Velama

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Castes of India
Velama, Velama Dora
Classification	Warriors, Zamindars, Leaders, Landowners, Entrepreneurs,Farmers
Subdivisions	{{{subdivisions}}}
Significant populations in	Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
Languages	Telugu, Tamil
Religions	Hinduism

Velama (Telugu: వెలమ) is one of the older feudal castes or social groups in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. They ruled parts of Andhra Pradesh for several centuries in the past millennium.

Contents 1 General Background 1.1 Feudal past 1.2 Origin theories 1.3 Velama sub divisions 2 Leadership 2.1 Historic Leaders 2.2 Legendary rivalry 2.3 Patrons of Telugu literature and culture 3 Primary references 4 Other references 5 External Links

General Background

Feudal past

The military exploits of Velamas form an important part of Telugu tradition, history and folklore. They displayed chivalry and battle hardiness during various battles in their history, including those of Palnadu, Bobbili and Balanagamma Charitra. The lives of popular Velamas such as Thandra Papa Rayudu, Palnati Brahmanaidu and Rani Mallamamba appear prominently in this history. Their practice of traditions such as Sati indicate that they are of Aryan descent, although with extensive inter mingling with other martial races of India.^{[citation needed]} Velama kings regularly clashed with the Reddys but had friendly relationships with the Orissa Gajapatis and the Bahmanis. A strong Velama influence is noticeable in Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Warangal, Adilabad, Nalgonda, Medak, Mahbubnagar, Khammam, Pithapuram, and Prakasam districts of the Andhra Pradesh.^{[citation needed]}

Origin theories

There are several conflicting theories as to the origin of the community. Some of these propose that:

• Velamas migrated from Bihar when they were banished by Chanakya for supporting the Nanda dynasty.^{[citation needed]}

• Velamas belong to one of the original Aryan races of North India who migrated to South India during the times of Chanakya.^{[citation needed]}

• It is possible that Velamas were lance wielding soldiers of one of the many local kingdoms such as Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Cholas or Kakatiya dynasty, who came to dominate the land through their service to the kings^{[citation needed]}.

The history of Padmanayaka Velamas is known through various scriptures and ballads, and some inscriptions. The Padmanayaka Velamas seem to be a different caste altogether, based on their physical features and war-like build, and their customs and traditions.^{[citation needed]}

Velama sub divisions

All the divisions^{[citation needed]} are based on their original living location. Major divisions^{[citation needed]} in Andhra Pradesh are

• Padmanayaka Velama
• Adi Velama
• Koppula Velama
• Polinati Velama

Padmanayaka velamas are also called as padma velamas. They are mostly seen in Telangana districts like Karimnagar, Warangal, Adilabad, Nizambad, Rangareddy, Medak, Mehboobnagar and Hyderabad, coastal andhra. They are also prominently seen in places like Addanki (Ongole), Vijayawada, Kakinada, Nuzvid, and the villages surrounding these places. Politically, socially and economically, they played a prominent role in the growth of Andhra Pradesh.

Adi Velamas are seen in Machilipatnam, Rajamundry, Hyderabad etc..,

Polinati Velamas are seen in Srikakulam and other coastal Andhra districts. Most Polinati Velamas have Naidu as middle name i.e. suffix in their names and their primary occupation is farming. They play dominant role in Srikakulam district politics and backbone of this district's economy.

Koppula Velamas are living in Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Rajahmundry and other coastal Andhra districts. Most Koppula Velamas have Naidu as middle name i.e. suffix in their names and their primary occupation is farming. They play key role in Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam district politics and vital to these district's economy.

Leadership

Historic Leaders

(12th and 13th Century) Padmanayaka Generals have worked for different Kakatiya kings in and around their capital Orugallu (now Warangal). Some of the Padma Nayakas who fought battles along with other Nayakas and emerged victorious during Kakatiya rule are:

Ganapathi Deva Period (1199 – 1262 A.D.)

