were as many as nine Chola princes at Uraiyur during the time of Senguttuvan ; and this is one of the stumbling blocks in fixing the genealogy of the Tamil kings. Further, this difficulty is enhanced in the case of the Chera kings on account of the Marumakkatayam law of inheritance, which had been then as now in vogue in the Malabar coast ; and it has become a hopeless task to determine their relationship on account of the temporary unions of the patriarchal and matriarchal royal families of the Pandyas, Cholas and Cheras. It was one of the causes for constant wars between them, and for the eventual separation of the Cheras from the other Tamil dynasties.
The genealogy of the Chera kings of this period given by Mr. Kanakasabhai in his Tamils 1800 years ago is as follows :
Athan I (40—55). Athan II, m. Sonai, daughter of Karikala Cholá (55-90)
Ilango.
Senguttuvan (90—125) Yanaikkatchey (125—135)
Perumcheral Irumporai (135—150).
It will be seen that this table does not tally with our own, and it is not possible to say on what authority he has based it. But at any rate it is evident that he has forgotten the fact that succession in the Kerala.
