Page:A Family History of Venkatagiri Rajas.djvu/62

 of the great Carnatic Ruler Krishna Deva Rai living in the sixteenth century and was in the earlier part of his life-time a subject Prince and Commander-in-Chief of Krishna Rai. Velugodu which then belonged to Krishna Deva Rai was once attacked by a Muhammadan chief, and Nirvana Rayappa Naidu, who was then very powerful and resided at Devarakonda, marched against him on his own accord, and defeated and killed him. He then returned with a white umbrella as the token of success, and was allowed to use it for himself by the king of Carnatic. From that moment he came to be known as the Lord of White Umbrella. He was also granted the free enjoyment of the taluk of Velugodu which he so ably defended. Thus he acquired the family name of Velugodu which means Veli-Godugu, the White Umbrella, and the same name exists as Velugoti to this day. He soon changed his capital from Devarakonda to Velugodu, which was considerably improved.