Society and religion Chera dynasty

chera kingdom in sangam period

most of chera population followed native dravidian practices. worship of departed heroes common practice in chera kingdom along tree worship , other kinds of ancestor worship. war goddess kottavai propitiated elaborate offerings of meat , toddy. cheras worshipped mother goddess. theorised kottavai assimilated present-day form of goddess durga. there no evidence of snake worship in chera realms during sangam age. thought first wave of brahmin migration came chera kingdom around 3rd century bce behind jain , buddhist missionaries. in 8th century ce aryanisation of chera country reached climax.

though vast majority of population followed native dravidian practices, small percentage of population followed jainism, buddhism , brahmanism. these 3 philosophies came regions in northern india chera kingdom. populations of jews , christians known have lived in these territories.

the division of society castes , communities conspicuously absent , practices of untouchability , exclusiveness unknown. there dignity of labour accorded work , no 1 looked down upon due work or occupation. striking feature of social life of cheras in sangam age high status accorded women. women enjoyed freedom of movement right full education. child marriage unknown in sangam era , adult marriage general rule. practice of bride-price , groom pay girl s parents, appears prevalent in time. women free follow occupation though of them involved in weaving or sale of goods. martial spirit pervasive , women went battlefield along men, largely playing key role in keeping morale of fighting forces.

agriculture primary occupation of people , rice main staple of people. various agricultural occupations such harvesting, threshing , drying described. fish , meat eaten liberally. there mention of ney-ven choru or butter-laden rice meat of best quality being served guests assembled wedding (mentioned in agam 136). liquor, wines, brought yavanas (or westerners) quite popular. however, local population partial palm-wine or toddy. music, poetry , dancing provided entertainment people. , poets , musicians held in high regard in society. sangam literature full of references lavish patronage extended court poets. there professional poets , poetesses composed poems praising patrons , generously rewarded this. musical instruments such drums, pipes , flutes known in time.