The Chera Dynasty
The Chera dynasty was an ancient dynasty that ruled parts of present-day Kerala and Tamil Nadu in southern India from around the 4th century BCE to the 12th century CE. The Cheras were known for their maritime trade and were involved in trade with the Roman Empire and other parts of the world. They were also known for their patronage of the arts, literature, and architecture. The Chera dynasty was one of the three major dynasties of ancient Tamilakam, along with the Chola dynasty and the Pandya dynasty. Also known as the Keralaputras, their kingdom was located to the west and north of the Pandya kingdom.
Uthiyan Cheralathan is regarded as the earliest known Chera ruler while Kulashekhara Alwar was the first king of the later Chera kingdom. The capital of the early Cheras was at Vanchi and Muziris while the Kongu Cheras ruled from Karur.
Source: Adapted from the maps by Y. Subbarayalu for Rajan Gurukkal, CC BY-SA 4.0 
RULERS
The Chera dynasty had several rulers over the centuries, including Uthiyan Cheralathan, Nedum Cheralathan, and Kulashekhara Varman. Some of the most famous Chera kings were Cheran Senguttuvan, who is said to have fought against the Cholas and Pandyas, and Kadal Pirakottiya Vel Kezhu Kuttuvan, who is said to have built the famous port city of Muziris.
1. Uthiyan Cheralathan: He is considered to be the founder of the Chera dynasty and is believed to have ruled in the 3rd century BCE. He is known for his military conquests and for expanding the Chera kingdom.
2. Nedum Cheralathan: He is believed to have ruled in the 1st century BCE and is known for his patronage of the arts and literature. He is also credited with building the famous temple at Kodungallur.
3. Cheran Senguttuvan: He is one of the most famous Chera kings and is believed to have ruled in the 2nd century CE. He is known for his military campaigns against the Cholas and Pandyas and his patronage of the arts.
4. Kadal Pirakottiya Vel Kezhu Kuttuvan: He is believed to have ruled in the 3rd century CE and is known for his construction of the port city of Muziris, which was an important centre of trade and commerce.
5. Kulashekhara Varman: He is believed to have ruled in the 9th century CE and is known for his patronage of the arts and literature. He is also credited with building the famous temple at Thiruvanchikulam.
ADMINISTRATION
The Chera dynasty was known for its decentralized administration, with power being shared among local chieftains and rulers. The Chera kings were primarily responsible for maintaining law and order, and for overseeing trade and commerce. The Cheras also had a well-developed system of taxation, which helped to fund their military campaigns and other activities. The Chera kingdom was divided into several regions, each of which was governed by a local ruler or chieftain. These local rulers were responsible for collecting taxes, maintaining law and order, and providing military support to the Chera king when needed.
Kingdom’s most important political institution was the monarchy. The royal queen also held an extremely high and privileged position and sat with the king at all religious events. The Silappadikaram mentions the king’s council and the other five assemblies in the administration of the Chera dynasty. The Chera kingdom was divided into four divisions, the northernmost division was Cannanore and the southernmost was near Trivandrum.
Another important institution was the Manram which operated in each village of the Chera kingdom.
The Chera administration was known for its efficient system of taxation, which helped to fund the kingdom's military campaigns and other activities. The Cheras collected taxes in the form of grain, cattle, and other goods, which were then used to support the kingdom's infrastructure and military. The Chera administration also had a well-developed system of trade and commerce, which helped to boost the kingdom's economy.
The Chera administration was also known for its emphasis on education and learning. The Cheras were patrons of the Tamil language, and many famous works of Tamil literature were produced during their reign. The Chera kings also established several centres of learning, including universities and schools, which helped to promote education and knowledge. Overall, the Chera administration was characterized by its decentralized structure, efficient taxation system, and emphasis on education and learning. These factors helped to make the Chera kingdom one of the most prosperous and culturally rich regions of ancient India.
CULTURE
The Chera dynasty was known for its rich cultural heritage, which included literature, music, dance and art. The Cheras were patrons of the Tamil language, and many famous works of Tamil literature were produced during their reign. The Cheras were also known for their love of music and dance, and many famous musicians and dancers emerged during this period. They were known for their architectural achievements, including the construction of temples, palaces, and other buildings.
The Chera culture was a rich and diverse one, with a focus on literature, music, dance, and art. The Sangam literature, which is a collection of Tamil poems and songs, was composed during the Chera period. These poems and songs provide a glimpse into the daily life, customs, and traditions of the Chera people.
