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. 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.

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.
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.

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.

Socio-Economic status of Yellapus

Discontinuity of relations in yellapus


The relations with Rajasthan and U.P were lost many centuries ago. Even the relations of central India and Maharastra are 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 is 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 become very hard to maintain the relation. Hence, yellapus could not maintain relation with past place.
• 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 have been 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.
• 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.
• In absence of employment, some yellapus took up robberies,hunting; the society would not accept this kind of relations, which would have diluted relations.


Genetic ailments

Basically yellapus are soldier 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. Hence,these diseases are genetic ailments of yellapus.



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 during the period of Kakatiyas.

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

Religion

Predominantly these people are Hindhus. Negligible amount of people have converted to Christianity. 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).
Occupations
The principle occupation of the Yellapus in the ancient days is Military activity under the kings. 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. Some people are believed to be have worked as kings.

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 robberies, mendicants and hunting, which was some of their primitive occupation. The land of valmiki is also matches with the ancestral lands of Yellapus.

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 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 alow 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. It is honoring and commemorating their ancestors. There is idol of Veera in the bejjanki mandal. 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 district 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 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 they held as inter- 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.However,in the recent past sri.Naradasu Laxman Rao has become M.L.C. from T.R.S.party.
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.
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 don not compromise for belittling them.
So, to conclude, Yellapus use to enjoy the respect usually, but with out 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.

