The famous naval power of the medieval period that dominated Indian Ocean trade and administered an extensive empire encompassing Sri Lanka and parts of Southeast Asia was the:

💡 Solution & Explanation

The Chola Dynasty achieved unprecedented maritime dominance under rulers like Rajaraja I and Rajendra I, projecting naval power across the Bay of Bengal to conquer parts of Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. Other dynasties like the Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas primarily focused on peninsular land empires with limited overseas naval campaigns. Chola naval supremacy facilitated extensive cultural and commercial links between South India and Southeast Asian kingdoms.