Origin &History part-1

Origin& History

Yellapu community is warrior class originated in the Rajasthan and Gujarath. These people are also called vellapu and Yellapis. The yellapi denotes the singular form and vellapu is the earliest name of the caste. In fact most of the elders recollect that their ancestors are from the surroundings of Delhi. The history of Vaageshwari Maatha temple in Rajasthan reveals the story of Vellapu. They moved from rajasthan to many places and got themselves transformed to fit into the region they moved and also lost contacts with the migrated people. Yellapus started migrating from Rajasthan and Gujarath to Utterpradesh(near Delhi),possibly in the meerut district,may be durng the rule of Gurjara- pratiharas.They were later spread over in Central India, which is now, Jharkand and Madhyapradesh. Consequently, they moved to vidharba  region in Maharastra and Karnataka.There are evidences of working under the Rastrakutas and Kalyani Chalukyas. From there, they migrated to Kakatiya dynasty to work in different cadres.It is also believed that they have established Polavasa Kingdom, with a capital polavasa ( presently polasa near Jagityal) .

Hence, one can see people of this caste only in the areas of Maharashtra, Northern Karnataka, Telangana, Jharkand and Coastal Andhra. In the recent past they are noticed in Tamilanadu, kerala and orissa also. In other states, they may be merged wth other communities.

After entering in to the Andhraprasedsh( presently Telangana) , they moved to different districts of erstwhile Andhrapradesh on their jobs as vassals and staff of kakatiyas. After the downfall of kakatiyas, some people moved to Rachakonda dynasty and some people moved to Vijayanagara kingdom. During their period they moved to Rayalaseema and Karnataka. Later to kalinga area and Tamilnadu. In tamilnadu, vellapus have shown substantial impact there by having villages,plants on their community and family names.

Some  people still present in the surrounding areas of  Bobbili and migrated to near by districts after downfall of Bobbili. They merged in valmikis,other tribals and Gavaras and velamas after difficult situation of war. Subsequently, they migrated to Bonagiri via khammam and Warangal districts.Finally,they have reached to karimnagar and Adilabad districts.  

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There are many views on the origin and history of yellapu.In presence of a few number of historical evidences, this short story is written on the basis of oral stories.

Hence,I give my analysis basing on the stories told by caste elders, basing on the gotras, surnames of yellapus and matters revealed in my research.Prior to that i submit the methodology i followed for writing this as follows:

The method I followed:

The method I followed is simple. I used to gather the information from my father sri.B. Ganga Ram, uncle sri.Lakkakula Rajeshwar Rao, and other relatives. The data collection used to happen at the times of functions with relatives. Most important persons are senior citizens of the caste. To be frank, it is very much troubling with this busy job to collect data. Fortunately, I was a student of History and Telugu, with a specialization in ancient Indian history. It becomes very easy for me to refer the books relating to historical aspects and coming to logical conclusions.

I have to verify the names of the gotras and surnames. The knowledge in the languages also helped me a lot. I could deduce some information out of the surnames and gotras. The information revealed out my research has made me to write further.

In the end, I have searched the Internet to find out certain aspects such as anabheri prabhakar rao, family surnames, etc. However, I could find some deficiencies, inaccuracies in the information available in the internet about the yellapus. I have information that some people are certainly trying to build the history of Yellapus. Most unfortunately, I have no time left to discuss with them or share the information.

The way left for me is that I have to publish it first in website and seek the additional information from other people of the caste. Later I have to update the information as and when time permits and may be after publishing the two other books on other aspects.

The working and accessing of information at nirmal and Suryapet helped me a lot. My personal relations at Warangal district and north coastal area also helped me to elaborate certain aspects. 

Once this yellapucharitha is published on the web, many people provided information over the phone. kaluvala karunakar rao, who is now staying in U.S. has provided wonderful information especially to resolve the issue of migrating time from bobbili. Basing on that locally I have gathered information in suryapet.

Rapole brothers have also provided wonderful information and I know them from chinthapandu harish and one of the brothers is well known person to me and a near relative.They have thrown light on Gadis and attitude of yellapus.

Sri.Narsing Rao uncle, uncle of my cousin has unearthed the unknown stories of Bandala lingapur, etc. Astonishingly, fallen emperor, who always criticizes certain aspects of my history( initially I felt angry) also provided wonderful information on History of karimnagar.

Consequently, sri.Penchal Rajaiah on the request of sri.Rachakonda nursing rao has provided wonderful information on cultural aspects.      

