# Kongu Chera dynasty

Kongu Chera dynasty, or Cheras or Keralas of Kongu or Karur, or simply as the Chera dynasty, were a medieval royal lineage in south India, initially ruling over western Tamil Nadu and central Kerala. The headquarters of the Kongu Cheras was located at Karur-Vanchi (Karur), the ancient base of the early historic Cheras, in central Tamil Nadu. The Chera rulers of Kongu were subordinate to or conquered by Chalukya, Pallava and Pandya kings. Rashtrakuta and Chola rulers are also said to have overrun the Kongu Chera country.
The Kongu Cheras claimed that they were descended from the Cheras who flourished in pre-Pallava (early historic) south India. Present-day central Kerala detached from Kongu Chera kingdom around 8th-9th century AD to form the Chera kingdom on the western coast (fl. c. 9th – 12th century AD). The exact relationship between the two branches of the Chera family, one based in Karur and the other based in Kodungallur, is not known to scholars.
The Kongu Cheras are often described as the members of Chandra-Aditya Kula (the Luni-Solar Race) in around 9th-11th centuries AD. Kongu Cheras appear to have been absorbed into the Pandya political system by 10th-11th century AD. A collateral branch of the Kongu Cheras, known as "Kongu Cholas", later ruled the Kongu country under the Cholas.

## Political history

The terms "Kerala" and "Chera" are interchangeably used in most of the ancient and medieval sources. Both can be a reference to the particular Tamil clan (the Cheras or the Keralas) or the particular geographical region (western Tamil Nadu and central Kerala). This naming conventions differ entirely from present-day sensibilities. Corrections by M. G. S. Narayanan (Perumals of Kerala, 1972) on K. A. Nilakanta Sastri (revised 2nd ed.) and Elamkulam P. N. Kunjan Pillai are employed in the below description.
Kongu Cheras or "Keralas" of Karur initially appear as the rulers of western Tamil Nadu and central Kerala (in the early medieval period). The family claimed that they were descended from the Cheras who flourished in pre-Pallava (early historic) south India. It is likely that the Cheras had a system of joint rule with each prince from the family ruling in a different region (Karuvur-Vanchi, Muchiri-Vanchi or Thondi).
By the beginning of early medieval period, Karur (in interior Tamil Nadu) had acquired much prominence with respect to the other two centers, Muchiri-Vanchi and Thondi (both in Kerala). Karur came to be known by the 8th – 9th centuries AD as "Vanchi manakaramana Karur". There was a possible domination of present-day Kerala regions of the old Chera country by the Kongu Cheras of Karur (probably via some form of viceregal rule).

### External references

* An inscription of Kadamba king Vishnu Varma, dated 5th or 6th century, can be found at Edakkal cave in Wayanad. An early historic Chera graffiti containing the phrase "Kadummi Putra Chera" was also discovered from the cave.
* The earliest Chalukya king to claim overlordship over Chera/Kerala is Kirttivarman I (fl. 566 - 598 AD) (this claim is generally considered as a "boastfull exaggeration" by historians). A later grant (695 AD) of king Vinayaditya II Satyasraya, with reference to the vassalage of the Kerala country, is now reckoned as a more dependable record. Several Chalukya records of the 7th and 8th centuries speak of the conquest and vassalage of the Kerala country.
* A number of Pallava records also mention the vassalage of the Kerala/Chera country.

### Cheras as Pandya vassals

There are clear attestations of repeated Pandya conquests of the Kerala/Chera country in the 7th and 8th centuries AD. Pandya king Sendan was known as the "Vanavan", an ancient name for the Chera king. Arikesari Maravarman, another Pandya ruler, probably defeated the "Keralas" or Cheras on several occasions. His successor Ko Chadayan Ranadhira also made gains against the Cheras.
The so-called "renewal of the capital city of Vanchi (Karur) along with Kudal (Madurai) and Kozhi (Uraiyur)" by the Pandya king Rajasimha I (730 – 65 AD), described in the Madras Museum Plates of Jatila Parantaka Nedunjadaiyan Varaguna (765 – 815 AD), may suggest a Pandya occupation of the Kongu Chera capital Karur. It is known that when Jatila Parantaka went to war against the Adigaman of Tagadur (Dharmapuri), the Keralas and the Pallavas went to the aid of the latter though "the Pandyas drove them back to the quarters from which they had emerged" (Madras Museum Plates of Jatila Parantaka, 17th year). Perhaps the Chera branch from present-day Kerala had crossed the Western Ghat Mountains to offer support to the Adigaman and after defeat they were pursued up to the Palghat Gap by the Pandya forces.
Rashtrakuta inscriptions mention "an alliance of Dravida kings including "Kerala", Pandya, Chola and Pallava who were defeated" (E. I., XVIII). The Keralas mentioned there might be the Kongu Cheras who had already submitted to the Pandyas (not Chera Perumals of Kerala).