• Recherla Rudra, Commander-In-Chief (Senani), of Kakatiya king Ganapathi Deva's army, built the artificial, Ramappa Lake (1156), and Ramappa Temple(1213), both of which are intact and located 60 km from Warangal^[1]

" Following the death of Mahadeva and the captivity of Ganapati, disorder broke out in the kingdom. The nobles rose in revolt. The rulers of the neighbouring states, especially the Mudigonda Chalukyan king Nagati and the Chalukya-Chola emperor Kulottunga III, invaded the country. But Recherla Rudra, the commander-in-chief of the Kakatiya ruler, saved the kingdom from crumbling. His titles 'Kakatjyarajyabharadhaureya' and 'Kakatirajyasamartha' indicate that he carried on administration in the name of his lord and sovereign" (Durga Prasad 1988:137)

• Recherla Raja Nayaka:

" Subsequent to his victory over Prithisvara, Ganapatideva wanted to bring the latter's possessions in Kalinga under his rule. In this Kalinga expedition, Bhima, the Telugu Chola chief of Eruva and Rajanayaka, the commander of the Recherlas, also participated and conquered several places in Vengi, Orissa, and Bastar state. " (Durga Prasad 1988:139)

Rani Rudrama Devi Period (1259 – 1289 A.D.)

• Recherla Prasaditya, along with other Nayaks (Gona Gannaiah (a Reddi chief) and Jannigadeva, Tripurar, Ambadeva (Kayastha chiefs)) help consolidate the position of Rani Rudrama against nobles and her step-brothers.

" Rudramadevi's nomination and succession to the throne was not generally approved. Some of the nobles, who were unwilling to submit to a woman's authority took up arms against her. Ekamranatha's 'Pratapacharitra' refers to her step-brothers, Hariharadeva and Murarideva, ousting Rudrama and capturing Warangal, and Rudrama effectively tackling them with the help of the citizens and some of her powerful supporters. However no other evidence is available to prove the existence of her stepbrothers. Even if it is believed that some intransient nobles and near relations rebelled against Rudrama's authority, the Kayastha chiefs Jannigedeva and his younger brothers Tripurari and Ambadeva, Recherla Prasaditya and the Reddi chiefs like Gona Gannaya and a host of others who remained firmly loyal to the queen, espoused her cause and helped her to defeat the rebels. " (Durga Prasad 1988:143)

Prataparudra II Period (1289 – 1323 A.D.)

" The 'Pratapacharitra' informs us about Prataparudra II entrusting the defense of the 77 bastions of Warangal to 77 Nayakas of the Velama community, allotting to them a fourth of his kingdom as estates to enable them to discharge efficiently their duties (to maintain a prescribed body of troops for the service of the king and to pay annual tribute)." (Durga Prasad 1988:158)

• Recherla Venna, who along with other Nayaks (Pothuganti Maili) fought and cut short the expedition of Alauddin Khilji at Upparapalli battle (now in Karimnagar) in 1303.

" The earliest expedition of Ala-ud-din against the Kakatiya kingdom took place in 1303 A.D. While he himself was engaged in sieging the fort of Chittor in Rajasthan, he sent Malik Fakhr-ud-din Juna and Jhaju of Kara with troops by way of Bengal to Telangana. The army, which already suffered disaster in the course of the march owing to floods, was worsted at Upparapalli (Karimnagar district) by Recherla Venna and Potuganti Maili and was compelled to retreat in confusion." (Durga Prasad 1988:153)

• Erra Dacha Nayaka

" Prataparudra along with the generals, the Padma Nayak Chief Erra Dacha Nayaka, Induluri Rudra, Muppidi Nayaka, and Devari Nayaka, marched on the Pandyan territory. Ranganatha was driven away and Nellore became part and parcel of the Kakatiya Empire. Devari Nayaka occupied Kanchi from the Hoyasala forces, defeated both Ravivarma and Vira Pandya and anointed Sundara Pandya at Viradhavaia. The Kakatiya authority was thus established in the south up to Trichinopoly in the south." (Durga Prasad 1988:150)

