Velamas-Rebirth of Koppula & Padmanayaa Velamas- Analysis from Shiva fellow Velamaite

Hi Friends,
One of our fellow velamaite Shiva has given a great analysation about our velamas and how the rebirth has happened and how reddys kammas came into existence. First of all A great Applaud to Shiva for this analysis and hands down this is one of the best analysis that should go online. So bringing from comment section to Post section.  Once again Hats Off Shiva. Keep the spirit up. Here you go, the following is the Shiva's post.

"Velamas two types okaru padmanayaka velama second one adhi velama varu.
adhi velamavaru "veru gunachakali" ani perundhi veru only velamavariki vallaki weaving cloths nesevaru. Adhi velamavari and inka padmanayaka velama veru.


Starting lo Velamas kings warriours and soliders-ividhamuga velama samrajyam naduputhunnaru taruvatha rajyam anni eppudaithe poyayo appatinunchi evariki vallu videpoeee taruvatha lands ni occupie chesukoni british samrajyam lo zamindharuluga (kings )unnavallu settle ayyepoyaru


Aithe warriours,soilders ane velama varu vyvasayam(farming) chesukonevaru. evidhamuga velamavaru royals Gosha paddathini rachakutumbam nunchi patisttu unnaru.Varu rajyalu poyena vari paddatulu maintain chesevaru.


Megatha padmanayaka velamavaru ante warriours ga soliduers ga unnavaru agriculture chesukuntu unna nepadyamalo konthamandhi velama varu uttarandhra nunchi nadhi tera pranthamku valasa ga velli akkada agriculture chesukoni bathuku tunnaru alage vellina varilo gosha paddathiki swasthi cheppi memu gosha paddathi main tain cheyyammu ani, thati kamma medha megatha velama varitho oppandham kudhuruchukoni nadee(river) tera pranthamlhaiuku valasa vellipoyaru.
Thaati kamma medha agreement kudhurchukovadam valla atttii velamavaru kamma varuga ayyaaru.


Adhe vidhamuga reddy title kaligina reddy caste varu kuda poursham to videpoyyee swathanthruluga veligaru. Veru velamavaru avvadam valane veeriki aa matram daring aina vachindhi kani net lalo veru kaapulu nunchi videpoyaru ani anataru kani that is not correct.


In my analisation,because kapulu mentaltiki veriki ponthana undadhu veru velamavaru kabatte pourshavanthulu. Alage manchi tanamu veriki velamavariki daggaragane coinside avuthai. So veeru orgin velama vallanunchi vachindhi.


Veru basic ga rajula kalam taruvatha tax collectors ga ,alage grama peddalaga vyavaharinchevaru. so veeriki appatlo reddy title ivvadam ayyendhi. eppudayathe velama nunchi videpoyaro verru appatanucnchi reddy title nu alage reddy surnames base chesukoni reddy csatega records lo ki namodhu cheyyadam ayyendhi. ikkada reddy, kamma ni vari surnames gothralu padmanayaka velamanunchi vidagotadum jarigindhi so padmanayaka velamas royals gane untunnaru.


Ippatiki varu gosha paddatini konni families lo maintain chesthunnaru. So vari surnames, gotharalu diferent ga unnai.


kani ekkada meku present velama varilo oc, bc lu ane varu unnaru kani oc padmanayaka and adhi velamavaru ayithe, bc vachhi koppula velama, polinati velama varu bc category lo unnaru kanni ikkada mukhyamuga cheppavalasinadhi emitante eee koppala velama varu, koppula ane title reservation erapatu cheyyadaniki etitle nu upayogincharu.


Anthakamundhu veru velamavaru(padmanayaka) veru warriors,soldiers ga unnaru rajyalu unna time lo veru taruvatha kamma variki malle veru bayatiki vachharu kani veru nadee(river)terrapranthalaki vellakunda orginal place lone untu padmanayka nunchi videpoyye uttarndhralone agriculture chesukunevaru kani veri timelo pantalu pandakavarshalu padaka akkada unna lands ammukoni konthamandhi nadee (river)teera pranthaluku valasa ravadam ayyendhi.


Before indepedence padmanyaka velama la untu economicalga week avvadam valana after indepedence veru reservation erpatu chesukonadaniki veru padmanayaka nunchi vidipoyi koppu ane title pettukoni veru reservation availability chesukunnaru.Appatlo magavallu padamanayaka velamaslo koppu anedhi vesukunevaru.


