Bobbili
&Orissa and North coast
On the other hand in the north
coastal area, they are employed by the bobboili kingdom under the patronage of
velamas. In this period, yellapus had got many setbacks. They lost their
respect, as some of the yellapus have become poor and started the menial works
under the velamas. Even till today, some velamas treat the yellapus with same
attitude. This view is supported by the fact that yellapus in the north coastal
area, up of vizag, are still living the nomadic conditions. These people are
not accepted by the educated yellapus of telangana area, as they are poor and
nomadic. But their body structure is like warriors. Even the women are not
inferior to men. The surnames of naradasu and madasu also reveal that they are
transformed as servants of king even during kalinga period. After the great war of bobbili, the
velamas lost their kingdom.
Mr.Karunakar Rao has also provided
superb links, which includes the book written by micheal katten on Making Caste
in Nineteenth-Century India: A History of Telling the Bobbili Katha &Velama
Identity. I could produce the following points immediately as follows and
comment here under:
There is special mention of Beri
Komati sthreelu. In one part of the fort lived the Beri komatis.At the on set
of the siege the men of this jati were out gathereing their merchandise, while
the women were forced in to action. With the refrain “beri Vari Strilu”(Women
of Beri People) author tells of their heroism:
The Beri women tied their hair in
knots (tufts), and swung them behind their heads. They knotted the loose ends
of their saris. Then they tied up stones, and the pestles available. And they
proceeded to throw the entire collection of rocks on top of the 12,000
Frenchmen and the army gathered nearby. Then they struck the white men where
they lay. They hit the heads of 200 soldiers. From the tops of elephants
observes gathered and watched in sheer amazement.
It also revealed that there are
telagas and velamas exist in the fort. They have killed their children and
women to show the solidarity to king in the time of distress and to launch
their do or die attack.
Out of the two statements we can
deduce one certain fact that Beri komatis has corrupted to Bairu shettis in
Telangana area. These people later merged into telagas and Yellapus, duly
migrating to Telangana area. The family name of Bairushetty exists in Yellapus
in Vemulawada in Karimnagar district. It is also existing in Warangal in
Telagas.It is not easy to distinguish telagas and Yellapus in Warangal
district.There is existence of Ranabheri (Anabheri) families and Bherishetti
(Bhairushetty) families among Yellapus. Former are end users and latter are
suppliers. Interestingly, there are only two families of Bairushetty exists
now. This low number confirms the onslaught of these families during Bobbili
war, amalgamation in other caste and forming in to some separate caste.
As told by the Yellapu elders that
women use to wage the war equally with men. The above incident of fighting by
women against the well disciplined army reveals the fierceness of women among
the Yellapus/telagas. I remember that the old age persons, who are descendent
of migrants along with my forefathers use to tell that Yellapus are also called
telagas( telagalollu) in Nalgonda district.
Thus, yellapus were very much part
of Bobbili war. Their women also participated in the war, when other women and
children are killed. Some children are got escaped and reached to Nalgonda
district finally via Veerabhadraram , near albaka, Warangal district and
thorrur.It also supports the reason of very less number of families among the
Yellapus.
After the war of Bobbili,yellapus
have settled at else where in the vijayanagaram , srikakulam and vishakapatnam
districts. As per the information given by madhurima vodnala, yellapus are
still existing in the palakonda village.
.
There is one yellapuvanipalem village near vishakapatnam from one
sri.Yellapu Mukunda Ramarao, an elder person of Gavara Community and who has
been doing research had sent an appreciation on my research and provided the
valuable information .As per him, Yellapus lived there long back and
name of the village is on that caste dominance. I have also tried to contact
the villagers through the face book.This has stimulated thought in my mind that
there may be the other villages in the near by places.So far I have found other
3 villages, the details of the villages are as follows:
Akkireddypalem is a
Locality in Visakhapatnam City. Sourounded By Nathayyapalem , Mindi Village ,
BHPV Township , Gajuwaka , Tungalam , Localities . Simhachalam Rail way station
is Reachable to Akkireddypalem. Near By Airport is Vishakhapatnam Airport.