• Recherla Singama Nayaka

" On the banks of the river Tungabhadra one Singaya Nayaka, a vassal of the Yadavas, established an independent Kampili kingdom, at Anegondi. His son Kampilideva, who was ambitious and aggressive, desirous of extending his kingdom, came into conflict with the Hoyasala ruler Ballala III. In this endeavor, he even sought the help of Prataparudra. When he failed to secure the assistance of the Kakatiya monarch, he got angry with him and in order to humiliate him assumed his titles 'Mururayaraganda' and 'Virarudrnaganda'. Prataparudra became furious at this and sent Bendapudi Annayamatya and Recherla Singama Nayaka against Kampili. The Kakatiya Generals humbled the pride of Kampilideva. " (Durga Prasad 1988:150)

(12th Century)

Palnadu region is located in current Guntur District, with Krishna river forming its western as well as northern borders, in Andhra Pradesh (east of Nagarjunasagar/Deverakonda region of Nalgonda).

Dodda Nayudu and his son 'Palanati' Recherla Brahma Nayudu, a valiant fighter, served as ministers for the then ruling Raju clans in Palnadu area like Alugu Raju. Brahma Nayudu strived for progressive and egalitarian ideals in medieval times, and ruled as a minister from Macherla, a town close to the Guntur - Nalgonda district borders. Brahmanna as he is popularly called was a staunch Vaishnavite and a devotee of Chennakesava. He was responsible for constructing the Chennakeshava Swami temple in Macherla town which is popular even today among the people there.^{[citation needed]}

Peddanna Bada Raju, brave warrior, elder brother of Brahma Naidu, was a Velama by birth but was adopted by Alugu Raju, and brought up as a Raju.^{[citation needed]}

The deceitful infamous 'Nayakuralu' Nagamma, a widow, was the minister for then rulers (Nalagama Raju and Narsinga Raju etc) of Gurajala , a small town in Palnadu region.^{[citation needed]} Brahmanna and his troops lived in exile for six and half years after losing Macherla to Nagamma in a cock fight.

The battle of Palnadu - (1182) at Karempudi village was fought between Brahmanna and the then rulers of Gurajala at the end of the former's exile.

'Palanati' Recherla Balachendrhrudu (Kaliyuga abhimanyu), born to Brahma Nayudu after he was childless for long, fought the Palnadu Battle ferociously and died at a very young age. The battle is remembered and propagated through 'Burra Katha' even today by people of the region, and through an annual gathering at the battlefield in to pay respect to martyred warriors

(14th - 15th Century) - (A.D 1325 to 1473)

Rachakonda Kingdom - Capital: Rajakonda / Rachakonda, Nalgonda Dist

Raja Recherla Singama Bhoopala Nayaka, first independent King of Recherla clan of Velamas, closely followed by the Devarakonda Chiefs.

His fort is in ruins in Samstan, Narayanpur, Nalgonda, almost forgotten as it is not easily accessible by transport and located in a hilly terrain covered by forests, bordering Nalgonda and Mahaboobnagar districts.

Singama Bhoopala Nayaka's valour is still propagated by people in the region through traditional 'Burra Katha' or folklore. He was also a great patron of art and literature.

His sons Anavota Nayaka and Mada Nayaka carried on his legacy after his assassination by Jallipalli Kshatriyas at the instance of Addanki Kingdom and Kapaya Nayaka, then ruler at Warangal. The sons immediately retaliated by killing the conspirators involved in the assassination.

Devarakonda Kingdom - Capital: Devarakonda, Nalgonda Dist

Ruled by Recherla chiefs.

Devarakonda Fort is in what is now called Deverakonda, in Nalgonda. Eight kings are said to have ruled Deverakonda from ?1287 to 1475 A.D. Some of the kings who ruled Deverakonda Kingdom are

• Raja Maada Nayudu II
• Raja Peda Vedagiri Nayudu (1384 - 1410 A.D.)
• Raja Maada Nayudu III (1410 -1425 A.D.)
• Raja Lingama Nayudu, (1425 - 1475 A.D.), the last of the eight Kings

Padma Nayakas also captured Bhuvanagiri Fort (now Bhongir Fort in Nalgonda), and ruled it for a short duration.