Analysis of surnames of Yellapus

The most common surnames amongst the yellapus (in alphabetical order) with analysis how they got that name are as follows:
• Aadi: The word Adi denotes first in Sanskrit. They may be the early persons to migrate or to perform something.
• Akireddy: The title reddy is given to their vassals during the period of Prataparudra-2 of Kakatiyas. They may be relating to Akineedu or Rulers of Aki region. It reveals that Yellapus worked during the period of Prataparudra and they also ruled over certain region called Aki, possibly in the west Godavari district.
• Anabheri: The word Anabheri is a corrupt form of Ranabheri, which is a musical instrument played during the war to terrify the enemies. People of this family are known for their bravery in the caste.
• Aparaju: The word Aparaju is probably a corrupt form of Apararaju, which means king like person. It is a usual title taken during the eary medieval and medieval period. This reveals that this family would have certainly ruled as vassal.
• Arakala: It means plough in Telugu, which is an agricultural instrument. These families would have manufactured or sold them or initially used ploughs shifting from the existing technology in olden days.
• Aregala: It is a famous surname in the north Telangana area in other castes also.
• Avari: It is a Quenya word, which means refusor of summons. The Avari remained a "wild folk", often dwellers of forests and caves. They may be migrated from the Elvis, which is known by them as middle earth. If this assumption is correct, this family would be the up keeping their clan name from the oldest ancestors. It is a famous family name in the Europe.
This word may be also relating to the Tamil word of awar, which means they in telugu and denoted respectable persons. These families may be one of the respected families of those days.
• Basa: The meaning of Basa is oath. This people may take pledge or study the pledge before going to the war, or in such other way. They would have pledged people to do some great thing.
• Beerpur: This is the name of the village in which this family lived before migrating.
• Balasankula: This word is also related to war. The word of samaram may be missing in it. Bala means child and sankula means intense. This people may be famous for fighting the intense wars even during the childhood.
• Bonagiri: This is the name of the fort town in the district of Nalgonda in Andhrapradesh, where these people lived after migration from Bobbili and before migrating to Karimnagar district. The origin of these people is certainly in the neighborhood of Delhi, as the Gotra is Kashyapa.The origin of these gotra people is believed to be Russia, as many kasyapovs (Russian form of kashyapa) exists.
• Bongaram: It is a top in english. These families may be manufacturers or sellers of these tops. It may be a strategic arrangement of army, while fighting the enemies, in which these families would have worked.
• Bonthla: It is a textile, especially stitched it to make it thick and used as carpet by the people. These people may be in the manufacturing of Bonthalu or sales of them.
• Bethi: This is a famous surname in the district of Warangal in different castes. It is related to the orugallu dynasty. These families would have related to betharaju or atleast worked under him. It reveals that yellapus were present during the perioed of Betharaju in Andhra Pradesh.
• Chanda: I feel it is a name of a town in the Maharastra, in the borders of Andhrapradesh, where these people would have lived before migrating to A.P.
• Chataraju: These people are certainly rulers of chat region.
• Cherukuthota: It reveals the agriculture activity of these families, predominantly during their presence in Vidharba region, which is famous for sugarcane cultivation.
• Chetti: It is a usual word denoting business community in Tamil and coastal region. It reveals connection to this above region and business community.
• Chintharapu: It is a name of a village where these family members lived. The tamarind trees might be plenty in that village, with which it got this name.
• Chintapandu: It means Tamarind.It is a famous family name in the agricultural castes. These families would have involved in the production and sales of tamarind in olden days.
• Dadi: This is a famous family name in telangana areas. These people may be related to the grand parents, where more number of other people was present It is a Hindi word and reveals the North Indian connection of Yellapus.
• Gujjeti: These families may be related to the gujjers, the nomadic inhabitants of Rajastan and kashmir.It is one of the names of the clans of the Gujjers.
• Gadapa: It is a corrupt form of Kadapa and it reveals the connection of Yellapus to Rayalaseema region.
• Gandhe: It is a corrupt form of Gandhi, which means a sandalwood perfume. It reveals the connection of western India of yellapus. It is very famous surname in the Maharastra.
• Gandla: It means one who had Ganugu, (oil making machine of olden days). These families would have extracted the oil out of agricultural products.
• Ganta: The meaning of this word is bell. These families may be at village bell. This bell is usually kept at the center of village to alert the people for many purposes including the safety. There use to be soldiers near the bell.
• Gargula and Garige: It is a corrupt form of Garg saint, which is the famous family name in north India. It is also a famous gotra throughout the India. It reveals the North Indian connection of Yellapus. It is also a famous surname in the Europe.
• Jampala: It is also a famous family name in the district of Warangal. It reveals the connection of yellapus to Warangal district, especially relating to kakatiya period.
• Jangeti: It is a name of a village near meerut in U.P. It may reveal their relation with U.p. It is exactly matching with the place of living of Yellapus near Delhi, before migrating to other places.
• Jangili: The meaning of the word is forest. It may reveal the living of these families in forest.
• Kailasa: Meaning of the word is abode of lord shiva. These families would have live in the kailas area or area developed on that area.It reveals the connection of yellapus to shaivism and North India.
• Kandunuri:It may be name of a village.
• Kaluvala:It means lotus. It is a famous surname among the Telangana area. It may be a strategy of a war, like padmavyuha.
