CHAPTER -I HISTORY OF THE YADAVAS ‘As mentioned in the introduction, Yadava is a pastoral caste and as there are many such castes in India, it is necessary to out line the relation between the Yadava caste of Andhra Pradesh with others. This chapter after providing the etymological meaning of the name Yadava, tries to connect it with other castes in the country. It also discusses on the narratives on the origin of the caste Yadavas, historical background of the Yadavas, Yadavas in Andhra land, sub-divisions among the Yadavas, perception of other castes about Yadavas and geographical distribution of ‘Yadavas in Andhra Pradesh. This will form the background in which the study has taken place looking at the empirical data collected from the villages and towns and make sense of it in a scenario of the Indian society. ‘The “Yadavas’ are also called ‘Gollas’. They are a community of cow-herds, goat-herds and sheep-breeders. The term ‘Golla’ is again derived from “Gopela” meaning ‘protector of cows’, referring to Lord Krishna. They style themselves as Yadavas or Krishna Kula, as they profess to belong to the same caste as Krishna (lyer 1998). The name Golla is on account of their occupation of herding cows, sheep and goats. Golla is a Telugu word and its Sanskritic form is Yadava, Tangirala Venkata ‘Subbarao (1976) has opined that the word Gopala might have transformed into Golla, He has also stated that the Telugu word for sheep is gorrelu and as the Yadavas herd sheep they might have beea called gorrelavaru and Gollavaru. The Yadavas are also called in some areas as *Konar or Konalu’. Their usual titles are Yadava and Konar. This caste is called by different names in different regions. They are known as ‘Ahir’ in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat and Rajasthan. In West Bengal and Orissa they are called ‘Goala’ and ‘Sadagope’. In Maharashtra this caste is known as ‘Gavii’ and *Gopala’, In Tamilnadu itis called ‘Idayan' and *Konar’. In Chattisgadh and Madhya Pradesh it is known by the name ‘Rawat’ and *Ahir.* In Kemataka this is called by the names Yadava, Golla, Gopala, Gopali, Gauli, Gavali, Gavli, Konar and Krishna Golla. Now this caste is called by the name *Yadeva’ uniformly in all thestates/regions in India due to the efforts of All India Yadava MahaSabha. The Government of Madras in G.O No. 52402 dt.13.12.1940 had directed that the term *Yadava’ shall be adopted in place of Golla, Idayan, Gopa, Gopi or Gowda in all official documents. The title “Yadava’ is being used by this caste in all the states in India. This caste is included in the list of Other Backward Classes in India. In AP. it ia included in the list of socially and educationally backward classes under Group-D (serial number 33 i.e. Yadava or Golla). NARRATIVES ON THE ORIGIN OF THE CASTE YADAVAS According to Aradhyula Pitchaish (1972), the Yadavas regard their community as Yadukulam and believe that they are the descendents of the king Yadu, to which lineage Lord Sri Krishna belonged. Yadu was a king belonging to Chandra ‘Vamsa (Lunar line). He was the son of Yayathi and Devayani. According to the epic Maha Bheratha, Sukrachrya, the priest of Asuras (Demons), gave his daughter Devayani in marriage to Yayathi. While sending his daughter with Yayathi after marriage, he had also sent another woman Sarmishta with her to work as a servant- maid to her. He also warns Yayathi not to develop any illegal relationship with Sarmishta, But ignoring the waming, Yayathi developed illicit contact with Sarmishta and had three sons with her namely Druhya, Anuvu and Puruvu. He had two sons ‘Yedu and Turvasa with Devayani. Knowing the illicit relationship of Yayathi with Sarmishta, Sukracharya curses Yayathi to become a victim of old age. On his request, Sukracharya relaxes his curse saying that he can regain his youth if somebody comes forward to take away his old age in exchange for youth. To escape from the severity of old age, Yayathi calls and asks his sons born to Devayani to take his old age in exchange for their youth, but they refused to do so. In the same way he calls his other sons bom to Sarmishta and asks them to accept his old age in retum to their youth. They readily accepted the proposal and gave their youth to him. Pleased with this, he save his kingdom to Purzvu making him the king. He gave only some small places to the sons of Devayani'i.e. Yadu and Turvasa asking them to rule. A smoke-colored serpent king, Dhooma Varna gave his five daughters in marriage to Yadu and from their union sprang seven families known after him as *Yadavas’. 