Bongaram is a
Village in Peda Bayalu Mandal in Visakhapatanam District in Andhra Pradesh
State . Bongaram is located 92.6 km distance from its District Main City
Visakhapatanam . It is located 440 km distance from its State Main City
Hyderabad .
Vellapalem is a small village in Peda Bayalu Mandal in Visakhapatanam District in Andhra Pradesh State. Peda Bayalu, Hukumpeta, Munchingi Puttu, Paderu, are the near by Towns to Vellapalem . Vellapalem is reachable by Padua RailWay Station , Darliput RailWay Station , Gorapur RailWay Station , Bheja RailWay Station , . Its main Village Panchayat is Vellapalem Panchayat .
The other village name that retained
by the yellapu family retained is Vurugonda in Vishakapatnam district.The
details of village are as follows:
Vurugonda is a
small village in Paderu Mandal in Visakhapatanam District in Andhra Pradesh
State. Paderu, Hukumpeta, G.Madugula, Peda Bayalu, are the near by Towns to
Vurugonda . Vurugonda is reachable by Gorapur RailWay Station , Arakku RailWay
Station , Padua RailWay Station , Darliput RailWay Station , . Its main Village
Panchayat is Vurugonda Panchayat.
From the above
information we can logically deduct that some Yellapu families stayed in the
interior areas of Vishakaptnam district, that to in an agency area for the
reasons existing at that time, after the Bobbili war.It is to understand in
such a way that :
- People migrated during the war have stayed in Khammam, Warangal and Nalgonda districts.
People migrated to Vijayanagaram and Srikakulam districts and agriculture as profession (mostly) have comparatively good living along with Velamas.- The people migrated to vishakapatnam district and who was following the Business during the Bobbilili war time is merged with Gavaras.
- Some people migrated to Telangana area along with Velamas and living mostly in North Telangana after living in the areas of Vishakapatnam and other areas for some time .
The other people have stayed in the interior areas and continued to be in nomadic condition.
It also gives the insight of
understanding the fact that some of the community people though reject to
accept that Yellapi is not the Yellapu is proved to be wrong beyond any doubt,
as the most of the inhabited areas are matching.Instead of rejecting the fact
blindly, they should strive for the development of those people in poverty.
Nalgonda
district
subsequently, yellapus have migrated to the Nalgonda district and stayed at the places of bhuvanagiri, parpelly, sunkishala, and Mothkur.There are evidences of staying of this people at thimmapur, koodali,phanigiri,etc, The surname of bonagiri reveals two things. One, yellapus stayed at these places. Second, these people have migrated to the karimnagar district during the period influenced by the English, as the pronunciation of Bhuvanagiri has changed to Bhonagiri or Bhongir during that period only. The formula of migrate and forget the stayed people has effectively implemented here also. But, this did not happen in case of velamas. The migration to the karimnagar district is taken from the wider horizons of Bhongir division and suryapet division, in contrary to the earlier expectations of bhongir town alone.
The estimated time of migration of
kalavala families to Mothkur took place between 1840-50.The war of Bobbili took
place in 1757.Hence, between these hundred years they may be at Warangal and
khammam districts. In this regard, it is to reiterate that Yellapu families
have not migrated from one place to one place at once, as it is told by elders.
The migration from Bobbili is also not an exemption.It is clear that some
people left Bobbili during the war and some after the war.
The Benevolent Grand father of
Mr.Rao, Sri.Narahari Rao has got migrated 20 families to Mothkur for living
together, namely Devineni, Polineni, Gandham, Konatham, Gaddam, Duscherla,
Adapa, etc.His grand father was called as Rayudu by the villagers with respect.
Sri.kamatam papaiah, maternal Grand
father of Mr.rao was a Hazari in the Bhonagiri fort. It clarifies that many
Yellapus and Telagas in the Warangal and Nalgonda district have got the status
of Hazari or more. Hazari organization is based on the decimal system. In this
one leader of soldier leads the military in the multiples of 10 basing on the
horses they maintain and assignment of land given to them.However, many Hazaris
have merged with telagas in Nalgonda district. There is presence of them in the
surrounding villages of Suryapet.
Kaluvala families resided in mothkur
in Nalgonda district. These people migrated from Bobbili to Albaka in Khammam
district near Kothagudem on the bank of River Godavari. From there, they
migrated to Jaffargadh in Warangal district and later to mothkur via thorrur.
