The Cheras were one of the three ancient Tamil dynasties who ruled the southern peninsula of India at the beginning of its recorded history.

The Cheras ruled over the Malabar Coast in southwestern India, which now forms part of the modern day state of Kerala in the Indian Union. The other two major dynasties were the Cholas in the eastern Coromandel Coast and Pandyas in the south central peninsula. These dynasties held sway in the later centuries BCE, called the Sangam era, in which period the Tamil language, arts and literature flourished.

The Chera capital was Vanchi, whose exact location is still a matter of conjecture. Possibilities range from Karur, near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, to areas closer to Kochi, the most probable of which being Thiruvanchikulam near Kodungallur.

While Hinduism has ever been the principal way of life of this region, many other religious traditions came to this area during the period of the Chera kings. Both Buddhism and Jainism came to Kerala by the 3rd-2nd century BCE. Trade with the Middle East established early contact with Judaism; indeed, some accounts speak of King Solomon’s court receiving spices, ivory and peacocks from Kerala. Fleeing the ravages of the sack of

List of Ancient Chera Kings