So aa koppu veeru divide cheyyadaniki veru padmanayaka title upyogincha kunda koppu nu title ga pettukuni veru reservation 1972 lo applichesaru. Jalagam vengala rao period lo (cm) veru reservation pondharu. so veru in olden days lo padmanayaka velamaga unna ippudu matram koppu ane title nu erpatu chesukoni koppula velamasga bc lo konasaguthunnaru.


veru padmanayaka velama surnames nunchi verukuda kammas, reedys laga verayi surnames vidagotadam ayyindhi. so appatlo padmanayaka velma layena kammas,reddys,koppala velamas. Veri surnames entirely different to padmanayaka velamas, kani evarithe divide ayyaro varu kamma,reddy,koppala titleunna velamavaru surnames almost all maximum 40%to 50% surnames eee koppala velamavari surnames tho match avuthunnai verfied all people .


nenu ekkada goppalu gurnchi cheppatam ledhu kevalam velama varu inni caste lu ga vidipoyaru anedhi na analization tho cheppadam ayyindhi.mere observe cheyyandi nadhi almost all correct ledhu ani cheppagaligithe meru next comment raise cheyyavachhu. this my dare analisation ."

Bobbili- History and story of Thandra PapaRayudu-Bobbili Tiger

Bobbili which is one of the velama kingdoms has lot to share to the Andhra history or telugu literature books. This kingdom like other Kingdoms of velamas in Andhra Pradesh stands for the courage and power of velamas. The fort in Bobbili is the resemblance of velama pride and valour of telugu people. The story of bobbili, is a master piece that tells the power of indians against the british.

The mere utterance of his name brings back memories of valour and Velama pride. Also known as "Gajabaludu" and "Simha Vikramudu", his slaying of Peda Viziarama Raju, the Raja of Vizianagaram, was the single most event of significance, which catapulted him not only in the annals of Bobbili History but also of India.

The suicide of his sister and the wiping out of his entire clan in the famous `Bobbili Yuddham' led him to avenge almost single-handedly their killing. Tandra Paparayudu is revered as a tiger, who upheld the glory of the Padmanayaka Velamas. A `chavadi', which bears his name, was erected in Bobbili town in 1900.

The founder of the Bobbili house, Pedda Rayudu, 15th in descent of the Rajas of Venkatagiri, was a Velama by caste. Pusapati Madhava Varma was the ancestor of the royal Vizianagaram family. The rivalry between the two families dates back to 1652. Sher Muhammad Khan, the Fouzdar of the Nawab of Chicacole granted the Rajam hunda to Pedda Rayudu in recognition of his services.



Rayudu's son Lingappa, who succeeded him, selected Bobbili as his headquarters, built a fort there, found the town and called it Pedda-puli (big tiger). The name became Pebbuli and Bebbuli and in course of time it became Bobbili. The son of Sher Khan was abducted by rebels and Lingappa saved him. He was granted 12 villages and the hereditary title `Ranga Rao' in recognition of his service.

Lingappa was succeeded by his adopted son Vengal Ranga Rao and the latter by Rangapati. His son Rayadappa succeded him and later his adopted son Gopalakrishna took over. During Gopalakrishna's rule in 1753, the Northern Circars were assigned to the French by the Nizam of Hyderabad and Bussy, the French General, agreed to lease Chicacole and Rajahmundry Circars to Pedda Viziarama Raju, the Raja of Vizianagaram. A rupture between Bussy and the Nizam led to the weakening of the former's authority. Viziarama Raju placed his troops at the disposal of Bussy and helped him in re-establishing his suzerainty.

Viziarama Raju persuaded Bussy to help him in defeating his arch rival, the Raja of Bobbili. On January 24, 1757, Bussy with his army and the army of Viziarama Raju in tow marched towards the Bobbili fort. The army of Gopalkrishna Ranga Rao was no match for the combined armies of Bussy and Viziarama Raju but he and his men put up a brave fight till the end.

Tandra Paparayudu was at Rajam at that time. The French General knew that it would be impossible to reach Bobbili via Rajam as Paparayudu was camping there and took a different route to reach the fort. Rani Mallamma Devi, wife of Ranga Rao and sister of Paparayudu, sent a message to him on coming to know of the enemy's advance towards the fort.

However, the enemy intercepted the courier and the message did not reach Paparayudu.

Meanwhile, Ranga Rao and his men after defending the fort for several hours realised that the enemy could not be contained for long. Ranga Rao did not want the women and children in the fort to be at the mercy of the enemy. He ordered them to be sacrificed. Rani Mallamma Devi committed suicide.

