📖 Chapter: The Chedi (Mahameghavahana) Dynasty of Kalinga
🟩 Introduction to the Chedi Dynasty
In ancient Indian history, the Chedi dynasty ruled over the region of Kalinga, which corresponds roughly to modern-day Odisha. The dynasty emerged around the 1st century BCE, during a time of regional powers and political fragmentation in peninsular India.
The Chedi dynasty is also known as the Mahameghavahana dynasty, named after its founder Mahameghavahana. This title combines the Sanskrit words “Maha” (great), “Megha” (cloud), and “Vahana” (vehicle), possibly indicating divine or royal symbolism, like “one whose vehicle is a great cloud” — often associated with greatness and protection.
- Mahameghavahana is considered the founder of the dynasty.
- Not much is known about him except that he laid the foundation for a powerful lineage in eastern India.
- His greatest successor and the most famous ruler of this dynasty was Maharaja Kharavela, who came to prominence in the 1st century BCE.
🟧 Maharaja Kharavela: The Greatest Ruler
The only authentic and primary source of information about Kharavela is the Hathigumpha Inscription, engraved in Brahmi script and written in the Prakrit language.
- Discovered by Bishop Stirling in 1825.
- Correctly read and interpreted by General Alexander Cunningham and Bhagwan Lal Indraji.
- The inscription is found on the Hathigumpha cave of the Udayagiri-Khandagiri hills, near Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
- The inscription consists of 17 lines, but no date is mentioned.
It is a royal eulogy (prasasti), narrating the events of Kharavela’s reign in a year-by-year manner and provides valuable insights into early Indian polity, Jain patronage, architecture, and military campaigns.
- Kharavela was trained in various disciplines suitable for a prince until the age of 15.
- He was declared crown prince at the age of 16.
- He ascended the throne at 24 years of age.
- He ruled for 13 years, and his governance combined military conquests with public welfare and religious patronage.
- He was called “Rajarshi” and also referred to with titles like:
- Vruddharaja (senior ruler),
- Bhikshuraja (ascetic king),
- Dharmaraja (righteous king),
- Mahavijayaraja (great conqueror),
- Kalingadhipati (lord of Kalinga).
- In another inscription (Ranigumpha), he is even referred to as a Chakravartin, i.e., universal monarch.
| Years | Military Campaigns of Kharavela |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | ● Focused on public works in the capital Kalinganagara. ● Built cold-water reservoirs and ponds. ● Laid the foundation for future campaigns by gaining public support. |
| Year 2 | ● Launched his first military expedition towards western India. ● Advanced up to the Kanvena River (Vainganga in present Maharashtra). ● Attacked Musika or Asika region, possibly linked to Rishika tribe. ● Fought a battle against the Satavahana king Satakarni I, though outcomes are not clearly mentioned. |
| Year 4 | ● Defeated the Bhojakas of Berar and ruler of Ahmednagar. ● Conducted a campaign against Rathikas, a tribal or semi-political group. ● First recorded evidence of land donation to Jain monks (Vidyadharas). |
| Year 5 | ● Extended a canal originally built by Magadhan ruler Mahapadma Nanda from Tansuli to Kalinga. ● This is the first documentary evidence of irrigation via canals in Indian history. |
| Year 8 | ● First North Indian campaign. ● Crossed Barabar hills (Gorathagiri) in Bihar. ● Terrorized the Yavana king “Dimitra”, possibly Demetrius, a Greek Indo-Bactrian ruler or symbol of foreign Greeks. ● Marked the presence of Indo-Greek rulers in the eastern Ganges plains. |
| Year 9 | ● Constructed the Mahavijaya Palace on both sides of the Prachi river. |
| Year 10 | ● Attempted a second campaign in the Ganga valley but failed. |
| Year 11 | ● Carried out a South Indian campaign. ● Destroyed Pithunda, near modern Andhra–Tamil Nadu coast (possibly near Chennai). ● Demonstrated naval and land military capability by destroying the harbor and killing donkeys, likely used as royal or trade animals. |
| Year 12 | ● Undertook a second North Indian campaign. ● Bathed his horses and elephants in the Ganga river to mark victory. ● Retrieved the idol of Jina (Tirthankara), originally taken from Kalinga by Mahapadmananda, the Nanda dynasty ruler. ● Fought against Brihaspatimitra, the then ruler of Magadha. ● Carried out another South Indian campaign, reaching Pandya kingdom. ● Pandya ruler accepted suzerainty and offered pearls as tribute. ● This was the first recorded water-based military campaign in India. |
| Year 13 | Did not undertake military campaigns. Focused entirely on religious activities, especially Jainism. |
- Kharavela was a follower of Jainism, specifically of the Shwetambara sect.
- Began the Hathigumpha inscription with salutations to Arhats and Siddhas.
- Built and donated caves for Jain monks at Udayagiri and Khandagiri hills.
- Donated land and wealth to Vidyadhara Jain monks.
- Stayed in Jain centers like Berar and Ahmednagar.
- Hathigumpha is first evidence of idol worship in Jainism.
- Known in ancient texts as Kumari Parvat.
- Located near Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
- Some caves are natural, others man-made.
- Udayagiri: 18 caves | Khandagiri: 15 caves
- Hathigumpha (Udayagiri): Main inscription site.
- Rani Gumpha (Udayagiri): Two-storey, with paintings.
- Ganesh Gumpha (Udayagiri): Has a statue of Lord Ganesha.
- Ananta Gumpha (Khandagiri): Paintings of swastikas and snakes.
- Navamuni Gumpha (Khandagiri): Contains idols of 9 Tirthankaras.
- Barabhuji Gumpha and Dhyan Gumpha: Other important caves.
Significance of Kharavela’s Rule
- Military prowess: Extended control from eastern India to southern and parts of northern India.
- Religious tolerance and patronage: Strong supporter of Jainism, but also respected other religions.
- Public welfare: Constructed ponds, canals, and palaces.
- Architectural legacy: Commissioned rock-cut caves that still stand today.
- Symbol of cultural nationalism: Brought back the idol of Jina, boosting regional and religious pride.
| Topic | Fact |
|---|---|
| Dynasty Name | Chedi (also Mahameghavahana) |
| Founder | Mahameghavahana |
| Greatest Ruler | Kharavela |
| Main Source | Hathigumpha Inscription |
| Script | Brahmi |
| Language | Prakrit |
| Discovered by | Bishop Stirling |
| First North India Campaign | 8th Year |
| First South India Campaign | 11th Year |
| Idol of Jina Retrieved | 12th Year |
| Jainism Patronage | Vidyadhar Jain monks |
| Capital | Kalinganagara |
| Pandya Defeat | 12th Year |
| Idol Taker (from Kalinga) | Mahapadmananda (Nanda Dynasty) |
Maharaja Kharavela was one of the most remarkable regional rulers of ancient India. His campaigns, welfare works, and religious tolerance demonstrate a model ruler in early Indian history. Through the Hathigumpha inscription, he left a historical legacy that remains a critical source for understanding early Indian politics, Jainism, and regional kingdoms.
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