Pronunciation: [t͡ʃˈi͡əɹə] (IPA) 
The word "CHERA" is spelled using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /tʃɛrə/. This word is commonly spelled with an "h" at the end, but in IPA, the sound represented by "h" is already included in the /r/ sound. The "ch" at the beginning of the word is a digraph, which represents the sound /tʃ/. The e in the spelling represents the short e sound /ɛ/, and the final a represents the neutral vowel schwa /ə/.
Chera is a noun that refers to a historical kingdom located in the southern part of present-day India. It is also the name of one of the four major kingdoms of ancient Tamil Nadu, which existed between the 3rd century BCE and the 12th century CE. The Chera kingdom was primarily situated in the present-day state of Kerala, along with parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
The Chera dynasty was known for its maritime trade and established thriving commercial relationships with various foreign kingdoms, including Greece, Rome, and the Middle East. This trade primarily centered around commodities such as spices, ivory, silk, and precious stones. The Chera kings were renowned for their proficient navy, which facilitated their maritime activities and bolstered their kingdom's economic prosperity.
The Cheras left behind numerous inscriptions and coins that provide valuable insights into their rich cultural and linguistic heritage. The Chera society was organized into a hierarchical structure, with the king at the top and various noble and merchant classes beneath. The people of Chera, known as Cherans, primarily spoke Tamil and followed a mix of Hinduism and Buddhism.
Overall, Chera was a kingdom that played a significant role in the socio-economic and cultural history of southern India, particularly Kerala. Its maritime trade and cultural exchanges contributed to the region's development and influenced the broader context of Indian history.