2Regarding the servant-maiden ship of Sermishéa, there is another narration by ‘Yadava minstrels. According to this, Devayani and Sermishta ere friends. One day they go to a foreat and have bath in a pond leeving their clothes on the benk. After completion of bath, Sarmishta comes out of the pond first and takes away the clothes of Devayani also by mistake leaving Devayani alone. Devayani was in the pond without clothes. Yaysthi, a Kshatriya king, who came to the forest for hunting comes ‘across to sce Devayani. He helps her by giving half of his garment to cover her body before leaving the pond. As he lifted her by extending his hand, she requests him to marry her saying that he was the first person to touch her hand. Yayathi agrees and marries her. Devayani was very much angry with Sarmishta. To take revenge against her, she complaints to her father Sukracharya about the entire episode, Sukracharya gives Sarmishta the punishment of serving Devayani throughout her life. As a result, Sarmishta serves Devayani after the marriage of the latter to Yayathi. One Yadava prince founded the “chedi’ line of Central India and another by name Deva Meedha became the progenitor of the family in which Lord Krishna wes bom, Deva Meedha had two wives Marisha and Gunavathi. He had Vasudeva and other sons through Marisha. Through Gunavathi he had Nanda and others. Vasudeva had Sri Krishna and Bala Rama through his wives Devaki and Rohini respectively. Sri Krishna was brought up by Nanda and his wife Yasoda. Dharma Raju, Duryodhana (Pandavas and Kouravas) etc belong to the line of Puruvu. Both these groups have relationships through marriage. : It was during the time of Lord Krishna that the curse placed upon the Yadaves by the sage Durvasa came to fulfillment. Knowing that the calamity was going to prevail upon Yadaves, Lord Krishna asks women, children and the old in Dwaraka to go to a safe place called Senkha Dwara beyond Dwarake, He asks other Yadavas to go to another safe place called Pravasa Kehetra after crossing the sea. Following the direction of Lord Krishna, all the young male that reached Pravasa Kshetra, took beth, worshipped the deities and finally consumed toddy and got intoxicated. Under intoxication they abused each other ignoring their kin relationships and fought among themselves and lost their lives. These who reached Sankha Dwars survived and founded noble dynamistic lines like the Yadaves of Devagiri, Rajes of Vijaya Nagar and dozens of petty Royel houses in South india. Gradually the Yadaves 2lost their kingdoms and took up other occupations like cow, gost and sheep herding to ke out their livelihoods. While historical evidence regarding the political dominance of Abhiras, Ahirs and Gopas or Gollas, who belonged to the category of Yadavas, is clear, the origin of Abbiras is surrounded in mystery. According to R.V.Russell and Hiralal (1916), the ‘Abhiras appear to have been one of the immigrant tribes from Central Asia who entered India shortly before or about the commencement of Christian era. In the Puranas and Mahabharata, they are spoken of as Dasyus or robbers and Mlechchas or foreigners. The story says that Arjuna, after he had buried the dead bodies of Krishna and Balarama st Dwaraka, was proceeding with the widows of the Yadava princesses to Madhura through Punjab when he was waylaid by Abhiras and his treasures and beautiful women were robbed by them ( D.R.Bhandarkar,1911). An inscription of the Saka era 102 or 180 A.D. speaks of a grant made by the Senapati or Commander-in-Chief of the state who is called an Abhira, the locality being Sunda in Khathiawar. Another inscription found in Nasik and assigned by Ethoven in the 4% century speaks of an Abhira king. The Puranas say that after Andhrabhrityas, the Deccan was held by the Abhiras, the west coast tract from Tapti to Deogarh being called by their name (Elliot, Supplemental Glossay, S.V.Ahir). Thus the Abhiras, who rose to political prominence in the 2 century B.C, had a chequered political career until the 14" century A.D. Their importance was overshadowed by the Mughals, but even during the Mughal period, the Ahirs and Golla Rajahs were a power to be