Q. Which Chola king was first to conquer Sri Lanka?
Answer: Rajendra I
Notes: Rajendra Chola I succeeded his father Rajaraja Chola I in 1014 AD and reigned till 1044 AD. His control over Ceylon was challenged by Sinhala king Mahinda’s son Kassapa, following which a war was fought between the two, with the Cholas turning victorious and resuming power till the reign of Kulothunga Chola III. Apart from reaching northwards to River Ganges and moving overseas to Maldives and Sri Lanka, he also invaded the Southeast Asian territories of Srivijaya in Malaysia, Indonesia and southern Thailand. He assumed the title ‘Gangaikonda Chola’.