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.
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.
Table of Content
- Chera Dynasty – Overview
- Chera Dynasty – Background
- Important Rulers of the Chera Dynasty
- Administration of Chera Dynasty
- Society of Chera Dynasty
- Economy of the Chera Dynasty
- Art and Architecture of the Chera Dynasty
- Literature of Chera Dynasty
- Contemporaries of the Chera Dynasty
- Decline – End of Chera Dynasty