Rajendra I, the powerful Chola ruler who expanded the empire overseas, was the son of which earlier Chola king?

Introduction / Context:
This question is about the genealogy of the Chola dynasty, specifically the relationship between Rajendra I and his father. Rajendra I is famous for consolidating and extending the Chola Empire, including campaigns to North India and Southeast Asia. Knowing which ruler preceded him and laid the foundation for his conquests is an important part of understanding South Indian medieval history.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question names Rajendra I and asks who his father was.
- Four options are given: Bindusara I, Devabhuti I, Skanda Gupta I and Rajaraja I.
- It is assumed that you can distinguish between dynasties: Mauryas, Guptas and Cholas.

Concept / Approach:
Bindusara and Devabhuti are associated with the Maurya and Shunga dynasties respectively, while Skandagupta belongs to the Gupta dynasty. In contrast, Rajaraja I was the great Chola king who significantly expanded the Chola Empire in South India and Sri Lanka. Rajendra I, his son, inherited this powerful kingdom and carried forward the expansion. Therefore, the only option that belongs to the Chola dynasty and fits chronologically as Rajendra I's father is Rajaraja I.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify which of the given names belong to the Chola dynasty. Rajaraja I is the only Chola ruler among the options. Step 2: Recall that Rajaraja I ruled before Rajendra I and was responsible for major expansions, especially in South India and Sri Lanka. Step 3: Historical records clearly mention Rajendra I as the son and successor of Rajaraja I. Step 4: Therefore, Rajaraja I must be the correct answer, and the other names can be ruled out as belonging to different dynasties.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can quickly verify by matching each ruler to a dynasty: Bindusara – Maurya; Devabhuti – Shunga; Skandagupta – Gupta; Rajaraja I – Chola. Rajendra I is firmly situated in Chola history, which makes Rajaraja I the only plausible father among the choices. Additionally, many standard history textbooks mention the pair together, often referring to Rajendra I as Rajaraja I's son, confirming the relationship.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, Bindusara I, was a Mauryan ruler and the father of Ashoka, not related to the Cholas. Option B, Devabhuti I, was a Shunga king and belongs to a much earlier northern Indian dynasty. Option C, Skanda Gupta I, is a Gupta ruler from North India. None of these dynasties overlaps in lineage or geographic base with the later imperial Cholas of South India, making them incorrect in the context of Rajendra I's parentage.

Common Pitfalls:
The main pitfall is to answer in haste without checking the dynastic context, especially when names from different periods and dynasties are mixed. Some candidates might vaguely recall famous ancient kings but not their dynasties and thus guess incorrectly. To avoid this, it helps to group rulers by dynasty and region during your preparation: Maurya (Chandragupta, Bindusara, Ashoka), Gupta (Samudragupta, Skandagupta), and Chola (Rajaraja I, Rajendra I, Rajadhiraja, etc.).

Final Answer:
Rajendra I, the great imperial Chola ruler, was the son and successor of Rajaraja I.