THE MAHAMEGHAVAHANAS: Career and achievements of Kharavela

THE MAHAMEGHAVAHANAS:

Career and achievements of Kharavela, Time of his rule

Introduction

                     The history of Kalinga after the Maurya rule is obscure and it is not known exactly when this country regained its independence. A flood of light is focused upon this dark period of Odish an history with the discovery of Hatigumpha inscription at Udayagiri in Bhubaneswar. The facts described in this inscription undoubtedly proves that its author Kharavela, the mighty monarch was a remarkable figure in the contemporary India. His mighty sword blasted the vanity of Kalinga's age-old enemy Magadha and subjugated a vast area under Kalingan suzerainty. Under his reign Kalinga reached the pinnacle of glory. The facts narrated in the Hatigumpha inscription has been amply corroborated by the excavation at Sisupalgarh near Bhubaneswar and through some figures engraved in different caves at Udyagiri. The Hatigumpha inscription at Udaygiri hill near Bhubaneswar describes in details about the career and achievement of Kharavela, the mighty ruler of Mahameghvahana family.

The Mahameghavahanas

                                          The Hatigumpha inscription mentions that Kharavela belonged to the Mahameghavahana family of the Chedi clan. The Chedis were originally ruling in Madhyadesa or Magadha and it has been suggested that a branch of this royal family of the hoary ambiguity, came to Kalinga and established its sway over it. We do not know when they migrated to Kalinga, but from the Hatigumpha inscription it becomes apparent that Kharavela was the third member of the Kalingan Chedis. 

                                                   Kharavela is introduced as 'Airena Maharajena, Mahameghavahanena and Chetarajavasavadhanena'. Each part of the expression has admitted of controversies. Barua reads 'Aira' as 'Veera' meaning hero but explains it as a royal title' Ayira' meaning Svami i.e., master or lord. Mahameghavahana is considered to be the grandfather of Kharavela, the founder of the dynasty in Kalinga which came to be known as Mahameghavahana after his name. Like the Satavahanas of the South, Mahameghavahana dynasty was established in Kalinga. The Manchpuri cave inscription describes Kharavela's son as 'Maharaja-Kalingadhipati Mahameghavahana- Kudepasiri'. Another inscription at Guntupalli in West Godavari district of A.P. (cir. 1st century B.C.) in the same Brahmi script and Prakrit language refers to "Mahameghavahana-Kalinga- Mahisakadhipati-Siri-Sada". "Cetarajavasavadhanena" has been interpreted as one who increases the glory of the Cedi dynasty. The latest view in the regard is that Chetaraja was the father of Kharavela. Kharavela, the son of Cetaraja, was the third ruler Mahameghavahana dynasty also known as Kalingarajavamsa. The Hathigumpha inscription precisely records his career and achievements up to thirteen years of his reign.

Career and achivements of Kharavela

                                                              The career and achievements of Kharavela has gone through two phases, (1) his career as a prince and (2) his career and achievement as a ruler.

His Career as a Prince

                                       The inscription opens with a salutation to the Jaina saints and then gives us some ideas about the childhood and the boyhood of Kharavela before accession to the throne. It is said that he was born with auspicious physical marks and noble qualities which were indicative of his future greatness as a ruler. Till the fifteenth year, he spent his time in different types of sports and games. During this period he also acquired knowledge in different branches of learning, which were essential for discharging royal duty, such as writing or correspondence (Lekha), finance, currency (Rupa), arithmetic (Ganana) and law (Vldhl and Vyvahara). As a prince, Kharavela underwent training in the art of warfare (Dhanuryidya), music and dance (Gandharvavidya) and religion. In the fifteenth year he became the crown prince and started probation in the practical field of administration. At the age of twenty four, he was crowned king by assuming the title Kalingadhipati and gave his subjects a sound administration.

His career and achievement as a ruler

                                                                   After giving a description of his early life up to the 24th year, the Hatigumpha inscription records the events of his 13 years' reign chronologically.

Renovation of his capital

                                               In his first regnal year, he involved himself in the renovation work by repairing the gates and buildings of his capital Kalinganagara, which had been destroyed by a furious cyclone. He employed people to dig a deep lake and to create beautiful gardens. These repairs and some other public works in the same year cost him thirty-five lakhs of coins from the royal exchequer. This fact has been amply corroborated with the excavation at Sisupalgarh that brings out the remnants of defensive ramparts gateways, high rowers etc.