The Cheras were also known for their love of music and dance. The Natyashastra, a treatise on Indian performing arts, mentions the Chera kingdom as one of the places where music and dance were highly valued. The Cheras were known for their unique style of music and dance, which was characterized by grace and elegance.
The Cheras were also known for their architectural achievements. The famous temple of Sabarimala, which is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in southern India, was built during the Chera period. The Sabarimala temple is a famous Hindu temple located in the Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghats mountain range of Kerala, India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, who is believed to be the son of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu in the form of Mohini. The temple is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world, with millions of devotees visiting every year. The Chera dynasty played an important role in the history of the Sabarimala temple. According to legend, the temple was built by the Chera king Rajasekhara, who was a devotee of Lord Ayyappa. The Cheras were known for their patronage of Hinduism, and many famous temples were built during their reign. The Sabarimala temple is also closely associated with the Chera dynasty because of the famous Makaravilakku festival, which is celebrated every year on January 14th. The festival is believed to have been started by the Chera king Rajasekhara, and it involves the lighting of a lamp on the hilltop near the temple. The festival is a major event in Kerala, and it attracts thousands of devotees from all over the world.
The Cheras were also known for their expertise in shipbuilding, and they had a thriving maritime trade with other parts of the world.
The Chera culture was also influenced by the religions that were prevalent in the region. The Cheras were known for their patronage of Hinduism, and many famous temples were built during their reign. However, the Cheras were also tolerant of other religions, and there is evidence to suggest that Buddhism and Jainism were also practised in the region.
TEMPLES
The Chera dynasty was known for its architectural achievements, and the construction of temples was an important part of their cultural and religious heritage. The Chera temples were built in the Dravidian style of architecture, which is characterized by its pyramid-shaped towers, or gopurams, and intricate carvings and sculptures. Their temples were mostly octagonal or rectangular and were built with sandstones and granite.
Some of the most famous Chera temples include the Thiruvanchikulam Mahadeva Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the oldest temples in Kerala. The temple is known for its beautiful carvings and sculptures, including a statue of Lord Shiva in his dancing form, known as Nataraja.
Another famous Chera temple is the Bhagvathi Amman temple located in Kanyakumari also known as Bhadrakali Amman temple is one of the 52 Shakti Peetham temples. The temple has a large courtyard, where various cultural and religious events are held throughout the year.
The Mahavishnu temple located in Kottayam, Kerala is another famous Chera temple, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is known for its beautiful architecture, including its massive gopuram and intricate carvings and sculptures. It represents five ancient shrines connected to Mahabharatham.
PAINTINGS
The Chera dynasty is known for its rich artistic heritage, including its paintings. Unfortunately, very few examples of Chera paintings have survived to the present day, so our knowledge of this art form is limited. However, we do know that the Cheras were skilled painters and that they produced a wide variety of works, including murals, frescoes, and miniature paintings. Many of these works were created in temples and palaces and were used to depict scenes from Hindu mythology and other religious themes.
One of the most famous examples of Chera painting is the murals at the Padmanabhapuram Palace in Kerala. These murals date back to the 17th century and depict scenes from the life of Lord Krishna. The murals are known for their vibrant colours and intricate details and are considered to be some of the finest examples of Indian painting.
Another famous example of Chera painting is the frescoes at the Brihadeshwar Temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. These frescoes date back to the 11th century and depict scenes from the life of Lord Shiva. The frescoes are known for their intricate details and use of vibrant colours.
ECONOMY
The economy of the Chera dynasty was primarily based on maritime trade, which was facilitated by the region's strategic location on the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. The Cheras were known for their seafaring skills and had a well-developed system of ports and harbours, which allowed them to engage in trade with other parts of the world.
The Cheras traded in a variety of goods, including spices, textiles, precious stones, and metals. They also traded in exotic items such as ivory, peacocks, and pearls. The Cheras were particularly known for their trade with the Roman Empire, which was facilitated by the port city of Muziris (modern-day Kodungallur).
In addition to maritime trade, the Cheras also engaged in agriculture, with rice being the primary crop. The Cheras were known for their advanced irrigation systems, which allowed them to cultivate crops even in areas with low rainfall. The Cheras also had a well-developed system of taxation, which helped to fund their military campaigns and other activities.
