Chera Dynasty : Overview, Rulers, Economy, & End of Chera Dynasty

The Chera Dynasty or the Cheras was a Dravidian dynasty that ruled the present Tamil Nadu and Kerala. They were the first in this area who establish a well-systemed medieval ruling dynasty in the south-eastern and southwestern parts of India. There were two distinct and different periods when this dynasty ruled the southern part of India. The Early Cheras ruled the region between the 4th to 5th centuries BC. On the other hand, the Kulasekharas who were the later Cheras ruled the same region between the 8th to 12th centuries AD. The Chera dynasty was famous for their contributions to trade, culture, and literature of medieval India. They played a significant role in shaping the history of the southern part of India.

In this article, we are going to discuss the Chera Dynasty in detail. Let’s start.

Chera Dynasty – Overview

The Chera territory included the western coast of the South that covers the Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The capital of the Chera Dynasty shifted at different times in different places including Vanji, Karur, and Urayur. The Cheras are referred to as Kedalaputo in Emperor Ashoka‘s Pali rock inscriptions. The Cheras were engaged in conflicts with neighboring kingdoms such as the Cholas and Pandyas. These conflicts were related to their territorial and political ambitions. Here is an overview table of Cheras as mentioned below.

Duration	Around the 3rd century BCE to the 12th century CE
Location	Present-day Kerala region of South India
Capital	Vanchi Muthur (early), Karur, Muziris, and Mahodayapuram
Founders	Traditional accounts attribute the founding to the legendary figure of Cheraman Perumal
Religion	Jainism, later Hinduism, with a significant presence of Buddhism and Jainism in the early period
Rulers	Uthiyan Cheralathan, Nedum Cheralathan, and Kulashekhara Varman
Economy	Flourishing trade, particularly in spices, pearls, and ivory, with connections to the Roman Empire and other regions
Society	Matrilineal system, significant maritime trade, cultural exchange with other regions, notable for the development of the Tamil language and literature
Decline	Internal conflict, invasion by other dynasties such as the Cholas and the rise of new regional powers leading to the decline by the 12th century

Chera Dynasty – Background

Here is the general bacground of the Chera Dynasty as mentioned below.

• The Chera dynasty was the most significant kingdom of the Sangam era.
• The early Cheras were one of the three major powers of ancient Tamilakam.
• They are also referred to as ‘Keraputras’. Their kingdom was located to the north-to-west of the Pandya kingdom.
• The Cheras faced the constant conflict with the Cholas and the Pandyas.
• Uthiyan Cheralathan was the earliest ruler of the Cheras, as per Tamil scriptures.
• Kulasekhara Alwar was the first king of the later Chera kingdom aka the Kulasekhara dynasty.
• There was no trace of the Chera monarch for more than five centuries.
• Kulasekhara Alwar ruled around 800 AD from Tiruvanchikkulam in the present state of Kerala.

Important Rulers of the Chera Dynasty

Let us discuss about some important rulers of Chera Dynasty as mentioned below.

Uthiyan Cheralathan (1st to 3rd century AD)

Uthiyan Cheralatan is also famous as the Udiyanjeral. He was the first Chera ruler of medieval South India, specifically during the Sangam era.

• Udiyanjeral established his capital in Kuzhumur which is present in Kerala.
• He expanded his kingdom to the northward and eastward by centering his birthplace.
• He lived between the first and third centuries AD.
• He established his army specifically elephant and cavalry units of his army were acclaimed.
• At Kuzhumur, he established his royal kitchen.
• He also fed the Kauravas and Pandavas armies during the period of the Mahabharata war.
• In the ‘Battle of Venni’, he was injured against Karikala Chola and then he died.

Kulashekhara Alwar (800 AD)

Maharaja Kulasekhara Alwar was also known as Kulasekhara Varman. He was born into the Travancore royal family in South India.

• He was the king of the later Chera Dynasty.
• His reign lasted from 800 to 820 AD.
• Maharaja Kulasekhara Varman became a well-established ruler of that time.
• He not only ruled Chera land but also ruled the neighboring Chola and Pandya kingdoms.
• He reached the prominence so quickly as the South India’s great king.
• Uraiyur, Madurai, and Kongu were the part of his kingdom.
• His administration process was almost flawless.
• The citizens were happy and lived peacefully in his kingdom.
• Later he transformed into a Vaishnava saint.
• He visited various shrines like Tirunagari which is now in Tinivelli.
• He died there at the age of 67.

Rama Varma Kulasekhara (1090–1102 AD)

Ramavarma Kulasekhara was the last ruler of the Chera Perumal dynasty.

• Ramavarma lived during the reigns of Chola monarchs Kulottunga I and Vikrama Chola.
• It was a deadly phase of the long struggle between Cholas and Cheras.
• He overcomes the Cholas.
• Due to his hostility with the local Brahmins, he failed to reclaim his rest empire.
• Internal conflicts started at the time of Ramavarma.
• Later, Ramavarma abdicated the crown, and after some years he died.

Administration of Chera Dynasty

The Chera kingdom’s political institution was based on the monarchy. The king’s personality was a great deal of the pomp and different ceremony.

• The Royal Queen held a high and privileged position.
• She sat with the king or beside him at all types of religious events.
• The Shilappadikaram mentions the ‘king’s council’.
• There are other ‘five assemblies’ in the Chera administration system.
• The Chera king’s council consisted with so many powerful noblemen.
• The rajas of the districts were known by their region.
• The council was not only the highest advisory body in the Chera Dynasty.
• The final judicial tribunal of Chera used to help the king when he held his daily durbar to hear the petitions and deliver the judgments.
• The Chera kingdom was divided into four divisions.
• The Chief Minister in the Chera dynasty was the powerful Dewans. They administer the states of Travancore and Cochin on behalf of the king.
• The chief priest was the Nair. He was the chief astrologer and also helped the king in the time of determining policy.
• The “Manram” was the operator of each village of the Chera kingdom.
• The ancient Chera state had an executive structure. They can influence royal policy and legal judgments.

