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The Chola King Rajendra I is famous for his naval expedition to which region?
Srivijaya
Ceylon
Maldives
Arabia
Srivijaya
Chola King Rajendra I launched a massive naval expedition in 1025 CE against the Southeast Asian maritime empire of Srivijaya (modern-day Sumatra, Indonesia). This campaign subdued key ports like Kadaram and established temporary Chola hegemony over maritime trade routes through the Strait of Malacca.
Chola King Rajendra I launched a massive naval expedition in 1025 CE against the Southeast Asian maritime empire of Srivijaya (modern-day Sumatra, Indonesia). This campaign subdued key ports like Kadaram and established temporary Chola hegemony over maritime trade routes through the Strait of Malacca.
Chola Dynasty Maritime Expansion (c. 1012тАУ1044 CE); Rajendra I assumed the title Gangaikondachola after conquering the Gangetic delta and built Gangaikonda Cholapuram.
Rajendra I's naval fleet crossed the Bay of Bengal to defeat Sangrama Vijayatunggavarman of Srivijaya.
Targeted ports included Kadaram (Kedah), Pannai, and Malaiyur to secure Chola monopoly on China-India maritime trade.
Commemorated in the Thiruvalangadu copper-plate inscriptions and larger Leyden grant.
Option B (Ceylon): Rajendra I also completed the conquest of northern Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and imprisoned King Mahinda V, though Ceylon was not the famous naval expedition targeting Southeast Asian maritime trade dominance.
Option C (Maldives): Conquered earlier by Rajaraja I around 1000 CE (described as 'Old islands of the sea numbering 12,000'), not the primary focus of Rajendra I's iconic 1025 CE armada.
Option D (Arabia): The Cholas maintained extensive maritime trade links with West Asia, China, and Southeast Asia, but launched no military expedition targeting Arabia.
A is correct тАФ Rajendra I led the historic 1025 CE naval campaign against the Srivijaya kingdom in Southeast Asia.
Compare Rajendra I's overseas naval raids with Rajaraja I's naval conquests of the Maldives and land campaigns in Sri Lanka, frequently asked together in RRB/SSC history chronology questions.