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?
- (a) Amoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta)
- (b) Prataparudra (Kakatiya)
- (c) Rajendra I (Chola) ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) Vishnuvardhana (Hoysala)
Why the answer is (c)
• Rajendra I Chola (1014–1044), son of Rajaraja I, sent a naval expedition across the Bay of Bengal in about 1025 against the Srivijaya empire, which controlled the Malacca and Sunda straits from Sumatra and the Malay peninsula.
• The Chola fleet sacked Kadaram (Kedah), Srivijaya's capital Palembang and other ports, as recorded in the Tanjore inscription; the campaign secured Chola trade routes to China.
• It is the only major overseas military expedition in Indian history, earning Rajendra the title Kadaram-kondan.
• Amoghavarsha was a Rashtrakuta patron of letters; Prataparudra a Kakatiya of Warangal; Vishnuvardhana a Hoysala temple-builder — none campaigned overseas.
• Hence option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Amoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta)
- Amoghavarsha was a peace-loving Rashtrakuta known for literature, not naval war.
- (b) Prataparudra (Kakatiya)
- Prataparudra fought the Delhi Sultanate on land; no overseas campaign.
- (d) Vishnuvardhana (Hoysala)
- Vishnuvardhana's wars were in the Deccan; he never attacked Srivijaya.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025, held on 25 May 2025. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.