When the news reached him, Tandra Paparayudu rushed to the demolished fort and saw his sister and the entire family lying on the ground in a pool of blood. Seething with vengeance he took an oath to kill Viziarama Raju.

Viziarama Raju was camping in a tent, basking in the `glory' of the unequal war, which annihilated his enemy. Tandra Paparayudu along with Devulapalli Peddanna and Buddaraju Venkaiah managed to reach the tent in which Viziarama Raju was sleeping. Paparayudu gained entry through the rear of the tent, while the other two stood guard at the entrance.

He woke up Viziarama Raju shouting "Puli, Puli... Bobbili Puli" (tiger, tiger... Bobbili tiger). Viziarama Raju tried to divert his attention saying that Velama heroes should not belittle their clan as cowards gaining entry through the backdoor. "You have wiped out our entire clan through dubious means and have no right to get ethical treatment," replied Paparayudu and stabbed him repeatedly in the chest.

Hearing the commotion, the bodyguard of Viziarama Raju tried to enter the tent but was killed by Peddanna, who was guarding the entrance. The entire army was alerted and the Bobbili tiger Paparayudu and the other two killed themselves.

RANI RUDRAMADEVI (1259-1289 A.D.) - Warangal

Ganapatideva had no male issue. But he had two daughters Rudramadevi and Genapamadevi. Rudramadevi or Rudramba was given in marriage to a prince of the Eastern Chalukyan lineage (of Nidadavolu) called Virabhadra. The second daughter was given in marriage to Beta of the Kota family. Rudramadevi was nominated as heir apparent and she began to rule the kingdom conjointly with her father as his co-regent from 1259-60 A.D. onwards, under the name of Rudradeva Maharaja.

In the first two or three years of her conjoint rule with her father, the kingdom was thrown into confusion and disorder due to Jatavarma Sundara Pandya I's invasion and the disastrous defeat of the Kakatiyas along with their allies on the battle field of Muttukur near Nellore Though Ganapati was ultimately successful in turning back the tide of invasion, yet he suffered loss of territory end prestige and his hold over his feudatories and nobles was shaken. Under these circumstances, he retired from active politics.

Though Rudramadevi assumed full sovereignty in 1262-63 AD, she was not the crowned queen till the year 1269 A.D.. me date of Kayastha Jannigadeva's Duggi (Palnad Taluk) record The Kakatiyas 143 which speaks of Rudrama as Pattodhriti (queen-designate) of Ganapatideva Maharaja. It was only after the death of her father about the year 1269 A.D., she celebrated her coronation. 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 'Pratapachantra' 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 step-brothers. Even if it is believed that some intransigent 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.

With regard to the external dangers, the Kalinga King Narasimha I who suffered a defeat previously at the hands of Ganapatideva, taking advantage of the distracted condition in the Kakatiya dominions, marched with his forces into the Godavari delta to recover his lost possessons. His short and incomplete inscription at Draksharama dated 1262 A.D. attests the same. The minor Chalukyen families and the Haihaya chiefs, who were ruling in the erstwhile Vengi territories during this period, did not recognise any overlord. Whether they were actually independent or nominally autonomous princes (because of Veerabhadra's relationship), it is not certain. But the position is that no trace of the Kakatiya rule is to be found either in the Godavari valley or in Vengi until 1278-79 A.D. In the later part of the reign of Rudramadevi, the above provinces came back under her sway. Her commanders Poti Nayaka and Proli Nayaka fought against Kalinga Vira Bhanudeva I. son and successor of Narasimha I and his accomplices Arjunadeva, the Matsya chief of Oddadi and others and inflicted a crushing defeat on them. They even assumed the title tangasimha' (lion to the rutting elephant, viz. the Gajapati), and 'Oddiyarayamanamardana' (the destroyer of the pride of Oddiyaraya).

The Kakatiya power was thus re-established in the coastal Andhra country. In the south, after the victory of Muttukur, a targe part of the Kakatiya territory was under the sway of the Pandyas. As a subordinate of the Pandyan monarch, the last Chalukya-Chola ruler Rajendra III ruled Nellore and its dependencies. Even the eastern part of the Cuddapah district and Chittore district were under the Pandyan sway. The Kalukada chiefs Kesavadeva and his brother Somideva, encouraged by the Pandyas. proclaimed their independence and even made, successful inroads (1267-69 A.D.) into the Kayastha territory which remained under the formers at least for sometime.

