Yellapu

Yellapu
Classification	Kshatriyas (Warriors and Landlords)
Religions	Hinduism
Languages	Telugu, Marathi, Kannada
Populated States	Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Orissa.

Yellapu (Telugu: ఎల్లాపు) is the name of a Hindu Caste from the Southern Indian state of Andhra pradesh. The Yellapu (ఎల్లాపు), can also be called Vellapulam (వెల్లాపులం) or Vellapu (వెల్లాపు). The word Ellapu,Vellapu,Yellapu is derived from - Ellalu(Border) ape vadu(Blocker), the people of this clan were valiant warriors and they act as a shield by preventing the entry of foreign forces into the kingdom at the time of warfare and hence known as "అవసరానికి ఆదుకునీ ఎల్లప్పుడు కాపాడే ఎల్లాపులు" by the people (Yellapu - ఎల్లలు కాపాడేవాడు, ఎల్లలు ఆపే వాడు). 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. Over the years this clan has dwindled in numbers due to lack of unity or merging into other communities. This clan over the years dispersed widely across various regions in India The people from this community, normally carry the title "Rao" and "Deshmukh" in their names.

History

When Varnas are split into Jati and later into Kula (sub-caste), Gotras played a significant role. Gotras are believed to denote the “lineage” of the Kula. While Brahmins believe that their Gotra represent a Rishi, for others it is believed as the Gotra or name of their Kula Guruvu or Kula Purohit.This disintegration of major Jatis into Castes further divided with the Surnames. Surnames denote the names of some places (Vengi to Vegi), names of profession (Setti for business) or names of Kings or Kingdoms (Ellore to Ellapu) or (vellore/vellalore to yellapu/vellapu). Yellapu community formed by native ruling Kings (not Brahmana rulers). It is a ruling community of Rashtrakuta's. Yellapu's are Suryavamsh Kshatriya's.

Yellapus were Senapathis, Sainyadhikaris, Supreme warriors & even ruled the kingdom in some parts of the country. They were often been called as "Kind Hearted Rulers". They were part of battles as Kshatriyas and fought fearless till death. They were normally called as Dhora or Dora in the villages. They are also called Hazaris in some areas.

Origin

You will see people from this caste only in the areas of Maharashtra, Northern Karnataka, Telangana, Jharkhand and Coastal Andhra. They have founded kingdoms(Asmaka Mahajanapada,Mahishaka dynasty, Rashtrakuta,Kakatiya's) in the regions of Maharashtra and Telangana in South India. 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, and Nalgonda districts of Telangana. In villages, they mainly held positions such as Deshmukh, Vatandar, Zamindar, and also Diwan and Patwari in some villages. In recent years, differences arose among themselves, as a result of which, they stayed away from normal course of social behavior and are separated and settled at different places.

Notable people

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