Cheras, Cholas & Pandyas

“During Sangam age south India was ruled by 3 dynasties namely Cheras, Cholas & Pandyas”

Cheras (Keralaputras)

• Roman Temple of Augustus (Later destroyed by Tipu)
• Greatest Ruler: Senguttuvan (Red/Good Chera)
• Trade: Pepper (Yavanpriya) + Jackfruit with Romans

Cholas (Cholamandam)

• Greatest Ruler: Karikala [arr] Founded Puhar (Kaveripatanam) [arr] Capital on river Kaveri
• Seaport [arr] Puhar (became center of commerce & trade)
• Uraipur: Chief Political Center Famous for Cotton trade

Pandyas

• Founded by a woman king
• Patronized Sangam assembly at capital Madurai
• Famous for its pearls trade

Imp. features of 3 Kingdoms

• Major Revenue Source: Agriculture + Trade (Custom duty) + Warbooty
• Main influence of Brahamans [arr] (Sacrifices + Dakshina) Prominent
• Primary Deity [arr] Seyon / Murugan / Known as Subramaniyam in medieval times along with other gods worshipped were Vishnu & Indra

• Artisans were organized in Shrenis acc. to work which had judicial power over them & can issue loans to workers.
• Chief exports were Cotton fabric, Pepper (Yavanpriya), Ivory, Cardamom, Pearl, Cinnamon & Precious stones & chief imports were Gold, Horses, sweet wines & Coins (Gold & Silver)
• In north, Mathura was famous for a special kind of cloth called “Shataka”.