• Kondu:It is a corrupt form of konda, which means hill. These families would have lived on or near hill or worked on hill fort like Bonagiri, etc.
• Karnavattula:It is also a famous surname. It may be related to karna, a rajput king of medieval period.
• Korukanti:It may be corrupt form of orugnti, which is capital of kakatiyas.Similar corruption of word goruganti has took place in velamas also.
• Kosna: It may be related to kosni river or a Telugu word kosina, which means which cut. It is also interested to find that Kosna is a city in Bialistock, poland.If we believe that they upkeeped their foriegn name upon a city name, the roots of yellapus widens to Poland, russia, etc., who possibly mirated to the India in ancient period.If my imagination is the correct then these people are the up keepers of their oldest surname
• Kola: It is a name of a peninsula located in the northwest of Russia. It borders on Norway, Finland, the Barentsz sea and the White sea (Belo more).It is also name of a nut. It is also a medicinal herb name. This family would have derived on ny of the names.
• Koppula: This word is related to hair. These families would have grown the long hair and tied it. It is usually a north Indian custom. Otherwise, these people would have tradition of cutting the tied hairs of the enemies, similar to the tradition prevailing during the Mahabharata period.
• Kotte: The meaning of this word is shop or business place. It is corrupt form of kottai, a Tamil word entered into Telugu. It reveals the business connection of these families. The other meaning of this word is one who beat in Telugu. These families would have beaten the people as a part of profession or part of teasing. This is a nomadic tradition, which might have continued till the migration to Telugu areas.
• Katakam: It is a famous surname in Andhra Pradesh. Katakam was the erstwhile capital of kalinga dynasty. Presently, it is known as cuttack and part of odisha state. It reveals the presence of yellapus in the state of kalinga. During the war against the prataparudra Gajapati, srikrishnadevaraya has taken his loyal and capable army and defeated him. Later a compromise was made between both of them by a marital relation. But krishnadeva has left his army at cuttacum. Subsequently, these families were re-migrated to a.p.
• Kamatam: This surname is also famous in the agricultural communities in a.p. Its exact meaning is Land. These families would have involved in the agricultural operations for the first time in the caste, leaving the natural profession of soldiers.
• Koodala:it is a corrupt form of koodali, which means an adjoining point of more than two roads. Usually there was presence of soldiers at X- roads in olden days. These people may be the soldiers working in such area or lived in such a place. The first one would be most probable as the large chunk of people (koodala) cannot stay at single koodali.
• Lakkakula: Usually foreigners pronounce the Lakh as lakka.Even in Hindhi also lak maeans lakh. It means one lakh leaves.It reveals that these families maintained relations with other countries during their stay in bordering states. These people would have imported these leaves from else where or performed the pujas with these leaves, in similarity with Laksha Bilvarchana.It may be also possible that these people would have also foreign decent.
• Lakkam: These people would have counted the Lakh leaves. They may be worked under the Lakkakulas or vice verca.
• Madapally: It is name of the village on the coast.one madapally is located in the kerala state in kottayam district.
• Madapathi: It is a famous surname in Krishna district. It may be the corrupt form of mada-pathi, which means owner of the land on the coast. It may be also a corrupt form of Medhopati, which means an intelligent king and its related. But the surname of madapally and madapathi suggests that the first view of land owner on the coast is the appropriate. The families of madapally would have also worked or lived under the Madapathis.
• Madasu: It may be corrupt form of Mahadas, an odiyan word in Telugu, which is derived from Sanskrit.It means great Servant. It again reveals the migration of yellapus to kalingan area and their remigration to a.p. These families would have worked as chief servants of king during their stay at kalinga.
• Malka: It is a kind of a pulse. These people might have involved in the production or selling of this pulse. It reveals the connection of Yellapus to either business or agriculture.
• Maidam: Maidam means a vault in assamese language. It is a grave yard of Ahoms.Many maidams were unearthed in dibrugarh district of assam.But we have to doubt whether yellapus have relations with assam state.
• Mekala: It means persons relating to goats.The activity of upkeeping the goats are prime activity in Maharastra and North India. These families would have taken up rearing of goats, during nomadic or in helpless condition.
• Muppala: It is a famous surname in coastal area of a.p. It reveals the presence of yellapus in coastal areas of a.p.
• Namani: It is a Sanskrit word and related to name and having the multiple meanings. It is a very famous surname in India and European countries.
• Naradasu: It is a corrupt form of Narahdas, again a odiya word derived from Sanskrit. It means servant of king. It reveals the connection of yellapus to the to kalinga area. These families may be the personal servants of the king.
• Nanvala: It is a Tamil word. It means .It reveals the Tamil connection of yellapus. It also seems like an Italian name and Sanskrit name.
• Onna: It means one in Tamil. It reveals the Tamil connection of Yellapus. They may be migrated to Tamil lands during the period of Krishnadevaraya and come back to a.p.
• Pagadala: Pagadam is one of the nine precious stones. These families would have in the business of this stone, while their stay in the coastal areas. It may be also a name of a regiment in which these families would have worked.
• Padala: It is very famous surname in telangana districts among the other castes. Padala is a word from the Tagalog language which means "consignment" or "the thing consigned". The word also has become a cultural concept, a tradition and a state of mind of Filipinos leaving their native country to work in foreign lands as Overseas Foreign Workers (OFWs) in order to "send something" back home. These workers send things to their families back home in the form of padala; either money or material goods utilizing balikbayan boxes. Padala has developed into a way of life that is actually an increasingly extensive network of formal and informal money remitters or cargo forwarders that comprise the padala system.