### Detachment of central Kerala

The ancient Chera country, except central Kerala, gradually passed into the Pandya sphere of influence. The western portions of the Chera country became, slowly but surely, an independent kingdom, the Chera kingdom with its own headquarters at Kodungallur (c. early 9th century AD). The branch of Chera family survived in Kongu country, now Pandya vassals, are described in later inscriptions (dated to 9th-11th centuries AD) as members of Chandra-Aditya Kula (the Luni-Solar Race). This seems to suggest a process of integration with the Pandya royal family (the Lunar Race) via royal marriages. The two branches of the Chera family, the Kongu Cheras and the Chera Perumals, supported by the Pandyas and the Cholas respectively, were rivals in this period.
* The Pandyas are known to have made a defensive alliance with the Cheras of Kongu country (who were under their influence) in this period. Pandya king Parantaka Vira Narayana (c. 880 – 900 AD) is known to have married a Chera or "Kerala" (Kongu Chera) princess "Vanavan Maha Devi". Rajasimha II, son of this alliance, is described as a member of 'Chandra-Aditya Kula' in the Sinnamanur copper plates. It was initially assumed by historians K. A. Nilakanta Sastri and Elamkulam P. N. Kunjan Pillai that the Vira Narayana had married a Chera Perumal princess of Kerala (revised by M. G. S. Narayanan).
* The Kongu country was conquered by the Cholas under Aditya I in the last years of the 9th century AD (this campaign probably involved battles between Aditya I and Parantaka Vira Narayana). Chera Perumal king Sthanu Ravi was a junior partner in a Chola campaign in the Kongu country. The Pandyas were eventually defeated in the "great battle" of Sripurambiyam (c. 885 AD). Marriage alliances between the Chera Perumals and the Cholas are also recorded in several inscriptions (see Kizhan Adigal).
When the Chola king Parantaka I conquered the Pandyas in 910 AD, the Cheras of the western coast (Kerala) might have allowed to have rule parts of Kongu country (the fate of the Kongu Chera country, then ruled by Kongu Cheras, upon the fall of Madurai is not known). Pandya king Rajasimha II, who was defeated by Parantaka I, is known to have found asylum in the Chera country or Kerala (c. 920 AD). Chola king Sundara (c. 956 – c. 973 AD) had a Chera or Kerala princess among his queens.

### Chola influence in Kongu country

Kongu Chera country was subsequently conquered by the Cholas (late 10th-early 11 centuries).
* Amara Bhujanga Deva, one of the princes defeated by Chola king Rajaraja (as mentioned in the Tiruvalangadu Grant), was probably a Pandya or a Kongu Chera prince. There are records of a king named 'Vira Kerala Amara Bhujanga Deva' from Kongu region.
* Chola king Rajadhiraja is known for defeating certain Vira Kerala, one of the so-called "thennavar muvar", and trampling him to death by his war elephant. This royal was probably a Kongu-Chera of Chandra-Aditya Kula or a Pandya prince (son of a Pandya royal and a Kongu Chera princess). Vira Kerala was previously considered as a Chera Perumal king of Kerala (by K. A. Nilakanta Sastri and Elamkulam P. N. Kunjan Pillai, revised by M. G. S. Narayanan).
A line of independent rulers known as "Kongu Cholas" (with Chola titles) ruled the Kongu country in c. 13th century AD. These were probably members of a collateral branch of the Kongu Cheras (or the descendants of Chola "viceroys" to the Kongu country).

## Kongu Chera coins

Unlike the Chera Perumals of the west coast, the Kongu Cheras are known for their signature coins.
A silver coin with Nagari legend "sri vira keralasya" (11th–12th centuries AD) in British Museum is generally attributed to Kongu Cheras. Another coin known as "anai achu" (the elephant mould"), with the bow and arrow symbol, can also be a Kongu Chera product. The anai achu coin was current in western Tamil Nadu and to some extent in Kerala in the 12th–13th centuries AD.

## Kongu Chera genealogy

Several stone and copper inscriptions of the Kongu Cheras, probably Chola vassals, dated by palaeography to 9th – 11th centuries AD, are found in places like Vellalur, Namakkal, Pazhani, Perur, Dharmapuram, Erode and Tirukkannapuram. They are generally described in inscriptions as members of Chandra-Aditya Kula (the Luni-Solar Race).
Kongu Cheras or Keralas (fl. 9th – 11th centuries) :
| Kongu Chera (Pandya princes) | Notes |
| Ravi Kota | Found in an Erode record. Previously identified as a Chera Perumal king. Penultimate ruler (Ravi) mentioned in the Namakkal Copper Plates. |
| Kantan | Son of Ravi Kota. Father of Kantan Ravi and Kantan Vira Narayana. Last ruler (Kantan) mentioned in the Namakkal Copper Plates. |
| Kantan Ravi | Found in a Ponnivadi record. Ravi, son of Kantan Member of the Luni-Solar Race. |
| Kantan Vira Narayana | Found in a Vellalur record. Vira Narayana, son of Kantan Member of the Luni-Solar Race. |
| Ravi Kantan "Vira Chola" | Probably identical with Ravi Kantan, son of Kantan Ravi (Kiranur, Pazhani and Perur, Coimbatore). Donor of Namakkal Copper Plates. A subordinate of Parakesari Varman (identified with Parantaka I). Names his ancestors - Rama, Mahabahu, Kerala Jagatpati, Manikuttuva, Kota, Ravi and Kantan. |
| Vira Kota | |
| Vira Chola Kalimurkka | Son of Vira Chola. |
| Kalimurkka Vikrama Chola | Son of Kalimurkka. |
| Vira Kerala Amara Bhujanga Deva | Probably identical with the Amara Bhujanga Deva defeated by Chola king Rajaraja (Tiruvalangadu Grant). Probably a Pandya prince. |
| Amara Bhujanga Deva | Probably identical with the Amara Bhujanga Deva defeated by Chola king Rajaraja (Tiruvalangadu Grant). Probably a Pandya prince. |
| Vira Kerala | Probably identical with the Pandya prince Vira Kerala - one of the so-called "thennavar muvar" (the Three Pandyas). Probably identical with the Pandya prince "Minavan" Vira Kerala. Defeated by Chola king Rajadhiraja (trampled to death by a war elephant). Previously identified as a Chera Perumal king. |
| Kerala Kesari Adhirajaraja Deva | |
| Rajaraja Adigaman Vagan | Dated to 12th century AD |
| Vitukathazhakiya Perumal | Dated to late 12th century AD. Subordinate of Kulothunga III. |