Nedum Cheralathan
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Indian English Template:Infobox royalty Template:Chera Dynasty Nedum Cheralathan (fl. c. 155 CE,<ref name=":03">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=":20">Template:Cite book</ref> title "Imayavarampan") was a Chera ruler from early historic south India (c. 1st - 4th century CE), noted for his interactions with the Yavanas (the Greco-Roman navigators) on the Malabar Coast.<ref name=":03" /> He likely belonged to the Muchiri-Karur branch of the Chera dynasty.<ref name=":03" />
Background
Nedum Cheralathan is praised in the Second Ten of Pathitruppathu Collection, composed by poet Kannanar.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In return for his work, the poet was generously rewarded with 500 settlements in a region called "Umbar Kadu" (believed to be in present-day Kerala) and a share of the revenue from the thennadu ("the southern country") for 38 years.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=":278">Template:Cite book</ref> According to these poems, Nedum Cheralathan ruled the Chera country for 58 years.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":771">Template:Cite book</ref>
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 the Ay chieftain Eyinan.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":771" /> 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.<ref name=":771" />
Military achievements
Nedum Cheralathan is praised in the early Tamil literature for subduing "seven kings" and carving the Chera bow emblem on the Himalayas, symbolizing his conquest from the northern mountains all the way down to Comorin.<ref name=":0" /> He is also said to have won the prestigious title "adhiraja.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
One of his notable campaigns was against the Kadambu clan, likely the Kadambas, 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.<ref name=":278" /><ref name=":0" />
Nedum Cheralathan is also credited with a victory over the Yavanas — probably Graeco-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.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":03" /><ref name=":278" />
Identification with Kudakko Nedum Cheralathan
Imayavarampan Nedum Cheralathan is sometimes identified with Cheraman "Kudakko Nedum Cheralathan".<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">Template:Cite book</ref> According to some sources, Cheraman Kudakko Nedum Cheralathan fought a battle against the Chola 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.<ref name=":0" />