Nedum Cheralathan
| Nedum Cheralathan | |
|---|---|
| Imayavarampan[1] | |
| 2nd (recorded) Chera ruler | |
| Reign | fl. c. 155 CE[2] |
| Predecessor | Uthiyan Cheralathan[1] |
| Successor | Chenguttuvan Chera (Vel Kezhu Kuttuvan) |
| Spouse | |
| Issue |
|
| House | Chera Dynasty |
| Father | Uthiyan Cheralathan[1] |
| Chera dynasty |
|---|
| Early Cheras |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| Kongu Chera dynasty (Karur) |
|
| Chera Perumals of Makotai (Kerala) |
|
Nedum Cheralathan (fl. c. 155 CE[2][1], title "Imayavarampan") was a Chera ruler of the early historic south India (c. 1st - 4th century CE), noted for his interactions with the Yavanas on the Malabar Coast.[2] He probably was a member of the Muchiri-Karur branch of the Chera family.[2]
Nedum Cheralathan was born to his processor Uthiyan Cheralathan and wife Veliyan Venmal Nallini.[3] He is praised in the Second Ten of Pathitruppathu Collection (composed by poet Kannanar).[4] The poet was, for composing the lyrics, rewarded with the free gift of 500 villages in an area called "Umbar Kadu" (somewhere in present-day Kerala).[3] According to the poem, he ruled the Chera country for 58 years.[3]
He is praised for having subdued "seven kings" and carving the Chera bow emblem on the Himalayas.[3] He is also said to have won the prestigious rank "adhiraja.[5] Among his martial conquests were the country of the Kadambu clan, possibly Kadambas, on an "island" on the Malabar Coast (with the kadambu tree as their totem or guardian tree) and certain location called "Manthai".[2][3]
Nedum Cheralathan is also described to have won a victory over the Yavanas, probably Graeco-Roman marines on the Kerala coast. He captured several of them (punished them by pouring hot ghee on their heads) and later released them for a heavy ransom.[3][2]
Imayavarampan Nedum Cheralathan is sometimes identified with Cheraman Kudakko Nedum Cheralathan.[3][6] Cheraman Kudakko Nedum Cheralathan fought a battle against the Chola ruler Velpakradakkai Peruvirar "Perunar" Killi at a location called "Por" in the Chola country (over an area known as Pamalur), an encounter in which both Chera and Chola were killed.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta (1957). Comprehensive History of India, vol. 2: The Mauryas and Satavahanas. Bombay: Orient Longman. pp. 504–18.
- ^ a b c d e f Subbarayalu, Y. (2014). "Early Tamil Polity". In Karashima, Noburu (ed.). A Concise History of South India: Issues and Interpretations. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. pp. 49–50.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Aiyar, K. G. Sesha (1937). "Udiyan Ceralatan". Chera Kings of the Sangam Period. London: Luzac and Co. pp. 10-14 and 37-38.
- ^ Zvelebil, Kamil (1973). The Smile of Murugan: On Tamil Literature of South India. Leiden: E. J. Brill. pp. 52–53.
- ^ Singh, Upinder (2008). A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: from the Stone Age to the 12th century. New Delhi: Pearson Longman. pp. 384–85. ISBN 978-81-317-1120-0.
- ^ Singh, Upinder (2008). A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: from the Stone Age to the 12th century. New Delhi: Pearson Longman. pp. 384–85. ISBN 978-81-317-1120-0.
See also
[edit]- Singh, Upinder (2008), A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: from the Stone Age to the 12th century, New Delhi: Pearson Longman, ISBN 978-81-317-1120-0
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