 Expedition against Satavahana king

                                                               Kharavela possessed a large army, consisting of infantry, cavalry, elephant force and chariots. Having made adequate preparation, he undertook expedition against the powerful Satavahan king, Satakarni-I in the second year of his rule. Satakarni-I was ruling over a vast empire, comprising northern part of modern Maharashtra, western part of modern Madhya Pradesh and Andhra region. Kharavela's army advanced up to the Krishna river and besieged the city of Rishikanagara which was obviously situated within the Satavahan territory

Entertainment of his subjects

                                             After the southern campaign, Kharavela provided entertainment to his subjects in the third year. Kalinganagari, the capital of Kharavela was overwhelmed with joy and jubilation in his third regnal year. Kharavela was proficient in all arts of music and dance. He organised various performances where dance and music, both vocal and instrumental, took place. He also arranged ceremonials and social gatherings in which feast and merrymaking etc. for the entertainment of his subjects.

Southern campaign

                                      In the fourth regnal year, the war-drum of Kalinga was heard again. Kharavela mobilised his army and marched towards the Deccan again. The territory of the Rathikas and Bhojakas lying respectively to the south and north of Nasik region were conquered. The Rathikas and Bhojakas paid homage and booty to Kharavela.

Extension of canal from the Tansulia to Kalinganagari

                                                                                      The role of Kharavela as a benevolent king is reflected in the fifth year of his reign. In this year, Kharavela extended the canal from the Tansulia road up to Kalinganagari. This canal was excavated 300 or 103 years before by king Nanda (a Nanda king) for the purpose of irrigation.

Remittance of taxes 

                             In the sixth year of his reign, Kharavela did not undertake any war campaign rather he devoted himself to the welfare activities of his subjects. He remitted taxes and benevolences both in urban and rural area of his kingdom. This clearly shows that the treasury of Kharavela was overflowed with wealth. As a benevolent ruler, he took up this task of remitting taxes to his beloved subjects to win their hearts.

Attainment of fatherhood

                                          In the seventh year of his rule, Kharavela attained fatherhood. His chief queen known by the name 'the queen of Vajiraghara' gave birth to a son.

Expedition to the north

                                    In the eighth year of his reign, Kharavela led an expedition to the north and attacked the city of Rajagriha and devastated Gorathagiri which was situated on the Barbara hill of the Gaya district. His triumph at Rajagriha created terror among the yavanas who were then in occupation of Mathura. After their success in that region, they had a plan to attack Magadha, Hearing the exploits of Kharavela, the yavana king fled away from Mathura. The yavana ruler, whose name is read doubtfully as 'Dimita' or 'Dimata' might be Demitrius or Minandar as opined by several scholars. He had collected large booty from that war campaign of north

.

Establishment of Victory of Palace

                                               In the ninth year of his rule, he built the 'Great Victory Palace(Mahavijaya Prasadam) by spending 38 lakhs of coins in order to commemorate his victory in the northern campaign. He had also distributed the wealth gained from exploits among the Brahmins and Arhats of his empire.

Northern Indian campaign

                                                  In the tenth year, Kharavela, who was the embodiment of the principles of politics, diplomacy and peace directed the army towards North India for conquest but the result was obscure.

Expedition against southern confederacy

                                                 In the eleventh year, he defeated a confederacy of southern powers. The confederacy of the southern powers consisted of Cholas, Pandyas, Satpuriyas, keralaputras and Tamraparnis. He secured large amount of jewels, pearls and precious stones as a symbol of allegiance.

Campaign against Bruhaspati Mitra

                                                          In the twelfth regnal year, Kharavela led campaign against Bruhaspati Mitra, the Sunga ruler of Magadha with a vast army. He inflicted a crushing defeat on the Magadhan king and also on the ruler of Anga. The people of Magadha and Anga bowed to Kharavela in awe and respect. By defeating Bruhaspati Mitra, he secured the Kalinga Jina (the venerated image of Kalinga ) as trophy of his victory which was taken 300 or 103 years before by a Nanda king most probably Mahapadmananda. He also brought a vast treasure of wealth from Anga and Magadha. Really Kharavela avenged the defeat of the Kalingans at the hand of the Nanda King who had taken away the Jina image from Kalinga. The scene of Bahasatimita's surrendering at the feet of Kharavela is found in the Ranigumpha of Udayagiri. A scene from the Manchapuri cave shows the installation of Kalinga Jina by Kharavela. After his victory over the Magadhan king, Kharavela’s suzerainty was acknowledged by the Naga king of Central India and the Pandya king of South India. The Naga king sent to him jewels, elephants, horses and deer as presents. The pandyan king also sent jewels to him as a mark of loyality.

