Decline Of Cheras: History Of Medieval India

The Cheras were an ancient Dravidian-born Tamil royal dynasty. In Tamil Nadu and Kerala, in south-eastern and south-western India, respectively, they were the first to establish a historical ruling dynasty. There were two distinct phases to the Chera dynasty. The Later Chera (also known as the Kulasekharas) governed between the 8th and 12th centuries AD, whereas the Early Chera ruled from the second century BC to the third century AD. The Cholas and the Pandyas have been the Cheras' continuous enemies throughout their history. 

 

•    One of the most important dynasties of the Sangam period in Tamil Nadu and the modern-day state of Kerala was the Chera dynasty.

 

•    Along with the Cholas of Uraiyur and the Pandyas of Madurai, the early Cheras were considered one of the three primary powers of ancient Tamilakam in the early decades of the Common Era.

 

•    Their kingdom was situated to the north and west of the Pandya kingdom, and they were also known as "Keraputras."

 

•    According to Tamil scriptures, Uthiyan Cheralathan is regarded as the Chera line's first recorded king. His capital was Kuzhumur in the Keralan district of Kuttanad.

 

•    The Kulasekhara Alwar, on the other hand, served as the founding monarch of the subsequent Chera kingdom, which later gave rise to the Kulasekhara dynasty.

 

•    A Chera king had been extinct for more than five centuries when Kulasekhara Alwar, who claimed to be a Chera ancestor, suddenly arrived.

 

•    He most likely governed from Tiruvanchikkulam in the modern state of Kerala approximately 800 AD, and he did so for a period of more than 20 years.

 

•    The Cheras sided with the Cholas against the Pallavas and the Pandyas against the Cholas throughout the eighth and tenth centuries AD.

 

•    The Kulasekharas had developed into an active ally of Sri Lanka's Pandya and Lambakanna dynasties against the later Chola dominance that was on the rise by the last centuries of their rule.

 

•    Rashtrakutas controlled the Cheras for a brief time between 855 and 865 AD after conquering them in 805 AD.

 

•    Tensions between the Cholas and Cheras arose as a result of King Goda Ravi Varma's incorporation of the Ay (Ayar) kingdom (ruled by the Cholas) into the Chera kingdom.

 

•    By offering political sanctuary to the deposed Pandya ruler Maravarman Rajasimha II, the Cheras further incensed the Cholas.

 

•    The Chola emperor Parantaka Chola invaded and occupied Kongunadu's western regions during the rule of King Indu Kotha Varma. Chera relatives known as "Kongu Cheras" dominated this region.

 

•    The Chera army joined the Pandyas in their conflict with the Cholas right away.

 

•    The Chola Chera conflict (also known as the "Hundred Years War") started under Bhaskara Ravi Varman I.

 

•    The Cholas routed the Chera army at several points throughout their empire between 985 and 1016 AD, including Kandalur, Vizhinjam, and maybe Quilon, Mahodayapuram Udagai, and others.

 

•    By the end of Raja Raja Chola's rule, the Cholas had taken over all of southern Travancore from the Cheras south of Kuzhithara.

 

•    The Cheras, led by King Vira Kerala, rose up in rebellion against the Cholas in 1028 AD. However, the Cholas put an end to the rebellion and triumphed in numerous subsequent battles.

 

•    The Chera power had been substantially diminished as a result of these protracted battles, and numerous Chera leaders took advantage of this chaotic window of opportunity to declare their independence.

 

•    Later, the Cholas strengthened their hold on a sizable portion of the Chera kingdom.

 

•    Although they acknowledged the Cholas' dominance, the Cheras made a strong effort to reclaim their own power.

 

•    The Cheras finally reorganized their defenses and overthrew Chola rule. The Cheras additionally helped the Pandyas retake their lands from the Cholas.

 

•    In retribution, the Chera kingdom was assaulted (at Kandalur, Vizhinjam, Quilon, and Mahodayapuram) by the Chola Emperor Kulattunga, who also destroyed the Pandyas.

 

•    The newly crowned King, Rama Varma Kulasekhara, was faced with a chaotic and unprecedented dilemma.

 

•    He fought valiantly, converting a sizable percentage of his troops into suicide squads known as "the Chavers." After Mahodayapuram was taken over, he moved his center of power to Quilon.

 

•    The divisions of the later Chera kingdom gradually materialized as distinct chieftain-led states in the absence of a centralized authority at Mahodayapuram.

 

•    Nambudiri Brahmins gradually lost ground to the Nairs throughout the post-Chera era.

 

Some of the most important dynasties of mediaeval South India, such as the Chalukya, Pallava, Pandya, Rashtrakuta, and Chola, appear to have conquered the Chera or Kerala country. Cheras appears to have been incorporated into the Pandya governmental structure around the 10th or 11th century AD. With the Chera kingdom, the Cholas and Pandyas alternated between cordial and hostile relations. The Cholas attacked the kingdom around the beginning of the 11th century AD and eventually drove it into subjection. The majority of the Chera kingdom's autonomous chiefdoms became independent after the monarchy was dissolved in the 12th century.