with co-migrants.The women has arranged or at least not objected the offering of excess food to co-migrants of other castes.These kind of techniques made them to maintain good relations with co-migrants.

We can presume in the olden days, when there was death of bread winner, even if they are belongs to the families of women, they were taken care of. It is supported by the surnames of puppala and dadi. It clarifies that women has a lot of respect in their families. In the present days also the needs of kith and kin of wife is catered by the husbands.It is suspected by other caste people that there has been women domination in the families of Yellapus, which is partially correct.

Till the recent past, it is great to observe that widow mothers also got a lot respect from their children. I can quote many, but needless. Some women have brought up their children respectfully.

Some fathers are clever enough to give the land holding to their daughter at their native place. It has two advantages. One, the amount as dowry decreases. Two, family of daughter has to visit every now and then to look after the property, leading to more visits to that place and cultural assimilation.

The women of Yellapus are also clever. Even in case of inter caste marriages from the times immemorial, the children of them have married to a Yellapu. It paved the way for assimilation of others to an extent. It not only widened the horizons of the caste, but also increased the number of people. The same women has downgraded by some Yellapus and not accepted to give the equal status, till the recent time. Here I would not like name those families as it is not in the scope and needless.

In the recent past the opinion of the daughter is considered with regard to the marriage. Some women are rejecting some men, with a view that they are not perfect match. It is quite different to the trend of ten years ago. But it is not surprising and it is taking place in other castes also.

In the recent past the women dominated families are increasing because of continuing vices of men and growing women education. The other reason is that the marriage of men and women have been decreasing, arresting the domination of men.It is more evident in case of large family or dominated family woman married to a small family or ordinary men.

The observations collected in the North coastal area by Madhurima vodnala is commendable on yellapu women  and as follows :

“ I enquired about yellapus with grand elders in my inlaws family. To surprisingly they know very very well about our Yellapu caste details and they were speaking great about Yellapu's honesty, loyality and bravery. Esp about yellapu women. It was said by one old person that.......velmas and yellapus were like relatives in ancient days and many matrimonials were in between velmas and yellapus which suggest the presence of our yellapu surnames in velmas of Srikakulam.

 After the downfall of bobbili ........velmas along with yellapus, made their agricultural lands around Palakonda and lived together happily. and it was said that Yellapu girls were most beautiful, multitalentedl among those times for which Velamas preferred to marry yellapu girls”

On the side of polavasa kingdom, we are related to Sammakka and Sarakka. The brief story is very well known to everyone in the form of sammakka sarakka story,on which the Jathara helds,which attracts the world’s second largest gathering. The courageous fighting was believed to be later inherited by the yellapu women, to protect their kith and kin ,during the absence of male members.

 To briefly narrate, sammakka is the wife of Pagidigiddaraju and sarakka is daughter. When he failed to pay the kappam during the famine, kakatiyas declared war on this tribal kingdom. Truly speaking, the kappam was a minor issue. Giving asylum to their enemy medaraju would have enraged the kakatiyas. Kakatiyas declared the war on tribals. When the tribals were on the verge of defeat and all the kith and kin are wounded or died, sammakka started killing the kakatiya armies ferociously. But, she was shot treacherously from the back. 

The courage of these women( Sammakka and Sarakka ) speaks volumes about them by the people of Telangana,Chattisgarh,Orissa,Madyapradesh.It brought them the status of Goddeses.It also reveals that they can equally fight like men.

Two downgrading/differentiating points and different from other developed people is that women have no right on the major income.In other developed castes, in some instances women used to take divorce,when they failed to dominate. In olden days, yellapu woman had to marry to the sword first and then to groom.

To conclude, women are comparatively strong and got good respect in their families, some women are rich.But, they did not get upper hand over men , which is quite common in Indian circumstances. It is appreciable that these women were much ahead of their counterparts