Chera Kingdom - Origin, Major Rulers, Administration, Political Aspects, Religion, Contemporaries & More

The Chera dynasty was an ancient Sangam age dynasty. It played a significant role in forming the land of Kerala by unifying diverse regions along the western coast and western ghats. The Cheras, specifically from the Kongu region, controlled eastern Kerala and a small portion of present-day western Tamil Nadu during the early medieval period. During the early medieval period, the Chera dynasty, one of the ancient Dravidian dynasties, governed the regions of present-day Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu. They were also known as Keraputras in Indian history and were founded in the 9th century. Renowned for its flourishing maritime trade in the Indian Ocean, the Chera kingdom can be divided into two distinct phases: the early and later phases. The Chera Kingdom's rich history can be traced further from the Sangam literature.

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This article will discuss the Chera Kingdom and their Social, Administrative, and Political Aspects. We shall also have an insight into the important Chera rulers and their contributions.

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Origin of Chera Dynasty

The Chera dynasty was one of the three major dynasties of ancient South India, along with the Cholas and the Pandyas. The Cheras ruled over present-day central and northern Kerala. The Kongu region of Tamil Nadu was also under their rule. They ruled from the 3rd century BCE to the 12th century CE.

Historians believe that the Cheras may have descended from a Dravidian tribe that migrated to South India from the northwest.

Fig: Chera Dynasty Map

The earliest known Chera ruler is Uthiyan Cheralathan. He is mentioned in the Sangam literature. Uthiyan Cheralathan is believed to have been a powerful ruler who expanded the Chera kingdom.

Another important Chera ruler was Senguttuvan. He is credited with having built a temple to the war god Murugan at Thiruchendur in Tamil Nadu. Senguttuvan is also mentioned in the Tamil epic Silappathikaram.

The Cheras were a prosperous kingdom due to their trade with the Romans and other Mediterranean powers. 

The Chera dynasty declined in the 12th century CE. This was due to many factors. This includes the rise of the Chola dynasty and the invasion of the Chera kingdom by the Hoysalas from the north.

Overview of Chera Kingdom

Overview of the Chera Kingdom is mentioned in the table below.

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Cheras of Ancient South India

The Chera kingdom was a Dravidian dynasty that existed during the Sangam period (300 BC to 300 AD). It was one of the three main powers of the Sangam period, along with the Pandyas and the Cholas. The Cheras were also known as Keralaputra, and their kingdom was located in the present-day state of Kerala and included parts of Tamil Nadu. The capital of the Chera kingdom was Vanji. The Cheras were known for their extensive maritime trade; their emblem was a bow and arrow. The most popular Chera ruler was Senguttuvan, known for his military conquests. The last ruler of the Chera kingdom was Cheraman Perumal. The main sources of information about the Chera kingdom come from the Sangam literature, Pathitrupathu, the Akananuru, and the Purananuru. 

The Chera kingdom can be divided into two phases: the Early Cheras (4th century BC to 5th century AD) and the Later Cheras (8th to 12th century AD). Major ports under the Chera kingdom were Musiri and Tondi. The kingdom was constantly in conflict with the Pandyas and the Cholas. Still, the rulers of the kingdom also entered into marriage alliances with their rivals to extend their region of influence.

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List of Chera Rulers and their Contributions

There were a total of 19 Chera rulers. Their contributions have been mentioned in the table below:

Rulers	Contribution
Uthiyan Cheralathan	He was the first Chera ruler, also deemed to be the originator of the Chera Kingdom. The capital of the empire during his period was Kuzhumur, Kuttanad, as per the Sangam literature. He was also called as Vanavaramban. He is said to have fed the Kauravas and Pandavas armies during the Mahabharata war. He also fought various wars. He is supposed to have died while fighting in the ‘Battle of Venni.’
Nedum Cheralathan	He succeeded his father, Uthiyan Cheralathan. He adopted the title of Adhiraja. He fought various successful wars with Kadambas. He was killed in a battle with the Cholas.
Selva Kadumko Valiathan	He was the third king of the Chera dynasty.
Senguttuvan Chera	He was also known as Kadalpirakoottiya Vel Kelu Kuttuvan, Senguttavan, and Chenkuttuvan.
Mantaran Cheral	He was one of the brave kings of the Chera dynasty
Kulashekhara Varma	He is considered the author of Mukundamala and Perumal Tirumozhi, which were compiled as a part of Nalayira Divya Prabandham.
Rajashekhara Varma	He was also referred to as the Cheraman Perumal Nayanar. He was the contemporary of Adi Shankara.
Rama Varma Kulashekhara	His rule was known for instability and political crisis. He was the last ruler of the Chera dynasty.

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Social, Administration, & Political Aspects of Chera Kingdom

Social

• Diverse society with people from different ethnic groups and religions.
• Majority of the population were farmers, but there were also fishermen, hunters, artisans, and traders.
• Egalitarian society with no rigid caste system.

Administration

• Monarchical administrative structure with the king as the supreme ruler.
• King's powers were checked by a council of ministers and intellectuals.
• Kingdom divided into provinces, districts, and villages.
• Provinces ruled by governors appointed by the king.
• Districts ruled by officials appointed by the king.
• Villages administered by village elders.

Political

• Powerful kingdom in South India.
• Often at war with its neighbors, the Cholas and the Pandyas.
• Involved in trade with the Romans and other Mediterranean powers.
• Strong military with infantry, cavalry, elephants, and a powerful navy.
• Patrons of art and culture.

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What is the Religion under the Chera Kingdom?

The Cheras were a diverse people with a wide range of religious beliefs. Ancestral worship was common, and gods and goddesses were often worshipped in open shrines and under trees. With the advent of Brahmanism, structural temples began to emerge, and the Dravidian religion, a fusion of northern and southern traditions, also became popular. Jainism and Buddhism were also practised in the kingdom.

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Contemporaries of Cheras

The Cheras were contemporaries of Pandyas and Cholas.

Pandya and Chera Conquests & Alliance

• There were repeated attempts of conquest by the Pandyas over the Cheras between the 7th and 8th century AD.
• The Pandyan empire was extended into the Chera empire's dominion by Jayantavarman, also referred to as Seliyan Sendan.
• Further, Nedunchezhiyan, a ruler of the second century BCE, emerged victorious in his war against the Chera, the Chola, and five Velir chieftains.
• Apart from the attempts at conquests, there were marriage alliances between Pandyas and Cheras.
  • Parantaka Vira Narayana, a Pandyan king married a Chera princess, Vanavan Maha Devi.

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Chola and Chera Conquests & Alliance

• There were also policies of conquests and alliances among the Chola and Cheras.
• Nedunjeral Adan, a Chera ruler, fought the Chola king, which resulted in the death of both kings.
• Karikalan is believed to have defeated the combined army of Cheras and Pandyas, in which eleven Velir chieftains at Venn supported him.

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The decline of the Chera Kingdom

• There were many factors that led to the decline of the Chera kingdom:
• The kingdom was annexed by the Rashtrakutas in 805 AD.
• King Goda Ravi Varma’s annexation of the Ayar kingdom (which was under the Cholas) resulted in hostility between the Cholas and Cheras.
• Also, the kingdom was further annexed by Parantaka Chola, who ruled the area as “Kongu Cheras.”
• The end of the rule of Raja Raja Chola resulted in the annexation of the entire southern Travancore south of Kuzhithurai from the Cheras.
• Periods of hostility with the Pandyas and Cholas weakened the empire, which led to the assertion of independence by several Chera chiefs, resulting in the breaking up of the empire.

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Conclusion

The Chera kingdom was one of the rich kingdoms of southern India. It portrayed a rich culture and equality, which was reflected in the absence of a caste system and religious tolerance. The trading relationship with the Roman empire also portrays the developments in maritime trade, which was an exceptional development during those days.

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