                                                                                            

Again the help has come from U.S. in the form of Smt. Madhuri Vodnala.She revealed about the relations between velamas and Yellapus in north coastal area.

For finding out Gotras and native places my Brother-in-law Sri.Ganapathi Rao Saini helped alot.He gathered the information and disseminated to me.

Later sri.Jangal Krishnamohan Rao has revealed the story relating to his family.It has also revealed the way yellapus worked under Nizam.

During my visit to vishakapatnam, I could observe the yellapus in Gavara caste. I almost unearthed the ancient relations between these castes.It also provided some epigraphical evidences on dadi families.Later,Sri.Yellapu Mukunda Rama Rao , a Gavara researcher,poet and Author has provided wonderful links of Yellapu caste in North coastal area and other states.

Subsequently,Sri.Rapole Ramkumar Bharadwaj ,a young man from karimnagar has taken alot of interest to search about the family ancestry and provided links to Ayurveda knowledge of our families,inscription evidences,Rastrakuta relations,etc.

Sri.Praveen, an Advocate, practicing in the Hon'ble Highcourt has provided the valuable information on sammakka- Sarakka story and Polavasa kingdom.It revolutionised the History of the Yellapus.

Many elders including my uncle Sri.L.R. Rao,that Yellapus were fought war ferociously on the side of Kakatiya Prataparudra in his war against the Delhi Sultans.The full details were not avalable.It is provded by the Somadevaraju,relative of Sr.Muneeshwar,A.D. disable and belongs to Mahabubabad.

Later,Sri. Ramineni Narayana Rao, paternal uncle of Sri.Sampath Ramineni of Rudraram has jointly provided wonderful information on the way of administration and donations they made.Similar information has to be got immediately.

Dr.V.S.Rao has provided  wonderful information on the socio- economic status of yellapus and relations with other castes.

Over a period of time, to verify information or to gain it , I visited some places. Interestingly, on my visit to tamilanadu, i gained certain information and processed it and published.It is a tremendous information. Similarly, i moved in some parts of  erstwhile Andhra pradesh too.

Limitations

There are no historical evidences are available about this caste such as coins, scriptures, , etc.Inscriptions are available about Polavasa kingdom and some other families. A few persons  has mentioned about them in their books, except in brief in some books. So,it is natural that information may be wrong to an extent.It is not astonishing that many developed castes and events also lack the historical citations.

In absence of historical evidences, I am forced to deduce certain things such as migrations, etc.,from the surnames, gotras. Some times the gotras are not relevant, as it is given to the dependents also, similarly the surnames. Care is taken to avoid such gotras.

What i observed is that there duplications for some things.For instance, kosna is a town in Poland and Croatia. So,what we have to consider is a matter of discretion.So many things are considered on the basis of logical conclusion.It is an effort to compile the information.At a later stage some one may take responsibility to analyze further.

Over a period of time, many people have provided very useful information.All that availability is Oral history. But it is necessary to upkeep the oral history, as next generation may loose some percentage of facts , if not brought in to the book form.

Etymology of Caste name

The meaning of yellapus is usually explained that as they have protected the borders, they got that name. The surname of Ganta supports this view, where these are kept on the border of the village near bell.

It is also said that they protected all the others.(elleran). ela means first and apu means to stop in telugu. It means they have to stop the early storm of enemies.Here we have to examine the ancient name of yellapus. It is vellapu but not yellapu. The vellapu is certainly a north Indian term. Ethymology of this word vellapu may be velluva+ap(u), which means to stop the storm of army(by a respectable person). It shows their capability and bravery. Over a period of time the corruption of words uses to take place, when it enters in other language, with possible similar meaning. In this instant case, in Telugu, the word ellaran+ apu (or) élan+ apu suggests the same meaning of stopping the storm of enemy armies. Thee word of ellalu kapaduvadu does not match and it may be due to illusion that yellapus certainly protected the borders and assumed this meaning, which is not correct.

Interestingly, we can also find one surname which reveals the meaning of standing in the forefront of the army is Salvadi.Salva means army in Hindhi.Adi means in front.The meaning is Standing in the front line of the army.There is also one surname Aadi, which means first.This may be also relates to standing in the forefront of the Army.Thus, surnames also provides proof for unveiling the ethymology of caste name.

The fact is that the casualties amongst this caste are more and they are in very few number.It supports the fact that they stood in front in the army and many of them lost their lives.The hero stone at elagandula and veerapuja among this caste confirms(pooja to died war heros  at young age )  the front line soldier concept and their sacrificing nature.This is also evident from the wars such as Bobbili war and war between kakatiyas and delhi during prataparudra.

