Velama (caste)

Velama (caste)

Velama or Velama Doralu is a social group found mainly in Andhra Pradesh. The historical military exploits of Velamas form an important part of Telugu tradition, history and folklore. The earliest occurrence of "Velama" in inscriptions dates from the mid 15th century. According to some historians, warriors who migrated from Velanadu (part of present day Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh) to the Kakatiya empire in the 11th century came to be called "Velama".