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.