Velama

Velama is an upper caste found mainly in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The earliest occurrence of Velama as a term for a community dates from the 11th century. In caste based hierarchy they hold the highest position along with Reddy, Kapu/Telaga and Kamma castes. In Telangana they are called "Dora"(Lord) by other castes, a term that implies a high level of respect.The modern Velama community is segmented into four distinct categories: Padmanayaka Velama, Adi Velama, Koppula Velama, and Polinati Velama. These groups, although separate, share a common social identity and are unified under the Velama Community.

Origin and history
The Velamas are described by that name from the 17th century and in the following century some held zamindari positions under the kings of Golconda, which gave them considerable powers over small regions in Telangana. The kings chose to distinguish between these various Velama groups by adopting a system of ranks. This caused a competitive emphasis to be placed on the status and trappings of Velama communities, resulting in rivalries based on recognition of wealth and honours that had been historically granted. Among those that came to dominate were the Velugotis of Venkatagiri, in the coastal Nellore district, and the Appa Raos of Nuzvid. Both of these laid claims to be recognised as royal clans, while other significant groups included the Pitapuram Raos and the Ranga Raos. The Velugotis traced their history to the 12th century and had lived in various places before settling in Nellore district in 1695; their prestige became such that in the 1870s their sons were adopted as heirs by rival Velama clan leaders, such as the Pittapores, whose own lineage otherwise faced extinction due to infertility or early death of male children. Such arrangements enhanced the status of the adopter and the influence of the Velugotis. Velamas carry the title Rao and Dora. The Velamas will not engage themselves as hired labourers and their women will not work in fields.

Relationship with the Padmanayakas
According to Cynthia Talbot, who has debunked the theories of historians in the British Raj era, the terms Velama and Padmanayaka are not synonyms and Padmanayaka was a status that could be claimed by Telugu warriors of different backgrounds. Velama and Padmanayaka were listed as separate communities in Bhimeswara Puranamu.

Culture
Velamas are Hindus and belong to Vaishnavism section of Hinduism.

Dynasties

 * Recherla Nayakas
 * Kalahasti Nayakas
 * Pithapuram Estate
 * Nuzvid Estate
 * Bobbili Estate
 * Venkatgiri Estate

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
 * Vijay Devarakonda, Actor in Tollywood Film Industry (TFI)
 * Puri Jagannadh, Prominent Tollywood Director
 * Parasuram, Director and Writer
 * Siva Nirvana, Director and Writer
 * Vamshi Paidipally, Director and Screenplay Writer
 * G.Ravender Rao, MD chairman Yashoda Hospitals
 * Kasuganti Vaman Rao, Kapil group of companies
 * Anoos Sisters
 * Ch Rajeshwara Rao former general secretary of CPI
 * Ch 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 Ratnakar Rao
 * 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
 * R.NarayanaMurthy Tollywood Hero
 * Vijay Devarakonda Tollywood Top Hero
 * Anand Devarakonda Tollywood Hero
 * Viswaksen Tollywood Hero and Director
 * Sairam Shankar Tollywood Hero
 * C.M.Ramesh Naidu Anakapalli 2024 BJP-M.P,former rajya sabha M.P 2 Times
 * Adhireddi Bhavani former Rajahmundry M.L.A
 * Adhireddi Srinivaas Rajahmundry M.L.A
 * Kolla Lalitha kumari S.Kota mla
 * Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy Madugula MLA
 * Baby Nayana bobbili Raju Bobbili mla
 * Sabbam Hari Former MP anakapalli
 * Gavireddi RamaNaidu Former Madugula MLA
 * Baggu Ramanamurthy Narasannapeta MLA
 * Gondu Shankar Rao Srikakulam MLA