Chera Dynasty | List of Chera Rulers and their contributions
The Chera Dynasty was one of the three major Kingdoms of Tamilkam and ruled over the present-day state of Kerala and to a lesser extent, parts of Tamil Nadu in South India. The word Chera probably derived from Cheral, meaning "declivity of a mountain" in ancient Tamil. They were also known as ‘Keraputras’ and their kingdom was situated to the west and north of the Pandya kingdom. As per recorded history, the Chera dynasty was broadly divided into two phases. The Early Chera ruled between the 4th century BC to 5th century AD and later Chera (also known as the Kulasekharas) were in power between the 8th and 12th century AD. Here, we are giving the list of Chera Rulers and their contributions for general awareness.
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List of Chera Rulers and their contributions
| Name of Chera Rulers |
Reign (AD) |
Contribution (s) |
| Uthiyan Cheralathan |
NA |
1. He was the first recorded Chera ruler of the Sangam period in ancient South India. 2. He was popularly known as "Vanavaramban" (which means either "one whose kingdom reaches up to the sky" or "the one who's loved by the gods"). |
| Nedum Cheralathan |
NA |
1. Kannanar was his court poet. 2. Took the title of Adhiraja. |
| Selva Kadumko Valiathan |
NA |
NA |
| Senguttuvan Chera |
NA |
1. Also known as Kadalpirakoottiya Vel Kelu Kuttuvan, Senguttavan, and Chenkuttuvan. |
| Illam Cheral Irumporai |
NA |
NA |
| Mantaran Cheral |
NA |
1. He was one of the mighty kings of the Chera Kingdom in Tamilakam, during the Sangam period. |
| Kulashekhara Varma |
800–820 |
1. Also known as 'Perumal', meaning 'The Great' – an epithet for god Rama. 2. He considered as the author of Sanskrit lyrics Mukundamala and Perumal Tirumozhi, which are compiled as a part of Nalayira Divya Prabandham. |
| Rajashekhara Varma |
820–844 |
1. His another name was Ceraman Perumal Nayanar. 2. He is the first known ruler of the Chera of Cranganore. 3. The Hindu saint Adi Sankara was his contemporary. |
| Sthanu Ravi Varma |
844–885 |
1. His reign was noted for developments in science, economic prosperity and political stability. 2. Famous astronomer Sankara Narayana (the author of Sankara Narayaniyam, a commentary of Bhaskara's Laghu Bhaskariya) was member of the royal palace of Sthanu Ravi at Mahodayapuram. |
| Rama Varma Kulashekhara |
885–917 |
NA |
| Goda Ravi Varma |
917–944 |
NA |
| Indu Kotha Varma |
944–962 |
NA |
| Bhaskara Ravi Varma I |
962–1019 |
NA |
| Bhaskara Ravi Varma II |
1019–1021 |
NA |
| Vira Kerala |
1021–1028 |
NA |
| Rajasimha |
1028–1043 |
NA |
| Bhaskara Ravi Varma III |
1043–1082 |
NA |
| Ravi Rama Varma |
1082–1090 |
NA |
| Rama Varma Kulashekhara |
1090–1102 |
1. His full name was Raja Sri Rama Varma, Kulasekhara Perumal, alternatively Ramar Tiruvati or Kulasekhara Koyiladhikarikal). 2. His reign was known for severe political crisis and instability. 3. He was the last ruler of the Later Chera dynasty (Kulasekharas of Mahodayapuram). |
The Chera Kings had no particular religion - even the caste system was absent from their society - but ancestral worship was popular. In the above list of Chera Rulers and their contributions will enhance the general knowledge of the readers.