Kongu Chera dynasty

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Kongu Chera dynasty
Cheras of Karur (Vanchi)
8th/9th century AD–11th/12th century AD
South India in early 11th century AD.jpg
Kongu country with respect to the Chola Empire and the Chera Perumal kingdom (marked as "Chera")
Capital
Common languages
Religion
Hinduism
History 
 Established
8th/9th century AD
 Disestablished
11th/12th century AD
Today part of India

Kongu Chera dynasty, or Cheras or Keralas [a] of Kongu or Karur, or simply as the Chera dynasty, was a medieval royal lineage in south India that initially ruled over western Tamil Nadu and central Kerala. [1] The headquarters of the Kongu Cheras was located at Karur-Vanchi (present-day Karur), an ancient base of the early historic Cheras in central Tamil Nadu. [2] The Chera rulers of Kongu were subordinate to, or were conquered by, the Chalukya, Pallava, and Pandya kings. [1] Rashtrakuta and Chola rulers are also said to have overrun the Kongu Chera country. [3]

Contents

The Kongu Cheras claimed descent from the Cheras who flourished in pre-Pallava (early historic) south India. [1] Present-day central Kerala likely detached from the Kongu Chera kingdom around the 8th-9th century AD to form the Chera kingdom on the western coast (fl. c. 9th – 12th century AD; modern Kerala). [1] The exact relationship between the different branches of the Chera family — such as the one based in Karur and the other in Kodungallur — is not clearly known to scholars. [4]

The Kongu Cheras are often described as members of the Chandra-Aditya Kula (the Luni-Solar Race) around 9th–11th centuries AD. By the 10th–11th century AD, the Kongu Cheras appear to have been absorbed into the Pandya political system. [4] A collateral branch of the Kongu Cheras, known as the "Kongu Cholas", later ruled the Kongu country under Chola suzerainty. [5]

Political history

The terms "Kerala" and "Chera" are used interchangeably in most ancient and medieval sources. Both terms can refer either to the dynasty (the Cheras or the Keralas) or to a specific geographical region (western Tamil Nadu or Kerala).These naming conventions are entirely distinct from modern usage.

The following description incorporates corrections made by M. G. S. Narayanan (Perumals of Kerala, 1972) to the revised second edition of K. A. Nilakanta Sastri's work, as well as the writings of Elamkulam P. N. Kunjan Pillai.

Kongu Cheras, or "Keralas" of Karur (in interior Tamil Nadu), initially appear as rulers of western Tamil Nadu and central Kerala during the early medieval period. [1] The family claimed descent from the legendary Cheras who flourished in pre-Pallava (early historic) south India. [1] It is likely that the Cheras followed a system of joint rule, with each elder from the family governing a different region — at least three centers are known: Karuvur-Vanchi, Muchiri-Vanchi, and Thondi. [6] [7]

By the beginning of the early medieval period, Karur had gained prominence over the other two centers, Muchiri-Vanchi and Thondi (both located in present-day Kerala). [1] Karur came to be known by the 8th – 9th centuries AD as "Vanchi ma-nakara-mana Karur". [8] [9] The Kongu Cheras of Karur may have exerted dominance over parts of present-day Kerala, possibly through a form of viceregal rule. [1]

External references


Available epigraphic evidence points to the influence of several other dynasties over the old Chera country during this period. This includes an inscription of Kadamba king Vishnu Varma, dated 5th or 6th century AD, found at Edakkal cave in Wayanad. [10] An early historic Chera graffiti in Tamil-Brahmi script, containing the phrase "Kadummi Putra Chera", was discovered in the cave. [11] The earliest Chalukya king to claim overlordship over the Chera/Kerala is Kirttivarman I (fl. 566 - 598 AD), although this claim is generally regarded by historians as a boastful exaggeration. A later grant dated 695 AD by king Vinayaditya II Satyasraya, which refers to the "vassalage" of the Kerala country, is considered a more reliable record. [12] Several Chalukya inscriptions from the 7th and 8th centuries mention the conquest and vassalage of the Kerala country. [12] Additionally, a number of Pallava records also refer to the vassalage of the Kerala/Chera country. [12]

