Uthiyan Cheralathan
Chera Dynasty ruler in south India
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Uthiyan Cheralathan (c. 130 CE,[4][2] titles "Vanavarampan" or "Perum Chottu") is the earliest known Chera ruler of early historic south India (c. 1st - 4th century CE), as attested by extant Tamil literary sources (the Sangam Literature).[1][5] He is widely regarded as the hero of the lost decad of the Pathitruppathu Collection (the First Decad)[1][3] and the earliest recorded ruler of the western coast branch (Muchiri-Vanchi) of the Chera dynasty.[6]
- Nedum Cheralathan[3]
- Palyani Chel Kezhu Kuttuvan[3]
| Uthiyan Cheralathan | |
|---|---|
| Cheraman[1] Vanavarampan[1] Perum Chottu[1] | |
| 1st (recorded) Chera Ruler | |
| Reign | c. 130 CE[2] |
| Successor | Nedum Cheralathan[1] |
| Spouse | Veliyan Nallini[1] |
| Issue |
|
| House | Chera |
Uthiyan Cheralathan was known by the royal epithet "Vanavarampan", meaning either "One whose Kingdom is Bounded by the Sky" or "Beloved of the Gods". The latter title had previously been adopted by the Maurya emperor Ashoka.[1]
According to early Tamil poems, Uthiyan Cheralathan supplied both rival armies in the epic battle of the Mahabharata with sacred rice (or, alternatively, offered sacrificial rice to his ancestors), earning him the title "Perum Chottu".[1][6] Notably, the same honor is also claimed by the Pandyas and Cholas.[3] A later Chera ruler, "Kottambalathu Thunchiya" Makkothai, locates Uthiyan Cheralathan's great kitchen (the attil) at a place called "Kuzhumur", possibly in present-day Kerala.[1]
Conflict with The Satavahanas
"You are king of a country with prosperous towns! The sky is your limit! O Greatness who gave unlimited rice, until those hundred men wearing golden thumpai flower garlands had seized the land and perished in the field fighting furiously against the five whose horses wore swaying plumes!”
— Purananuru verse - 2[7]
According to N. Subramanian, Purananuru verse 2, which refers to Uthiyan Cheralathan (also called as Perum Choru Uthiyan), does not support the later traditiona claim that he fee both the hundred Kauravas and Pandavas during the Mahabharata war . It's Unhistorical and Subramanian considers such an interpretation anachronistic and historically implausible, as the epic is placed several millennia earlier. Instead, the verse is interpreted in a historical context, suggesting that Uthiyan Cheralathan, along with allied chieftains such the Five Velirs, may have give the military support and successfully resisted incursions by the Satavahana dynasty in the northern Kongu region.[8][9][10][11]
Veliyan Venmal Nallini, daughter of Veliyan — likely a member of the Ay family — was the royal consort of Uthiyan Cheralathan.[1][6] He was succeeded by his son Nedum Cheralathan.[12][1]
Uthiyan Cheralathan is sometimes identified with "Cheraman Perum Cheralathan".[13] Perum Cheralathan was the opponent of the Chola ruler Karikala in the battle of Venni.[13] During the battle, he was wounded on the back while leading his warriors. Unable to bear the disgrace, he committed suicide by slow starvation ("Sitting by Facing the North"). It is said that some of his companions also took their own lives, unwilling to be separated from him.[13][14] The Perum Cheralathan of the battle of Venni is also sometimes identified with "Adu Kottu Pattu" Cheralathan.[15][16]