Question

Who was the son and successor of Rajaraja I?
(A) Rajendra I
(B) Parantaka II
(C) Aditya
(D) Vijayalaya

Answer 1

Hint Rajaraja I is often regarded as the greatest Chola emperor who ruled the present day south India for almost 20 years. He died in 1014 CE and was succeeded by his son who further glorified the empire. His son assumed the title of 'Gangaikonda' or conqueror of the Ganga.

Solution
Rajaraja I was succeeded by his son Rajendra Chola in 1014 CE.
The Cholas ruled from the latter half of the 9th century to the beginning of the 13th century. Rajaraja Chola I was the greatest ruler of this dynasty. He ruled the present day south India between 985 and 1014 AD. He built a powerful and strong kingdom. He led a series of conquests in South India to conquer the kingdoms of Pandyas and Cheras. His extensive empire included the Pandya country (southern Tamil Nadu), the Chera country (Malabar Coast and western Tamil Nadu) and northern Sri Lanka. Rajaraja was an able administrator and he built the great Brihadisvara Temple at the Chola capital Thanjavur

Rajendra Chola succeeded his father Rajaraja I. He expanded his empire by completing the conquest of Sri Lanka which his father had begun. He also gave a crushing defeat to Srivijaya, the King of Indonesia, in 1025 AD. He continued his father's legacy and extended his empire up to the Ganga valley, Sri Lanka and south-east Asia. He also defeated Mahipala, the ruler of Bengal. Rajendra Chola assumed the title of 'Gangaikonda' or conqueror of the Ganga. The city that Rajendra Chola built a new city named Gangaikonda Cholapuram to commemorate his victory in North India. After his long rule, Rajendra Chola was succeeded by his three sons one after another.

Under the reign of Rajaraja Chola I and Rajendra Chola I, the empire became powerful in the fields of army, finance and culture in South Asia and South-east Asia.

NoteThe Chola rulers were not only powerful conquerors and great administrators, but also great patrons of art and architecture. They built many magnificent temples and exquisite bronze icons in South India. Rajaraja I built one of the largest Hindu temples, the Brihadeeswarar Temple. Rajendra Chola built a city named Gangaikonda Cholapuram and today this place is listed under UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is famous for a Shiva temple that goes by the same name – Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple.