Cheras

The Chera dynasty were one of the ancient Tamil dynasties who ruled the southern India from ancient times until around the fifteenth century C.E. The Early Cheras ruled over the Malabar Coast, Coimbatore, Namakkal, Karur and Salem Districts in South India, which now forms part of the modern day Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Throughout the reign of the Cheras, trade continued to bring prosperity to Kerala, with spices, ivory, timber, pearls and gems being exported to the Middle East and to southern Europe. Evidence of extensive foreign trade from ancient times can be seen throughout the Malabar coast, Karur and Coimabtore districts.