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Hathigumpha Inscription
Hathigumpha Inscription of Kharvela
This inscription is incised partly in front and partly in the roof of the Hathigumpha, an
artificial cave on the Southern face of the Udayagiri, a low range of hills, situated about 3
miles from Bhubaneswar in Puri district of Odisha. It was noticed for the first time by Stirling
in 1825 and was published by Prinsep in 1837. In 1877 Cunningham published it in the first
volume of the Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum. In 1880, the late Raja Rajendralal Mitra
published another version of this inscription. Later on Dr.G.Bühler, [Link] and Professor
Kelton and Late [Link] worked on it and published the inscription in different volumes
of the various journals. It was [Link] who published the inscription in the Epigraphia
Indica Vol.20. The language of the inscription is Prakrit and it is written in Middle Brahmi.
The inscription is not a dated one but on the basis of a verse in the inscription itself, the
inscription is dated in the 1st century BCE.
The inscription is a sectarian one. The inscription belonged to a king named Kharvela who
ruled in the Kalinga region of Orissa. The province of Kalinga had been annexed to the
Maurya Empire by Ashoka in the 8th year of his reign after much hard fighting, in which the
casualties on both sides appeared to have usually heavy. While the successful retained hold of
the Gangetic Plains for about half a century after his death. The outlying provinces slipped
from their hands very soon. The Hathigumpha Inscription, which belonged to Maharaja
Kharvela a descendent of Mahameghavahana seems to have wrested Kalinga from the
Mauryas soon after Ashoka’s death and founded an independent line of kings. This dynasty is
described as the Royal House of Cheti i.e., Chedi, and Kharvela is styled as Prince of the
Lunar Race (Ira) and a descendent of the Royal Sage Vasu who is evidently the famous epic
King Vasuchaidyoparichara, the conqueror of the Chedi country and fourth in descent from
Sudharvan, son of Kuru. Whether any king intervened between Mahameghavahana and
Kharvela, is impossible to determine.
The inscription tells us that as a boy Kharvela received thorough instruction in all the
branches of learning, which a prince to ought to study such as law, currency and finance and
royal correspondence. At the age of 15 he was appointed heir apparent (luvaraja) and shared
the responsibilities of administration. For 9 years in that capacity, he was anointed King at the
age of 25. His chief queen was the daughter of the King Lalaka Hatthisiṁha.
Hathigumpha Inscription 1
The Hathigumpha inscription records the year by year achievements of Maharaja Kharvela. In
the first year of his reign he carried out repairs to the gates and ramparts of his capital
Kalinganagara which had been hit by a cyclone. It was in fact the first step taken in pursuit of
his plans of extensive military operations which followed. In his 2nd regnal year, he sent out a
huge army to the west without caring for Sātakarṇi. The phraseology of the inscription
implies that this expedition was intended to be a challenge to the Satavahana monarch. The
armies of Kalinga advanced upto river Kaṇṇavemṇā and struck terror in the city of
Mushikanagara. The limits of his advance cannot be determined as opinions after regarding
the identity of the river and the city. According to [Link] & [Link], the Kaṇṇavemṇā
of the inscription Wain Ganga with its tributary, the Kanhan and the city was the capital of the
Ashikas in the valley of Godavari. [Link], however identifies Kaṇṇavemṇā with
modern Krishna and Mushikanagara was a city near the junction of Krishna and Musi at the
border of Nalgonda district. This expedition does seem to have produced any concrete results.
There is no mention of any actual fighting between the armies of Kharvela and those of
Śatakarṇi who may be identified with first monarch of that name, i.e, Śatakarṇi first in the
Puranic list of Andhra Kings. However in the capital of Kalinga, the venture was represented
by an elaborate program of festivities including dancing, musical concerts and dramatic
performances in the 3rd year.
