The Cheras were a Tamil royal dynasty of ancient Dravidian origin. They were the first to establish a historical ruling dynasty in the area, ruling over a vast area of Tamil Nadu and Kerala in south-eastern and south-western India, respectively. The Chera dynasty was divided into two distinct periods. The Early Chera ruled from the 2nd century BC to the 3rd century AD, while the Later Chera (also known as the Kulasekharas) ruled between the 8th and 12th centuries AD. The Cheras' history has been marked by constant conflict with the Cholas and the Pandyas. This article will explain to you the Decline of Cheras which will be helpful in History preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Rise of Cheras

• The Chera dynasty was one of the most significant dynasties of the Sangam period in regions of Tamil Nadu and the present-day state of Kerala.
• In the early centuries of the Common Era, the early Cheras was known as one of the three major powers of ancient Tamilakam, alongside the Cholas of Uraiyur and the Pandyas of Madurai.
• They were also referred to as 'Keraputras,' and their kingdom was located to the west and north of the Pandya kingdom.
• Uthiyan Cheralathan is regarded as the earliest known ruler of the Chera line as per Tamil scriptures. His ruling base was in Kuzhumur in Kuttanad, Kerala.
• Whereas, the Kulasekhara Alwar was the first king of the later Chera kingdom, which later evolved into the Kulasekhara dynasty.
• For more than five centuries, there was no trace of a Chera monarch, but Kulasekhara Alwar appeared on the scene, claiming to be a descendant of the Chera.
• Most likely he ruled around 800 AD from Tiruvanchikkulam in the present state of Kerala and he ruled for more than 20 years.
• Between the 8th and 10th centuries AD, the Cheras allied with the Cholas against the Pallavas and with the Pandyas against the Cholas.
• By the last centuries of their rule, the Kulasekharas had become an active ally of Sri Lanka's Pandyas and Lambakannas against the rising later Chola power.

Decline of Cheras

• Rashtrakutas conquered the Cheras in 805 AD and ruled over them for a brief period between 855 and 865 AD.
• King Goda Ravi Varma's annexation of the Ay(Ayar) kingdom (under the Cholas) into the Chera kingdom created tensions between the Cholas and Cheras.
• The Cheras infuriated the Cholas even more by granting political asylum to defeated Pandya ruler Maravarman Rajasimha II.
• During the reign of King Indu Kotha Varma, the Chola emperor Parantaka Chola invaded and annexed Kongunadu's northwestern parts. This area was ruled by Chera relatives known as "Kongu Cheras"
• The Chera army immediately joined the Pandyas in their fight against the Cholas.
• During the reign of Bhaskara Ravi Varman I, the Chola Chera war ("Hundred Years War") began.
• Between 985 and 1016 AD, the Cholas defeated the Chera armies at a number of locations throughout their kingdom (including Kandalur, Vizhinjam, and possibly Quilon, Mahodayapuram Udagai, and others).
• By the end of Raja Raja Chola's reign, the Cholas had annexed the entire southern Travancore south of Kuzhithara from the Cheras.
• In 1028 AD, the Cheras, led by King Vira Kerala, revolted against the Cholas. However, the Cholas suppressed the uprising and won several victories in subsequent campaigns.
• These prolonged wars had significantly weakened the Chera power and taking advantage of this chaotic opportunity several chiefs of Cheras asserted their independence.
• Later, the Cholas consolidated control over a vast area of the Chera kingdom.
• The Cheras acknowledged the Cholas' supremacy, but made concerted efforts to re-establish themselves.
• Finally, the Cheras reorganised their defences and broke free from Chola rule. The Cheras also assisted the Pandyas in regaining control of their territories from the Cholas.
• In retaliation, the Chola Emperor Kulattunga defeated the Pandyas and attacked the Chera kingdom (at Kandalur, Vizhinjam, Quilon, Mahodayapuram).
• Rama Varma Kulasekhara, the newly crowned King, was confronted with an unprecedented and chaotic crisis.
• He turned a large portion of his army into suicide squads (dubbed "the Chavers") and fought heroically. He relocated his capital to Quilon after the sacking of Mahodayapuram.
• In the absence of central power at Mahodayapuram, the later Chera kingdom's divisions quickly emerged as principalities led by separate chieftains.
• The post-Chera period saw the gradual decline of Nambudiri Brahmins and rise of the Nairs.

Conclusion

The Chera or Kerala country appears to have been conquered by some of the major dynasties of medieval South India, including the Chalukya, Pallava, Pandya, Rashtrakuta, and Chola. By the 10th/11th century AD, Cheras appear to have been absorbed into the Pandya political system. The Cholas and Pandyas had alternating friendly and hostile relations with the Chera kingdom. In the early 11th century AD, the Cholas attacked and eventually forced the kingdom into submission. When the Chera kingdom was dissolved in the 12th century, the majority of its autonomous chiefdoms became independent.