2001 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2001 · General Studies

Question 36: History and Culture

Which one of the Chola kings conquered Ceylon?

aAditya I
bRajaraja I
cRajendra
dVijayalaya

AnswerThe answer is (b).

Rajaraja I (985-1014) conquered the northern part of Sri Lanka around 993, sacked Anuradhapura and made it a Chola province. His son Rajendra I later completed the conquest of the whole island. Aditya I and Vijayalaya belong to the early revival of the Cholas and did not conquer Ceylon. Remember that Rajaraja began the conquest and Rajendra finished it.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Aditya I defeated the Pallavas and extended Chola power, but did not conquer Ceylon.
  • (b) Right: Rajaraja I conquered northern Ceylon.
  • (c) Rajendra I completed the conquest, but it began under Rajaraja I.
  • (d) Vijayalaya revived the Chola dynasty in the 9th century and did not conquer Ceylon.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2001, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.