In the 4th year at Vijādharā, what was built by past rulers of Kalinga, not damaged before….
having been shorn of their coronates and helmets (?) and with their umbrellas and Bhingaras
(?) cast away deprived of the jewels, all the Vaṭhikas and Bhojakas were made to bow down
at his feet. This shows he had an expedition against the Bhojakas - the ruling chiefs of Berar
and the Rathikas of the adjoining Marathi speaking districts of cast Khandesh and
Ahmednagar who were defeated and compelled to do homage. He mentioned in connection of
an abode of Vidyadharas established by former kings of Kalinga, seems to suggest that the
immediate cause of this war was the violation of this place, the protection of which was
regarded by Kharvela as his special responsibility. Kharavela repeated incursions into the
territory contiguous to the Satavahana dominions show that he was military strong enough to
harass the Satavahanas.
In the 5th year of his reign, he brought the waters of a canal from Tansuli to his capital. This
canal is said to have been constructed by King Nanda, 300 years earlier according to another
interpretation of the text in the year 103 of the era of King Nanda.
Inscription: Ti Vasa Sata
Canal: Paṇādi
Whether this Nanda was the well known ruler Mahapadmananda of Magadha or a local king
of Kalinga is difficult to determine Kharvela appears to have striven hard to keep his people
Hathigumpha Inscription 2
happy in every way. While the provided amenities for the residents of the capital, he sought to
win the goodwill of the urban and rural populace by remitting taxes. This demonstration of
his wealth and prosperity caused several lakhs to the royal.
In the 6th year in the course of performing Rajasuya, he remitted all taxes (Kara) and cess
(Vaṇa) and bestowed privileges, worth 100 thousand to the various castes (jati) of Para
Jānapada.
In the 7th year…. Vajira Ghara……
In the 8th year of his reign, Kharvela undertook his first expedition against the North. His
armies marched past the Barabar Hills in the Gaya district, destroying its fortification and led
cease to the city of Rajagriha. The news of the arrival of Kharvela armies created panic in the
ranks of the Greek Invader who did a hasty retreat to Mathura. As stated in the inscription,
this invader was Demetrius (Dimita), who was compelled to withdraw his armies hastily on
the appearance of a rival Eucratides who had ceased Bactria. But the panegyrist of Kharvela
has attributed the Greek withdrawal to the advance of the Kalinga armies.
In the 9th year Kharvela built a palace of great victory (Mahāvijayaprāsāda) on both the
banks of the river Prāchī evidently to commemorate his victories in North.
In the 10th year Kharvela again invaded Sharadavasa (Bhāratavasa) i.e. the Ganges Valley,
but perhaps without achieving any substantial success.
In the 11th year, it was the turn of the Southern people to bear the burn of Kharvela’s arms.
His armies sacked Pithuṅḍa, which is believed to be the same as Pitundra mentioned by
Ptolemy and overran the Tamil country as far south as the Pandya Kingdom whose monarch
is said to have a tribute of pearls.
Kharvela’s ambition to despoil the North was unrated even after two expeditions. In the 12th
year he again led his armies into the Northern Plains (Uttarapatha) and watered his horses and
elephants in the river Ganges. The King of Magadha, whose name has been read as
Bahasatimita (Bṛihaspatimitra) by [Link] and [Link], who was compelled to fall at
the feet of Kharvela. Opinion is however as to the name of the king of Magadha defeated by
Kharvela. But whether the name Bṛihaspatimitra or not, it is definite that he cannot be
identified with Pushyamitra Shunga. The expedition of Kharvela was singularly successful
and he is said to have returned to Kalinga with immense booty. He set up the image of
Kalingajina which had been taken away by Nandarāja and caused to be brought home the
wealth of Anga Magadha. He built excellent towers with curved interiors and settled hundreds
of masons with tax remissions. He raised a marvellous Stockade for driving on elephants and
horses. Elephants, jewels and rubies as numeral pearls he caused to be brought here from the
Paṁḍa (Pāṇdya) Rāja. Kharvela was a follower of Jainism both he and chief queen literally
patronised the Jaina ascetics.