reckoned with. The Gavlis rose to political power in Devagiri on the Chindwara Plateau in the central provinces (D.R.Bhandarkar, 1911). ‘Manu says that the Abhiras sprang from a Brahmin and an ‘Ambesta’ woman, but other Puranas give them Kshatriya and Vysya parentage.There is another argument saying that the word ‘Ahir’ is derived from “Ahe’ meaning serpent and as such Ahirs belonged to the Naga tribe. It is also argued that the term ‘Ahir’ comes from Abhira (Bhandarkar 1911:16) who were once found in different parts of India and wielded political power in several places. They are equated with Ahira, Gopas or Gollas, all of whom are considered Yadavas In the 12" and 13 centuries A.D, one noble Yadava kingdom was flourished at Devagiri, Famous ruler in this dynasty was Dridhaprada, who established hiscapital st Chandor in Nasik district. Four Hindu kingsdoens inherited the territories and traditions of the two large empires that preceded them in the 13* century. The ‘Hoyasalas and Pandyas in the south and the Yadavas in the north are the chief powers. ‘As usual a number of local foudatory dynasties flourished under the suzerainty of each. The famous rulers in Yadava dynasty are Bhillama, Jaitugi, Krishna, Singhana, Macarena atid Rama Chandra. The Yadaves invaded Chalukya, Kakatiya and Hoyasala kings and established vast kingdom. During the period of Rama Chandra, the advance of Muslim power invaded the Yadava dynasty (D.R.Bhandarkar, 1911). YADAVAS IN ANDHRA LAND Contemporaneous with the Yadavas of Devagiri, the dynasties of Yadava lineage ruled over small kingdoms in Andhra land st Addanki, Panugel and Alavalapadu as feudatories of Kakatiyas and Telugu Cholas. The Yadavas of Telugu country came into conflict with the contemporary powerful kingdoms in the north and south and achieved important military victories and thus distinguished themselves. Yadavas of Addanki It is a powerful dynasty that ruled for a century from the middle of 12* century A.D. with their capital at Addanki (now in Prakasa district, A.P) acknowledging the Kaketiya supremacy, who never espired independence. This dynasty consisted of six kings who were great warriors. They are: ‘Sarangadhara-1 (1150-1208 A.D) Mahadeve-l © =——(1208-1247 AD) ‘Singaladeva (1247-1253 A.D) ‘Sarangadbara-Il (1253-1268 A.D) Singadeva (1268-1272 A.D) Mahadeva-II (1272-1280 A.D) During the period of Mahadeva -II an inscription was written and erected in Ongole. He had five sons-Boppaya, Madiraju, Singa, Bhava and Ramachandra. Towards the close of the 12® century A.D. this branch of the Yadavas might have become extinct and the territories were incorporated cither in Telugu Cholas or Kakatiya kingdoms.Yadavas of Panugal These Yadavas were feudatories to the Kakatiyas and acquired some importance in military victories. Four prominent were there in this kingdom. Sarangapani, a king of Devagiri came to Panugal and established kingdom as feudatory to the Kaketiyas. There is an inscription at Panugal established in 1189 in the temple of Chaya Someswara, The kings of Panugal became more powerful with the help of Kakatiyas. The writings of an inscription at Patharlapadu reveal that the kings belonging to the linage of Sarangapeni have ruled Panugal and Suryapeta areas uring the time of Prathaparudhra of Kakstiya dynasty. With the decline of Yadavas and Kakatiyas, on account of Muslim invasions, the Panugal kingdom also declined. Yadavas of Alavalapadu and Yerragaddapadu ‘These kings have ruled within the precincts of Chola kingdom. They were known from & long inscription dated 1258-1259 A.D. in Gundlapalem at Kandukur in Prokasam district, Andhra Pradesh Katama Raju was the most powerful king of this dynasty. He belonged to Chandra Vamsa Kshatriya origin. He had numerous cattle and always moved along with the cattle throughout his life. His forefathers ruled the kingdom at Yellamanchali in Visakhapatnam district. He was crowned at Yellamanchifi in Visakhapatnam and married Marlavari Ganga and left her in a palace constructed at Donakonda in Prakasam district. Katama Raju, along with his cattle, moved to Srisailam and stayed there for 12 years, As there was acute famine, he made friendship with Padma Nayaka of Palanadu to graze his cattle, From that place he moved to Nellore and entered into an agreement with Nalla Siddhi, the Telugu Chola king of Nellore for the purpose of grazing his