Uthiyan Cheralathan

Uthiyan Cheralathan ("Perum Chorru Uthiya") is earliest known ruler Chera of early historic south India (c. 1st - 4th century CE) from available literary sources.[1][2] He had his headquarters at a place called Kuzhumur in Kuttanad (central Kerala). His lifetime is broadly determined to be between first and third century CE. His consort was Veliyan Nallini, the daughter of Veliyan chief Venman. Uthiyan Cheralathan was a contemporary of the Chola chief Karikala.

Uthiyan is fabled to have fed the armies of the Kauravas and the Pandavas in the Mahabharata War. Uthiyan Cheralatan assumed the title "Vanavaramban" 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 Maurya emperor Asoka.

Uthiyan's elephant corps and cavalry forces are particularly praised in the early Tamil literature. He went into several battles and in the battle of Venni (Vennil) with Karikala Chola, he was wounded on the back while leading the warriors (Akam 55). Being unable to bear the disgrace he committed suicide by slow starvation. It is said that some of his "Companions" also committed suicide with him [unwilling to part him] (Akam 55). Uthiyan Cheralatan was succeeded by his son, Nedum Cheralathan.[3]