Koppula Velama

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Koppula Velama
Classification Naidu Rao
Religions Hinduism [1]
Languages Telugu
Populated states Andhra Pradesh, Telangana

Koppula Velama or Koppu Velama is a Telugu caste that inhabits the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. [2] They are primarily found in the Uttarandhra region with smaller populations in other districts. They are a Hindu community, traditionally associated with farming and military, and often use the title "Naidu" and "Rao". The caste name is added to the Other Backward Class from OC category by the Government of Andhra Pradesh in 1972 due to severe draught and regional backwardness [3] under the leadership of Velama chief minister Jalagam Vengala Rao .They are politically well-represented in the Uttarandhra region. [4] Koppu or Koppula Velamas are a kindred group to Polinati Velama caste who also live in Uttarandhra. [5] [6] [7] Koppula and polinati Velama are Forward/ OC castes in Telangana.

Contents

Etymology

The name originated from the practice of men tying their hair on their heads in the form of a knot, known in Telugu as Koppu (కొప్పు). [2] [8]

History

Subcaste of Velama caste.The 1757 Battle of Bobbili catalyzed a massive, post-conflict migration and reorganization of the Velama community, leading to the formation of distinct regional sub-groups known as Polinati and Koppula.The total destruction of the Bobbili fort led to a diaspora. Many families fled to neighboring godavari,Krishna,Telangana regions to escape the influence of the French (Bussey) Marquis de Bussy-Castelnau and the Raja of Vizianagaram.This upheaval further created a social stratification between landowning elite and those focused on agriculture, with these distinctions still impacting social, political, and matrimonial contexts today.Post-war 1757 Battle of Bobbili, the gap widened between the "Padmanayaka" Velamas (who held onto titles and land) and the "Koppula/Polinati" Velama, who focused more on agriculture and local trade. [9] [10]

Lack of Liquid-Gold (Water)

Velama community’s shift from prosperity to hardship is a classic example of regional vs community backwardness. [11]

Historically, their status was tied to land ownership. Sir Arthur Cotton built the Dowleswaram Barrage (1852) cost of roughly 17.5 lakh rupees transformed over 7–10 lakh acres into fertile land in Godavari districts and Prakasam Barrage Krishna (1855) barrages cost of 2crore rupees irrigated 5.8 lakh acres turning Krishna and Guntur areas to fertile and rich lands turned into "Green Belts," making water the new "Liquid Gold." Communities livng in these areas such Raju Reddy Kamma (caste) Kapu (caste) and other castes hugely benefited from these barrages Economically and educationally. [12]

However, Velamas living outside these irrigated zones-specifically in the upland and rain-fed areas were left behind 175 years. Without access to this "Liquid Gold," their lands became unproductive, leading to a cycle of poverty, famine, draught,limited educational access and entrepreneurship. Their struggle isn't due to traditional social standing, but rather geographic exclusion from the 19th-century irrigation revolution(1850's) and 20th century Nagarjuna Sagar Dam built in 1967 benefited 10 lakh acres in Guntur, prakasam, Nalgonda and Suryapet.

Notables

References

  1. ↑ Bahadur), Sarat Chandra Roy (Rai (2004). Man in India. A.K. Bose. p. 142.
  2. 1 2 Singh, K. S. (1992). People of India: Andhra Pradesh. Anthropological Survey of India. p. 1890. ISBN   978-81-7671-006-0.
  3. ↑ Central List of OBCs for the state of Andhra Pradesh Archived 30 November 2016 at the Wayback Machine , p. 4 (76 - Koppulavelama)
  4. ↑ Rao, K. Srinivasa (8 April 2022). "Andhra Pradesh: Koppula Velamas seek representation in State Cabinet". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  5. ↑ Murty, K. Ramachandra (2001). Parties, Elections, and Mobilisation. Anmol Publications. p. 20. ISBN   978-81-261-0979-1.
  6. ↑ Vidyasagar, S A (2012). "A Saga of Three Villages in Andhra Pradesh". Economic and Political Weekly . 47 (1): 105–111. ISSN   0012-9976. JSTOR   23065583.
  7. ↑ Singh, K. S. (1996). Communities, Segments, Synonyms, Surnames and Titles. Anthropological Survey of India. p. 1854. ISBN   978-0-19-563357-3.
  8. ↑ Bhaskara Rao, Busi; Dharma Rao, B. (2004). Man in India. Vol. 84–85. A.K. Bose. p. 142.
  9. ↑ Naidu, D. Suran (1991). The Congress Party in Transition: A Study in Srikakulam District of Andhra Pradesh. National Book Organisation. p. 133. ISBN   978-81-85135-64-9.
  10. ↑ Muthyam, Dr Ponnam (6 March 2022). Emergence of Gouda Community in Andhra Pradesh Politics: A Historical Perspective (From 1956 TO 2009 A.D.). K.K. Publications. p. 114.
  11. ↑ "Cotton, Sir Arthur Thomas (1803–1899)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 6 February 2018, retrieved 11 March 2026
  12. ↑ cotton, sir arthur.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  13. 1 2 Patnaik, Santosh (7 April 2019). "Ayyanna faces an uphill task". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  14. ↑ "Yerran Naidu: A mass leader". NDTV.com. 2 November 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  15. ↑ A Srinivasa Rao (2 November 2012). "Senior TDP leader and former Union minister Yerran Naidu dies in a road accident in Andhra Pradesh". India Today . Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  16. ↑ "Srikakulam loves you, Yem brother". The Times of India. 12 April 2004. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  17. ↑ "Senior politicians' sons to take electoral plunge". The Times of India. 12 January 2014. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 22 April 2023.
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