Society of Chera Dynasty

The Chera citizens practiced the native Dravidian religions. The religious practices consisted of performing different sacrifices to various gods. Their supreme god was Murugan.

• Offerings of different meat and toddy were very common to the goddess of war Kottava.
• Kottava was considered the current form of the goddess Durga.
• The Brahmin migration was happened around the third century BCE with the Jain and Buddhist missionaries.
• Jewish and Christian populations also lived in Kerala.
• Early Tamil texts mentioned several references to social stratification. The use of the word kudi (“group”) used to denote the “caste.”
• Women’s status was high in the Cheras society.
• The primary occupation of people was agriculture and pastoralism.

Economy of the Chera Dynasty

The early Chera economy was based on “pastoral-cum-agrarian” activities and trade. The practice of agriculture grew over time. It served as the foundation for the larger economic change.

• They exchanged relations with Graeco-Roman merchants.
• The “Yavanas,” provided significant economic momentum for the Chera dynasty.
• Spice trade with the Middle East and Mediterranean area was common.
• The Periplus Maris Erythraei depicts the “trade” in Keprobotras.
• According to the Periplus, Muziris was the most important center of trade on the Malabar Coast.
• They exported spices, ivory, timber, pearls, and gems to the Middle-East and Mediterranean regions in bulk.
• They were known for producing the finest steel in the world.
• The steel was exported to foreign countries in the form of steely iron cakes known as “Wootz.”

Art and Architecture of the Chera Dynasty

Cheras architecture was the classic form of Dravidian architecture. Their temples were octagonal or rectangular in shape. They built these temples with the sandstones and granite. Their temples were divided into four different sections including vimanam, mandapams, gopurams, and garbhagriha.

• The gopurams was a tower over the entrance.
• It was the tallest structure in the villages and towns.
• The temple was more than just a place of worship.
• Templeas were used for socialising, education, and celebration.
• Tamples were not just of the king, but also of local people can celebrate functions and ceremonies such as marriages.
• The temple was also used as a sort of emergency storage and also housed hospitals.
• In temple pleople can practice their art such as music, dance, drama, and handicrafts.
• Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple, Bhagavathi Amman Temple and Mahavishnu Temple were the major temples of this time.

Literature of Chera Dynasty

The Sangam texts tell about the Tamil literature works in the Chera kingdom. So many Chera rulers along with Pandya and Chola rulers supported literature in their times.

• The Pathitrupathu, Akananuru, and Purananuru are the most famous literature of the Cheras Dynasty.
• Silapathikaram was written during their reign.
• There are so many other literary works that are common between the Cheras, Pandyas, and Cholas. They are Tolkappiyam, Ettutogai, Pathinenkilkanakku. Silappathikaram and Manimegalai were also written at this time.
• Tolkappiyam is considered the first Tamil literary work.
• Pathinenkilkanakku is a collection of works on ethics and morals.
• The most important of this time was Tirukkural.

Contemporaries of the Chera Dynasty

The Chera dynasty was the most significant kingdom of the Sangam era. The early Cheras were one of the three major powers of ancient Tamilakam. Some of the Chera Dynasty’s contemporaries were the Cholas and the Pandyas. The Chera dynasty is often associated with the Sangam age and its literacy development process.

Decline – End of Chera Dynasty

The Cheras, a strong dynasty in South India. They faced so many challenges during the 9th and 10th centuries. Rashtrakutas briefly ruled over them, and conflicts with the Cholas weakened their power. Eventually, internal conflicts led to the emergence of separate chieftains. Rama Varma Kulasekhara faced turmoil and organized suicide squads to resist. After the Chera period, Nambudiri Brahmins declined, and Nairs rose in prominence.

Conclusion on Chera Dynasty

The Chera Dynasty or the Cheras was a Dravidian dynasty. They were the most significant kingdom of the Sangam era. The Chera territory included the western coast of the South that covers the Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The capital of the Chera Dynasty shifted at different times in different places including Vanji, Karur, and Urayur. In this article, we have learned about the Chera Dynasty in detail.

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FAQs on Chera Dynasty

Who was the founder of Cheras dynasty?

The Chera dynasty was founded by Udayan Cheralathan. He committed suicide after he was defeated in a battle by the Chola king, Karikala. Nethun Cheralathan was his son.

Is Chera dynasty Tamil or Malayalam?

The Chera Dynsty or the Cheras were a Dravidian dynasty which ruled the present Tamil Nadu and Kerala. They were the first in this area who establish a well-systemed medieval ruling dynasty in the south-eastern and southwestern parts of India.

What are the Cheras famous for?

Cheras were famous for their spice trading throughout the World.

What happened to Chera dynasty?

Some of the major dynasties of medieval south India – Chalukya, Pallava, Pandya, Rashtrakuta, and Chola – seem to have conquered the Kongu Chera country. Kongu Cheras appear to have been absorbed into the Pandya political system by 10th/11th century CE.

Who is best Chola or Pandya?

Cholas were truly ambitious especially in their “second innings” under Raja Raja Chola and his son Rajendra.

Who is stronger Cholas or Pandyas?

The Cholas were the greatest and the most powerful. They were the longest reigning dynasty in South India.