thousands of cattle by paying Pullari(a kind of tax payable for grazing cattle) and to part with the calves that were born during the period when the agreement was in force. After some days famine prevailed at Nellore also and all the pastures were dried up. The cattle, to protect themselves from starving, ate some standing crops also in Nellore area. Enraged by this Nalla Siddhi sent his men, who killed thousands of the cattle of Katama Raju. Therefore Katama Raju refused to pay Pulleri and part with the calves to Nalla Siddhi saying that tie loss caused to him is more than the Pullari payable by him. Thus there was infringement of the conditions of the agreement by both the parties which led to a battle that broke out near Chagalakonda between Katama Raju supported by his 23‘brothers from Donakonda, Yelamanchiti and Kalyan and Padma Nayudu of Palanada on one side and Nalia Siddhi and his minister Khadga Tikkana (brother of Kavi Tikkana, who tranalated a part of Mahe Bharata into Telugu) on the other side. The Pattapurai khafiyat says thet Khadgs Tikkana fought the bettie bravely and was killed at Pattapurai near Somasila on the banks of the river Pinakini. This place is called now as Tikkanapedu. According to Tangirala Venkata SubbReo(1976), this war took place at Chagalakonds, a place at a distence of 24 miles from Yerrageddepadu near Kanigiri, in which Khadge Tikkena died and in another battle at Yerragaddapadu in which Nalla Siddhi died. All the brothers and relatives of Katama Raju also died in the battle. Though Katama Raju survived he was subsequently succumbed to the wounds caused in the battle, The war took place between 1290 -1297 A.D. as confirmed by Tangirala Venkata Subba Rao inspite of the controversy about the date. ‘The Yedavas believe that Katams Raju is an incamation of Lord Vishnu. Katams Raju Kathalu, ballad-cycles are very much popular in Andhra Pradesh and are sung by minstrels called Kommu Vandlu. It is extremely difficult to trace the connection between the Yadavas of ‘Andhra and North India. Between the pre-historic and the earliest historical period, there is a wide gap. According to Bhandarkar (1911), the Aryans had no knowledge of the south prior to the 7* century B.C. except cosstal Andhra where they had gone by the eastem sea route. They penetrated into the south and by 350 B.C they had become familiar with the whole land down to Tanjore’ and Madhura. In the centuries immediate before and after the advent of Christ, this district was inhabited by a tribe called Aruvar or Aruvalar, speaking a type of corrupt Tamil aiid they are believed to have belonged to the Naga tribe. No direct evidence relating to the early history of Nellore district has come to light. However, the political history of the district like other districts of Andhra Pradesh commences with the Mauryas and Setavahanas. They were succeeded by Ikshwakus during the first quarter of the 3 century A.D. Later they were succeeded by the Pallavas, the Cholas and the Telugu Cholas. It was only for a brief period in the history, during the reign of Telugu Cholas, that Nellore was the capital of an independent kingdom, i.e., from 1275 A.D. to 1314 A.D. During this period, we hear of kings like Tirukkaladeva, Nalla Siddi, Yerra Siddi and Manuma Siddi. They had their descent from Karikala Chola, the builder of Cauvery. Their history started with 6Beta-l, who was succeeded by Nalla Siddi-I, Yerra Siddi, Manuma Siddi-I, Nalla Siddi-II and Tikka-. After the death of Tikks-I, the kingdom was thrown into a civil war between his agnates Tikkana and Bayyana. They drove Manuma Siddi-II out of power and kept him in prison. Tikkana Somayaji, the minister and poet laureate of Manuma.Siddi-II, went to Kaketiya court st Warangal, explained to the king Ganapathi Deva the state of affairs at Nellore and requested him to intervene to restore the kingdom to his overlord. With the interference of Ganapathi Deva, Manuma Siddi-II regained his kingdom (Tangirala Venkata Subba Rao, 1976). According to Tangirala Venkata Subba Rao(1976), it was during the period of Telugu Cholas that Katama Raju, is said to have migrated to the kingdom of Nellore due to a severe famine in his homeland Kanigiri. He took some pastures of land from Nalla Siddhi, the king of Nellore to graze his thousands of cattle under an agreement to pay Pullari (grazing tax). As there was