Know About Kingdoms of South Asia - Indian Kingdom of the Cheras

The Cheras were an old Dravidian dynasty that had its power base in the southwest of the Indian subcontinent. They had mainly what is present-day Kerala as their stronghold, which extended from Kanyakumari in the south to Kasargod in the north, and at times also included what is present-day Tamil Nadu’s Palghat, Coimbatore, and Salem are. Archaeological evidence, which includes Neolithic carvings in the Edakkal Caves, points to long-standing human settlement in these areas, which predate the dynasty’s rise. The Cheras also had important regional centers, which included what is known to the classical geographers and Roman traders as a port city - which made them key players in the maritime trade.

Society, Religion, and Daily Life

Chera society at an early stage was very different from the later Brahmanical states of northern India. They did not at first practice Vedic rituals, and a rigid caste structure did not play a large role; instead, it was ancestral and village worship that shaped religious practice. Deity images were put in open-air shrines, which were also often placed by trees. We see large stone temples at a much later time. A war goddess cult coexisted with local practices, but it is only after Brahmin influence grew that we see the development of organized priesthoods and large temple complexes. The majority of the people lived by agriculture, which was also supported by fishing and handicrafts like weaving and carpentry.

Economy and Overseas Contacts

The Chera domain profited greatly from its coastal setting. In Kerala’s natural resource base, which included spices, pearls, and precious stones, there was great interest from the Indian Ocean world. Ports such as Muziris (also referred to as Vanchi or Muzris in foreign reports), Tyndis, and other harbors were trade centers that saw traffic with Rome, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Inland iron tools improved agriculture and craft production; also common were the trades of salt making and textile production. Royalty got into the revenues from land tax, tribute, and war booty, but it was from the maritime trade that the greatest wealth and cultural exchange came.

Political Structure and Kingship

Chera rulers used titles like ko, kon, or kadumko, which mean “king” or “great king.” Also, they were known for nicknames that reflected their achievements or personal traits. We see very early historical records as broken and confusing, which present at times multiple lineages and competing branches that complicate genealogies. What we do see is two main royal lines which scholars today refer to as Vanavaraman and Irumporai - at times ruling at the same time, with senior and junior kings running different regions. From the Sangam literature, inscriptions, and later chronicles, we get a look at great rulers who went to war, formed alliances, and supported poets and the arts.

Rise, Decline, and Revival

The early Cheras did well in the Sangam age, but later saw times of decline and revival. Between the 3rd and 9th centuries, regional instabilities and incursions by other powers broke down their authority. A great revival came about in the 9th century at the hands of the Kulasekhara dynasty (the later Cheras), which reestablished power bases in Kodungallur (Mahodayapuram) and Kollam, and also promoted devotional literature and temple culture. By the 12th century, internal conflict and external pressure caused the gradual breakup of the unified Chera power, which in turn saw the rise of break-off polities that took forward different aspects of the Chera legacy, in particular the rulers of Venad, the Zamorins of Calicut, the kingdoms of Kochi and Travancore.

Legacy

The Cheras were the founding forces that shaped the cultural and commercial past of South India. They had extensive maritime trade connections, they were patrons of literature and saw a transformation from tribal confederation to well well-structured medieval polity, which in turn left a lasting mark on the history and identity of the region. Today, we see the legacy of the Chera period in our archaeological sites, temple traditions, and local histories, which bear out their great presence in South Asian civilization.