• palle: It means a tiny village in Telugu, where these families would have resided abutting to town, where yellapus were predominant. The town people might have said and recognized them as palle varu,etc.
• Paruvelly:It is name of a village, where these people would have resided.
• Puram:It is a Sanskrit word , which means a town. These people would have worked in the town. They may be called as puram varu ,etc, by the rural area people. The two surnames palle and puram explains the living relationship between these families despite of disparities.
• Puramshetti:It means the shetti(businessman of south India) living in Puram(town).This reveals that certain Yellapus living in the town were taken up the business, by leaving the traditional profession.
• Pedda:It means Big or Great. These people might be enjoyed great power and wold have treated as great among the caste. Or they may be elder in the age.
• Penchala: Penchala is a name of a village in the karauli district of Rajasthan,where most of the Gujjers live.It reveals the connection of yellapus to Rajastan and Gujjers. It also supports that the surname of Gujjeti also relates to Gujjers only.
• Perkari: This may be related to the perka, which may be a village in north India.
• Puppala: The root word may be puppa, which means uncle in Hindi. This may be because of their living in uncles home due to unavoidable circumstances. This also reveals their north Indian connection.
• Ramneni:This word reveals the two aspects of yellapus. One, relation of them to Lord Rama and U.P. second, their amalgamation into the Andhra castes by having Neni as suffix, which is usual in south coastal districts, especially in kapus and velamas.
• Rachakonda: It is a famous fort capital of Rachakonda velamas in the district of Nalgonda of a.p. state, where these families would have worked. It is to ascertain whether these people have worked during the period of velamas or at later date, before migrating to karimnagar district.
• Ramshetti: This also reveals the connection of Yellapus to the Lord Rama, U.P. and to business.
• Rapole: This is a corrupt form of Rayaprolu, which is a title given to the leaders of the soldiers during the period of Vijayanagara dynasty. Certainly these people would have enjoyed very good position during that period. It is a famous surname in coastal areas. The corruption of word would have taken place in Nalgonda district, as one famous historical temple in Suryapet town has same pronunciation.
• Saini:It may be the corrupt form of sahni, which is a title of a leader of soldiers of certain level in the Maratha kingdom. The presence of saini families in Nagpur town supports this view.It reveals the marathi connection of yellapus and supports the view that before migrating to a.p., they were in Maharastra. Most of the saini families led their life in the borders of Maharastra in the recent past.
Saini is a Rajput descent warrior caste of India. Sainis, also known as Shoorsaini in Puranic literature, are now found by their original name only in Punjab and in the neighboring states of Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. They trace their descent from Rajputs of the Yaduvanshi Surasena lineage, originating from Yadava King Shurasena, who was the grandfather of both Krishna and the legendary Pandava warriors. Sainis relocated to Punjab from Mathura and surrounding areas over different periods of time.
• Salvaji: It is pronounced as salvaji or salvadi.Salva means Army in Hindhi.It is a famous term in the central Indian region. Salvaji is a complete Hindi term, which means the respectable person relating to Army. It has a corrupt form in Telugu in the form of Salvadi, which means the army staff staying in the front line. Mostly, the brave people were kept in the front line to fight with enemies. This term mostly supports the term yellapus , which means (ela+ apa), one who stops the first flow of enemy soldiers in their own army.
• Shetti:It means a business man. I feel that some inconvenient prefix is definitely missing. It may be because of their in-depth involvement in their business or with local community.
• Sunkara:It is also a famous surname in many castes. It means a subordinate working under an officer, especially under revenue administrator.
• Sunki:This term is related to tax(sunkam). These families would have collected tax from the people either for kings or to pay to kings. The surnames of sunkara and sunki may be related and the sunkaras might have assisted the sunkis during their revenue collection process.
• Thoom: It means a water passage from a tank or stream. It is related to agriculture. This reveals the connection of yellapus to
• Thota: It is also an agricultural term which means garden. It is also a famous surname amongst the agricultural communities. This surname reveals shift of occupation or amalgamation of other castes in A.p. into core yellapus.
• Tula: It means balance. It is related either to business or it may be name of a regiment, of which soldiers are released as per the strategy.
• Veeramalla: Veera means brave and malla means wrestler. It means a brave wrestler. The large body structure of these family members supports that they were worked as wrestlers in olden days, which was a famous sport during the days of kings.
• Veerla: This means the person of brave family, usually worked in the army in ancient days. These family members also have large structures.
• Velmula:It is a name of a village in Medhak district in a Ramachandrapuram Block. These people may be resided in this village.
• Velpula: This means God or Goddess. These families might be priests among this yellapus, especially at the time of war. They would have invoked the God to make their army regiment psychologically stronger and make them enthusiastic. Such sacred practices were present also amongst velamas.
• Vodnala:It is a famous surname in Telangana area.
.Vugrala: This means the persons of angry nature. These families might be very ferocious at the time of war, etc. This is the nature of most of the yellapus.
• Vulise:It may be a kannada word. It is a famous surname in coastal areas also.

