"Kharavela was a great conqueror and a patron of Jainism." Discuss with the help of the Hathigumpha Inscription.

Mahameghavahana Kharavela (1st Century B.C.) was the third ruler of the Chedi Dynasty of Kalinga. The Hathigumpha Inscription, a 17-line record in Prakrit found in the Udayagiri caves, is the primary source that establishes him as both a Chakravartin (universal conqueror) and a devout patron of Jainism.

1. Kharavela as a Great Conqueror

The inscription records his military expeditions in a year-by-year format, showing his dominance over North and South India:

  • Defiance of the Satavahanas: In his 2nd regnal year, he sent a massive army (cavalry, elephants, and infantry) to the west, disregarding Satakarni I, and reached the river Krishna.
  • Northern Campaigns: In his 8th and 12th years, he invaded Magadha. He forced the Greek King Demetrius to retreat to Mathura and defeated the Magadhan King Bahasatimita.
  • Recovery of the Jina Idol: His greatest pride was recovering the Kalinga Jina (sacred idol) which had been taken away as a trophy by the Nanda King 300 years earlier.
  • Southern Victory: He broke the confederacy of the Tamil powers (Cholas, Pandyas, and Cheras) that had existed for 1300 years.

2. Kharavela as a Patron of Jainism

The inscription begins with the Namookar Mantra, proving his deep Jain faith:

  • Support for Monks: In his 13th regnal year, he excavated 117 caves in the Kumari Hill (Udayagiri) to provide shila-dhiras (stone shelters) for Jain Arhats during the rainy season.
  • Religious Assemblies: He organized a great council of Jain monks to compile the sacred texts. He was a Bhiku-raja (monk-king) who listened to the preaching of the scriptures.
  • Secular Tolerance: Despite being a Jain, the inscription calls him "Sava-pasanda-pujaka" (worshipper of all sects), showing his enlightened religious policy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Hathigumpha Inscription presents Kharavela as a unique figure who balanced military imperialism with spiritual humility. He restored the political dignity of Kalinga and made Jainism the state religion for a brief but glorious period. For the OPSC exam, Kharavela remains the most important symbol of ancient Odisha's sovereignty and cultural excellence.