Let us also try to find out the ethymology of Vellapu also.Vellapu may be originated from its latin route word Vel, which means (logic) The ∨ symbol used to represent the inclusive or logical connective. It also means a veil in Latin. We have the conclusive proofs that some of Yellapu families have definitely migrated from the central Asia, Serbia, Russia,etc., which are believed to be the connecting areas or Rajasthan and Gujarath are also connecting area, the people migrated from those areas would have recognized us in such way. Avari, kosna, kaluvala, and padala surnames, families are such families. Hence, the vellapu people might be the people belongs to the connecting areas or people who are connected.

 Interestingly, Yellapu women also used the veil  till 40 to 50 years ago.Thus, they may be also people who used the viel. However, it is clear that these yellapu community used the viel for their women during their stay at Rajasthan and some continued later also.

The word of vellapu is continuing as surname to some people in warangal district suggests that 

vellapu has corrupted , only after leaving the warangal only, as we find many surname of yellapu in Rayalaseema and Nothern coastal area of A.p . In the recent past i observed a village by name Yellagiri, possibly on the name of Yellapu caste.It is between Pochampally X road and Chautuppal, on the starting point of Rachakonda hills.They may be worked at this place to save the king from the onslaught of Golkonda armies.Thus, we can presume that Vellapu started transforming to Yellapu from the Rachakonda hills.But ,vellapu also continued as the early direct migrants to vijayanagara from warangal would have been liked to be recognised so.It is also assumed that the direct migrants would have went to tamilnadu, as these people would have preferred to be recognised  as Vellapu and the was upkept there.

The name of vellappan and vellappu also exists in the list of castes of Tamilnadu.It confirms that even during the vijayanagara period also the name of the caste is vellapu .Recently i found during my trip to Tamilnadu that one vellakulam village is existing, possibly on the name of Vellapu caste in tirunalvelvi district.It reveals that vellapu was existing even after vijayanagara period,even in the recent past.

To conclude, the word vellapu is started converted in to yellapu in Rachakonda area and  in Rayalaseema area and  in the north coastal area and even in telangana .However, it is continued as vellapu in tamilnadu. As per the opinion of my father, still some people call the yellapu people as vellapu also.In the tribal areas of north coastal area it is yellapi, denoting the singular form and low status of living. The y.v. palem ( yellapuvani palem= singular form )village in vishakapatnam distrct is another proof of deprived condition of this caste ,after bobbili war.

Traces of North

The ancient inscription believed to be available revealing the story of vellapus is at Vageshwarimatha temple.It is accepted by many that yellapus are of warrior class at Rajasthan and reached Delhi surroundings. The worship of Brahmadeva and Saraswathimatha has been prevalent in Rajasthan area.Vageshwari is the other form of saraswathi matha.The inscription mentioned about vellapus because these people would have been ordent devotees and donated something for the temple.

The traces of Rajasthani names and places in the form of surnames are still in vogue in Yellapus, such as Avari, Gujjeti, penchala and saini. Among this Gujjeti and Avari are the names of clans among the Gujjers, penchala is a Gujjer dominated village and saini is a name of a kshatriya clan dominant in Rajasthan and Gujarath. The migration patterns and family names also proves that Yellapus have connection with Gurjara-pratihara dynasty and their families.

The gotras of Janakanuri and Janakula, which are formulated on the name of legendary Janaka, father of Sitha, suggests that they have certainly connection with the Mithila region. But by the starting period of medieval period, vide spread migration of warrior tribes have took place and some of them have reached Delhi and its surroundings. The Surnames relating to the legendary Rama such as Ramineni, Ramshetti and the saint surname of gargula, gotras such as Kashyapa and Bharadwaja (the famous gotras in U.P),Dasharath,Vasista,Srivatsa,Mudgala,Pulastya,Ashriya,Kausika and Pashupala suggests that yellapus have certainly connection with the Utter Pradesh.

Hence, I propose that the yellapus are belongs to the Gujarath, and Rajasthan and  they migrated to U.P. ( Near Delhi).They merged with the local people.Later,they started migrating to the South India from the neighboring areas of Delhi. It is supported by a surname, Jangeti, a name of a village near Meerut in U.P. It may reveal their relation with U.P and neighboring areas of Delhi. It is exactly matching with the place of living of Yellapus, which is near Delhi, before migrating to other places. We can also relate some of their migration from Europe and Russia basing on their Gotras and family names, which was quite natural in case of warrior tribes,though there are no conclusive proofs. But i confine myself to India only. It is accepted by all  Yellapu elders and revealed in their oral stories that their ancestors are from the neighboring areas of Delhi.

