Chera Dynasty And Trade

Ports and Maritime Infrastructure

• Muziris (Muchiri): The principal harbor on the Malabar coast, linked to inland trade via rivers and canals.
• Tyndis (Thondi): Northern port often mentioned alongside Muziris in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea.
• Minor jetties: Smaller landing spots handled local coastal traffic and supported pearl fisheries.

Economic and Cultural Impact

The Chera trade network underpinned regional prosperity, funded temple building, and patronized Tamil poetry. Maritime commerce facilitated cultural exchanges—Buddhist and Jain influences reached South India via merchant monks, and South Indian spices and textiles became staples in Mediterranean markets.

Legacy and Archaeological Insights

• Sangam literature and Graeco-Roman accounts remain primary sources for Chera history.
• Modern excavations at Kodungallur (ancient Muziris) have unearthed Roman coins, amphora fragments, and spice-press remains.
• The maritime guild model influenced later South Indian polities, embedding sea trade as a cornerstone of regional power.