The Chola dynasty reached its zenith during the reign of which king?

The Correct Answer is Rajendra Chola I.
Key Points

• Rajaraja Chola I (985 - 1014 AD):
  • He was one of the greatest emperors of the Chola empire.
  • In his reign, the Cholas expanded beyond South India stretching from Kalinga in the north to Sri Lanka in the south.
  • He fought many battles with the Chalukyas in the north and the Pandyas in the south.
  • He built the Brihadishwara temple in Thanjavur dedicated to Lord Shiva.
  • He also helped in the construction of a Buddhist monastery at Nagapattinam.
  • He was succeeded by his son Rajendra Chola I in 1014 AD.
• Rajendra Chola I (1014-44 AD):
  • He is considered one of the greatest rulers and military generals of south India.
  • He continued his father's policy of aggressive conquests and expansion.
  • Apart from reaching northwards to river Ganga and moving overseas to the Maldives and Sri Lanka, he also invaded the Southeast Asian territories.
  • He conquered the whole of Ceylon or Sri Lanka.
  • He defeated the kings of Sumatra in a naval campaign and annexed a part of Sumatra's kingdom to his kingdom.
  • He defeated Jayasimha II of the western Chalukyas and consequently, the river Tungabhadra was recognized as the boundary between the Cholas and Chalukyas.
  • He conquered several trans-Ganga Kingdoms and assumed the title of Gangaikonda Chola.
  • He founded the city Gangaikondacholapuram and constructed the famous Rameshwaram temple in the city.
  • He also excavated a large irrigation tank called Cholagangam on the western side of the city.
  • He assumed many titles, the most important ones being Mudikondan, Gangaikondan, Kadaram Kondan and Pandita Cholan.
  • He built a shiva temple at Gangaikondacholapuram.
  • The Chola dynasty reached its zenith during his reign.

Additional Information

• Sundara Chola (857-970 AD):
  • He was also known as Parantaka Chola II.
  • He was crowned as the Chola King despite the presence of Uttama Chola, the son of Gandaraditya.
  • He also encouraged Tamil and Sanskrit literature.​