Kongu Chera dynasty Cheras of Karur (Vanchi) | |
|---|---|
| 9th–11th century | |
 Kongu country with respect to the Chola Empire and the Chera Perumal kingdom (marked as "Chera") | |
| Capital | |
| Common languages | |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| History | |
• Established | 9th |
• Disestablished | 11th century |
| Today part of | India |
Kongu Chera dynasty, also known as Cheras of Kongu or Cheras of Karur, or simply as the Chera dynasty, were a medieval royal lineage in south India, initially ruling over western Tamil Nadu and central Kerala.[1] The headquarters of the Kongu Cheras was located at Karur in central Tamil Nadu.[1][2] The Chera rulers of Kongu were subordinate to or conquered by Pallava, Pandya and Chola rulers are also said to have overrun the Kongu Chera country.[3][2]
Present-day central Kerala and Kongu Chera kingdom detached around 8th-9th century AD to form the Chera Perumal kingdom (fl. 9th – 12th century AD).[1] The exact relationship between the two branches of the Chera family is not known to scholars.[2]
The Kongu Cheras are often described as the members of Chandra-Aditya Kula (the Luni-Solar Race) (around 9th-11th centuries). Kongu Cheras appear to have been absorbed into the Pandya political system by 10th-11th century AD.[2] A collateral branch of the Kongu Cheras, known as "Kongu Cholas", later ruled the Kongu country under the Cholas.[4]
- ^ a b c Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 89-90 and 92-93.
- ^ a b c d Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 80-81.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:3was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Ali, Daud. "A Study of the Term Veḷam in Tamil Inscriptions." Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, vol. 70, no. 3, 2007, pp. 487–509.