Which of the following pairs of the king and his dynasty in early historical Tamilakam is/are not correctly matched?
- Senguttuvan: Chera
- Udiyanjeral: Chola
- Nedunjeliyan: Pandya
Select the answer using the code given below:
- 1 and 2
- 2 only
- 1 and 3
- 3 only
Explanation
Pair 1 is correct
- Senguttuvan is regarded by Chera poets as one of the greatest Chera rulers and is often referred to as the “Red Chera” or “Good Chera.” He conducted several successful military campaigns, including a victory over the Mokur chieftain. The post-Sangam Tamil epic Silappadikaram mentions his conquest of Viyalur in Nannan’s territory and the capture of the Kodukur fortress in the Kongu region. Senguttuvan also intervened in a Chola succession dispute, supporting one claimant while defeating the other nine rivals. Tradition further credits him with a northern expedition in which he fought an Aryan chieftain to obtain stone for the image of Kannagi, the heroine of Silappadikaram and revered as the goddess of chastity. It is said that he crossed the Ganga, performed a ceremonial bath in its waters, and then brought the sacred stone back to his kingdom.
Pair 2 is incorrect
- Udiyanjeral was the ruler of the Sangam-era Chera dynasty and not the Chola dynasty.
Pair 3 is correct
- Nedunjeliyan was a title borne by several rulers of the Pandya dynasty, many of whom are mentioned in Sangam literature. Nedunjeliyan I is traditionally associated with the story of Silappadikaram and is believed to have died out of remorse after ordering the execution of Kovalan, the husband of Kannagi, who was later proven innocent. Nedunjeliyan II, on the other hand, is regarded as one of the most prominent Pandya rulers, noted for his military achievements and territorial expansion. Sangam traditions state that at a young age he defeated a powerful confederacy comprising the Cheras, Cholas, and five other chieftains in the famous battle of Talaiyalanganam, during which the Chera ruler was captured.