(15th Century)

Velugoti Family - Capital

Descendants of Recherla chiefs of Rachakondam, Rajakonda and Devarakonda, after they lost their kingdom to muslim invaders, they established sixteen Samstanams / Zamindaris in Mahboobnagar, Kurnool, and Raichur Districts, in and around present Kolhapur area. One of the Velama Samsthanams in Mahboobnagar Dist among them is

• Jetprole Samsthanam an ancient and historic Samasthanam in the Nizam dominion in Telangana region. It is said that the founder was not only responsible for establishing the Jetprole family but also the families of the Rajas of Bobbili in erstwhile Ganjam District (now in Vizianagaram), Pittapore (now Pithapuram in East Godavari), Malleshwaram in Krishna District, and Venkatagiri in Nellore District. The young Raja was given the ruling power by the Nizam. When he ascended the 'Gaddi' he dropped his name of Navanita Krishna Yachandra and adopted that of Raja Venkat Laxman Rao Bahadur. The Raja died in 1929 leaving two daughters and his Rani.^{[citation needed]}

(15th - 17th Century)

Padma Nayaka Velama Generals also fought for the Vijayanagar empire after losing their supremacy in Telangana regions. As this empire expanded some of the Nayaks were sent to far away lands in southern Tamil Nadu like Madurai, Tanjavore, and Arkot, to control those territories and collect and send revenue to the King. Thus various Padma Nayaka Velamas have settled in the villages of those newly acquired territories and today they are referred to as Velama Naidus or simply Padma Velamas. It is said that there are about forty such Velama Naidu villages in and around Madurai town alone. They were used to hold large tracts of land in Tamil Nadu and some of them were former big Zamindars. On decline of Vijanagara Empire, most of them stayed back.^{[citation needed]}

(17th - 20th Century)- A.D. 1600+

Kings of Velugoti, Venkatagiri Samstanam, in Nellore district

Descendants of Velugoti Family, of Velugodu region, bordering Mahabubnagar and Kurnool districts.

Kings of Pithapuram Samstanam, now in East Godavari district.

• Raja Nayani Madhava Rao (1679-1704)
• Raja Madhava Rayalu (1710-1755)

Kings of Panagal Samstanam, now in Godavari district.

• Rajas of Panagal

(18th - 20th Century)

Kings of Bobbili Samstanam

15th generation descendants of Venkatagiri Samstanam

• Raja Rao Venkata Gopala Krishna Ranga Rao - Raja of Bobbili - of the battle of Bobbili fame
• Rani Mallamma Devi, wife of Ranga Rao and sister of Tandra Papa Rayudu. A brave woman, she wanted to fight the battle of Bobbili along with the men, rather than commit suicide or be killed by her own army. However, prevalent Velama customs mandated that she be stabbed by her own body guard as per the orders of her husband Ranga Rao.
• Thandra Papa Rayudu^[2] was a valiant fighter and brother of Rani Mallamma Devi. He was away at the time of the battle, and avenged the killing of all his relatives by killing Vijaya Rama Raju of Vizianagaram. However, he had to kill himself, as did the two accomplices to his act, after they were surrounded by the combined forces of Vijaya Rama Raju and Bussy.

