Which of the following pairs of the king and his dynasty in early historical Tamilakam is/are not correctly matched?

  1. Senguttuvan : Chera
  2. Udiyanjeral : Chola
  3. Nedunjeliyan : Pandya

Select the answer using the code given below:

  • 1 and 2
  • 2 only
  • 1 and 3
  • 3 only

Answer: (b) 2 only

  • Pair 1 is correctly matched: Cheran Senguttuvan (the “Red Chera”) is the most celebrated king of the Chera dynasty. He is famous in the Sangam epic Silappatikaram for founding the Pattini cult (worship of Kannagi as the ideal wife) and launching an expedition to the Himalayas to procure stone for her idol.
  • Pair 2 is incorrectly matched (The Catch): Udiyanjeral (or Udiyanjeral Athan) was a Chera king, not a Chola. He is immortalized in Sangam poetry for allegedly feeding both the Pandava and Kaurava armies during the Mahabharata war. The most prominent early Chola king was Karikala Chola (who built the Kallanai dam).
  • Pair 3 is correctly matched: Nedunjeliyan is the name of famous Pandya rulers. One is celebrated for victory at the Battle of Talaiyalanganam, and another is the tragic king in the Silappatikaram who mistakenly executed Kovalan and died of shock upon realizing his injustice.

Chronological Context of Tamilakam and the Muventar

  • The Concept: Early historical Tamilakam (spanning modern Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and parts of Andhra Pradesh/Karnataka) was dominated by three crowned monarchies known collectively as the Muventar (Three Crowned Kings): the Cheras, the Cholas, and the Pandyas.
  • Timeline Matrix: This era corresponds to the Sangam Age, spanning roughly from the 3rd century BCE to the 3rd century CE, historically anchored by internal poetic anthologies and external Greco-Roman trade records.

The Chera Lineage and Key Rulers

  • Senguttuvan (Cheran Senguttuvan / The Red Chera):
    • Celebrated as the greatest ruler of the Chera dynasty in the Sangam epic Silappatikaram (written by his brother Ilango Adigal).
    • Famous for establishing the Pattini cult (worship of Kannagi as the ideal, chaste wife).
    • Geographically controlled the western coast (Malabar region) and targeted maritime trade.
  • Udiyanjeral (Udiyanjeral Atan):
    • He belongs to the Chera dynasty, not the Chola dynasty.
    • Recognized as the first major historical ruler of the Cheras.
    • Mythologically and poetically celebrated in Sangam literature for allegedly feeding both the Pandava and Kaurava armies during the Mahabharata War.

The Pandya Lineage and Key Rulers

  • Nedunjeliyan (Aryappadai Kadantha Nedunjeliyan):
    • A prominent Pandya king heavily featured in the Silappatikaram. He is the king who wrongly executed Kovalan (Kannagi’s husband) on false charges of stealing the queen’s anklet, subsequently dying of grief and guilt when the truth was revealed.
  • Talaiyalanganathu Nedunjeliyan:
    • Another distinct, later Pandya ruler of the same name, celebrated for winning the historic Battle of Talaiyalanganam. He defeated a combined confederacy of the Cheras, Cholas, and five minor chieftains (Velirs), establishing Pandyan hegemony over the southern region.
  • Dynastic Seat: The Pandyas ruled from Madurai and were famed for their pearl fisheries at the port of Korkai.

The Chola Lineage and Key Rulers for Elimination

  • Capital and Port: The Cholas ruled over the fertile Kaveri delta region with their inland capital at Uraiyur and their primary port city at Puhar (Kaveripattinam).
  • Karikala Chola (Karikala Peruvalathan):
    • The most illustrious ruler of the early Cholas.
    • Won the Battle of Venni, defeating a combined force of Cheras and Pandyas.
    • Credited with constructing the Kallanai Dam (Grand Anicut) across the Kaveri River, one of the oldest water-regulatory structures still in use.
Overview of South Indian kingdoms