Yellapu

Yellapu (Telugu:ఎల్లాపు) is the name of a Hindu Forward Caste from the Southern Indian state of Andhra pradesh. The Yellapu (ఎల్లాపు), can also be called Vellapulam (వెల్లాపులం) or Vellapu (వెల్లాపు). Yellapi is some other caste, which has similar name to that of Yellapu. Hence, members of this caste claimed themselves to be part of a Yellapu (Vellapu) caste. Unlike other castes and communities, this caste has always been a warrior clan, they lived with upright attitude in confronting situations. Over the years this clan has dwindled in numbers due to lack of unity or merging into other communities. As this clan over the years dispersed over the geography, has also reclined in its power, yet lived with pride, that is what is finally they carry among themselves as wealth and power.

History

Yellapus are kshatriya warriors. Kshatriya is one of the four varnas (social orders) in Hinduism. It constitutes the military and ruling order of the traditional Vedic-Hindu social system as outlined by the Vedas and the Laws of Manu.

Yellapus were Kings, Senapathis, Sinyadhikaris and Supreme warriors. They were often been called as "Kind Hearted Rulers". They were part of battles as Kshatriyas and fought fearless till death. Hence, they are also known as "అవసరానికి ఆదుకునీ ఎల్లప్పుడు కాపాడే ఎల్లాపులు" by people.

Yellapus are a "typical Kshatriya Clan"

Origin

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. The Kshtriya Clan began in Gujarat. 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 some settled in agriculture in the coastal area of Andhra pradesh (Vijayanagaram). This caste has its major presense in Coastal Andhra & Telangana regions of Andhra Pradesh. The origins of Yellapu are found in srikakulam (vijayanagaram) and telangana (kakatiyas) of Andhra Pradesh.

Notable People

Anabheri Prabhakar Rao - First Telangana freedom fighter (15 August 1910 – 14 March 1948)

He sacrificed his life fighting for the people of telangana against the Nizam. His statue was erected on 12 January 1994 by then Chief Minister, 'Mr Kotla Vijaya Bhasker Reddy' in Karimnagar in front of Venketeshwara temple.

Naradasu Laxman Rao - TRS MLC

Salvaji Narsinga Rao - First highly educated person from this caste (15 June 1932 – 18 September 1996)

He is the first highly educated person from this caste, who not only achieved higer degrees, but also became a successful teacher who taught many children in the surrounding villages of karimnagar in the earlier years of the 1950s. He has fought with government to set up many school and taught many kids (irrespective of caste) free of cost and also provided basic necessities like books, uniform etc. Today many of the well-settled families of this caste had got their education from him. Even today in most of the families in villages around Karimnagar, he is treated like GOD.

He always believed and taught "Education" is the first step to growth & success.

Surnames

The people of this caste usually have a suffix Rao to their given name.

The most common surnames (in alphabetical order) are:

• Anabheri
• Avari
• Balasankula
• Gandhe
• Ganta
• Jangeti
• Jangili
• Kola
• Kaluvala
• Koppula
• Kotte
• Lakkakula
• Lakkam
• Madasu
• Malka
• Namani
• Naradasu
• Padala
• Penchala
• Peraka
• Puppala
• Rachakonda
• Ramshetti
• Rapole
• Saini
• Salvaji
• Shetti
• Sunkari
• Sunki
• Thoom
• Tula
• Veeramalla
• Veerla
• Velmula
• Velpula
• Vodnala
• Vugrala
• Vulise

See also

Yellapu matrimony site 1