சேரர்
Cheras

Chera territories
Official language	Tamil
Capitals	Karur (Vanchi Muthur)
Government	Monarchy
Preceding state	Unknown
Succeeding states	Gangas, Zamorins, Kochi, Travancore, Hoysala, Vijayanagara

The Chera dynasty (Tamil: சேரர்) was one of the ancient Tamil dynasties that ruled southern India from ancient times until around the fifteenth century CE. An official language is a Language that is given a special legal status in a particular Country, State, or other territory Tamil (ta தமிழ்; t̪əmɨɻ is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. Karur ( Tamil: கரூர்) is a town and a Municipality in Karur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu situated Vanchi was the ancient capital of the Chera kingdom The Chera were one of the ancient dynasties which ruled parts of present day Kerala and Tamil Nadu. This is a list of countries categorized by system of Government. A monarchy is a Form of government in which supreme power is actually or nominally lodged in an individual who is the Head of state, often for life or The Western Ganga Dynasty (350 – 1000 CE ( Kannada:ಪಶ್ಚಿಮ ಗಂಗ ಸಂಸ್ಥಾನ was an important ruling dynasty of ancient Karnataka Saamoothirippādu or Saamoothiri, anglicised Zamorin, is the used by the Nair rulers of the erstwhile state of Kozhikode (anglicised The Kingdom of Cochin or Kochi (also known as Perumpadappu Swaroopam, Madarajyam, Gosree Rajyam, or Kuru Swaroopam; Travancore or Thiruvithaamkoor ( Malayalam: തിരുവിതാങ്കൂര്‍ "Thiru" (respectful prefix which suggests either royal or The Hoysala Empire ( Kannada: ಹೊಯ್ಸಳ ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯ ( pronunciation: in Kannada was a prominent South Indian Kannadiga The Vijayanagara Empire ( Kannada: ವಿಜಯನಗರ ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯ Telugu: విజయనగర సామ్రాజ్యము was a South Tamil (ta தமிழ்; t̪əmɨɻ is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. Tamil people (also called Tamils or Tamilians) ( are an Ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, a state in India, and the north-eastern South India is the area encompassing India 's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union The Early Cheras ruled over the Coimbatore, Karur and Salem Districts in South India, which now forms part of the modern day Tamil Nadu (Kongu Nadu). Coimbatore (கோயம்புத்தூர் also known as Kovai (கோவை is a major industrial city in India and the second largest city in the Karur ( Tamil: கரூர்) is a town and a Municipality in Karur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu situated Salem District is a district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. Tamil Nadu ( Tamil:, Country of the Tamils, t̪ɐmɨɻ n̪aːɽɯ is one of the 28 states of India. The other two major Tamil dynasties were the Cholas in the eastern Coromandel Coast and Pandyas in the south central peninsula. The Coromandel Coast is the name given to the southeastern coast of the Indian peninsula Origin The origin of the word “Pandya” has been a subject of much speculation These dynasties began ruling before the Sangam era (300 BCE - 200 CE) during which the Tamil language, arts and literature flourished. The Tamil Sangams are legendary assemblies of Tamil scholars and poets that according to traditional Tamil accounts existed in the remote past Tamil (ta தமிழ்; t̪əmɨɻ is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. Tamil literature refers to the Literature in the Tamil language.

The Sangam Chera capital was Vanchi Muthur (otherwise called Karuvur, modern Karur). Vanchi was the ancient capital of the Chera kingdom The Chera were one of the ancient dynasties which ruled parts of present day Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Karur ( Tamil: கரூர்) is a town and a Municipality in Karur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu situated ^[1] , their area included western and south area of Tamilnadu and also controlling areas closer to the region from Malai Nadu or hill country (modern Kerala). Kerala ( Malayalam: {{Kerala in Malayalam}}; Chera rulers warred frequently with their neighbouring kingdoms. They sometimes inter-married with the families of the rival kings as a means of political alliances. Throughout the reign of the Cheras, trade continued to bring prosperity to Tamil Country (part of which is modern north Kerala), with spices, ivory, timber, pearls and gems being exported to Egypt, Rome, Greece, Phoenicia, Arabia, Mesopotamia and Persia. Evidence for extensive foreign trade from ancient times is available throughout the Malabar coast, from the Roman, Greek and Arabic coins unearthed from Kollam, Kodungallur, Eyyal (near Trissur) in Northern Kerala . Muziris, has been referenced by ancient writers, such as the author of the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea to be an inland port probably near Kodungallur. The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea ( Periplus Maris Erythraei) is a Greek Periplus, describing navigation and trading opportunities Sangam Cheran coins and inscriptions are found only in Karur, Erode and Coimbatore region of modern Tamil Nadu (Kongu Nadu). Karur ( Tamil: கரூர்) is a town and a Municipality in Karur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu situated WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details -->       Erode ( Tamil: ஈரோடு) is one of the ten municipal corporations Coimbatore (கோயம்புத்தூர் also known as Kovai (கோவை is a major industrial city in India and the second largest city in the Tamil Nadu ( Tamil:, Country of the Tamils, t̪ɐmɨɻ n̪aːɽɯ is one of the 28 states of India.