Cheras as Pandya vassals

Kongu Chera coin (13th Century AD), Government Museum Chennai Kongu Chera coin (13th Century AD).jpg
Kongu Chera coin (13th Century AD), Government Museum Chennai

There are clear attestations of repeated Pandya conquests of the Kerala/Chera country in the 7th and 8th centuries AD. [12] Pandya king Sendan was known as the "Vanavan", an ancient title traditionally associated with Chera rulers. [12] Arikesari Maravarman, another Pandya ruler, likely defeated the "Keralas" or Cheras on multiple occasions. [13] His successor, Ko Chadayan Ranadhira, also made gains against the Cheras. [14]

The so-called "renewal of the capital city of Vanchi (Karur) along with Kudal (Madurai) and Kozhi (Uraiyur)" by Pandya king Rajasimha I (730 – 65 AD), as described in the Madras Museum Plates of Jatila Parantaka Nedunjadaiyan Varaguna (765 – 815 AD), may indicate a Pandya occupation of the Kongu Chera capital, Karur. [15] It is recorded that when Jatila Parantaka went to war against the Adigaman ruler of Thagadur (Dharmapuri), the Keralas and the Pallavas came to the latter's aid, though "the Pandyas drove them back to the quarters from which they had emerged" (Madras Museum Plates of Jatila Parantaka, 17th year). [15]

Rashtrakuta inscriptions also mention "an alliance of Dravida kings — including "Kerala", Pandya, Chola and Pallava — who were defeated" (E. I., XVIII). The "Keralas" mentioned in these records may refer to the Kongu Cheras, who had already submitted to the Pandyas, rather than the Chera rulers of Kerala. [15]

Detachment of central Kerala

Chola coin of king Rajendra, with legend "Uttama Chola", showing the Chera emblem (Bow, left to the Sitting Tiger). Chola coin with legend "Uttama" (south India).jpg
Chola coin of king Rajendra, with legend "Uttama Chola", showing the Chera emblem (Bow, left to the Sitting Tiger).
Kongu Chera Coin (13th/14th century CE). Images of bow, hag, fish and palm tree are visible. Kongu Chera Coin (13th-14th century CE).jpg
Kongu Chera Coin (13th/14th century CE). Images of bow, hag, fish and palm tree are visible.

As the eastern portions of the ancient Chera country gradually came under the Pandya sphere of influence, the western portion evolved into an independent kingdom, with its headquarters at Mahodayapuram-Kodungallur (c. early 9th century AD). [15] Rulers from a branch of the Chera family, who survived in the Kongu country as vassals of the Pandyas, are described in inscriptions dated to the 9th–11th centuries AD as members of the "Chandra-Aditya Kula" (the Luni-Solar Race). [4] This likely suggests a process of integration with the Pandya royal family (traditionally associated with the Lunar Race) through marriage alliances. [15] The two branches of the Chera family — the Kongu Cheras and the Chera Perumals — supported by the Pandyas and the Cholas respectively, were possibly rivals during this period. [16]

Pandya king Rajasimha II, who was defeated by Parantaka I, is said to have found asylum in the Chera country or Kerala around 920 AD. [20] It is also recorded that Chola king Sundara (c. 956 – c. 973 AD) had a Chera or Kerala princess among his queens. [21]

Vira Kerala coin, Napier Museum Vira Kerala coin, south India.jpg
Vira Kerala coin, Napier Museum

Chola influence in Kongu country

The Kongu Chera country was subsequently conquered by the Cholas (late 10th-early 11 centuries AD). [22] [23]

Kongu Cholas

A line of independent rulers known as "Kongu Cholas", who bore Chola titles, ruled the Kongu country around the 13th century AD. These rulers were probably members of a collateral branch of the Kongu Cheras or descendants of Chola "viceroys" appointed to the Kongu country. [23]