History of Yellapus

Origin& History

As per the opinion of the elders of the caste, yellapus were migrated from the surrounding areas of Delhi to south India. But as per wikipedia, “they were originated in Rajasthan. The history of Vaageshwari Maatha temple in Rajasthan reveals the story of Vellapus. They moved from rajasthan to many places and got themselves transformed to fit into the region they moved. They were later spread over Central India, which is now, Jharkand. Hence, you will see people from this caste only in the areas of Maharastra, Northern Karnataka, Telangana, Jharkand and Coastal Andhra. They have conquered some of the kingdoms in the regions of Maharastra and Telangana (mostly the Kakatiya region) in Andhra Pradesh. Later, they were conquered by the Maratha Kings and were ruling under them. Once the British rule began in this area, they left the kingdom. Some were working as military officers under British Rulers. Most of them settled as land lords in telangana region and others are still in the coastal Andhra region of Andhra Pradesh. This caste has its presence in Telangana & Coastal Andhra region of Andhra Pradesh. Some villages now fall under Karimnagar, Warangal, Adilabad, Nizamabad, Nalgonda districts of Telangana. In villages, they mainly held positions such as Deshmukh, Vatandar, Zamindar, and also Patel, Diwan and Patwari in some villages”


I give my analysis basing on the stories told by caste elders, basing on the names of the gotras and surnames of yellapus as follows:

The meaning of yellapus is usually explained that as they have protected the borders, they got that name. 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+apu, which means to stop the storm of army. 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) éla+ apu suggests the same meaning of stopping the storm of enemy armies. The word of ellalu kapaduvadu does not match and it may be due to illusion that yellapus certainly protected the borders and assumed this meaning. The word of vellapu is continuing as surname to some people in Warangal district suggests that vellapu has corrupted, while these people were in Warangal or at later date, as we find many surname of yellapu in other parts of A.p. Interestingly, as per the census report, the caste of vellapu is still existing. But its exact location is not clearly traceable. The subsect of vellapu kapu also exists in kapus.

The fact is that the casualties amongst this caste are more and they are fewer in numbers. It supports the view that they stood in front in the army and many of them lost their lives.
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.The Mithila region was situated on the north-eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain and parts of adjoining Nepal. The major cities in the present day are in Nepal, Janakpur, Sirha, Rajbiraj, Biratnagar, and in India, Bettiah, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Supaul, and Saharsa. Also,The surnames relating to the legendary Rama such as Ramineni, Ramshetti, gotras such as Kashyapa and Bharadwaja(the famous gotras in U.P) suggests that yellapus are related to Bihar and U.P. region.

Certainly, there are elements of warrior tribes relating to Rajasthan of which Gujjers community, sainis, etc and some business communities can be also found in the yellapus. There are certainly some tribes are also present, who at later date claimed themselves as kshatriyas and warriors. 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.

Hence, I propose that the yellapus are belongs to the Rajasthan, Bihar and U.P. and started migrating to the South India from the neighboring areas of Delhi, after thorough merging. Originally vellapus or Yellapus or Yellapis are belongs to a profession like many other castes and converted into a caste. These people are summation of many groups formed into a single group.

The presence of yellapus in central India,Jharkhand and Maharastra suggests us that the migration took place through these regions in to the Andhra Pradesh. The time of the migration and its causes are not exactly traceable. The only reason easily extractable is employment.

But, one sure fact is that, Yellapus were present in Andhra Pradesh By the time of Betharaju(an early king) in the kakatiya kingdom and got the lands for their loyal service. They might not conquer the kakatiya region. 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 forte 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. 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.

Soon after the downfall of kakatiyas, yellapus has to get the employment. In this regard, the connection of migration to bobbili is simply elucidative. 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 and Tamilnadu supports the view that they have definitely migrated to vijayanagara kingdom.

