Uthiyan Cheralathan

2nd century Chera Dynasty ruler in south India

Uthiyan Cheralathan
Vanavaramban Perum Chottu Uthiyan
1st (recorded) Chera Ruler
Reign	75 years (c. 55-130 CE)
Successor	Nedum Cheralathan

Spouse	Veliyan Nallini
Issue	Nedum Cheralathan Palyani Sel Kelu Kuttuvan
House	Chera

Chera dynasty
Early Cheras
Nedum Cheral Athan Palyani Chel Kezhu Kuttuvan Kalangai Kanni Narmudi Cheral Kadal Pirakottiya Chenguttuvan Adu Kottu Pattu Cheral Athan Chelva Kadumko Valia Athan Kanaikkal Irumporai Perum Cheral Irumporai Kudakko Illam Cheral Irumporai
-
Kadummipudha Chera Ko Athan Cheral Irumporai Perum Kadungo (Irumporai) Ilam Kadungo (Irumporai)
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Mak-kotai Kuttuvan Kotai Kollippurai Kol-Irumporai Sa Irumporai
Kongu Chera dynasty (Karur)
Ravi Goda Kanthan Ravi Vira Goda Vira Narayana Vira Chola Vira Kerala Vira Kerala Amarabhujangadeva Kerala Kesari Adhirajarajadeva
Chera/Perumals of Makotai (Kerala)
Sthanu Ravi Kulasekhara (Kulasekhara Alvar) Rama Rajasekhara (Cheraman Perumal Nayanar) Vijayaraga Goda Goda Kerala Kesari Goda Ravi Indu/Indesvaran Goda Bhaskara Ravi Manukuladithya Ravi Goda Rajasimha Raja Raja Ravi Rama Adithyan Goda Ranadithya Rama Kulasekhara
v t e

Uthiyan Cheralathan ("Perum Chottu Uthiyan") is the earliest known Chera ruler of early historic south India (c. 1st - 4th century CE) from available literary sources.^[1]^[2] His headquarters was located at Kuzhumur in Kuttanad (Central Kerala). He lived during the late first and early second century CE. He died in 130 CE after a battle with Karikala Chola. His consort was Veliyan Nallini, the daughter of Veliyan chief Venman.

He assumed the title "Vanamvarubavan" which could either mean "One whose Kingdom Reaches up to the Sky" or "the One who is Loved by the Gods". The latter title was previously adopted by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka.

Uthiyan's elephant corps and cavalry forces are particularly praised in early Tamil literature. He participated in several battles and in the battle of Venni (Vennil) with Karikala Chola, he was wounded on the back while leading the warriors (Akam 55). Not being able to bear the disgrace, he committed suicide by slow starvation. It is said that some of his companions also committed suicide unwilling to part with him (Akam 55). He was succeeded by his son Nedum Cheralathan.^[3]

Notes

^ Singh 2008, p. 384.
^ Sen, Sailendra (2013). A Textbook of Medieval Indian History. Primus Books. pp. 60–61. ISBN 978-9-38060-734-4.
^ Kankasabhai, V., The Tamil Eighteen Hundred Years Ago. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services, 1904. 90.

References

Singh, Upinder (2008), A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: from the Stone Age to the 12th century, New Delhi: Pearson Longman, ISBN 978-81-317-1120-0