There are many hindhi words as surnames in yellapus,such as dadi,puppala(one who belongs to uncle,which is a mixed word of hindhi and telugu).It means they lived in hindhi region for long time.The surnames Chanda(a maharastra town on the borders of A.P),perkari and cherukuthota suggests that these people lived in viderbha region before migrating to Telangana . Also,the presence of yellapus in central India and Maharastra/vidarba region suggests us that the migration took place through these regions in to the Andra Pradesh. The time of the migration may be after downfall of Rastrakutas and during the early kakatiyas.The reason for migration is for regaining the lost employment.

There are conclussve proofs that yellapus were worked under the Rastrakutas.The Titles and Dhwajas used by them were used by the Polavasa kings.

Amoghavarsha of Rashtrakuta,Medaraja of polavasa,Edaraja of Vemnoor/Ramgundam are having same titiles,"Lattalurpuradishvara" and their  lanchana was "Suvarna Garuda". It was already clarified that Medaraja of polavasa belongs to yellapu community. He worked as Mahamandaleshvara at Polavasa under chalukyas. Edaraja of Vemnoor/Ramagundam also worked as Mahamandaleshvara under chalukyas.

Both the Kakatiyas and polavasa kings were vassals of  Chalukyas of Kalyani.Some people worked in the captal of Kalyani Chalukyas.Adapa is a kind of a minister working close to king.It is one of the surnames in yellapus.

In Maharastra also we can notice the amalgamation of some people into the Yellapus.The families of Karnavattula may be the people lived in the city of Karnavathi. In fact when Yellapus migrated to Delhi from Rajasthan, Karnavathi was not established. Hence, the people may be later amalgamation is correct or otherwise, they would have went there and come back.Even today, there is presence of saini families in Nagpur, which is in the migratory route of Yellapus.

Under Kakatiyas

 

But, one sure fact is that, Yellapus were present in the kakatiya kingdom and got the lands for their loyal service. They might not conquer the kakatiya region. The family name of Bethi in yellapus made it clear that yellapus were either related to Betharaju, the early king of kakatiyas, or worked under his patronage.It clears that yellapus are present in Telangana by the time of Betha Raju.Some people propose that Yellapus themselves establshed the kakatiya kingdom,but a lot of proofs have to be shown to prove it.

However, I am submitting my views as follows:

• The qualifying points for being kakatiyas are that they should be from rastrakutas or atleast rastrakutas senani,as kakartya gundana was rastrakuta senani, as per the magallu inscription of danarnava.they should also have relationship with kalyani chalukyas, as varaha lanchana was upkept by kakatiyas.
• It is also believed that they are belongs to kakatipuram near belgaum.that means they should had relations of karnataka.
• They should also worship the mother goddess, as kakatiyas worsipped the kushmandini matha  in the form of kakati.
• They should have jains also, as kakatiyas were jains in early stages.

On observing the the origin and  migrational points of yellapus it is clear that they worked under Rastrakutas and later worked under kalyani chalukyas . Polasa kings of yellapus maintaned the Garuda lanchana on the lines of Rastrakutas, may be because of ancestry or mark of respect of being subordinates.They also bore the titles of Lattaluru puravaradhisvara and Suvarnagaruda-dhvaja. This clarifies the relations of yellapus with Rastrakutas.

Prior to coming to telangana, yellapus lived at maharastra and later at karnataka.yellapus were working in the court of kalyani chalukyas.they occupied very important positions like ministers in the court of kalyani chalukyas. Kakatiyas were also there in the court of kalyani chalukyas.

As per the recent findouts in the inscriptions by rapole ramkumar baradwaj, many senanis, mahamandaleshwaras and rastrakutas themselves are relatives of  yellapus.

Yellapus were worshipped the vageshwarimatha during the Rajasthan days.Later , polavasa kings (yellapus) established padmakshi temple, for which kakatiyas also donated.Thus, it is clearly proves that yellapus worshipped mother goddess. Raja Annamadeva,who migrated to Basthar established kakatiya dynasty there and Ruled also worshipped the Dantheshwari matha.

It  is also obvious that yellapus were jains in the initial days.still some people follow vegetarianism and don't take curd even now also (indication of strict vegetarianism).

