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U.P.P.C.S. Pre 2012

Later Chola Diplomacy

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Who was the Chola monarch who gave complete freedom to Sri Lanka and got his daughter married to the Sinhala Prince?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A

Concept While the early Cholas (Rajaraja I and Rajendra I) pursued aggressive expansion into Sri Lanka, the later Cholas adopted more pragmatic diplomatic stances to ensure internal stability.

Explanation Kulottunga I (1070–1122 CE) realized the difficulty of maintaining direct rule over Sri Lanka. He recognized the independence of Vijayabahu I and cemented the peace by marrying his daughter to a Sinhala prince.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Kulottunga I shifted the Chola policy from conquest to consolidation and diplomacy.
Logic 2: He was a prince of the Eastern Chalukya line who succeeded to the Chola throne, beginning the Chalukya-Chola period.

Active Recall

Question

Why did Kulottunga I bear the title 'Sungam Tavirtta'?

Answer

He was known as 'Sungam Tavirtta Chola' (the Chola who abolished tolls) because he removed internal customs duties to promote trade.

Core Insight

Kulottunga I's reign represents a shift toward economic prosperity and diplomatic realism over costly trans-oceanic military occupations.

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