[Solved] Who started the Chola Naval Army? | Rajaraja I

Which Chola King started Naval Army?

[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. Prelims 2014]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

The Cholas were unique among Indian dynasties for their blue-water naval capabilities. Under Rajaraja I, the navy became a systematic arm of the state, used for both territorial expansion and securing trade routes.

Authentic Source Evidence

Historical records from the reign of Rajaraja I (985–1014 CE) show that he initiated the naval expeditions to northern Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and the Lakshadweep islands. He realized that a powerful navy was essential to dominate the Indian Ocean trade and protect the Coromandel coast.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Rajaraja I (Option C) provided the structural foundation for the Chola navy, building merchant and warships capable of long-distance oceanic travel.

Logic 2: While his son Rajendra Chola (Option A) expanded these naval raids to Southeast Asia (Srivijaya), the formalization and 'starting' of the naval military machine is credited to Rajaraja I.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"How did the Chola navy influence Southeast Asian politics?"

They launched successful naval raids against the Srivijaya Empire to secure the Malacca Strait for Indian merchant missions to China.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"Rajaraja I transformed the Bay of Bengal into a 'Chola Lake', a feat unmatched by any other pre-colonial Indian power."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Srivijaya Raid 2Indian Ocean Trade 3

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