Rudramadevi faced the most serious danger from the west. It threatened to overthrow the Kakatiya monarch. The Sauna ruler Mahadeva, who succeeded to the throne of Devagin in 1260 A.D., invaded the Kakatiya kingdom in the early years of his rule. The Yadava records credit him with victory against the Kakatiyas According to Hemadri's 'Vrata-Khanda ,he left her free 'because of his reluctance to kill a woman'. His title Telungarayasirahkamalamulotpatana' suggests that he 'uprooted the stalk of the lotus of the head of Telungaraya'. All these accounts are one-sided. The fact is that Mahadeva never killed any ruler of the Telugu country. It was only a heriditary title. One of the predecessors of Mahadeva, Jaitugi I killed Kakati Rudra in 1195/96 A.D. However, it may be said that though his attack was successful initially, it ended in dismal failure. 'Pratapachantram' mentions that Rudramadevi fought valiantly, put Mahadeva to flight, pursued the Seuna forces upto Davagin and forced him to conclude a treaty with her and pay a crore of gold coins as war indemnity.

The epigraphic evidence from Panugal (Nalgonda district) and Hire-Kogilun bears testimony to this. A hoard of Seuna coins discovered at Rachapatnam (Kaikalur Taluk of the Krishna district) probably 'represents a part of the money which Rudramba, according to Pratapachartram, received from Mahadeva as war indemnity and distributed among the officers of her army' The Kakatiyas 145 In the south, the situation became still worse. As already seen, after the Muttukur conflict, the Nellore kingdom came under the sway of the Pandyas and was placed under their vassals. As the Pandyan inscriptions at Nandalur and Tirupati indicate, even the Vallum Kayasthakingdom came into the possession of the Pandyas (their subordinates the Kalukada Vaidumba chiefs were in charge). Though the Kakatiya vassal Mahamandalesvara Nagadeva Maharaja conquered Nellore and the surrounding territory, it was a temporary phenomenon which lasted just for five years (1271-75 A.D.). The area was reoccupied by the Telugu Cholas who paid allegiance to the Pandyas.

The Kayastha chief Jannigadeva re-occupied the territories of the Valluru kingdom and freed thus from the Pandyan sway. He and his brother Tripurarideva I (1270-72 A.D.) continued to rule the Valluru kingdom as the vassals of Rudramadevi. However with the succession of their younger brother AMBADEVA to the throne in 1272 A.D., the situation underwent a change. Ambadeva was ambitious and powerful. From the

beginning, he resolved to resuscitate the fortunes of his family and carve out an independent kingdom for himself. To pursue these objects, he was in constant wars with his neighbours during his long reign of thirty-two years.

Ambadeva stopped paying allegiance to the Kakatiya queen almost from the very beginning of his rule. His Tripurantakam inscription dated 1290 A.D. records his achievements. It seems that he befriended himself with the Pandyas and the Saunas and with their military assistance proclaimed his independence. He is said to have successfully fought with the seventyfive kings. These kings might be the Kakatiya Nayankaras. Ambaya defeated the Gurindala (Gunjala in the Palnad Taluk of the Guntur district) chief 'Rayasahasramalla Sripati Ganapati. He also subjugated the Kalukada Vaidumba chiefs Kesavadeva and Somideva and their ally Allu Gangu of Gutti (Anantapur district).

He killed Eruva Mallideva Choda in battle and occupied Eruvanadu Pendekallu also came into his possession Kopperunjinga was put to death and thereby Ambadeva assumed the title 'Kadavarayi Vidhvamsaka' With these conquests. Gandtkota, Mulikinadu, Renadu. Sakilinadu, Eruva and Pottapinadu were added to the Kayastha kingdom. He restored Manumagandagopala on the throne of Nellore and made him his vassal. The Pandyas, who attempted to restore their sway here, were defeated and driven away. As a result of this, the Pandyan suzerainty in Andhradesa came to an end. But the establishment of a strong, extensive and independent Kayastha kingdom in the southern parts, gave a jolt to the imperial authority of the Kakatiyas.

Rudramadevi could not tolerate the headstrong and disloyal Ambadeva. She sent an army under her general Mallikarjuna against the rebel chief. However, as the recently discovered Chandupatla (Nalgonda district) grant dated 1283 A.D. indicates, Ambadeva seems to have killed Rudrama along with Mallikarjuna Nayaka in battle in that year. It was Prataparudra II, successor of Rudrama that succeeded in supressing the Kayastha revolt later.

