The
Royal Life
Chera rulers
ruled over a wide area comprising of Venad, Kuttanad, Kudanad,
Pazhinad etc. that is, the area between Kanya Kumari in the south to
Kasargod in the north. It included Palghat, Coimbatore, Salem and
Kollimalai. Their capital was Vanchi. It was called Muzris by
Romans. Monarchy was the form of Government. Succession was based
on patrilineal system. The eldest male member traced through father
ascended throne. There was much pomp and show attached with the
rulers. They wore golden crowns. The ruler was called 'Ko' or 'Kon'
or 'Kadumko' (great king). The rulers were generally known by their
titles. The titles were based on personal peculiarity or some
peculiar habit, or some achievement. We can see some examples.
One King's name was Takkadur Erintha Perumcheral (The great Chera
who destroyed Takkadur), Vanavaramban (beloved of Gods). No king of
Sangam age is known to have conducted Raja suya Yaga, that is, the
coronation was not according to the Vedic rites. It appears that
during Sangam age there was no Vedic influence. The Chera queen
especially the chief queen had influence. She could sit along with
the king in the court and in the council of ministers. She was
known as Perumthevi (chief queen) or Koyilal. Polygamy was common
among Chera kings. There is no evidence of Polyandry. The king was
a benevolent autocrat. King was given high respect and regard " Rice
is not life, water is not life" - wrote a Sangam poet. "The king
alone is life of this wide wide world". The King was the commander
in chief. He was described as " mazhavar meymarai" ( the protective
armor of soldiers). Land revenue was the source of income. Duty on
trade was another source of income. Booty also contributed to the
state income.
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Military Might
The Chera kings had a big army and navy. There were
forts surrounded by forests. Drum and conch were used for
signaling. Women also used to go to the battlefield in order to
encourage the fighters. Death on the battlefield was considered to
be a great honour in order to commemorate the death of fighters in
the battlefields 'Veera Kallus' (hero stones) were erected. Scars of
wounds received in the battle was considered as a great honour. If
a king died on the battlefield war was immediately stopped and
'Kuravai Koothu' or war dance was conducted. The rulers were cruel
to their enemies. The victorious king would wear anklets made of
the crown of the vanquished King.
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The
King and the People
People could approach the King
without formalities. The King's patronized poets; elephants, gold
coins, land etc were given to poets as presents. The residence of
the King's were generally on the hills and the rulers were known by
the name of the hill; for example, rulers of Kollimala, Pazhi Malai
etc. Each village had a village assembly known as 'Manram'.
Meetings of manram were held under the Banyan tree of the village.
The manram, headed by the village headman settled disputes. Such
places came to be known as manram.
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Social
Life
Caste system was unknown during this period. It is a later
introduction. There is no references to caste system in
Pathittipattu, the sangam literature which deals with Kerala rulers.
Dignity of labour was recognised. Citizens were not looked down upon
on the basis of occupation. Communities like Panas, Parayas,
Kuravas, Vetas etc. who later on became low castes had high status
during Sangam Age. They enjoyed right to education. Later, when
caste system was introduced they were denied the right to education.
So they became backward. Panas were superior to Brahmins in their
intellectual and cultural accomplishments. Poets like Kapilar and
Paranar belonged to Pana community. Untouchability and
unapproachability were unknown. Women had high status. They took
part in amusements of social life. Auruvaiyar was a famous poetess.
Widow marriage was prevalent. The bridegroom paid some cash or
present to the parents of the bride. Women were employed in weaving,
sale of fish, salt, also as field labourers and gardeners. Women
were fond of garments. Liquor was widely used. Music, poetry and
dancing were some of the entertainments. Belief in omens and
astrology were popular.
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Religion
They had no particular religion. Ancestral worship was
popular. The war Goddess was known as Kottavai. There was no
structural temples. Images of Gods were kept in open air, probably
under a tree. Any body could come and worship at any time without a
priest. Structural temples came into existence after the coming of
Brahmins.
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Economic Life
Agriculture was the main occupation.
Foreign trade was also flourishing. Implements made of iron were in
use. Fishing, hunting, spinning, weaving, carpentry, salt
manufacturing were some other occupations. Precious stones and
pearls were exported from Kerala. Some of the ports were Muzris,
Tyndes, Barace and Nelaynda.
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