Uthiyan Cheralathan

Uthiyan Cheralathan ("Perum Chottu Uthiyan") is earliest known ruler Chera of early historic south India (c. 1st - 4th century CE) from available literary sources.[1][2] He had his headquarters at a place called Kuzhumur in Kuttanad (central Kerala). His lifetime was in the late first and early second century CE (he died in 130 after a battle with Karikala Chola). His consort was Veliyan Nallini, the daughter of Veliyan chief Venman.

Uthiyan Cheralathan
Vanavaramban Perum Chottu Uthiyan
1st (recorded) Chera Ruler
Reign	c. 105-130 CE
Successor	Nedum Cheralathan
Spouse	Veliyan Nallini
Issue	Nedum Cheralathan Palyani Sel Kelu Kuttuvan (Anthuvan Cheral?)
House	Chera

Uthiyan is fabled to have fed the armies of the Kauravas and the Pandavas in the Mahabharata War (Kauravas and Pandavas aren't explicitly mentioned, could be any Northern war). Uthiyan Cheralatan assumed the title "Vanavaramban" which could either mean "One whose Kingdom Reaches up to the Sky" or "the One who is Loved by the Gods". The latter title was previously adopted by the Maurya emperor Asoka.

Uthiyan's elephant corps and cavalry forces are particularly praised in the early Tamil literature. He went into several battles and in the battle of Venni (Vennil) with Karikala Chola, he was wounded on the back while leading the warriors (Akam 55). Being unable to bear the disgrace he committed suicide by slow starvation. It is said that some of his "Companions" also committed suicide with him [unwilling to part him] (Akam 55). Uthiyan Cheralatan was succeeded by his son, Nedum Cheralathan.[3]

Notes

1. Singh 2008, p. 384.
2. Sen, Sailendra (2013). A Textbook of Medieval Indian History. Primus Books. pp. 60–61. ISBN 978-9-38060-734-4.
3. Kankasabhai, V., The Tamil Eighteen Hundred Years Ago. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services, 1904. 90.

References

• 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