Nedum Cheralathan

Nedum Cheralathan was a Chera ruler of the early historic south India (c. 1st - 4th century CE), contemporary to the Chola ruler Perunarkilli. He is the second known Chera ruler from the early Tamil literature, and is praised in the Second Ten of Pathitruppaththu (composed by poet Kannanar).[1]

Nedum Cheralathan
Imayavaramban Adhiraja
2nd (recorded) Chera ruler
Reign	58 years (c.130-188 CE)
Predecessor	Uthiyan Cheralathan
Successor	Chenguttuvan Chera (Vel Kezhu Kuttuvan)
Spouse	Uraiyur Chola Nalchonai
Issue	Chenguttuvan Chera (Vel Kezhu Kuttuvan) Kalankakkanni Narmudi Cheral Adu Kottu Pattu Cheral Athan Ilango Adigal (as per Chilapathikaram)
House	Chera
Father	Uthiyan Cheralathan

Nedum Cheralathan succeeded his father (Uthiyan Cheralathan) and ruled the territory for 58 years (as a crown prince first and then as an absolute ruler).[2] He was a successful ruler with several victories over neighbouring rulers such as the Kadambas. He is believed to have won over "seven crowned kings" and thus obtained the status of "adhiraja". He defeated an enemy on the Malabar Coast and captured several Yavana traders, later releasing them for ransom.[2][3] Nedum Cheralathan fought a battle against a Chola ruler, an encounter in which both the principal adversaries lost their lives.[2][4]

References

1. Zvelebil, Kamil. ''The Smile of Murugan: On Tamil Literature of South India''. Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1973. 52-53.
2. Singh 2008, p. 384.
3. Singh 2008, p. 385.
4. Menon, A. Sreedhara. A Survey of Kerala History. Kerala: National Book Stall, 1967.

Citations

• 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