Rudramadevi was undoubtedly one of the greatest rulers of Andhradesa. Her sex did not come on her way in discharging the duties of her exalted office. She took an active part in governing the country and strove hard to promote the best interests of the state. In spite of the wars which frequently disturbed the country, her people remained contented and happy under her rule. Rudrama strengthened the Warangal fort still further. She had also a deep moat dug around it Marcopolo. the Venetian traveller who paid a visit to the kingdom probably a little later, speaks highly of her administrative qualities, benign rule and greatness.

Rudramadevi had no male issue out only two daughters Mummadamma and Ruyyamma. On the advice of her father, she adopted Mummadamma's son Prataparudra (II) as her son and as heir to the throne. On her demise, Prataparudra II ascended the throne of Warangal.

Pithapuram Kingdom - Velama Dynasty

Velamas are the great kings of the ANDHRA PRADESH. Velamas own many kingdoms in Costal Andhra, Telangana and rayalaseema region. So, here comes the first in my series of posts about velama kingdoms, The kingdom Pithapuram, which is now famous for pada gaya sarovaram.

This is a famous 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.



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

Origin of 'Rao' title to Velama Dora's:

Origin of 'Rao' title to Velama Dora's:

Origin of Rao title to Velama Dora's, according to the second edition of book, 'Bobbili Zemindary' written by a former Bobbili Maharaja Sri Ravu Sir Venkata Swetachalapathi Ranga Rao Bahadur. (Check Reference section for a link to the book freely available on the Internet)

In his own sentences from the book given below...

" The family name of Rao Varu is one of historical importance, but it is not the name of place where the family members lived. Its origin is this:

The Maharaja Pratapa Rudra of Warangal conferred this name of honour on the family of Chevi Reddi alias Bhetala naidu, the founder of the Venkatagiri samstanam, and also ordered that every Velama Dora must have Ravu added at the end of his name. In the history of "Pratapa Charithra" there is a verse in regard to this family name, which translated runs as follows:-

"He who has the title Rao, which was bestowed by the king, prefixed to his name, is the ruler; and if it is affixed to the name, then it is a general mark of the Velama Caste."

Reference: A Revised and Enlarged Account of the Bobbili Zemindari, Second edition, By Sir Ravu Venkata Swetachalapati Ranga Rao, Maharaja of Bobbili.

Velamas- Establishing as Kings- rivalry with reddies

VELAMAS:
The Velamas are one of the ancient feudal communities in Andhra Pradesh controlling land and ruling large areas of andhra for several centuries. There are several ancient velama forts, castles and estates still extant in various parts of Andhra pradesh state, even neighbouring Tamilnadu. Among the famous principalities or "estates" ones are Devarakonda, Rajakonda, Pithapuram, Kollapur. (They are not interested in making hotels out of them, but interested visitors can take a look if the owners are in residence).


There are a few books like Velugodu kings history, accounts of Devarkonda, some details of Velama activity during kakatiya times, then during the Bahamani times. They clashed with the Reddis (regularly) and then had friendly dealings with the Orissa gajapatis and the Bahamanis, but fell afoul of the Vijayanagar empire and suffered a setback. But residual influence of velamas is noted in Karimnagar, Mahbubnagar, Pithapuram, etc.
While "roots" are conventionally traced to similar sounding Vellalas of Tamilnadu it is unlikely. More likely they might be traced to "lance wielders" (velam --lance) of some ancient army, even Pallavas and Satavahanas. The Pallavas are found as soldiers of the satavahanas initially and then in Guntur-Nellore area. Later they are found in north Tamilnadu area with Kanchipuram as capital. (a section of the land controlling Vellalas also are found later in North Tamilnadu there could be a link, as suggested by a reader, but we have no information. Please send if you have any concrete info about this connection. )

From the surnames there could be a connection to the medieval Gujarat-Rajasthan : needs detailed research.
According to a velamadora friend, among the Velamas today, there are two different physical types commonly seen--the fairer irani-- central asian looking type, and the darker tall well built and wiry type. (ed.--but this is basically amateur anthroplogy not to be taken very seriously : however there are some resemblances to the latter "type" in old paintings, so I've posted it here for people to evaluate)


Famous people
Singa Bhoopala of Rajkonda (nalgonda district) was a patron of art and literature and learned people adorned his court. Even the well known poet Srinatha, acclaimed all over south India of the 15th century, gulped when he was about to enter the gate of Rajakonda...this king was supposedly himself a scholar and not just a thug. There are many anecdotes of the Velama kings. They were said also to be a bit fanatic and extremist when it came to warfare.( but apparently that is exactly the required attitude according to a retired colonel I met.)

