UPSC Prelims 2025Question 16Medieval History

Who among the following led a successful military campaign against the kingdom of Srivijaya, the powerful maritime State, which ruled the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and the neighbouring islands?

Options

(a)Amoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta)
(b)Prataparudra (Kakatiya)
(c)Rajendra I (Chola)
(d)Vishnuvardhana (Hoysala)

Correct answer: c

Decision rule

Overseas naval campaigns came from coastal maritime powers with fleets; inland Deccan and Karnataka dynasties fought neighbouring kingdoms, not across the sea.

Explanation

Correct Answer:

(c) Rajendra I (Chola)

Explanation of the Correct Answer:

Rajendra I, son of Rajaraja Chola I, was one of the most powerful rulers of the Chola dynasty in South India.
Around 1025 CE, he led a successful naval expedition against the Srivijaya Empire, a dominant maritime kingdom controlling parts of Sumatra, Java, the Malay Peninsula, and surrounding islands.
The campaign was notable for being one of the few successful overseas military expeditions by an Indian ruler in ancient history.

Details of the Campaign:

Rajendra I sent a large naval fleet across the Bay of Bengal.
He attacked and defeated Srivijaya’s ruler Sangrama Vijayottunga Varman.
Key areas like Kedah (Kataha), Tambralinga, and parts of Sumatra and Malaya were targeted.
The objective was to assert Chola dominance over maritime trade routes and Southeast Asian commerce.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

(a) Amoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta):
Famous Rashtrakuta ruler known for cultural patronage and diplomacy, not for overseas campaigns.
(b) Prataparudra (Kakatiya):
Fought against Delhi Sultanate invasions in the Deccan, but had no campaigns in Southeast Asia.
(d) Vishnuvardhana (Hoysala):
Expanded Hoysala territory in South India; known for wars with Cholas and patronage of temple architecture, not overseas campaigns.

Relevant Supplementary Information:

Table: Summary of Chola Naval Campaign against Srivijaya

Chola Ruler	Year of Campaign	Targeted Kingdom	Region Attacked	Significance
Rajendra I	c. 1025 CE	Srivijaya Empire	Sumatra, Malaya Peninsula, parts of Java	Asserted Indian influence on Southeast Asian maritime trade

Related Concepts:

Srivijaya Empire: A dominant maritime and Buddhist state in Southeast Asia (7th to 13th century CE).
Chola Naval Power: Cholas maintained a powerful navy and active maritime trade links with Southeast Asia and China.
Cultural Exchange: The campaign facilitated South Indian cultural influence in Southeast Asia, visible in language, religion, and art.

Current Relevance:

The Chola–Srivijaya encounter reflects ancient India’s maritime strength and role in shaping Indo-Southeast Asian relations.
It is often cited as an early example of naval diplomacy and projection of soft power through trade, religion, and culture.

Table: Information About Concepts Related to the Chola–Srivijaya Campaign

Concept / Name	Description	Relevance to the Question	Historical Significance
Rajendra I (Chola)	Chola emperor (reigned c. 1014–1044 CE); son of Rajaraja I	Led the successful campaign against Srivijaya in 1025 CE	Asserted Indian naval power; expanded trade and cultural influence in Southeast Asia
Srivijaya Empire	Maritime and Buddhist kingdom in Sumatra, Java, Malay Peninsula (7th–13th centuries CE)	Target of Rajendra I’s naval campaign	Controlled strategic trade routes; center of Buddhism; disrupted Chola trade before defeat
Chola Naval Expedition (1025 CE)	Military campaign launched by Rajendra I via Bay of Bengal	Focused on controlling maritime trade routes	First known large-scale overseas campaign by an Indian power
Amoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta)	Rashtrakuta ruler (9th century CE), known for cultural patronage and Jainism	Incorrect option – no maritime or Southeast Asian campaign	Promoted art and literature; ruled from Manyakheta
Prataparudra (Kakatiya)	Kakatiya ruler (13th–14th century CE); fought against Delhi Sultanate	Incorrect – known for defense in the Deccan, not overseas expeditions	Last major Kakatiya ruler; died during Tughlaq invasion
Vishnuvardhana (Hoysala)	Hoysala king (early 12th century CE); expanded territory in Karnataka	Incorrect – fought Cholas, no connection to Srivijaya	Patron of Hoysaleswara temple; converted from Jainism to Vaishnavism

Related Maritime and Cultural Concepts:

Concept	Explanation
Chola Naval Power	The Cholas built one of the most powerful navies in medieval India
Indianization of Southeast Asia	Spread of Indian culture, language (Sanskrit, Tamil), religion (Hinduism, Buddhism) through trade and diplomacy
Trade Routes	Srivijaya controlled the Malacca Strait, a critical link in the India–China trade network
Cultural Exchange	Chola-Southeast Asian interactions influenced temple architecture, scripts, religion

Outcome of the Campaign:

Disrupted Srivijaya’s dominance over regional trade.
Strengthened Chola commercial and diplomatic relations with Southeast Asia and Song China.
Cultural diplomacy through temple donations and Tamil merchant guilds (e.g., Ayyavole 500).

Table: Information About Rulers Mentioned in the Options

Ruler	Dynasty	Reign Period	Key Achievements
Rajendra I	Chola (South India)	c. 1014 – 1044 CE	- Launched naval expedition against Srivijaya (1025 CE) - Expanded Chola power to Ganga and Southeast Asia - Assumed title Gangaikondachola
Amoghavarsha I	Rashtrakuta (Deccan)	c. 814 – 878 CE	- Patron of Jainism and Kannada literature - Known for long and peaceful reign - Capital at Manyakheta
Prataparudra II	Kakatiya (Telangana)	c. 1289 – 1323 CE	- Fought Delhi Sultanate (Alauddin and Muhammad bin Tughlaq) - Defended Warangal till defeat
Vishnuvardhana	Hoysala (Karnataka)	c. 1108 – 1152 CE	- Expanded Hoysala kingdom - Built Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebidu - Converted from Jainism to Vaishnavism

Open this in the study app →