Consequently, time has passed and reins have passed into the hands of krishnadeva raya. Initially, his army recieved 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 taken the assistance of his most loyal soldiers, in which the yellapus and velamas 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. It means in true terms they have once again lost their caste.
The yellapus were present in the Rayalaseema and Karnataka. The surname of yellapu and yellapi in ananthapur district and kannada areas suggests that they have converted in to some other caste holding the identity of Yellapus in the form of surname. 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.The tamil surnames among the yellapus suggests that some of them returned from that lands.There is possibility of presence of Yellapus in the form of Kapus, who are enviously called as kapunayallu by the tamilians, for others hegemony and richness in their own region.

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 livingfrom 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. Most of them have forgotten that they have migrated with nimma kings. The king Nimmanaidu may be also of the Kapu or yellapu origin.

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

On the other hand in the north coastal areas, they are employed by the bobbili 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 leading the nomadic conditions. But their body structure is like warriors. Even the women are not inferior to men. Most unfortunately, the civilized telangana yellapus could not do any thing to their fellow beings. After the great war of bobbili, the velamas lost their kingdom.
I feel that Yellapus have got the social setbacks during the period of Kalinga period.They have become personal servants of the king.The surnames of naradasu and madasu supports my view.The re-migrations to Andhrapraesh from odisha also supports the same.This may due to lack of wars and other reasons.

Subsequently, yellapus have migrated to the Nalgonda district and stayed at the places of Rachakonda , bhuvanagiri and other places. The surname of bonagiri and Rachakonda 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 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. 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, etc. amongst the telagas (munnuru kapus) suggests that they are none 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. Some family names are corrupted. For instance I mention some surnames matched amongst the kapus of nirmal and Nalgonda district are 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, Rapolu, Japa, Ravula, Vantala, Palle, Chirutha, Cheruku, Munigela, Kunta, Basetti, Nandedapu,Pogula, Manglarapu, Manda, etc.

Out of the above surnames, some surnames are matching even in the yellapus, which reveals that yellapus, kapus of Nalgonda and Nirmal have some relations. It is quite clear that the Munnuru Kapus are offshoots of Kapus only. The kapus are also of North Indian Origin and believed to be migrated from Mithila region, Rajasthan, the origin lands of Yellapus. Thus, we can believe that Origin lands of Yellapus and Munnuru Kapus are one and the same.

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, Venkatapuram, Sircilla, Poshettypalle,Thadicherla,Simhampeta(medak)

One interesting fact happened at karimnagar district was that yellapus lost their employment and they are resorted to robberies. There was large-scale disturbance in the law and order. Vexed by the activities of yellapus, Nizam of Hyderabad was clever enough to gift lands and made them landlords. Here yellapus have also continued the tradition of veerla panduga, which is usually done before the marriage
Consequently, a set of people, who are dependent on the hunting are migrated to Adilabad district following the ruining of the forest in the karimnagar district to Khanapur and its surroundings. As per the statement of the elders, the migration was not done at once. It had take more than 10 years.The confedence to live in this place was brought by the family members of Bonagiri venkanna, a great hunter, who can shoot 1 paise coin from 50 meter distance. He was equally able to convince other castes to be along with them in migration. The families of Kuthuru and Gandla are actually following the yellapus from Nalgonda district. Later on other families of ganta, chintapandu, lakkakula, elumula followed. Kudala family joined in sattenpally at very later date. The gargula, shetty migration to rajura shall be ascertained.

On the other hand the migrations to mancherial were also continued for employment. There are large number of people existing in naspur,Ramakrishnapur, rechini , jannaram , luxetipet and Mancherial .

In the recent past there is exodus from karimnagar to alval in Hyderabad.The geographical advantage of easy access of vehicles to karimnagar has made it happen.

The method I followed
I attempted to write the history of Yellapus.It is not a comprehensive.It needs further eloberation.The method I followed is here under with my limitations:

The method I followed is simple. I used to collect 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.
Limitations

There are no historical evidences are available about this caste such as coins, scriptures, rock edicts, etc. Even nobody has mentioned about them in their books. So,it is natural that information may be wrong to an extent.
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.