Why did Rajaraja undertake a naval expedition against Ceylon and Maldives?
Rajaraja (AD 985-1012) was a well-established general who seized the kingdoms of Pandyas and Cheras and certain parts of the Mysore region. This space was the most revered in terms of activities of Arabian traders. To strengthen his power and show his might at the coast of South India, he took out a military expedition and attacked each Ceylon and Maldives islands. He was aware of the rich trade of commodities such as rice which acted as a boon for his economy and his kingdom. The reign of Raja raja accustomed the poise and grandiosity of the Chola empire with his military and statistical expenditure. It facilitated trade and gave him a strong base to build upon his reign.