Construction of caves

                                     In the thirteenth year of his reign, Kharavela probably gave up military activities and turned his attention towards religious pursuits. He built 117 (1700 ? not possible) caves at Kumari Parvata (Udayagiri) for Jaina monks, monks of other religion, sheers and Arhats. This was his noble service rendered to the Jaina and other monks. He revived the art and architecture of ancient Kalinga (Mukhiya Kala) which was going to be extinguished. In different caves of Udaygiri and Khandagiri the images of Jaina Tirthankaras, trees, creepers, images of royal servants were built by him in that year.

Time of his rule

                          The date of Kharavela is a highly controversial one. We may rely upon some clues in the Hatigumpha inscription to determine the date of Kharavela. This inscription says that in the twelfth year of his reign, Kharavela defeated the Magadhan king Bahasati Mita (Bruhaspati Mitra). Mitra was being suffixed by the rulers of the Sunga dynasty which came to power in Magadha in 187 B.C. on the break-up of the Mauryan empire and continued to rule upto 40-30 B.C. The first ruler of this dynasty was Pushya Mitra who ruled from187 B.C. to 151 B.C. Some scholars identify Pushya Mitra with Bruhaspati Mitra without proper justification. Pushya Mitra was succeeded by his son Agni Mitra, the hero of Kalidas's drama, Malavikagnimitram. After Agri Mitra the Sungas became weak. It is probable that Kharavela defeated a later Sunga king, bearing the name Bruhaspati Mitra. Therefore, his invasion of Magadha could have taken place sometimes after 151 B.C. and before 40 B.C. Another clue of Kharavela's date is the statement in the Hatigumpha inscription that in the fifth year of his reign Kharavela renovated a canal which had been dug by a Nanda ~ (Nanda Raja) 103 or 300 years (Ti-basa-sata) before. Some scholars identify the Nanda Raja with Mahapadrnananda, the powerful founder-king of the Nanda dynasty of Magadha and read Ti-basasata as there hundred years. 

                                                        In this line of fixation, we have to know accurately the year of the commencement of Mahapadmananda's reign. Taking 345 B.C. as the year of digging of canal by Mahapadmananda, N. K. Sahu fixes 40 B.C. as the year of Kharavela's coronation. Relying upon the Puranic sources, according to which Nandas ruled for one hundred years, and taking 424 B.C. as the starting point of Nanda rule and reading Ti-basa- Ita as 300 years, Kedarnath Mahapatra fixes 100 B.C. as the your of Kharavela's coronation. 

                                                       Some palaeographists are of the opinion that the Hatigumpha inscription should be assigned to the first century B.C. On the other hand, K.C. Panigrahi holds a different view. He accepts B.M. Barua’s Identification of Nanda Raja with Asoka on two grounds. First, there was no Nanda rule in Odisha, as Asoka was the first king of Magadha to conquer Kalinga according to his statement in Rock Edict XIII. Secondly, as Chandragupta Maurya, Asoka's grand father, has been called Nandanvaya (an offspring of Nanda family), the description of Asoka as Nanda Raja should not appear absurd. Panigrahi also reads Ti-basa-sata as 103 years and taking 261 B.C. as the year of conquest of Kalinga by Asoka (after which the canal was dug), he fixes the coronation of Kharavela at 159 B.C. Panigrahi identifies Bruhaspati Mitra as a later Mauryan king, named Bruhaspati who is mentioned in Divyavadana. The Hatigumpha inscription also mentions Satavahan king Satakarni as Kharavela's contemporary. Satakarni is identified as Satakarni-l who belonged to second or first century B.C.. From the above discussion we may conclude that Kharavela could not be earlier than second century B.C. and later than first century B.C. Most probably he belonged to first century B.C. However, N. K. Sahu has fixed up the chronology of Kharavela's reign, as follows: (1)Establishment of Chedi rule in Kalinga -73 B.C.,(2) Birth of Kharavela-64 B.C,(3) Coronation-40 B.C., (4) Rule as Heir-apparent- 49-40 B.C.

Conclusion

                      Thus, Kharavela was undoubtedly a great conqueror and empire builder in the early phase of the Indian history. He can be compared with Mahapadmananda, Chandragupta Maurya, Asoka and Samudragupta in this respect. He was a great military genius. He possessed a vast army, composed of impressive elephant force, cavalry, infantry and chariots. His political sway extended in the north as far as Mathura and, in the south, as far as the Pandya kingdom. Conquests, however, impressive are ephemeral. Kharavela's greatness in history rests on safer and much more abiding grounds than mere conquests. Kharavela is remembered as a 'protagonist and a patron of Jainism.