Legendary rivalry:
The Velamas were initially not enemies of the Reddis and both got along fine as feudatories of the Kakatiyas. Then in the jockeying for power, especially during the last phase of the Kakatiya kingdom, the professional rivalry went to extremes: the padmanayakas were favourites of the King. General Bobbareddy decided to show the King who exactly were the valourous and important fighters. He decided to wait till the Velama contigent got mauled, and then jump in to save the Velamas as well as the King. Unfortunately his timing was not good and both got beaten soundly. Since then the Velama Barons always saw red and blamed the Reddys for the kakatiya downfall. And whenever they got a chance it is said they took great pleasure in giving trouble to their neighbouring Reddy lords. After kakatiyas' downfall the velamas founded their independent states, the large one being Rajakonda and later Devarakonda (similarly Reddi kingdoms like Kondaveedu and Rajahmundry were founded). There are several famous Velama estates like Pithapuram and Jatprole ( kollapur).


Now the Reddis accuse the Velamas of sucking up to the Bahamanis to keep their state intact, and instead, indulge in attacking the Reddy kingdoms at every opportunity. The Velamas say if not for General Bobba reddy's extra-cleverness during the battle with delhi sultan army, kakatiyas would be intact at least till the British.


There is one more defence of the Velamas: Kaapaya Nayaka of Warangal, who successfully ejected the sultan's viceroy and was elected King, made a deal with the fledgling Bahmani state of Allaudin Hasan Gangu Bahmani. ( --it seems likely when Sultan Hasan was furnished with grand earth shattering titles for himself and names for his kingdom, he stubbornly insisted he was merely Hasan Gangu Bahmani, and his kingdom be named in memory of one Gangu brahman. He remembered his childhood, Gangu brahman's kindness looking after the orphan Hasan.)


Kapaya Nayaka of warangal made more deals with the Bahmani state at the expense of Velama controlled territory which was on the border. The Velamas were furious, so they made their OWN separate deal with the bahmanis, killed Kapaya nayaka and occupied Warangal as well. They constantly attacked the Reddy kingdoms, too. (These things happened long ago and are just legendary memories now, of course, but the rivalry is proverbial and is said to flare up every three -four hundred years). Finally the huge empires of Vijayanagar and the Orissa Gajapatis clashed, and the buffer states of independent Rajkonda and Devarkonda ceased to exist.


The Velamas had to join the imperial service of Vijayanagar as military contingents and regional governors --but posted far away from their old areas as a precaution. Many Velamas thus settled in Tamilnadu and elsewhere: their contingents included other communities also, and they proudly recalled the legends of their ancestral homes of Recherla, Rachakonda and Devarakonda. One reader suggested, the Tamil Vellalas include a Velama section. I have no information on this, but it sounds likely.


The Velamas are numerically small but well organised, for instance the AP Velama Association at Himayatnagar, Hyderabad. They even have a magazine called Velama Vyjayanti.

Palnadu Regions- Palnati Brahma Naidu

Palnadu region is located in current Guntur District, with Krishna river forming its western as well as northern borders, in Andhra Pradesh (Close by and east of Nagarjunasagar / Deverakonda region of Nalgonda dist).
During the said period, some six Velama women are said to have commited 'Sati' by jumping into the funeral fire after the death of their warrior husbands in the battle to capture one Arangetla fort from rival forces in Palnadu region.
'PALNATI' RECHERLA BRAHMA NAYUDU, a valiant fighter, both his father Dodda Nayudu and later he himself were appointed and served as ministers for the then ruling Raju clans in Palnadu area like Alugu Raju. He has strived for progressive and egalitarian ideals in medieval times, ruled as a minister on behalf of minor sons of Alugu Raju from Macherla, a town in Palnadu region close to Guntur - Nalgonda district border.
Brahmanna, as he is popularly called is a staunch Vaishnavite and a devotee of Chennakesava. He was responsible for construction of Chennakeshava Swami temple in Macherla town which is popular even today among the people there.
Brahmanna is said to have adopted a son, a brave warrior called Kannamma, a Mala by caste, as he was childless for a long time.
Peddanna Bada Raju, brave warrior, son of Dodda Nayudu (then minister of Alugu Raju) and elder brother of Brahma Naidu, a velama by birth but given in adoption to then ruler Alugu Raju, and brought up as a Raju by his foster father. He later on said to have married a Raju girl, upsetting his Raju in-laws and their relatives who were not aware of his original caste, come together, decide and vow to kill him at any cost. But Peddanna is said to have defeated single handedly nearly more than one hundred such warriors.

