Rajasekhara Varman Rule

Rajasekhara Varman (AD820 - 844), the successor of Kulasekhara Alvar who founded the Second Chera Empire, pioneered the Kollam Era in 825. He is also famous for issuing the Vazhappali Inscription which forms the first epigraphical record of the Second Chera Kingdom. He was succeeded by by Sthanu Ravi Varman (AD 844-55) who was the most important king of the Chera dynasty and had very friendly relations with his contemporary Chola King -Aditya I.

According to the Tillaisthanam Inscription, Sthanu Ravi Varman was on amicable terms with the neighbouring Chola Emperors and trade prospered between China and Kerala during his reign. He was a great lover of Astronomy and the great scholar Sankaranarayana renowned for composing works of astronomy occupied an eminent position in his court.

After the demise of Rajasekhara, combat broke out between the Cheras and the Cholas, which persisted gradually, thus weakening the Cheras.

The Cheras were completely defeated by Rajaraja Chola, the great Chola king. He captured the land of Kerala in 994 and devastated the Chera king Bhaskara Ravi Varman Thiruvadi’s Navy in the conflict of Kandalur Salai. After this shattering defeat, the Chera Empire started waning and losing its past glory. Rama Varma Kulasekhara (1090-1102) was the last successor of the Chera Kings. He transferred his capital from Mahodyapuram to Quilon when the Cholas attacked it during his rule. His demise ultimately marked the end of the Chera Empire, which was unable to restore itself under the powerful Cholas and the independent kingdom of Venad or Travancore came up from the deathbed of the Chera Empire.