While Cheras had their own religion (Hinduism), other religious traditions came to this area during the period of the Chera kings. Hinduism is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. Jainism came to Kongu Nadu by the second century BCE. Jainism, traditionally known as Jain Dharma / Shraman Dharma (जैन धर्म is an ancient religion of India.

History

In early Tamil literature the great Chera rulers are referred to as Cheral, Kuttuvan, Irumporai, Kollipurai and Athan. Chera rulers were also called Kothai or Makothai. The nobility among the Cheras were called Cheraman in general. The word Kerala, of possible Prakrit origins, does not appear in Sangam Literature. Sangam literature refers to a body of classical Tamil literature created between the years 300 BCE and 600 CE Ashoka's edicts mention an independent dynasty known by the name Ceraputta, who were outside Ashoka's empire. The pillars of Ashoka are a series of columns dispersed throughout the northern Indian subcontinent and erected by the Mauryan king Ashoka during his reign in The unknown author of Periplus of the Erythraean Sea mentions Chera as Cerobothra whose capital is Karur, while Pliny, the Roman historian of the first century, calls it Caelobothras. The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea ( Periplus Maris Erythraei) is a Greek Periplus, describing navigation and trading opportunities Gaius or Caius Plinius Secundus, ( AD 23 – August 25, AD 79 better known as Pliny the Elder, was an ancient Author It is believed that religiously the Cheras were Shaivites. ^[2] The kings of the dynasty referred to themselves as Vanavar. ^[3]

Sangam Cheras

The only source available for us regarding the early Chera Kings is the anthologies of the Sangam literature. The Tamil Sangams are legendary assemblies of Tamil scholars and poets that according to traditional Tamil accounts existed in the remote past Sangam literature refers to a body of classical Tamil literature created between the years 300 BCE and 600 CE Scholars now generally agree that this literature belongs to the first few centuries CE. ^[4] The internal chronology of this literature is still far from settled. The Sangam literature is full of names of the kings and the princes, and of the poets who extolled them. Despite a rich literature that depicts the life and work of these people, these are not worked into connected history so far. Their capital is stated to be modern Karur in Tamilnadu and were also called Kongars. Karur ( Tamil: கரூர்) is a town and a Municipality in Karur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu situated

Pathirruppaththu, the fourth book in the Ettuthokai anthology mentions a number of Chera Kings of the Chera dynasty. Each King is praised in ten songs sung by the Court Poet and the Kings are in the following order:

1. Nedum Cheralathan,
2. Palyane Chel Kezhu Kuttuvan,
3. Kalankai Kanni Narmudi Cheral,
4. Kadal Pirakottiya Vel Kezhu Kuttuvan,
5. Attu Kottu Pattu Cheralathan,
6. Chelva Kadunko Azhi Athan,
7. Thakadur Erintha Perum Cheral Irumporai,
8. Kudako Ilam Cheral Irumporai.

The first two kings were the sons of Uthiyan Cheralathan and Veliyan Nallini. The third, fourth and fifth kings were sons of Nedum Cheralathan, while the mother of fourth King (also known as Chenkuttuvan) was Chola Princess Manikilli. Chelva Kadunko Vazhiyathan was the son of Anthuvan Cheral Irumporai and Porayan Perumthevi. Perum Cheral Irumporai was the son of Vazhiyathan and Ilam Cheral Irumporai was the son of a Chera ruler Kuttuvan Irumporai (son of Mantharan Cheral Irumporai).

Archaeology has also found epigraphic evidence regarding these early Cheras. ^[5] The most important of these is the Pugalur (Aranattarmalai) inscription. This inscription refers to three generations of Chera rulers Adam Cheral Irrumporai, his son Perumkadungo, and his son Ilamkadungo. The charter was issued when Perum Kadungo was the ruler monarch and Ilam Kadungo was appointed prince. Athan refers only to a crowned King of Chera dynasty who accepted this title at the time of coronation. Athan Cheral Irumporai was the son of Perum Cheral Irumporai. It therefore follows that Perumkadungo was the son of a crowned King of the Chera Dynasty. Perum Kadunko means that he was the Senior Ko (Senior ruler) of Kadunadu, located in the Tamilnadu side of the Sahya Mountains.

