Sangam Chera Kingdom ( 300 BC - AD 300) ಚೇರರು

.The Chera dynasty was one of the ancient Tamil dynasties who reigned over south India from early times until the fifteenth century. Their kingdom extended over the Malabar Coast, Karur, Coimbatore and Salem Districts in South India, which now is a part of present day Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The Chera kings were constantly into conflicts with their neighboring kingdoms to established political associations they sometimes inter- married with the families of the adversary kings.

The first Chera ruler was Perumchottu Utiyan Cheralatan who founded the Chera dynasty. He was succeeded by his son Imayavaramban Nedum Cheralatan who converted the Chera dynasty into a powerful one and extended and enriched his kingdom from all aspects. Imayavaramban’s reign was also very important for the development of art and Literature as he patronized art and culture greatly. His poet laureate was Kannanar. However, the greatest ruler of the Chera Dynasty was Kadalpirakottiya Vel Kelu Kuttuvan, whose reference has been made in the great Tamil epic- Silappadigaram.

Trade and Commerce flourished during the reign of the Cheras. The Cheras traded in ivory, timber, spices and exported precious gems and pearls to the Middle East and these trade contacts with the Middle East established Judaism.

Sangam Chera Kingdom : 300 BC- 300 AD, Copper, 2.6 grams .

Obv: Elephant to right with Bull above, trident standard in front, tree branch over back of Elephant, symbols like srivatsa, pot, swastika etc .Rev: Chera dynastic emblem Bow and arrow; ankusa below

Sangam Pandyas (400 BC- 200 AD ) ಪಾಂಡ್ಯರು

Pandyas were one of the three ancient Tamil kingdoms (Chola and Chera being the other two) that ruled the Tamil country from pre-historic times until end of the third century. The early Pandyan dynasty went into obscurity during the invasion of the Kalabhras.

The earliest Pandyan coins were square, but die-struck, with an elephant on one side, the other side fish emblem , a series of punch-marked coins made of silver and copper that are considered to belong to the earliest period. All of these punch-marked coins have a stylized fish symbol on their reverse, which is considered the royal emblem of the Pandyas.

Sangam Chola Kingdom ( 1st -2nd Century AD ) ಚೋಳರು

The Chola kingdom is referred to in the Sangam literature as Chonadu, Kaveri Nadu, Kaveri Soozh Nadu, Neer Nadu, and Punal Nadu. These names indicate the rich water resources of the Chola country. The river Kaveri has flown through the Chola kingdom and made its soil fertile. The capital of the Sangam Cholas was Uraiyur. Their second capital was Kaveripoompattinam. It was also the chief port of the Sangam Cholas. Their symbol was tiger. The Sangam literature also mentions a number of Chola kings. They had surnames like Kill, Valavan, Senni and Cholan. The kingdom of the Sangam Cholas comprises the present Tanjore and Tiruchirappalli districts.The most popular among the Sangam Cholas was Karikalan. He defeated the Chera and Pandya kings at Venni. In another battle Karikalan defeated a confederacy of nine princes. He extended his kingdom beyond Kanchipuram in the North.
Cholas also are mentioned in the Pillars of Ashoka (inscribed 273 - 232 BCE) inscriptions, where they are mentioned among the kingdoms, which, though not subject to Ashoka, were on friendly terms with him .