Writing in the early part of the last century about the Gollas, Buchanan informs us that "this caste has a particular duty, the transporting of money, both belonging to the public and to individuals. It is said that they may be safely intrusted with any sum; for, each man carrying a certain value, they travel in bodies numerous in proportion to the sum put under their charge; and they consider themselves bound in honour to die in defence of their trust. Of course, they defend themselves vigorously, and are all armed; so that robbers never venture to attack them. They have hereditary chiefs called Gotugaru, who with the usual council settle all disputes, and punish all transgressions against the rules of caste. The most flagrant is the embezzlement of money entrusted to their care. On this crime being proved against any of the caste, the Gotugaru applies to Amildar, or civil magistrate, and having obtained his leave, immediately causes the delinquent to be shot. Smaller offences are atoned for by the guilty person giving an entertainment." The Golla caste has many sub-divisions, of which the following are examples:-- Erra or Yerra (red). Said to be the descendants of a Brahman by a Golla woman. Ala or Mekala, who tend sheep and goats. Puja or Puni. Gangeddu, who exhibit performing bulls. Gauda, who, in Vizagapatam, visit the western part of the district during the summer months, and settle outside the villages. They tend their herds, and sell milk and curds to the villagers. Karna. Pakanati. Racha (royal). Peddeti. Mostly beggars, and considered low in the social scale, though when questioned concerning themselves they say they are Yerra Gollas. At the census, 1901, the following were returned as sub-castes of the Gollas:-- Dayyalakulam (wrestlers), Perike Muggalu or Mushti Golla (beggars and exorcists), Podapotula (who beg from Gollas), Gavadi, and Vadugayan, a Tamil synonym for Gollas in Tinnevelly. Another Tamil synonym for Golla is Bokhisha Vadugar (treasury northerners). Golla has been given as a sub-division of Dasaris and Chakkiliyans, and Golla Woddar (Odde) as a synonym of a thief class in the Telugu country. In a village near Dummagudem in the Godavari district, the Rev. J. Cain writes, [148] are "a few families of Basava Gollalu. I find they are really Kois, whose grandfathers had a quarrel with, and separated from, their neighbours. Some of the present members of the families are anxious to be re-admitted to the society and privileges of the neighbouring Kois. The word Basava is commonly said to be derived from bhasha, a language, and the Gollas of this class are said to have been so called in consequence of their speaking a different language from the rest of the Gollas." Like many other Telugu castes, the Gollas have exogamous septs or intiperu, and gotras. As examples of the former, the following may be quoted:--