Earlier, it was thought that the migration took place to Nalgonda district from
Bobbili. Now, it is clarified that migration took place to Nalgonda district
via khammam and Warangal district. These families have relatives in Jaffargadh
a famous fort village. Jaffargadh is 12 km. away from Vardhannapet, on the way
to Thorrur from Warangal. Most of these people might have stayed in Jaffargarh
before migrating to Mothkur.
On the other hand the after war
migration route is not clear. But, one sure fact is that they migrated along
with velamas, as told by sri.Kishan Rao, a famous velama leader.
The reason for the migration is that
when it was estimated that Bobbili is on loosing end women and children was
killed by their family members. About 100 children of kalvala families and
their relatives were secretly got escaped to albaka through different routes to
their maternal uncles house. It reveals that those people have maintained
relations from that distance place. The matrimonial relations were also
established from that distant place.
Here these families had continued
the tradition of Guru. 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 uses to do the Yagnam for the welfare of the people. He uses 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, Grand
father 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. What an un-imaginable quantity of kindness for poor.
Another interesting fact is that
Uncles of Mr.Rao is also using the Rayudu as suffix to the name. Actually, it
is being used for the vassals of Kakatiyas.
During my enquiry some of the
Telagas in Nalgonda district, who again claim themselves as MunnuruKapus for
sake of reservation certificate, even they are vatandars. The family names of
Bonagiri, , Kandula, salwadi,Thota, Gandham,Parepally,Mudarapu, Ramishetty,
Lakkakula, Mekala, Puppala,Sairi, kotte, Jangeti, Thoom, Palle, puram,etc.
amongst the telagas (munnuru kapus) suggests that they are non other than
people of yellapus. Here in Nalgonda district the telagas and munnuru kapu has
no difference and it is one and same. Only a few people use the suffix of Naidu
along with their name amongst the telagas. Unless otherwise these people have
the advantage, these people do not reveal that they are telagas.
Another, Important feature that
observed among the telagas(kapus) in Nalgonda district is that the surnames of
them are similar to that of the Nirmal Kapus, who are believed to have been
migrated along with Nimmanaidu from warangal. Hence, the origin of kapus of
Nirmal , Nalgonda district and of yellapus are same.All the three have
connections with the kakatiyas of Warangal.For curiosity, i have examined the
surnames of telagas of Nalgonda town,which do not match with this. Some family
names are corrupted.For instance I mention some surnames matched amongst the
kapus of nirmal and Nalgonda district as follows:
Marugonda, Kummari , Anumula,
Adumula, Bonagiri, Menga, Poddelli, Koona, Gojja, Aindla, Penta, Munigela,
Mallepoola, Arikari, Kotte, Jangiti,Manoori, Thoom, Pathike, Panthike, Akula,
Naidi, Sriramraju, Dyavarshetti, Ramolu, Japa, Ravula, Vantala, Palle, Chirutha,
Cheruku, Munigela, Kunta, Basetti, Nandedapu,Pogula, Manglarapu, Manda, etc.
Interestingly, the surnames of
Sangu, Bahroju, Bahunuthula, Chenchi are of Gurjara- Pratihara origin, who
migrated from Rajasthan and part of Telagas of suryapet.
Karimnagar district
Subsequently, yellapus were migrated
to the karimnagar district and in different places such as buggaram, bommakal ,
oudyarm, kalvakota, ootpally, nagunoor, narayanpet,Mormoor,Ibrahimpatnam,
Madapur, Kondapur,Bandala lingapur, Dharmaram, Manakondur, Polampally,
Gullakota, Jainapeta, Rekonda, Chengerla, Godhur, Ilapur,Kodimyala, Paidipally,
Velchala,Bhavpet, Huzurabad,
duddenapally,Basheerabad,Lakkora,Venkatapuram,Venkatraopet, Sircilla,
Poshettypalle,Thadicherla,Simhampeta(medak). I learned during the visit that
people of Venkatapuram are migrated from oudhyaram.Only 3 or 4 families are
living there.One sri.Maruthi Rao told me that all the Bonthala families have
left that village.I was curious to visit this village as mother of my Paternal
Grandmother is native of that village.
