ANCIENT HISTORY
9. EARLY STATE AND SOCIETY IN EASTERN INDIA ,
DECCAN, AND SOUTH INDIA
(i) Kharavela,
Kharavela (193 BCE–170 BCE) was the greatest king of the Mahameghavahana dynasty of Kaḷinga. King
Kharvela of Kalinga was a contemporary of the Sungas and information about him is enshrined in the Hathigumpha
inscription. Hathigumpha Inscription consists of seventeen lines incised in deep cut Brahmi letters, on a natural
cavern called Hathigumpha in the southern side of the Udayagiri hill, near Bhubaneswar.
The Hathigumpha inscription starts with an invocation of the Arthatas and the Riddhas in the Jain style. It has
following information about the military activities of Kharvela:
In the second year of his coronation, without caring for Satakarni, King Kharvela sent a large army to the
west consisting of horse, elephant, infantry and chariot. He also destroyed the capital of the Mushikas to help
the Kaspa (Kasyapa) Kshatriyas.
In the fourth year, he also conquered the Rathika and Bhojaka. Rathika and Bhojaka chiefs with their crown
cast off, their umbrella and royal insignia thrown aside, and their Jewelry and wealth confiscated, were,
made to pay obeisance at the feet of Kharvela.
In the 8th year, He invaded Magadha and reached as far as the Barabar Hills (Gorathagiri) and forced rival
king (described as “Yavana-raja”) to retreat to Mathura.
In the 12th year of his reign, he attacked the king of Uttarapatha. He also caused fear amongst the people of
Magadha and made their king do homage at his feet. He brought back the holy idols of Kalinga’s Jain Gods
(The Blessed Tirthankars) which earlier Magadha rulers had carried away with them after Kalinga War in
Past. Tirthankar’s idol was brought back with its crown and endowment and the jewels plundered by king
Nanda from the Kalinga royal palace, along with the treasures of Anga and Magadha were regained.
But the reign of Kharvela was not limited to military activities only as the Hathigumpha Inscription mentions
the followings:
In the very first year of his coronation, King Kharvela caused to be repaired the gate, rampart and structures
of the fort of Kalinga Nagari, which had been damaged by storm. He also built flight of steps for the cool
tanks and laid all gardens at the cost of thirty-five hundred thousand (coins) and thus pleased all his subjects.
In the third year of his reign, Kharvela, who was well versed in the Gandhavara-Veda or the science of music
held theatrical performances, dances and other shows whereby he entertains the capital.
In the fourth year, he repaired some sacred buildings called the adobe of the Vidyadharas.
In the fifth year, He extended the old canal which had been excavated by King Nanda 300 years before, into
, the capital Kalinga Nagri through Tanasuli.
In the sixth year, Kharvela granted privileged to the Paura and the Janapada corporations.
In the 9th years, Kharvela gave costly gifts to Brahamans who accepted them by lavish feasts. He gave a
Kalpa tree (a tree of gold leaves) along with gifts of elephants, horses, and chariots with their drivers.
Kharvela built on both banks of the Prachi river a great palace called The Place of Victory at the cost of 36
lakhs of silver coins.
In the 12th year, he built towers at home, the interior of which were carved and placed a number of trophies
and presents there.
In the 13th year, having satisfied himself with the extension of his Empire, he devoted his energies to the
religious acts. At the Kumari Hill (Udayagiri), he did something for the Arhat Temple. Ninety hundred bulls
maintained by the king are mentioned in the inscription. He built near the Arhat temple some edifice
probably of stone. A pavilion on four pillars was also erected. The cave which has this inscription was also
made. Kharvela is called the king of peace and prosperity, the Bhukshu king and the King of Dharma who
has been devoting his life to seeing to hearing and experiencing Kalyanas.
The inscription states that the Emperor Kharavela had a liberal religious spirit. Kharavela describes himself
as: The worshiper of all religious orders, the restorer of shrines of all gods.