Many surnames of yellapus are matching with the kakatiyas and their relatives.

Most importantly.The yellapu women were valiant warriors, it was proved in many wars.In kakatiyas also Rudramadevi had proven her might to whole world.Thus, yellapu women are none other than descendants of Rudramadevi.In a.p other caste women  were not allowed to participate in wars, except yellapus.

The rift between polavasa and kakatiyas may be also dayadula poru.In the initial days both the kings had Raju in their names . Polasa kings names were Medaraju, Edaraju and Gundaraja. Names of the early kakatiya  kings were Gundaraju , Betharaju and prolaraju.

It is also discussed in the caste that while other castes were opposing the preference given to velamas by the kakatiya prataparudra-2, yellapus served kakatiyas loyally and fought for the kingdom valiantly, even after the gates of the fort was opened. It has improved the friendship between yellapus and velamas and continued up to present days. It has also opened the opportunities for the yellapus in future.There is one surname Recherla also exists in Yellapus, who were the loyal associates of kakatiyas.The surname Jampala proves that these people were present at Jampanna vagu, may be for consolidating the power of kakatiyas. Or iducted into kakatiyas after the war is over with sammakka and sarakka.

Further,It is very much known to us that the earlier word of saini is Sahni.We can find many sahnis working faithfully under kakatiyas.As per the inscriptions, they have made donations to the temples.They played vital role in advicing the king and protecting the kingdom in war conditions.I feel that sahnis are become sainis any way and some of them are definitely of yellapu community.However, this surname is present in velamas and munnuru kapus also.This clearly reveals that yellapus were enjoying good positions during kakatiyas, as estimated earlier.

Worth disuccable point is that Where did velamas and Yellapus met for the first time? Velamas are belongs to Bihar and started migrating after downfall of Nandha Kingdom. Some Yellapus are belongs to Bihar and started migrating to South from Delhi and its surroundings. They have become prominent in palanadu area and at later stages joined the kakatiya kingdom. But, Yellapus entered into the A.P. through Maharastra and was part of kakatiyas dur ing early kings. Thus, they met in kakatiya kingdom only for first time.

During this period yellapus have also came in contact with Gavaras also.There are historical evidences of commona sukrnames,such as dadi.

One interesting story was revealed by Sri.Praveen, an advocate in the Hon'ble Highcourt.During the Prataparudra-2 the Delhi Sultans were trying to defeat the kakatiyas by one way or other.They started negotiating with the different sections of the Army.They contacted the yellapu nobles.These people were at the strategic locations. The question of the muslims was that what was the reward for the Yellapus for protecting the borders of kakatiya kingdom for 200 years.Some yellapu nobles was started thinking about the reality.They assured many lands.

This has created suspicion in the mind of Prataparudra.He tried to curb certain yellapu nobles.one of them was King of Polasa(presently in Karimnagar).He was forced to retreat in to the forest and later to his Son- in-law at medaram, pagidigiddaraju, who is believed as koya warrior.But, Sri.Praveen appraised me that he is belongs to yellapu community.

This clarifies the  close relation between koyas and yellapus.

It is pertinent to mention that pagidididderaju(one who wears the pagidi or turban, a north indian tribal tradition) is the right pronounciation .But later it would have corrupted to pagidigiddaraju. (Pagidi didde raju > Pagidi gadde raju > Pagidi gidde Raju > Pagididde Raju >pagididda raju).

The pagidi would have worn to protect the hair(koppu).There is presence of many koppula families in yellapu community. pagidididderaju may be ancestor of these families. Also  Jampala families may be related to this family.

In warangal dstrict Gadde is pronounced as Gidde. Symbolically, the turban,sword, kumkum Bharani is kept the Sacred Gadde at medaram.Thus,didde raju would have become Gadde Raju, later into Gidde with the local influence. Later,in pronounciaton "di" letter is missng and have been pronounced as Pagdiddaraju.

The rest of the story is very well known to every one in the form of sammakka sarakka story, the Jathara,which attracts the worlds 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 and started war on this tribal kingdom.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 treachorously from the back.Consequently, she was disappeared after retreating from battle ground.

