Harshavardhan & the Southern Dynasties: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Ancient History)

Explanation

Mahendravarman I, a prominent Pallava ruler (600-630 CE) was known for his literary talent and artistic inclinations, in addition to his political achievements. He assumed titles such as ‘Mattavilasa’, ‘Vichitrachitta’ and ‘Gunabhara’. These titles reflect his reputation as a scholar, playwright, and patron of arts and culture, especially noted for his Sanskrit and Tamil plays. Mahendravarman I is also famous for his temple-building activities, such as the rock-cut temples at Mahabalipuram.

Explanation

The re-emergence of Cholas began with Vijayalaya (850-871 CE) conquering the Kaveri delta from Muttaraiyar. He built the city of Thanjavur and established the Chola kingdom in 850. Vijayalaya’s illustrious successors starting from Parantaka I (907-955) to Kulothunga III (1163-1216) brought glory and fame to the Cholas. Parantaka Chola set the tone for expansion of the territory and broadened the base of its governance, and Rajaraja I (985-1014), the builder of the most beautiful Brihadishvarar temple at Thanjavur, and his son Rajendra I (1012-1044), whose naval operation extended as far as Sri Vijaya, consolidated the advances made by their predecessors and went on to establish Chola hegemony in peninsular India. During the Chola reign, the naval achievements of the Tamils reached its peak. The Cholas controlled both the Coromandel and Malabar coasts. The Chola navy often ventured into the Bay of Bengal for some decades. Rajendra’s naval operation was directed against Sri Vijaya. The Srivijaya kingdom was a powerful maritime empire controlling trade routes in the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, and surrounding islands, dominating the Straits of Malacca and Southeast Asian sea trade. Sri Vijaya kingdom (southern Sumatra) was one of the prominent maritime and commercial states that flourished from c. 700 to c. 1300 in South-east Asia. Similarly, Kheda (Kadaram), a feudatory kingdom under Sri Vijaya, was also conquered by Rajendra. Hence, Option (c) is correct Options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

Amoghavarsha I was a Rashtrakuta ruler, known for cultural patronage, not naval expeditions to Southeast Asia. Prataparudra was a Kakatiya ruler who fought against the Delhi Sultanate; no known campaign against Srivijaya. Vishnuvardhana was a Hoysala king associated with expansion in Karnataka, not maritime campaigns against Srivijaya.