| Nedum Cheralathan | |
|---|---|
| Imayavarampan[1] | |
 An early historic Chera coin from south India (with a Roman helmet) | |
| 2nd (recorded)Chera ruler | |
| Reign | fl. c. 155 CE[2] |
| Predecessor | Uthiyan Cheralathan[1] |
| Spouse | |
| Issue |
|
| House | Chera Dynasty |
| Father | Uthiyan Cheralathan[1] |
| Chera dynasty |
|---|
  |
Early Historic Cheras
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Medieval Cheras (Karur)
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Medieval Cheras (Mahodayapuram)
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Nedum Cheralathan (fl. c. 155 CE,[2][1] title"Imayavarampan") was aChera ruler fromearly historic south India (c. 1st - 4th century CE), noted for his interactions with theYavanas (the Greco-Roman navigators) on theMalabar Coast.[2] He likely belonged to theMuchiri-Karur branch of the Chera dynasty.[2]
Nedum Cheralathan is praised in the Second Ten ofPathitruppathu Collection, composed by poet Kannanar.[3] In return for his work, the poet was generously rewarded with 500 settlements in a region called "Umbar Kadu" (believed to be in present-dayKerala) and a share of the revenue from the thennadu ("the southern country") for 38 years.[4][5] According to these poems, Nedum Cheralathan ruled the Chera country for 58 years.[4][6]
Nedum Cheralathan was born to his predecessor,Uthiyan Cheralathan, and his wife Venmal Nallini, the daughter of Veliyan—who is possibly also identified as the father of theAy chieftain Eyinan.[4][6] He had three sons: "Kalankayakkanni" Narmudi Cheral,Chenkuttuvan — also known as"Kadalottiya" Vel Kezhu Kuttuvan — and "Adu Kottu Pattu" Cheralathan. Narmudi Cheral and Adu Kottu Pattu Cheralathan were born to Vel Avi Koma[ka]n Paduman Devi, while Chenkuttuvan was born to Manakilli, a royal princess of the Chola dynasty.[6]
Nedum Cheralathan is praised in the early Tamil literature for subduing "seven kings" and carving the Chera bow emblem on theHimalayas, symbolizing his conquest from the northern mountains all the way down toComorin.[4] He is also said to have won the prestigious title "adhiraja.[7]
One of his notable campaigns was against the Kadambu clan, likely theKadambas, who were based on an "island" ["iru munnirthuruthi"] on the Malabar Coast (?). Their sacred kadambu tree, which served as a symbol of their clan and was worshipped as a guardian spirit, was uprooted by Nedum Cheralathan after he crossed the sea to defeat them.[5][4]
Nedum Cheralathan is also credited with a victory over theYavanas — probablyGraeco-Roman navigators — on the Kerala coast. He captured several of them and, as punishment, poured hot ghee on their heads. However, he later released them in exchange for a heavy ransom that included diamonds, other precious stones, and intricately crafted vessels.[4][2][5]
Imayavarampan Nedum Cheralathan is sometimes identified with Cheraman "Kudakko Nedum Cheralathan".[4][8] According to some sources, Cheraman Kudakko Nedum Cheralathan fought a battle against theChola ruler Velpakradakkai Peruvirar "Perunar" Killi, at a location called "Por" in the Chola country, over an area known as Pamalur. The battle was so intense that both the Chera and Chola kings are said to have perished in the conflict.[4]
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