infringement of the conditions of lease agreement by both the parties, war broke out between them at two places —one at Chagalakonda, a place 24 miles away from Yerragaddapadu and the other at Yerragaddapadu near Panchalingalakonda on the banks of Paleru, in Prakasam District. In the first battle, Khadga Tikkana, minister in the court of Nalla Siddhi and cousin of Tikkana Somayaji fought bravely and died. In the second battle at Yerragaddapadu, Nalla Siddhi fought with Katama Raju and died. Katama Raju survived in the battle and later he also succumbed to the wounds. Historians say that the war took place in 13 century though there are different opinions about the exact year in which it broke out and ended. According to Tangirala Vekata Subba Rao(1976), it might have taken place 1280 and 1296 A.D. but Varanasi Yasoda Devi(1965) says that it took place in 1259 A.D. Devarapalli Venkata Krishna Reddy, based on the Narasarnopet inscription, has proved that the agreement between Nalla Siddhi and Katama Raju was entered into on 16-10-1281 for grazing the cattle of Katama Raju by paying Pullari and the battle took place on 17-3-1282. Manuma Siddhi-ii ig best remembered of the Telugu Chola kings because of his patronage extended to the Telugu men of letters, especially Tikkana Somayajulu, Who translated 15 parvas of Sanskrit Mahabharata into Telugu. The history of Nellore after the demise of Manuma Siddhi-ii is shadowed in mystery as his three sons appear to have left the kingdom and sought safety at the court of Kakatiyas.‘THE NELLORE DISTRICT Nellore district was not a homogenous unit in the pest and its constituent parts were at different periods of time under the rule of different dynasties namely the Mauryas, Satavahanas, Pallavas, Western Chalukyes of Badami, Western Chalukyas of Kalyani Reddis of Addanki and Kondavidu.Rayes of Vijayanagaram, Qutub ‘Shahis, Mughals and Asaf Jahis. Before the formation of Prakesam district, the erstwhile taluks namely Kandukur, Podili and Darsi were part of Nellore district. But after the formation of Prakasam district they were added to it. Nellore district is bounded by the following places and features on all sides: East - Bay of Bengal, west - Veligonda Hills which separate it from Kadapa district, north - Prakasam district, south- Chittoor district and Tamilnadu. Nellore District is one of the nine coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh located in the southem most part of the state bordering Tamilnadu. It lies between 13 25" and 15 55° N of the Norther Latitude and 79 9" and 80 14° of the Eastem Longitude. It spreads over an area of 13,076 Sq.Kms and this acoount for 4.75% of total area of the State. The ancient name of Nellore was *Vikrama Simhapuri’. Ramachandra Rao (1965) maintains that this name was after Simha Vishnu, a ruler belonging to the Greater Pallavas of sixth century A.D. On the other hand, Mallampalli Somasekhara Sarma (1965) states that the name ‘Vikrama Simhapuri’ was derived from Simhanandi, a Jain priest from Sravana Belagola who spread the faith of Jainism in this region. According to another story, # king of this region by name Mukkanti Reddy was directed in his dream by the goddess Vani, to construct a temple at a place where a Sivalinga is found under a nelli (Phylathus emblica) tree. He had constructed ‘a temple as per the direction and therefore this region has been popularized ss Nellore. The word, Nellore has reference to Tamil language and Tamil people also. Paddy grain is called ‘nellu’ in Tamil. As paddy crop is grown widely in this region, it is popularized as Nellore in Tamilnadu. Nellore has been an important town in ‘Andhra region and there has been trade and business between the Tamil and Telugu regions for time immemorial, The Buckingham canal connecting Madras and Vijayawada constructed by the British thet passes through Nellore town facilitated the trade along the coast. The Tamil speaking fisher folk are found along the coest of Bay of Bengal close to Nellore.Nellore district is endowed with several natural resources. Some of the important ones are mentioned here under, These are important in terms of pastures used by the Yadava for herding their cattle, Rivers: The principal rivers are Pennar and Swamamukhi.The other streams are Kandaleru and Boggeru which are occasionally torrential in character during rainy season. The river