Kongu Chera coins

Unlike the Chera Perumals of the west coast (Mahodayapuram; Kerala), the Kongu Cheras are known for their distinctive coins. [28]

Silver coins bearing the Nagari legend "sri vira keralasya" (11th–12th centuries AD), found in British Museum and other locations, are generally attributed to the Kongu Cheras. [28] Another coin, known as "anai achu" (the elephant mould"), featuring the bow and arrow symbol, is also believed to be a product of the Kongu Cheras. [28] The anai achu coin was in circulation in western Tamil Nadu and, to some extent, in Kerala in the 12th–13th centuries AD. [28]

Kongu Chera genealogy

Several stone and copper inscriptions of the Kongu Cheras — likely vassals of the Cholas — dated by palaeography to the 9th – 11th centuries AD, have been found in places such as Vellalur, Namakkal, Pazhani, Perur, Dharmapuram, Erode, and Tirukkannapuram. [29] In these inscriptions, they are generally described as members of the Chandra-Aditya Kula (the Luni-Solar Race). [29]

Kongu Cheras or Keralas [29] (fl. 9th – 11th centuries)
Kongu Chera

(Pandya princes)

Notes
Ravi Kota [29]
  • Found in an Erode record. [30]
  • Previously identified as a Chera Perumal king. [29]
  • Penultimate ruler (Ravi) mentioned in the Namakkal Copper Plates. [30]
Kantan [30]
  • Son of Ravi Kota. [31]
  • Father of Kantan Ravi and Kantan Vira Narayana. [30]
  • Last ruler (Kantan) mentioned in the Namakkal Copper Plates. [30]
Kantan Ravi [29]
  • Found in a Ponnivadi record. [32]
  • Ravi, son of Kantan [30]
  • Member of the Luni-Solar Race. [30]
Kantan Vira Narayana [30]
  • Found in a Vellalur record. [32]
  • Vira Narayana, son of Kantan [30]
  • Member of the Luni-Solar Race. [30]
Ravi Kantan

"Vira Chola"

[31] [29]
  • Probably identical with Ravi Kantan, son of Kantan Ravi (Kiranur, Pazhani and Perur, Coimbatore). [31]
  • Donor of Namakkal Copper Plates. [30]
  • A subordinate of Parakesari Varman (identified with Parantaka I). [30]
  • Names his ancestors - Rama, Mahabahu, Kerala Jagatpati, Manikuttuva, Kota, Ravi and Kantan. [30]
Vira Kota [29]
Vira Chola Kalimurkka [33]
  • Son of Vira Chola. [33]
Kalimurkka Vikrama Chola [33]
  • Son of Kalimurkka. [33]
Vira Kerala Amara Bhujanga Deva [34]
  • Probably identical with the Amara Bhujanga Deva defeated by Chola king Rajaraja (Tiruvalangadu Grant). [35]
  • Probably a Pandya prince. [35]
Amara Bhujanga Deva [36]
Vira Kerala [29]
  • Probably identical with the Pandya prince Vira Kerala - one of the so-called "thennavar muvar" (the Three Pandyas). [37]
  • Probably identical with the Pandya prince "Minavan" Vira Kerala. [38]
  • Defeated by Chola king Rajadhiraja (trampled to death by a war elephant). [39]
  • Previously identified as a Chera Perumal king. [29]
Kerala Kesari Adhirajaraja Deva [40]

Chera rulers of Thagadur

Rajaraja Adigaman Vagan [41] [42]
  • Dated to 12th century AD [41]
Vitukathazhakiya Perumal

Notes

  1. The term 'Kerala', originally a non-Dravidian title related to the Tamil root 'Chera' or 'Cheraman/Cheralan', refers here to the name of a tribe or clan, not to the modern Malayalam-speaking geographical entity (the state of Kerala). The tribal or clan name was later transferred to the geographical region now known as the state of Kerala.

References

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