Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
Who among the following Chola rulers converted the Bay of Bengal into a 'Chola Lake'?
Solution & Analysis
Answer: B
Concept
Under Rajendra Chola I, the Chola navy reached its peak, establishing total maritime supremacy and effectively controlling the trade routes to China and Southeast Asia.Explanation
Historians often refer to the Bay of Bengal as the 'Chola Lake' during Rajendra I's reign (1014–1044) because no other power could challenge their fleet in these waters.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: He achieved this through the conquest of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sri Lanka, and the naval raid on the Srivijaya Empire.
Logic 2: This dominance secured the Chola monopoly over the lucrative maritime trade passing through the Straits of Malacca.