Fascinating Historical Facts about the Cheras of the Sangam Period

A student discovers about the mention of Cheras in the ancient history where there is a mention about Sangam Period which is an important era of Southern India. Sangam Period started from the first century BCE and by the end of the second century CE, it ended. Tamil legends say that there were 3 Sangams organized in ancient South India known as Muchchangam. There were three dynasties that ruled the Sangam Age which were widely known as the Cheras, the Cholas and the Pandyas. The literary references of the Sangam Age have outlined the key evidence of these three kingdoms.

Below are some interesting facts about the Cheras of the Sangam Period:

• The Cheras ruled the large parts of present-day Kerala during their period.
• Their capital city was Vanji.
• Their emblem used to be ‘bow and arrow’.
• Musiri and Tondi were their important ports.
• The 3 generations of Chera kings are referred in the inscriptions of first-century Pugalur.
• Cheran Senguttuvan (2nd Century CE) was one of the prominent rulers of this dynasty.
• The epic Silapathikaram has recorded the military achievements of Senguttuvan where his Himalayan expedition is talked about wherein he vanquished many rulers from Northern India.
• The Pattani cult or the worship of Kannagi as the ideal wife was introduced by Senguttuvan in Tamil Nadu.
• He was the first ruler who sent an ambassador to China from South India.
• They used to exchange spices especially black pepper with Middle Eastern and Graeco-Roman merchants which are attested in several sources.

Kiara Sharma

Mahaveer Public School