I also remind that Koyalagudem and yellagiri is in close geographical contiguity at Rachakonda hills, revealing their close relation even after downfall  of kakatiya dynasty.

on the other hand the remaining yellapu nobles were loyal to prataparudra. But, the borders were neglected.The absence of warriors in the route of delhi to warangal created weakness.When the delhi sultans were launched their final attack on kakatiyas, there were not even five soldiers were present in kagaznagar area, according to one historian.Thus , delhi king has reached the kakatiya capital without any hinderance, not allowing the prataparudra to make arrangements for war.Through the strategic negotiations with yellapu and other warriors, delhi has created the suspicion in the minds of kakatiyas, which made to lost the unconditional support from the warrior communities. Also , Delhi made the simultaneous attack on warangal and its supporters.

Though i have many doubts in the story told, but there are some substantial evidences to believe certain facts.

Also,  coming to other facet of yellapus supporting the Pratapa Rudra in difficult situation comes from the episode of Veeramalla Somadeva Raju as follows:

"Delhi sulthans invaded the kakatiya kingdom during 1321 for the first time under the leadership of muhammad bin Tughlaq.Delhi was defeated by the armies of kakatiyas under the able leadership of somadeva.Subsequently,Prataparudra-2 has given the title of Veeramalla
. Thus, he has became Veeramalla Somadeva.

Delhi kings had invaded the kakatiya kingdom for the second time during 1322. Before invading, they had made a plan to take off the traditional support of kakatiyas. (This was explained in another blog http://yellapucharitha.blogspot.in/2013/07/it-was-proposed-by-fallen-emperor-that.html?m=1).

Also, wherever divide and rule is not possible, there shall be simultaneous attack on the kakatiya supporters.With the same plan Valmikipuram was also invaded with about 50, 000 soldiers.Somadeva had concentrated on Valmikipuram.  Meanwhile, Orugallu   was attacked by the Delhi.12 toranas was destroyed out of 25.The Thousand piller temple was also distructed.we can observe the destroyed idols in the main temple complex . During my visit during may,2014, I also observed an engraving on a pillar that "yah Allah Beshak"(Means Allah  is the best or supernatural).It clearly proves the attack of Muslims on Thousand Pillar temple.

After tough fight with the Delhi armies at Valmikipuram, he reached the Orugallu on message that orugallu was attacked by Delhi.He went to orugallu.But, by that time, Prataparudra was captured by the Delhi sultan. On the other hand, the Valmikipuram was destroyed by the delhi sulthans. The houses were burnt.the dead bodies were buried.Somadeva lost his kith and kin."

Soon after the downfall of kakatiyas, yellapus has to get the employment.

Under Rachakonda

After the kakatiya downfall, yellapus has no way but to move to vijayanagara kingdom for employment and to satisfy their military zeal. The presence of yellapus in Karnataka,Tamilnadu and Rayalaseema supports the view that they have definitely migrated to vijayanagara kingdom.There are many surnames relating to these areas supports this view.It is also possible that before migrating to vijayanagara Kingdom atleast some of these people would have worked under the kings of Rachakonda velamas.After the fort city falls into the hands of Bahamani kingdom in the year 1433,they would have migrated to vijayanagara.Thus, some people would have directly joined the vijayanagara and some people joined at a later date.The surname of Rachakonda supports this view.As per the historical citations, there were en-masse migrations of nayakas of erstwhile kakatiyas to vijayanagara kingdom after the downfall of musunuri kapayanayaka in 1370.

I have been watching a village name yallagiri ,between pochampally   X road and chautuppal in nalgonda district. The hills of the Rachakonda starts at that point.I have been thinking whether it has  any relation with the caste of yellapu.The name of vellapu caste has changed to yellapu only after leaving the Warangal.Again it is vellapu in tamilnadu.Yellapus have moved from Rayalaseema to North coastal area.Then from there they moved to tamilnadu.Hence, there is some confusion,when this has altered.Otherewise ,we have to understand that it has been interchanging to both words.

However, yallagiri means the hill in the front.In the instant case the first hill is generally termed as adigiri ,or something else, but shall not be yallgiri.After the down fall of Warangal some yellapu people worked at Rachakonda.To protect from the onslaught of Golkonda, the soldiers might be kept at this place by king of Rachakonda. out of these soldiers, yellapus may be large in number and  village would have got name on these people. Also, if my assumption is correct, the name of vellapu has started altering from the Rachakonda.This is also clarifies that this is also a village on the name of Yellapus.