The deceitful infamous 'Nayakuralu' Nagamma, a widow, is the minister for then rulers (Nalagama Raju and Narsinga Raju etc) of Gurajala , a small town in Palnadu region.
Brahmanna along with his troops lives in exile for six and half years after loosing Macherla to Nagamma in a cock fight. He is said to have lived first three years of his exile period along with his brothers and other warriors in and around Deverakonda region of Nalgonda district and said to have established a town called 'Mandadi' there. His two brothers are said to have founded two other towns in the region. Nagamma said to have sent some fierce Boya warriors from Palnadu region to set the new town Mandadi on fire but they failed to carry out her orders. Brahmanna decided to move from there and lived the the next three and half years of his exile period just south of his original Palnadu region border in Guntur district in a village called 'Medapi'.
Brahmanna's sister, Chellamma, is said to have married into a Raju family of Kalyan descent and her son Alla Racha Mallu, a Raju, was later on sent as a peace missionary for negotiations between Brahmanna and Nagamma. He is said to have secretely food poisoned to death by Nagamma and said to have never returned back.
Battle of Palnadu - (1182) at Karempudi village, in Palnadu region, between the former rulers of Macherla and then rulers of Gurajala of Palnadu region at the end of exile period by Brahmanna and failure of peace negotiations and unexpected death of his nephew, Alla Racha Mallu, at the hands of Nagamma. 'Palanati' Recherla Balachendrhrudu (Kaliyuga abhimanyu), son of Brahma Nayudu born after Brahmanna being childless for a long time, fought the Palnadu Battle ferociously and died at a very young age. His wife is said to have attempted to commit 'Sati' but did not succeed.The Battle of Palnadu is remembered and propagated through 'Burra Katha' even today by the people of Palnadu region, and through an annual gathering at the battlefield in Karempudi village to pay respect to warriors

Velama Origin from differnt linguists and Historians

Origin of Velamas

There are four conflicting theories as to the origin of the community.Many believe Velamas migrated from Bihar when they were banished by Chanakya for supporting the Nanda dynasty.Some linguists trace the root of the word Velama to similar sounding Vellalars of Tamil Nadu and assume they are Vellala soldiers and administrators who followed in the footsteps of the Chola expansion to Andhra. The Andhra branch known as Velanati or Velanadu (Tamil/Telugu) Cholas who are also known as Telugu Cholas could have been instrumental in the genesis of the Velama community in AndhraIt is believed that Velamas belong to one of the Original Aryan races of north India who migrated to south India during Chanakya times.But it is also possible that Velama and Vellala are derived from lance wielders where Vel in Tamil stands for a lance. Hence, they could be an indigenous group directly derived from a Neolithic agrarian community.It is possible that they were simply lance wielding soldiers of one of the many local Kingdoms such as Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Kakatiyas or Cholas who came to dominate the land through their service to the kingsIt is also believed that Velamas came from Bengal area. Even today, Velama brides wear saris in the Bengali style. During the wedding the Velama concept of having a mango twig over the heads of the bride and groom is also unique to the Bengali culture. It is believed that a ship load of people from Bengal got shipwrecked in the Bay of Bengal and two groups of survivors managed to reach two points on the Coromandel Coast.

The first one was headed by a person called Adanna and therefore came to be called Adi Velamas and the second group was headed by Padmanna and therefore called Padma Velamas. Also, these new people were good at counting and arithmatic and attracted local landlords and kings to hire them as accountants.The History of Padmanayaka Velamas only is known through various ancient scriptures and ballads.The Padmanayaka Velamas seem to be a different caste altogether based on their physical features and war-like build besides the customs and traditions pointing towards a warrior origin.

Velama History- RECHARLA SINGAMABHUPALUDU

Hey friends, this blog was named after our cast history, i dont know how many of us knows historical leaders of our cast. if v asks, everybody says THANDRA PAPARAYUDU, BRAHMANAIDU OR BALACHANDRUDU, but very few knows about RECHARLA SINGAMABHUPALUDU. Here iam taking chance to explain the velama legendery during 14th century.
We all knows kakatiya kingdom has ruled the andhra during 14th century, they ruled not only andhra but also some part of Karnataka. RECHARLA SINGAMABHUPALA (he was the first velama king, estabilished rachakonda kingdom in present Nalgonda district) was the supreme commander and commander in chief for kakateeya kingdom. During that time muslims are trying to occupy south india, they occupy whole north india and a part of south india. Muslims taken the help of Allauddin khilgi to conquer orugallu as their third attempt, but they wont take single step forwrd to occupy Orugallu, because of SINGAMABHUPALA, he leaded the kakateeya army and defeat the allauddin at bheemaram (Presently Bheemavaram near by warangal). King prataparudra called him as Kaliyuga dronacharya, kaakateeya rajya samrakshaka.