'Purananuru' refers to Udiyan Cheral, who probably ruled in the first – second centuries CE. It is said that he fed the rival armies during the war of Mahabharata. Imayavaramban Neduncheralathan, another Sangam age king claimed to have conquered up to the Himalayas and to have inscribed his emblem in the face of the mountains. Senguttuvan was another famous Chera, whose contemporary Gajabahu II of Lanka according to Mahavamsa visited the Chera country. Senguttuvan was a Chera king who ruled Ancient India during the early centuries of the Common Era Lanka ( Sanskrit: लंका lankā means "island" is the name given in Hindu mythology to the island fortress capital of the The Mahavamsa, ("Great Chronicle " is a historical poem written in the Pali language of the kings of Sri Lanka. ^[6]

The early Cheras controlled a large territory of Kongu Nadu. The also ruled the kodunthamizh regions of Travancore (Venadu) and the Malabar (Kuttanadu) west coast through vassals. Travancore or Thiruvithaamkoor ( Malayalam: തിരുവിതാങ്കൂര്‍ "Thiru" (respectful prefix which suggests either royal or Malabar (മലബാര്‍ is a region of southern India, lying between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. They were in contact with the Satavahanas in the north and with the Romans and Greeks. The Sātavāhanas ( Marathi: सातवाहन Telugu:శాతవాహనులు were a Dynasty which ruled from Junnar ( Ancient Rome was a Civilization that grew out of a small agricultural community founded on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 10th century BC The term ancient Greece refers to the period of Greek history lasting from the Greek Dark Ages ca ^[7] Trade flourished overseas and there was a considerable exchange of gold and coins, as seen by archaeological evidence and literature. The Romans brought vast amounts of gold in exchange of 'Kari' (Pepper) from Malainadu. [2]

Bhakti era Cheras

Little is known about the Cheras between c. third century CE and the eight century CE. An obscure dynasty, the Kalabhras, invaded the Tamil country, displaced the existing kingdoms and ruled for around three centuries. Identification Kalabhras The identification of the Kalabhras is difficult They were displaced by the Pallavas and the Pandyas in the sixth century CE. A Pandya ruler, Arikesari Parankusa Maravarman (c. Origin The origin of the word “Pandya” has been a subject of much speculation 730 – 765CE), mentioned in a number of Pandya copper-plate inscriptions, was a prominent ruler during this period. Indian copper plate inscriptions play an important role in the reconstruction of the history of India. He claims to have defeated a prominent Chera king. The name of the Chera king is not known, however from the details of the battles between the Pandya and the Chera, the Chera territory ceded seems to have included the entire Malabar and Travancore (Kuttanadu and Venadu) and the southern Pandya country from Kanyakumari to Thirunelveli the seat of the Cheras being in Karur Kongu Nadu. Tirunelveli (திருநெல்வேலி is a city in Tamil Nadu and was formed into a Municipal corporation in 1999 by merging three municipalities viz The Chera kings took the title of Perumal during this period and patronised the Vaishnavite sect. Vaishnavism is a tradition of Hinduism, distinguished from other schools by its worship of Vishnu or its associated avatars principally as Rama and Kulasekara Alwar who ruled in the 8th century became a devotional Vaishnavite poet. Pallavas also mention in their inscriptions about their battles with the Cheras. Pulakesin II, in his Aihole inscription mentioned " Pulikesin II, driving the Pallava behind the forts of Kanchi, reached as far south as the Kaveri river, and there caused prosperity to the Chola, Chera and Pandya". Pulakesi II (ಇಮ್ಮಡಿ ಪುಲಿಕೇಶಿ (610 - 642 CE is the most famous ruler of the Chalukya dynasty. Aihole ( Kannada ಐಹೊಳೆ is a town in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India ^[8]

In the reign of Pandya Parantaka Nedumjadaiyan (765 – 790), the Cheras were still in Karur and were a close ally of the Pallavas. Origins See also Origin of Pallava The exact origin of the Pallavas is shrouded in mystery Pallavamalla Nadivarman defeated the Pandya Varaguna with the help of a Chera king. Cultural contacts between the Pallava court and the Chera country were common. ^[9] The Saivite saint Cheraman Perumal and the other is the Vaishnavite saint Kulasekhara, were famous in the Hindu religious movements. Shaivism, also spelled "Saivism" names the oldest of the four sects of Hinduism. Cheraman Perumal can refer to Cheraman Perumal (Nayanar, A Hindu Nayanar saint from South India Cheraman Kulashekhara was an Indian King from modern day Kerala and one of the Alvars, a prominent group of Vaishnava saints Kulasekhara became one of the celebrated Alvars and his poems came to be called the Perumal Thirumozhi. The Alvars (ஆழ்வார்கள் (aːɻʋaːr ‘those immersed in god’ were Tamil poet saints of south India who lived between sixth and ninth centuries and espoused Cheraman Perumal ruled around the eighth and the ninth centuries. Cheraman Perumal can refer to Cheraman Perumal (Nayanar, A Hindu Nayanar saint from South India Cheraman In this Kulasekhara calls himself Kongar Kon (the king of the Kongu people) hailing from Kollinagar (Karur). Karur ( Tamil: கரூர்) is a town and a Municipality in Karur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu situated Adi Shankara was his contemporary. Adi Shankara ( Malayalam: ആദി ശങ്കരന്‍ Devanāgarī: आदि शङ्कर Ādi Śaṅkara, aːd̪i ɕaŋkərə (see below Kongumandala Satakam also says that Cheraman Perumal went to Kayilai with Sundarar from Kongu Nadu.

Notes

References