# Velama

Velama is a Hindu caste found mainly in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The earliest recorded use of the term "Velama" to refer to a community dates back to the 17th century inscription. Famous Telugu poet Srinatha listed Velama caste in Bhimeswara Puranamu in the early 15th century. In the caste-based hierarchy, they hold a high position. They are also referred to as "Dora" (Lord) and "Rao" Vaaru by other castes, a term that signifies respect. The medieval military history of Velama rulers and contemporaries was well recorded in the text "Velugoti Vari Vamsavali".

## Origin and history

The Velamas have been identified by this name since the 17th century; however, the poet Srinatha mentioned them in his early 15th-century text, Bhimeswara Puranamu. The Velamas of the Recherla dynasty ruled Telangana from the hill forts of Rachakonda (1335–1434 CE) and Devarakonda (1335–1475 CE). Following the Bahmani occupation of Telangana, members of the Recherla dynasty migrated to the Vijayanagara Empire, where they served as generals and administrators. In recognition of their military service, they were granted the jagir of Velugodu in present-day Kurnool district as a fiefdom.
Within the Vijayanagara court, they became known by the surname Velugoti. Over time, the Velugoti dynasty established the Venkatagiri state in the Nellore district, which subsequently led to the formation of the Pithapuram, Bobbili, and Jatprole states in the early 17th century. During the same period, some Velama chieftains held zamindari positions under the Golconda Sultanate, granting them regional influence in Telangana. The sultanate implemented a Mansabdari system to differentiate Velama groups based on their administrative and military contributions. This hierarchical system, which emphasized rank, wealth, and honors, historically fostered rivalries among various Velama factions.
Among those who rose to prominence under the Golconda Sultanate were the Meka dynasty Appa Raos of Nuzvid and the Malraju clan of Narasaraopet. The Velugoti and Appa Rao clans claimed recognition as royal lineages, while other notable groups included the Pithapuram Raos and the Ranga Raos of Bobbili.
The Velugoti family traced its origins to the 12th- and 13th-century Recherla dynasty who served as military governors of the Kakatiya empire. Before settling in Nellore district in 1695, they had ruled and resided in various regions, including Rachakonda, Devarakonda, Velugodu, and North Mallur (present-day Chittoor district). By the 1870s, the prestige of Velugoti family had grown to such an extent that their sons were adopted as heirs by rival Velama clan leaders, such as the Raos of Pithapuram and the Ranga Raos of Bobbili. These adoptions were often necessitated by the extinction of direct lineages due to infertility or the early deaths of male heirs. Such arrangements elevated the status of the adopters and further cemented the influence of the Velugoti family.
Raja Gopalakrishna Ranga Rao of Bobbili royal family, who fought the Battle of Bobbili in 1757 CE against the Pusapati Gajapathis of Vizianagaram and the French, was also an adopted son from the Velugoti family of the Venkatagiri Rajahs.
Velamas carry the title Rao and Dora. They do not engage in hired labor, and their womenfolk do not work in fields. Gosha or pardah tradition was practiced among their women .

## Relationship with the Padmanayakas

Padmanayaka is the prime subsect of Velama community and all the popular historians clearly identified Padmanayakas with the Velama community. According to Cynthia Talbot, who has challenged the theories of historians from the British Raj era, the terms Velama and Padmanayaka are not synonymous. "Padmanayaka" referred to a status that could be claimed by Telugu warriors from various backgrounds but associated the Recherla Padmanayaka dynasty with Velamas. Additionally, the Bhimeswara Puranamu listed Velama and Padmanayaka as distinct communities.

## Culture

Velamas are Hindus and belong to the Vaishnavism denomination of Hinduism.

## Dynasties

* Recherla Nayakas
* Kalahasti Nayakas
* Pithapuram Estate
* Nuzvid Estate
* Bobbili Estate
* Venkatgiri Estate
* Jetprole Samasthanam
* Narasarao pet Zamindari

## Notable People

* Tandra Papa Rayudu, Famed Army General of Bobilli, played a crucial part in of Battle of Bobbili
* Damarla Chennapa Nayaka, King of Kalahasti City of Chennai is named in his honour
* JV Narsing Rao - Former Deputy CM of Andhra Pradesh (1972), Signatory of Gentlemen’s agreement of 1956
* Rao Venkata Kumara Mahipathi Surya Rao, Last Zamindar of the Pithapuram Estate
* Meka Narasimha AppaRao, Lead a rebellion against the British and refused to pay taxes, but was defeated soundly the third time
* Meka Rangaiah Apparao, Vice Chancellor of Andhra University, former member of Andhra legislative assembly and Rajya Sabha
* RS Rama Krishna Ranga Rao, Chief minister of erstwhile Madras Madras Presidency
* Panagal Raja, Former CM of Madras Presidency
* K. Chandrashekar Rao, Former Chief Minister of Telangana
* Jalagam Vengala Rao, Former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh (1973-1978)
* Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Union Minister for Civil Aviation in Modi 3.0
* Ch Vidyasagar Rao, Former Union Minister and Governor of Maharashtra
* KVP Ram Chandra Rao, Former Rajya Sabha member and chief advisor of YSR
* Kotagiri Vidyadhar Rao, Former Minister of Andhra Pradesh
* Jupally Rameswar Rao, Billionaire founder of My Home Group
* M.Satya Narayana Rao, Former PCC president, AICC General Secretary
* Kinjarapu Yerran Naidu, Former Union Minister in HD Deve Gowda and I.k Gujral governments
* Chintakayala Ayyanna Patrudu, Former MP and MLA from TDP party, Ap assembly 3rd Speaker
* Harish Rao Thanneeru, MLA-Sidhipet, former Cabinet minister in YSR and KCR governments
* Jupally Krishna Rao, Minister of Excise and Prohibition Telangana
* Errabelli Dayakar Rao, Former MP and Minister, MLA from Palakurthi
* Puri Jagannadh, Prominent Tollywood Director
* Parasuram, Director and Writer
* Vamshi Paidipally, Director and Screenplay Writer
* C. Rajeswara Rao, Former general secretary of CPI
* C. H. Hanumantha Rao, Prominent Indian economist and writer, member of national advisory council 2004-2008
* Dharmana Prasad Rao, Former minister of Roads in Buildings in Jagan Mohan Reddy cabinet
* Kinjarapu Atchainaidu, Minister in fourth CBN cabinet and chief whip of TDP
* KT Rama Rao, Current MLA from Sircilla and former minister of IT and Technology in the KCR cabinets
* Boainpally Vinod Kumar, Former MP from Hanamakonda and Karimnagar, BRS politburo member
* Juvwadi Chokka Rao
* Dharmana Krishna Das, Former Deputy CM in Jagan Cabinet
* Budi Mutyala Naidu, Former deputy CM of AP
* Kotagiri Sridhar, Former YCP MP from Eluru
* Madhavneni Raghunandan Rao, Current BJP MP from Medak
* Rao Gopal Rao, Former Tollywood actor
* Rao Ramesh, Current Tollywood Actor
* Vijay Devarakonda, Tollywood Top Hero
* Anand Devarakonda, Tollywood Hero
* Sairam Shankar, Tollywood Hero
* Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy, Madugula MLA
* Sabbam Hari, Former MP anakapalli
* CM Ramesh, Current BJP MP from Anakapalli
* RV Sujay Krishna Ranga Rao, Former minister of mines in Naidu-3 (2014-2019)
* Baggu Ramanamurthy, Narasannapeta MLA