There are 3 wars happen between velama kings and kshatriyas, those are bobbili war, palanadu war and jallipalli war. i hope everybody knows first two wars, but i dont know, how many of u guys knows the Jallipalli war.

Here i want to share some information about Jallipally war. During the end of 14th century, there are around 4 kingdoms and more than 50 sansthanas for velama kings, that makes Kshatriya kings reddy kings jealous. Kshatriyas and reddys join hands together to defeat Velama kings, they know very well that, they cant fight with velamas alone. They thought that if they kills the singamabhupala, who is cosidered as a adinayakudu ( not a chiranjeevis movie) by tht time, all velamas going to bow them.
Singamabhupala has two sons, those are ANAPHOTHA NAYUDU and MADAVA NAIDU, those two known for bravery.

Kshatriyas attacked velama kingdom by the time Anaphota naidu and madava naidu went to kalinga. They killed singamanayudu( not singama bhoopaludu), who is the king of chintapalli. singamanayudu is the brother-in-lah of singamabhupaludu.

Singamabhoopaludu called all velama kings and made them ready for war. Kshatreeyas planned to kill the singamabhupala un ethically by calling him for talks, but no king or reddy is ready to kill singamabhupala un ehically, because all those are students of singamabhupala once upon a time.

Poosapati Madhava varma, who is the king of Vijayawada by that time, leading the war on kshatriyas side. He sent his childhood friend (king of Srisailam) thambolla brahmaji to singamabhupala for peaceful talk, but that brahmaji stabbed the singamabhoopala, while he was sleeping in midnight.

All velama kings got angry and they cant digest the death of simgamabhupala, who brings glory to velama cast and who makes velamas, the kings.this news has reached to the sons of Singamabhupala, they came back from Kalinga immediatly. Singamabhupala has taken promise from his sons to kill all Kshatriya kings.

On 7th day of Singamabhupala's death ceremony, all velama kings are promised to kill kshatriyas. And the day for JALLIPALLI WAR came, on that day all velamas prayed SURYA DEVA ( god of Padmanayaka velamas) and BETHALA (guardian of velama caste) and attacked the JALLIPALLI FORT. All velama army made a slogan of "Hara Hara mahadeva' and went to war. Kshatriyas and reddys have the army of around 60000, but velamas alone have 40000 army. But velamas has strong Elephant army, that no body have in india during those days.

War has started. Kshatriyas fighting is for victory, but velamas fighting is for Revenge against the death of singamabhupala. Anaphotha nayudu killed the commender of kshatriyas kondamalraju and datached his head from his body and he pierced the head with ballem and showed to velamas, that makes all kshatriyas scare.

Anaphtha nayudu killed all the main kings like pinnamaraju and myloore raju. Madava nayudu killed the obulu raju and chief of reddy kings "vinukonda maarareddy".

There is one war custom by velamas known as "Bomma kattu", as per that they will make a statue of opponent and they will tied it to their foot and they will tempt the opponent by dragging the statue on earth. All velama kings has followed this custom in jallipalli war.

Finally velamas killed all the kings and reddy opponents, only few are escaped, one of them is Poosapati madava varma( king of vijayawada), who is the primary reason for this war. he ran to gajapati kings and took a shelter there.

finally we won the war. But still velamas are not happy, they did paisachika pooja, that is really terrific called as "ranamukudupu". In midnight they went to war field and chanting all mantras of bhetala, bairava, shakini and daakini and invite all those kshudra shaktis by mixing food and blood in the skulls of their enemies, just think how they take revenge on opponents.

Here iam saying all these to know our legendery status in ancient days, now a days we seems like nothing, there is no unity at all. Here iam not criticizing any other cast people, but iam saying about my cast. if anybody feels bad about any thing just scarap me!! iam thankful to Sri Kotagiri buchinaayana and sri B.G. Naidu, from whom i learn all this velama history!!

Thank you!!
Ganesh Velama