| Yellapu | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Kshatriyas (Warriors and Landlords) |
| Religions | Hinduism |
| Languages | Telugu, Marathi, Kannada |
| Populated States | Andhra Pradesh, Maharastra, North Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Orissa. |
| Subdivisions | Six |
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). 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. This clan over the years dispersed widely, reclined its power, yet lived with pride, what they carry among themselves as wealth and power. The people from this community, normally carry the title "Rao" in their names.
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The word Yellapu is derived from - Yellalu(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).
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 Senapathis, Sainyadhikaris, Supreme warriors & even ruled the kingdom in the absence of the king. The were also small kings sourrounding the main kingdom. 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. They were normally called as Dhora or Patel in the villages.
Yellapus are a "typical Kshatriya Clan"
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.In recent years differences arise among themselves as a result they stayed away from normal course of social behaviour and are separated and settled at different places.
The people of this caste usually have a suffix Rao to their given name.
The most common surnames (in alphabetical order):
http://yellapucharitha.blogspot.com/2011/03/origin-history-as-per-opinion-of-elders.html