I have also verified the nearby villages of Yellagiri, a village 8 km away from the chautuppal in Nalgonda district. They are Koyyalagudem, Borralagudem, khaitapur,Malkapur. On examination of the meanings of the  villages some interesting facts would come out.Koyyalagudem may be corrupt form of Koyalagudem, which indicates the habitation of Koya warriors.Similarly, Borralagudem may be the corrupt form of Bohralagudem, which indicates the habitation of Bohra warriors, who are natives of Gujarath. The malkapur indicates the presence of malka families in large number, who are again members of Yellapu families.This has analogous with the Avaraikulam,Vellakulam and Chettikulam villages in tirunalvelvi district in Tamilanadu.While one village is named after the caste and one or more villages are named after the surnames.it reveals the stationing of one family in one village for special purpose.

           I have also observed one village name Gujja, which may be a corrupt form of Gujjar, a caste and tribe name famous in Rajasthan. It may be named so because of influence of these families during the Rachakonda times. Also upkeeping of their tribe name even after their stay at Warangal under kakatiyas.Many yellapus have good relations with Gujjers.Thus,the gujjers may be also related to the Yellapus.It indicates the close relation between these families. In the recent past I have observed many Gujjer families, who are playing vital role in Khammam town.

          Another fact is indicated here is the warrior communities are stationed at these villages to protect the kingdom. These villages might have established in different periods as the Bohras might have inducted into army during Muslim period. The Yellapus and their Malka family certainly worked under the Rachakonda dynasty.The koya warriors may be also present during the Rachakonda dynasty. But,the research has to be conducted in depth on the role of Yellapu families in Rachakonda dynasty.It also proves the presence of Yellapu families working at nodal points such as Mulangur, Rachakonda initial hill point, elagandula,etc.

           Finally, it clarifies the presence of Yellapu warriors in Rachakonda dynasty. The surname, villages names attest their presence.

Under Vijayanagara

consequently, time has passed, mantle has passed into the hands of krishnadeva raya. Initially, his army received setbacks in the battle against the prataparudra gajapati of kalinga.Being angry, krishnadeva has personally led a war against the kalinga and defeated them. In this war krishnadeva has summoned the assistance of his most loyal soldiers, in which the yellapus were present. Later, gajapati made a peace pact by offering the hand of his daughter Annapurna to krishnadeva. But the army was continued at kalinga. Some of the surnames such as katakam, naradasu, madasu are certainly the kalinga names amongst the yellapus. The easily mingling nature of the yellapus made them telagas (kapu), which is the caste of Krishnadeva. That means in true terms they have once again lost their caste.

The yellapus were present in the Rayalaseema and Karnataka. The surnames of vellapu, yellapu and yellapi in ananthapur district and Kannada areas suggest that they have converted in to some other caste holding the identity of yellapus. It is doubtful whether these people can recognize themselves as yellapus, which is a separate caste. 

Similarly, the odisha has presence of yellapus, who did not like to return to the Bobbili Kingdom for employment like other yellapus. But they may be recognizing themselves as Kapus. Krishnadeva’s kingdom has reached the southern most points of madhura, tanjore,etc.There is presence of Yellapus in the form of Kapus,Nadars, vellappan and vellappu, who are enviously called as kapunayallu ,telaganiyalu,Telagani by the tamilians, for others hegemony and richness in their own region.The surnames of Chetti,Kotte,Onna ,Perisingala,Chennala are Tamil words.It is known that many soldiers and nayakas were sent along with vishwanatha naika to tamilnadu.Some of these people would have come back and retained their tamil names.

On my recent trip (January, 2012) to tirunalvelvi district in tamilnadu i found the villages of Avaraikulam, Chettikulam, Vellakulam, and Rayapalayam. These villages are presently dominantly populated with Nadar families (kapu Naidus).Out of this Avarai is one of the famous surnames of Yellapus.The village has got that name due to the presence of those family

 members in large number.

The vellakulam village has got its name from Vellapu Kulam , which is later shrinked to Vellakulam over a period of time.It is denoting the larger presence of Vellapu families in that village.Similarly, the Chetti surname is also a famous surname in Yellapus.The presence of more number of Chetti families would have brought that name to that village.Rayapalayam is a village name got due to the presence of Raya or his relatives, who migrated to this village.

Also there is presence many vellapalayam villages near madurai, denoting the presence of  Vellapu families.Interestingly, at many of these places there is presence of Gavaras.It indicates that these people migrated together to the Tamilnadu, during the period of Vijayanagara.

The details of the villages are as follows:

The similar village names of vellapalayam is existing in Erode, Nagapattinam, Madurai districts.This may be also due to the influence of the caste in those days of vijayanagara kingdom in Tamilnadu.I have already mentioned the village name of Vellakulam on the name of this caste, existing in Tirunalvelvi district.