As seen from the geographical
conditions, the inhabited villages of Yellapus are in the surroundings of
elagandula fort. Some Yellapus were working as soldiers in the elagandula fort.
The Tula families were working as officers responsible for getting weighing of
the grain of the king.
I presume that the Bonagiri families
have migrated later than other people to karimnagar, as these people are called
on the name of migrating town and rest of the others are up keeping the older
surnames. This has to be ascertained from the elders.
One interesting point in the migration of Yellapus from Nalgonda to karimnagar district is that these people migrated from different revenue divisions, that are bhongir and suryapet.The villages/others indicated in the surnames are Bonagiri, Rapole, paruvelli, sunki. To explain Bonagiri is a town.Rapole is a corrupt form of Rayaprolu, a temple name in suryapet.parupalli is a village name in rajapet mandal in Bhongir division,6 K.m.away from Mandal Head Quarter.Sunki and sunkara are famous surnames in over all nalgonda district.
Thus, it is beyond any doubt that Yellapus migrated to karimnagar district from different divisions of Nalgonda district.The great man behind this migration is not traced by me.But it is a miraculous act to bind the people of different places and provide them safety during the migration and later.Another superb facet is that other caste people also migrated with this people. Some other caste people of nalgonda are still living in khanapur with Yellapus.
One interesting fact happened at
karimnagar district was that yellapus lost their employment and some of them
caused unrest. Vexed by the activities of yellapus and following unrest, Nizam
of Hyderabad was clever enough to gift lands and made them landlords. All the
people were not become land lords in this process. The warrior nature has
become advantage in granting the lands to control other people.Some people have
purchased the lands with their inherited wealth.Thus,the Yellapus has regained
the prestige lost in odisha and north coastal areas.Recently, i came to know
that the robbed amount was distributed to poor people, on the lines of
Robinhood .Even women was also part of robbing operations, as told by
Dr.V.S.Rao. It reveals that unrest is not in the depression for loosing the
employment but for sake of higher achievements.
Some people had their own small
forts at Mulangur, Gullakota, polampally, Gillakota, Lakkora, and
Basheerabad.out of this Mulangur outnumbers all the forts in size of the fort and
area of rule. It is on the strategic raod leading from elagandula to Warangal.This
was ruled by Kosnam families.
kosnam families were worked as vassals of Nizam
of Hyderabad. The ancestors of Sri.Kosnam Ramchenkder rao, F/O Kishan rao was a
vassal of Nizam of Hyderabad. His kingdom was touching Karimnagar, Nizamabad,
Adilabad and small parts of Warangal district. They ruled from the Mulangur
fort. They have also constructed a temple by name Sundaragiri temple.The forte
of polampally is belongs to the sisters of sri.Ramachender rao. Thus, this forte
may be also belongs to his ancestors. Their vassal area extended to vainganga
in Adilabad district.The extent of area is very large and it is far off to the
capital of Kakatiyas. This fort is acted as strategic shield fort of Nizam of
Hyderabad, from the invading armies. Thus, he may the important vassal and
gained the confidence in the kingdom of Nizam of Hyderabad.
The migrations to the peddapally
area is in diffent way.One women of Rapole families has brought her four
brothers along with her from else where in Rayalaseema on Horses. They carried
all the gold with them. She has bought 100 acres of land for each brother in
different villages namely vemnur, mormoor,padakanti and madaka all near
peddapally and Ramagundam.It was also told that then carried gold was existing
till recent times.The family tree of rapole families is existing.Some documents
are available with the elder brother. She has mobilized the all other caste
people by providing employment and matrimonial relations.What a wonderful
technique of amalgamation, followed from ancient days of kings.Hence, some
people inherited the lands, some have bought and only a few was gifted by
nizam. These people on tour use to prefer to take meals in the families of
vyshyas and Brahmins but not in the families of reddis or velamas.
References:
- Oral stories of yellapu caste elders.
- Oral stories of dependent castes of yellapu.
- Oral stories of Velamas.
- Wikipedia.
- Indian History- K.Krishna Reddy.
- Modern Karimnagar History
- Personal observation of author on present trends.
- B.C. welfare department website.
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