Yellam Reddy community is predominantly present in the present state of Maharastra. Their presence is more in the Rastrakuta areas. The reason for this is that these people worked under them.
There are many theories on the origin of the yellam Reddy samaj. Some feel that they are from yellampally of chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh state. Hence, they got that name. Ramkumar Bharadwaj, who had been doing research on his own yellapus opinioned that yellampally is of karimnagar district near Ramagundam. I want to differ on the both stands because the village names are derrived from the family. But, family don't get their caste name on the village name.
My argument on the origin of yellam Reddy samaj and their relationship with Yellapus is as follows : It was already discussed in my earlier articles that yellapus worked under the Rastrakutas. The jurisdiction of them was extended in present Telangana areas also. The Velpula families were ruling the Jaffargadh area during the Rastrakuta period. That means yellapus were present in telangana well before kakatiyas. Some other yellapus were also working in the different cadres in the Rastrakuta kingdom.
During the Rastrakuta period , the village heads and other heads were called "Reddys " . As the most of the Reddys in the core area of the Rastrakutas such as Lathur, Nanded,etc. were from the vellapu community.They formed to vellapu Reddys.
Over a period of time this would have corrupted to yellam. Yellam has a quite interesting meaning of "quick" in telangana area. These people would have part of quick forces of Rastrakutas and found intimate place in the army of Rastrakutas.In olden days, yellapus use to be part of front row forces and many of the surnames attest them. Usually, the front row forces should be quick. Rastrakutas are know for repeated wars. Able soldiers and military leaders were the need of the hour.
We can deduct other important points are as follows :
1. Yellam Reddys are upgraded yellapus and off shoot due to discontinued relations.
2. The names of yellampally villages in different parts of telugu areas is due to their presence. Also, some people would have returned to Maharastra.
3. Some surnames of yellapus and Yellam Reddys are matching. The gotras have to be verified.
4. The professions of the both communities are warrior in nature.
The Yellam Surnames- Reddy; Shelke;Bandapalle ; mekhale; bachpalle;katpure;jatalt;gaddime;narhare; kondamgire; gunale;padile;malwad;pasame;wangwad; yerame;;bembade; barure; chamale; chalmale; kolhe; wange; chevale;Marlapalle; panhale; gojamgunde; ige; gurme; sabde; Chame; kasle; kandgire; chebale; bachpalle; Pethe; motewad; bhandare; shingade; gundare; Kotwad; chame; chalwad; kombade; peddewad; indrale; khandade; panhale; Gobe; pinate; ugile; aradwad; musane etc... Also, we can find the yellam Bazar in warangal near Battalabazar. It clearly reveals the presence of yellam community in kakatiya areas. According to vijay rapole yellapu's using "Wad" and "War"with surname. Probably malwad,wangwad,motewad,Kotwad, chalwad, peddewad, aradwad surnames are belongs to yellapu's. Mekhale-Mekhala, Kote-Kotte, Kole-Kola, Narhare - Naradas.
Also, it is pertinent to mention that the fuedetories ruled the yellampally Edaraju borne the title of "Lattaluru Puravaradhisvara " and " Suvarna Garudadwaja". It is evident from above is that people, who ruled and established yellampally are of Rastrakutas or their closely related people. As the Edaraju of near by areas of yellampally is relative of Medaraju of polavasa. Hence, yellapus and Yellam Reddys are related beyond any doubt. Their presence was there even before kakatiyas.
* Thanks to Rapole Ramkumar Bharadwaj for providing the surnames of yellam Reddy samaj.