 Vellapalayam is a small village in Sembanar Koil Taluk in Nagapattinam District in Tamil Nadu State. Sembanar Koil, Mayiladuthurai, Sirkazhi, Nadungadu, are the near by Towns to Vellapalayam . Vellapalayam is reachable by Anandtandavpur RailWay Station , Vithisvarankol RailWay Station , Nidur RailWay Station , Mayiladuturai J RailWay Station , . Its main Village Panchayat is Mudikandanallur Panchayat .

 The address and accessibility of the villages are as follows: Address Post Office Vellapalayam B.O (Branch Post Office), ERODE , Dist. : ERODE , State: TAMIL NADU , PIN - 638315 Postal Divison ERODE Office Description Branch Post Office TALUK ERODE Postal Circle TAMILNADU District ERODE PIN Code 638315 OFFICE Vellapalayam B.O Postal Region COIMBATORE State TAMIL NADU

 Pariyur Vellapalayam is located in Madurai district that comes under Tamil Nadu, India. Pariyur Vellapalayam is a popular place of Madurai district. The clear evidence of village names on the surnames, which I have already mentioned is Avaraikulam, Chettikulam.As per the Gavara website, the villages on the name of dadi surname also exists in Tamilnadu and Karnataka.

            

  Rapole Ramkumar Bharadwaj has made greatest contribution for the yellapu community than what his elder rapole family members contributed is Identiying a plant name on yellapu community as follows: 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.

 The following things can be deducted from the above plant names on the Yellapu community as follows:

1.Yellapus were very frequently using these plants or propogated the use of them among the tribal locals during their stay in that area.

2.Once again it proved that Yellapus were there in Tamilnadu area. It proves that yellapu ancestors were experts in using the herbs and ayurvedic scientists. It has percolated to the the generation of my Grand father also.later it was neglected.

3. It also reveals their tribal relations even in the new areas where migrated newly in the areas like Tamilnadu.In this connection it is pertinent to mention that yellapus had close relations with tribals like koyas, lambadas,etc.

4. There are Ayurvedic plant names on villages, cities, hills,etc.Aurvedic pplant on the name of a community is seen for the first time in my experience. 

5.There are villages, hills,etc are existing on the caste name of yellapus or family names, but it revealed a plant names on community. 

6.An interesting person can identify many new things and contribute to the history of community.

Thus, It reveals that Vellapus were migrated to those places during the Vijayanagara and only some families came back.One other significance is that Krisnadevaraya had sent his loyal soldiers to tamilnadu along with Vishwanatha naika to fight against his rebelled father against kingdom.Hence,it again proves the loyalty of Yellapu community to their rulers.

The surnames of Gadapa and Adapa are the early forms of the present kadapah.The puram and puppala villages near Rayalacheruvu village in Ananthapuram supports the presence of yellapus in the Rayalaseema region,in addition to surnames existing there.

Nirmal area

meanwhile, some yellapus were present at Warangal even after the downfall of kakatiyas. Some of them have migrated to nimma kingdom established at Nirmal in adilabad district. But, most unfortunately, the families of Lakkakula, cheruku,Dade,Adapa,Gandhe,Ganta, Jampala, Jangeti, Kandula, Konda, Koppula, Kotte, katakam, padala, pedda,penchala, soini, shetty, sunkiti, thota, and vodnala ,who merged with munnurukapus and living from sargamma temple to Venkatadripet Street and bangal pet areas do not remember that they are of warrior community. But their structure clearly reveals the fact that they are of warrior community. There is on locality called Naiduwada, which is lived by naidis(corrupt form of Naidu).This means they are high born people.

I know one Naidi Ramesh, a councillor of that ward previously.In true terms he should be known as Ramesh Naidu, if he remembers his ancestry.Most of them have forgotten that they have migrated with nimma kings. The king Nimmanaidu may be also of the Kapu or yellapu origin, though he is stated as velama by some people.

Nuzivid area

it is already discussed that Yellapus migrated from Warangal to vijayanagara kingdom and Nirmal areas. Some older people stayed at Warangal only. They have migrated to Khammam, Nalgonda and Krishna Districts. It is discussed in the caste that the king of the Nuzivid is also of Yellapu origin. Certain people in the Deshaipet area of Warangal town migrated to Krishna district and came back and established one colony.It is also learnt from Sri.Kandula Thirumal Rao that People of that area are still maintaining the relations with Nalgonda district also.They are continuing the suffix of Rayudu. They are also enjoying the political power.

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