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