(17th - 20th Century Rulers)

Rulers of Sri Kalahasti Samstanam, now in Chitoor

• Damerla Family

Rulers of Narsaraopeta Samstanam, now in Guntur

• Malraj family

Rulers of Nuzvid Samstanam, now in Krishna district

• Meka Family

(20th Century)

• Damera Panagal Raja of Panagal (1921-1926) - former Chief Minister of United Tamilnadu and Andhra (then Madras Presidency and State).^{[citation needed]}

• Maharaja Rao Ramakrishna Ranga Rao Raja of Bobbili (1932-37) - former Chief Minister of United Tamilnadu and Andhra (then Madras Presidency and State) and Member of Commission for Indian Constitution.^{[citation needed]}

Legendary rivalry

The Velamas are considered traditional rivals of Reddys during Kakatiya period. Both the groups got along fine as feudatories of the Kakatiyas but to gain prominence in the royal court the professional rivalry went to the extremes:

" Prataparudra had to fight battles throughout his reign against either the internal rebels or the external foes. The caste-ridden factional rivalries among the Kayastha, the Velama and the Reddi communities might have incited the internal revolts. As a result of these constant internal troubles and the external dangers, especially the invasions of the aliens, the Kakatiya Empire ultimately collapsed. Eversince Prataparudra assumed the reigns of government, he made the rehabilitation of the kingdom his sole aim. To strengthen the defences of the kingdom, he set about reorganizing the administrative system. Tradition, based on authentic facts, points out that he recruited exclusively from the Velama community seventy five or seventy seven nayaks, assigned them territories and entrusted to each of them the defence of one of the seventy-seven bastions of the (of his capital Warangal. He must have found the Velama (Padma Nayaka) chieftains eminently fitted to the duty. This well-meant reform and the special favour shown to the Velama community, of course, excited the jealousy of the Reddi chieftains who grew sullen and discontented. Prataparudra even decentralised power as far as possible." (Durga Prasad 1988:147 & 148 pages)

Velamas say if not for Bhoji/Bojja Reddy's opportunistic attitude during the battle with Delhi Sultan's army, Kakatiya Empire would have been intact at least till the British colonial period. On the other hand, Reddys accuse the Velamas of colluding with alien Bahamanis to keep their state intact and indulge in attacking the Reddy kingdoms at every given opportunity.

The sons of Recharla Singama Nayaka (Anavota Nayaka and Mada Nayaka) subsequently attacked the Reddy Kingdom of Addanki in retaliation for the conspiracy leading to brutal assassination of their father by jallipalli kshastriyas (non-Telugu aliens), Anvota Nayaka even killed Musunuri Kapaya Nayaka (then ruling from Orugallu) on the outskirts of Warangal suspecting his indirect hand in the murder of their father, and later on their kingdom face the combined forces of Addanki Kingdom and Vijayanagar forces with the assistance of Bahamani Sultans. Eventually Velamas had to join the imperial service of Vijayanagar as military contingents and regional governors. Many Velamas thus settled in Tamil Nadu and elsewhere.

" In the reign of Prolaya Vemas' son and successor, Anavota Reddy (1353 A.D.-1364 A.D.), joined hands with the Jallipalli Kshatriyas when the latter assassinated the Recherla chief Singama Nayaka. To take revenge on the Reddis, Singama's sons Anavota Nayaka and Mada Nayaka attacked the Reddi kingdom. Mada Nayaka is said to have defeated Anavota Reddi in the battle of Dharanikota, in Guntur dist. Thus began a feud between the Velamas and the Reddis, which raged with the unabated fury till the middle of the fifteenth century. " (Durga Prasad 1988:181)

Patrons of Telugu literature and culture

Velama rulers were big literary contributors of telugu literature and culture. Below are some of their kingdoms, and associated poets and their literary works:

Pithapuramu

This is a Velama kingdom that is now part of East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. Poets like Vinjamuri Somesha who wrote Ragahvayadaveeyamu were at the court of Pithapuramu. Vakkalanka Veerabhadrakavi wrote 'vasavadattaaparinayamu' and dedicated to the King of Pithapuram, Nayani Madhavarao (1679-1704). Famous poet Kuchimachi Timmakavi was honored by king Madhavarayalu (1710-1755) with the title, 'kavisarvabhouma' (emperor of poets). The following are the poets of Pithapuram kingdom and their works.

