The Chola rulers sent naval expeditions against Srivijaya (in Malaya and Sumatra) mainly to protect their trade with:

The Chola rulers sent naval expeditions against the kingdom of Srivijaya in South-East Asia mainly to protect and expand their trade with China.

Background:

• In the 10th and 11th centuries, there was a flourishing sea trade between India, South-East Asia and China.
• Tamil merchant guilds, such as the "Ainnurruvar" (the Five Hundred) and the "Manigramam", traded in South-East Asia and China.
• The kingdom of Srivijaya, based in Sumatra and the Malay peninsula, controlled the Strait of Malacca, the main sea route between India and China.
• It began to interfere with Chola trade, by imposing taxes and restrictions on ships passing through the strait.

The Chola naval expedition:

• Around 1025 CE, the Chola king Rajendra I sent a large naval expedition against Srivijaya.
• The Chola navy attacked and captured several ports of Srivijaya, including Kadaram (Kedah, Malaysia), Palembang (Sumatra) and others.
• The king of Srivijaya was captured, according to Chola inscriptions.
• The aim was not to rule these lands permanently, but to protect the trade routes and the interests of Chola merchants.
• Rajendra I took the title "Kadaramkonda" ("conqueror of Kadaram").

Chola links with China:

• The Cholas sent several trade missions (embassies) to the Chinese Song dynasty court in the 11th century.
• Chinese records mention these missions.
• Indian goods such as cotton textiles, spices and precious stones were exchanged for Chinese silk, porcelain and other goods.

The Chola navy:

• The Cholas were among the few Indian dynasties to build a strong navy.
• The Bay of Bengal was sometimes called a "Chola lake" because of their naval power.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Trade with Rome was important earlier, in the early centuries CE.
• ✗Trade with Arabia and Egypt existed, but the expeditions against Srivijaya were mainly to protect trade with China.