The significance of the Hathigumpha Inscription and the Copper Plate Grants of the Bhauma-Karas and Somavamsis for Odisha's history.

Inscriptions are the linchpin of Odisha's history, transforming it from myth to a chronological reality. The Hathigumpha Inscription and the Copper Plate Grants of the Bhauma-Karas and Somavamsis are primary pillars of this reconstruction.

1. The Hathigumpha Inscription (Udayagiri)

Engraved by Emperor Kharavela in the 1st century BC, this Prakrit inscription is a biographical record of his 13-year reign:

  • Political Glory: It records Kharavela's Digvijaya (conquests) across North and South India, including his victory over the Magadhan king.
  • Public Welfare: It mentions the repair of the Tanasuli Canal, which was originally excavated 300 years earlier by the Nandas, highlighting a long tradition of water management.
  • Cultural Identity: It establishes Kalinga as a major maritime and military power during the post-Mauryan era.

2. Bhauma-Kara Copper Plates

The Bhauma-Kara dynasty (8th–10th Century AD) is unique for its female rulers. Their copper plates provide:

  • Administrative Data: They reveal a well-organized revenue system and the names of administrative units like Mandala and Bhukti.
  • Religious Synthesis: The grants show a transition from Buddhism to Brahmanism. For example, the Neulpur Plate mentions the king as a 'Paramasaugata' (devout Buddhist).
  • Women Empowerment: Grants by queens like Tribhuvana Mahadevi prove their sovereign authority.

3. Somavamsi Copper Plates

The Somavamsis (10th–12th Century AD) unified the various parts of Odisha (Utkala, Kalinga, Kosala). Their plates indicate:

  • Land Grants: Detailed Agrahara grants show the settlement of Brahmins and the expansion of agrarian economy.
  • Temple Building: They provide the background for the Kalinga style of architecture, particularly during the reign of Yayati I.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the Hathigumpha Inscription provides the early foundational history of Kalinga, the Copper Plate Grants of the Bhauma-Karas and Somavamsis offer a socio-economic and administrative map of medieval Odisha. Together, they confirm Odisha's transition into a distinct regional power with a rich cultural and political identity.