Pennar flows through the districdts of Kadapa and Ananthapur over a distance of 456 kilometers rising in Kolar district of Karnataka and crosses Veligondalu of Eastern Ghats at Somasila and enters the plains. It merges with the Bay of Bengal at a distance of 29 kilometers from Nellore. It is the most important cone and flows for about 112 Kms in the district which is a boon to the easter half of the Mandals. Two snicuts are situated one at Sangam and the other at Nellore, Kandaleru flows in Gudur division and reachés the sea at Krishnapatnam. The Swamamukhi flows through Naidupet and Sullurpet mandals. Pillaperu, a tributary of Manneru flows through Udayagiri, Varikuntapadu and Sitarama Puram Mandals and joins Manneru, The rivers and rivulets remain dry for major part of the year and carry floods during rainy season. Néllore district has economic importance being a source of producing paddy, the staple food of Andhra Pradesh, especially the costal people. Mines containing Mica belts, a mineral often used in electrical appliances as a bad conductor, are found widely in this district. Hills: The Eastern Ghats are the most important mountain ranges in this district and they are locally known as Veligondas. The Veligondas run in a North- westerly direction from the south of Venkatagiri to the north of Kanigiri in Prakasam district and form the line of demarcation between Nellore, Kadapa, Kumool and Prakasam districts. In the Veligondas, Palakonda is the highest point with an elevation of over 914 metres. Totally disconnected with this range is the Udayagiri Durg which is on an isolated hill with a height of 938 metres. Soll types: The soils of the district are classified as black, red and sandy. The red soil is predominant with 40% of the area in the district whereas a belt of sand runs along the sea coast. The black cotton soil and sandy loams occupy 23% and 34% of the area respectively.Flora sud fauna: As much 0s 18.7% of the total area of the district is covered by forest. But all the forests are not produictive. Class I forests which are being under scientific management for a long time past registered good growth. The plain forests are devoid of wild life worth the name. Hill forests harbor wild life and occasionally tigers cross over this district from the forests of Kadapa district. The Pulicat Lake in the district harbor migratory birds since it is the host of water birds. Fish and other ‘marine organisms also thrive in the lake. Seasonal conditions: Aberrations in westher and fluctuations that occur in seasonal conditions have become a hallmark of Nellore district. Though there are four distinct sowing periods, itis essentially only three crop seasons existing namely carly Khariff, main Rebi and late Rabi. This is on account of failure of monsoons in the Souther belt and owing to depressions in November and December .Thus the main season gets postponed, if South-West monsoon fails to yield minimum precipitation. Sowings will be completed cartier if good and adequate rains are received and followed by drought in regular Rabi. Because of vagaries of nature, frequent drought conditions prevail during South-West Monsoon, followed by Cyclones in North-East Monsoon. As such the crops sown in agricultural seasons would be oblivious in fact because of glaring fluctuations in seasonal conditions. Climate and rain fall: The District lies in an area of precarious and uncertain rain fall. As such the climate of the district is generally dry and salubrious. Generally April, May and June ere the hottest months with highest maximum temperature recorded at 38.90C where as the tempersture is low in the months of November, December and January. The normal rain fall of the district is 1080 m.m. The major portion of the rain fall is received during the period of North-East Monsoon. Demography: The total area of the district is 13,076 Square Kms.The total population of the district as per 2001 censes is 26.69 lakhs. Out of this, the rural and urban population are 20.70 lakhs and 5.99takhs respectively forming 77.56% and 22.44% of total population. The density of population is 204 per Sq.ian. The population of females per 1000 males is 984. The population covered under ‘Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes communities is 5.87 lakhs and 2.42 lakhs respectively.Agriculture is the main stay of the people in the district, The