(ii) The Satavahanas,
9. EARLY STATE AND SOCIETY IN EASTERN INDIA ,
DECCAN, AND SOUTH INDIA
(i) Kharavela,
Kharavela (193 BCE–170 BCE) was the greatest king of the Mahameghavahana dynasty of Kaḷinga. King
Kharvela of Kalinga was a contemporary of the Sungas and information about him is enshrined in the Hathigumpha
inscription. Hathigumpha Inscription consists of seventeen lines incised in deep cut Brahmi letters, on a natural
cavern called Hathigumpha in the southern side of the Udayagiri hill, near Bhubaneswar.
The Hathigumpha inscription starts with an invocation of the Arthatas and the Riddhas in the Jain style. It has
following information about the military activities of Kharvela:
In the second year of his coronation, without caring for Satakarni, King Kharvela sent a large army to the
west consisting of horse, elephant, infantry and chariot. He also destroyed the capital of the Mushikas to help
the Kaspa (Kasyapa) Kshatriyas.
In the fourth year, he also conquered the Rathika and Bhojaka. Rathika and Bhojaka chiefs with their crown
cast off, their umbrella and royal insignia thrown aside, and their Jewelry and wealth confiscated, were,
made to pay obeisance at the feet of Kharvela.
In the 8th year, He invaded Magadha and reached as far as the Barabar Hills (Gorathagiri) and forced rival
king (described as “Yavana-raja”) to retreat to Mathura.
In the 12th year of his reign, he attacked the king of Uttarapatha. He also caused fear amongst the people of
Magadha and made their king do homage at his feet. He brought back the holy idols of Kalinga’s Jain Gods
(The Blessed Tirthankars) which earlier Magadha rulers had carried away with them after Kalinga War in
Past. Tirthankar’s idol was brought back with its crown and endowment and the jewels plundered by king
Nanda from the Kalinga royal palace, along with the treasures of Anga and Magadha were regained.
But the reign of Kharvela was not limited to military activities only as the Hathigumpha Inscription mentions
the followings:
In the very first year of his coronation, King Kharvela caused to be repaired the gate, rampart and structures
of the fort of Kalinga Nagari, which had been damaged by storm. He also built flight of steps for the cool
tanks and laid all gardens at the cost of thirty-five hundred thousand (coins) and thus pleased all his subjects.
In the third year of his reign, Kharvela, who was well versed in the Gandhavara-Veda or the science of music
held theatrical performances, dances and other shows whereby he entertains the capital.
In the fourth year, he repaired some sacred buildings called the adobe of the Vidyadharas.
In the fifth year, He extended the old canal which had been excavated by King Nanda 300 years before, into
, the capital Kalinga Nagri through Tanasuli.
In the sixth year, Kharvela granted privileged to the Paura and the Janapada corporations.
In the 9th years, Kharvela gave costly gifts to Brahamans who accepted them by lavish feasts. He gave a
Kalpa tree (a tree of gold leaves) along with gifts of elephants, horses, and chariots with their drivers.
Kharvela built on both banks of the Prachi river a great palace called The Place of Victory at the cost of 36
lakhs of silver coins.
In the 12th year, he built towers at home, the interior of which were carved and placed a number of trophies
and presents there.
In the 13th year, having satisfied himself with the extension of his Empire, he devoted his energies to the
religious acts. At the Kumari Hill (Udayagiri), he did something for the Arhat Temple. Ninety hundred bulls
maintained by the king are mentioned in the inscription. He built near the Arhat temple some edifice
probably of stone. A pavilion on four pillars was also erected. The cave which has this inscription was also
made. Kharvela is called the king of peace and prosperity, the Bhukshu king and the King of Dharma who
has been devoting his life to seeing to hearing and experiencing Kalyanas.
The inscription states that the Emperor Kharavela had a liberal religious spirit. Kharavela describes himself
as: The worshiper of all religious orders, the restorer of shrines of all gods.
(ii) The Satavahanas,
