Rama Kulasekhara

Rama Kulasekhara (fl. late 11th century CE) was the last ruler of the medieval Chera dynasty of Kerala. He was a contemporary of the Chola kings Kulottunga I (1070–1120) and Vikrama Chola (1118–35 AD). Rama Kulaskehara is best known for briefly recovering the Kollam-Trivandrum-Nagercoil region from the powerful Chola empire around 1100–1102 AD.

Inscriptions related to Rama Kulasekhara have been found at Panthalayani Kollam near Quilandy, Thiruvaloor (on the Periyar), Perunna near Changanassery, Nedumpuram Thali (Wadakkanchery), and Kollam. The weakened authority of the Chera ruler is evident in some of these inscriptions. In 1099 AD, the leader of the Nair warriors in central Kerala is recorded as administering the affairs of the Nedumpuram Thali; a state-sponsored royal temple. In 1102 AD, Rama Kulasekhara is attested in an inscription as having publicly atoned for "wrongs committed" against the Brahmin community—an act that was highly unusual for a reigning Chera ruler. An inscription of a Chera princess, dated to 1122 AD and found at Thiruvalanchuzhi in Tanjore (dated in the regnal year of king Vikrama Chola), also refers to Rama Kulasekhara.

Kollam functioned as the second headquarters of the medieval Chera kingdom during the final phase of Rama Kulasekhara's rule (c. 1100/02 AD – c. 1122/23). According to scholars, "the strategic advantage of marriage relations with the old ruling clan of Kollam in securing the loyalty of Venadu can also be considered in the light of continuous Chola-Pandya attacks in south Kerala". There is also a tradition that Vira Kerala, a ruler of Kollam in early 12th century, was a son of the last Chera king.