total ‘geographical area of the district is13.16 lakhs hectares. Out of this, an extent in terms of 43.3% alone is arable whereas 18.7% of the area is covered by forests. The rest is distributed among barren and uncultivable land and the land put to non-agricultural uses, The principal crops being grown are Paddy, Bajra, Sugarcane, Groundnut, fruite&evegetabkles, Chillies, Cotton and Tobacco. Sunflower crop is gradually gaining momentum and is preferred by most of the farmers. Out of the total livestock of 20.35 lakhs, cattle and buffaloes account for 7.66 lakhs and sheep and goats account for 10.14 lakhs and 2.46 lakhs respectively. SUB-DIVISIONS AMONG THE YADAVAS According to Aradhyula Pitchaish, (1972), there are eight sub-divisions among the Yadavas of A.P.These are: 1. Poori Yadava 2. Pooja Yadava 3. Yerra Yadava 4, Poonati Yadava 5. Vrushti Yadava 6. Karna Yadava 7. Manda Yadava and 8. Kurupa Yadava. Another sub-division called Pokanati Yadava or Arava Yadava is found in Kadapa and Chittoor districts. In Nellore district, only three sub-divisions namely Pooja Yadava, Yerra Yadava and Kama Yadava are’ found. The chief function of these sub-divisions is to regulate marriages on the basis of endogamy. But there are inter-marriages among the Yerra Yadava and Pooja Yadava in the urban areas of Nellore district on account of the wide awareness created by the Yadava Associations to the effect that all the sub-divisions are equal in status, 31PERCEPTION OF OTHER CASTES ABOUT YADAVAS ‘As the Yadavas believe tht they are descondents of Yadu Varasa kings and that Lord Krishna was bom and brought up in their caste, people belonging to other castes regard them as belonging to Sudra Verna. The Brabmins regard the Yadava as a clean caste, which is above the line of pollution and accept butter-milk only from this caste among the Sudras. The Yadavas acoept food and water from Brahming, Kshatriyas, Vysyas and other Sudra castes, but not from Nayee Brahmins(Barbers), Rajakas(Washer men), Vadderas(stone-cutters), Dudekula(cotton spinners), Madigas(cobblers) and Malas. Kshatriyas socept food and water from Yadaves. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF YADAVAS ‘The Yadava category of castes consists of about one-cleventh of the total population in India. The castes coming under this category are to be found in different parts of India like Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Bihar, Chattishgadh, Jerchand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Orissa, Rajasthan, Kamataka, Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh. In Andhra Pradesh, the population of Yadavas is widely distributed in Visakhapatnam, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore, Chittoor, Kadapa, Kurnool, ‘Anantapur, Mahaboobnagar, Nallagonda, Medak, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Ranga Reddy and Hyderabad districts. Visakhapstam and Prakasam districts occupy prominent place in Yadava history as some of the Yadavs kings ruled st places like ‘Yelamanchili( Visakhapatnam district), Addanki and Kenigiri(Prakasam district). In Nellore district, where the present study is concentrated, the Yadavas are dispersed in almost all the Revenue Mandals, but large concentrations of them are found in the following Mandals: 1. Sitarama Puram 2. Marripadu 3. Udayagiri 4. Varikcuntapedu 5. Duthalura 6. Vinjamuru 7. Kaligiti 8. Jaladanki 9. Kavali 40. Ahura 11. Bogolu 12. Dagadarthi13. Konda Puram 14. AS Peta 15, Atmakur 16. Sangam 17, Anantasagaram 18. Venkatagiri 19, Rapur 20, Dakkili 21. Sydapuram 23. Chejeria 24, Balaya Palle 25. Podalakuru 26. Gudur 27. Venkatachalam 28, Nellore (Rural) ‘The population of the Pooja Yadavas and Yerra Yadavas is distributed throughout the district, but Kama Yadavas are found only in some Mandals like Sitarama Puram and Udayagiri. Kurupa Yadavas are found in Sitarama Puram, Usayagiri and Nellore (Rural).In Singareddy Palle of Sitarama Puram Mandal, 50% of the house-holds in the village belongs to Yadava caste. In Pandrangi of the same Mandal 90% of the house-holds belong to the Yadava caste and 50% of the house- holds in Gangulavari Cherlopalle (Udayagiri Mandal) are of Yadava caste. In Usayagiri Assembly Constituency consisting of Sitarama Puram, Udayagiri, Marripadu, Duthaluru, Varikuntapadu and Vinjamur Mandals, 25% of the population belongs to Yadava caste.