Author and his Literary Work

• Kuchimanchi Jaggakavi: Subhadraaparinayamu
• Kuchimachi Gangana: Satakanttharamayanamu
• Devulapalli Bapanna: Taravali
• Pindiprolu Lakhmana: Ravanadhammeeyamu
• Allamaraju Subrahmanyakavi: Bhadraparinayamu
• Devulapalli Subbarayasastri and Devulapalli Venkatakrishnasastri: Ravuvamsamuktavali in Sanskrit and Telugu.
• Devulapalli Subbarayasastri: Sriramapanchasattu, Mahendravijayamu, Ramarayavilasamu, Malhanastavamu, Kumara Satakamu, Mandeswara Satakamu

Kings of Pithapuram and their descendents had invested a lot of money to support Telugu literature and established literary organizations like "Andhrasahitya Parishattu."

Bobbili

Bobbili is part of Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh. This was a Velama kingdom. Poet families like Kotra, Kotikalapudi, Mandapaka, Mandavemula, Susarla etc., prospered in this kingdom. The following are the poets of Bobbili and their works:

Author and his Literary Work

• Kotra Balakavi: Vimalangi Parinayamu and Bhallanacharitramu.
• Rayudappa Rangarao Bahaddur (1790-1830) together with Garimella Subbayya: Sankalpa Suryodayamu.
• Kotikelapudi Venkatakrishna Somayaji: Tarakabrahmamu, Dilipacharitramu, Prabodhachandrodayamu, Meghasandesamu, Vignaneswaramu and Swetachalamahatmyamu.
• Kotikelapudi Kodandarama: Nrusimhapuranamu, Tarakabrahma Mahatmyamu, Janakirama Satakamu, Janakivallabha Satakamu, Venugopala Satakamu and Sudharangamu.
• Rayadappa Janardhanarangarao: Mitravindaparinayamu and Bobbili Venugopalasatakamu.
• Mandapaka Peraya: Nirdoshtyadasaradhi Satakamu, Kumudvati Parinayamu and Indumati Parinayamu.
• Mandapaka Kamaya: Kartikavrata Mahatmyamu, Balaramakshetra Mahatmyamu and Suryanarayana Satakamu.
• Mandapaka Parvateeswarasastri: more than one hundred books that include Krishnabhyadayamu, Radhakrishna Samvadamu etc.
• Mandavemula Venkataramaya: Kriyayogasaramu.

Sir Venkateswarachalapatirangarao (1862-1926) supported many poets and funded printing of several books.

Venkatagiri

Venaktigiri kingdom was ruled by Velugoti family of Velama caste. This family migrated from Velugodu in Telangana to Andhra and established themselves in Venkatagiri in 1600 AD.

Author and his Literary Work

Velugoti Rayudappa Nayani (1600) period

• Returi Rangaraju: Bhanumati Parinayamu

Velugoti Kumarayachamnayani (1777-1804) period

• Mudumbi Ayyappadikshitulu: Vishnupuranamu
• Narakuri Narayanappa: Parijatamu

Velugoti Kumarayachendrulu (1832-1892) period

• Velugoti Kumarayachendrulu: Sabharanjani, Manssakshyamu etc.
• Gopinadha Venkata: Srimadramayanamu, Brahmavaivartapuranamu, Krishnajanmakhandamu, Brahmananda Satakamu, Bhagavadgita Sastramu, Sisupalavadha, Radhikaparinayamu, Srimadramanauja Charitramu, Adityahrudayamu etc.
• Tarkabhushanamu Venkatacharylu: Sringarakalpavalli
• Tirumalasetti Jagnnadha: Halasya Mahatmyamu
• Odayaru Viranagaya: Sivaratri Mahatmyamu
• Mandapaka Parvatiswarasastri: Radhakrishna Samvadamu
• Chilakapati Venkataramanujasarma: Gopikathsudhalahari, Vinodakathakalpavalli

Sri Kalahasti

Damerla family of Velama caste ruled Kalhasti.

Author and his Literary Work

• Damerla Vengalabhupaludu (late 1500): Bahulasva Charitramu
• Damerla Ankabhupaludu: Ushaparinayamu
• Nadiminti Venkatapati: Abhishiktaraghavamu
• Ravukondalarayudu: Chitrakavitvadarpanamu
• Lingaraju (Kumara Dhurjati): Kalhatimahatmyamu, Dvipada bhagavatamu
• Venkatapati: Ratnavali Parinayamu
• Munipalle Subrahmanyasastri: Adhyatmramayan Kirtanalu
• Sishtu Sarvasastri (1830-1880): Amarukamu and Jnanaprasunambika Satakamu
• Kotra Lakshminarayanasastri: Lakshminarayaniyandhra Dictionary
• Kalatturi Vikrala Raghavacharylu(1840-1890): Vedasamrajyamu, Sikshabhashyamu, Sulbasutramu, Rahsyatrayabhashyamu, Suryasiddhanta, Vyakhyanamu, Grahadarshamu, Dharmanirnayamu, Vruttisngrahamu, Andhrabhasha Mahima Varnanamu
• Damerla Venkatabhupaludu: Setukhandamu

Nujividu

This is a Velama kingdom in Krishna District

Author and his Literary Work

• Venkatacharyudu: Indumati Parinayamu
• Anivilla Venkatasastri Apparaya: Yasaschandrodayamu, Alankarasudhasindhumaheswara, Mahatmyamu, Rukminni Parinayamu, Bhaskara Prasasti, etc.
• Dittakavi Ramayogi: Rajgopala Satakamu, Mahisasuramardani Satakamu, Raghutilakahelavati Dandakamu, etc.
• Madabhushi Venkatacharya: Bharatabhyudayamu, Pushpabanavilasamu, Ramavadhuti taravali etc.
• Bukkapattanamu Raghavacharyulu: Andhradesha Charitra and Kuvalyasva Vijayamu
• King Venkatadri Apparao Bahaddur Ramadasu: Jyotirleela, Govardhanoddharanamu, Andhrashtapadulu, Sobhanachala Mahatmyamu, Andhragitgovindamu, etc.
• Duriseti Venkataramacharyulu: Anarkali
• Yarroja Madhavacharyulu: Maghavalayamu

Narasaraopeta

This kingdom was ruled by Malraju family of Velama caste. This is also known as Bellamkonda kingdom.

Author and his Literary Work

• Ahobila: Kavisirobhushanamu and Kalindikanya Parinayamu
• Pattabhiram: Kavisarpagarudamu, Kavimushikamarjalamu, Marunnandana Satakamu, Malarajugudanarayanopakhyanamu, Vajrapanjara Satakamu, and Syamantakopakhyanamu
• Dittakavi Narayana: Rangaraya Charitramu
• Dittakavi Ramachandra: Uddandagopalaraya Satakamu and Raghukulatilaka Satakamu
• Venkata and Pardhsardhi: Vichitraraghavamu

Source: Vepachedu Educational Foundation

Primary references

1. Katten, Michael; Making Caste In Nineteenth-Century India: A History of Telling the Bobbili Katha & Velama Identity, University of California at Berkeley, USA
2. Roghair, Gene H; 1982, The epic of Palnadu: a study and translation of Palnati virula katha, a Telugu oral tradition from Andhra Pradesh, India, Oxford University Press
3. Talbot, Cynthia; 2004, Precolonial India in Practice: Society, Region, and Identity in Medieval Andhra (Hardcover), Oxford University Press
4. Prasad, Durga; 1988, History of the Andhras Till 1565 A.D., Durga Prasad, PG Publishers, Guntur
5. A History of Telling the Bobbili Katha & Velama Identity, Michael Katten, University of California at Berkeley

Other references

1. ^ Source: 11' x 2' black granite slab Inscription erected at Ramappa Temple premises, Palampet village in 1213.
2. ^ B. M. G.. The Tiger of Bobbili. The Hindu. Retrieved on 2007-03-28.

External Links

• Lists of Padmanayaka Velama can be accessed here