Hathigumpha Inscription 3
In the 13th year, on the Kumari Hill, that veil of conquest by jina has been well rewarded, he
offered respectfully China clothes (Chinavadani) and white clothes to her herds who have
extinguished the cycle of life. The preachers of the religious life and conduct at the relic
memorial by the illustrious Kharvela a lay worshiper himself was realised the nature of soul
and body, bringing about an assemblage of wise ascetics and sages from a hundred quarters.
The Shamaṇas (monks) of good deeds and confirming with injunctions near the relic
repository of the Urhad (?) on top of the hills with stones brought from many yojanas
(leagues) quarried from excellent mines. He setup four columns inlaid with beryl at the cost
of 75000 thousand. He caused to be completed expeditiously the seven fold Aṁgas of the 64
letters. King of peace, prosperity, King of monks (Bhikkhu), King of Dhamma (Dharma) who
has been seen hearing and realising blessings accomplished in extraordinary virtues,
respecters of all sects (Sarvapāsaṇdapūjako), the repairer of all temples (devāya), one whose
army and chariots are invincible, whose dominions are protected by their head himself
descended from the family of the Royal Sage Vasu, the great conqueror, the Raja, the
illustrious Kharvela. That he claimed to be a great conqueror in his own days is indicated by
the epithet Chakravartin given to him in the inscription of his queen (Mañchpuri Cave
Inscription). Although there is perhaps some exaggeration in the account of his achievements
as narrated in the Hathigumpha Inscription, it cannot be denied that Kharvela was a military
leader of great ability and under him Kalinga reached the pinnacle of glory which it failed to
retain for several centuries after his death.
Date of the Hathigumpha Inscription of Kharvela
It is now admitted on all hands that the Hathigumpha Inscription does not bear any date.
Although the sharp controversy regarding the date of Kharvela still continues. The late
[Link] and Stenkonour assigned it to the 1st half of the second century BCE, whereas,
[Link], late [Link], and [Link] preferred to place it at Circa 25 BCE on
palaeographic ground, the inscription cannot be placed earlier than the beginning of the 2nd
century BCE nor later than the 1st century date within narrower limits. The inscription
mentions 3 invasions of Northern India by Kharvela, during one of these he overran southern
Magadha striking at the Barabar Hills and the city of Rajagriha. On a second occasion, he
compelled the king of Magadha to fall at his feet and brought much booty from Magadha and
Anga. It is out of the question that these events happened during the heyday of Shunga Glory
(184-123 BC). Kharvela repeated inroads over the plains of Northern India could only have
been possible either immediately before the accession of Pushyamitra or after the collapse of
the Shunga power. The most decisive piece of evidence is the mention of the Greek invader
who hastily retreated to Mathura. On learning of the advance of Kharvela’s armies to
Rajagriha. It was only once that the Greek armies marched into the Ganges Valley and
penetrated as far as the metropolis of Pataliputra. This invasion is referred in the
Hathigumpha Inscription 4
Mahabhashya as an event of the recent past; i.e. before the rule of Pushyamitra commenced.
From the Yugapurana also we learn that the viciously valiant Greeks has to beat a hasty
retreat on account of a deadly war having broken out amongst them. There can be no doubt
that the reference is to the invasion of India by Demetrius who had to hasten back on account
of the appearance of his rival Eucradites. The invasion of Demetrius has to be placed before
the accession of Pushyamitra, i.e. between 200-196 BCE. The mention of the Raṭhikas and
Bhojakas as independent ruling power also indicated a proximity to the Ashokan times rather
than any later period. When these powers ceased to exist as separate political entities, thus
everything seems to point to the beginning of the second century BCE as the date of
Kharvela’s accession to the throne. Kharvela is said to have ruled 300 years after (Tivasasata)
a Nanda king had excavated an aqueduct in Kalinga. The last known date of Nanda rule being
324 BCE, Kharvela therefore seems to have been in power 300 years after that, in other
words around 24 BCE. The alternative interpretation of the Tivasasata in the sense of 103
years does not hold true as the palaeography of the Hathigumpha Prashasti is not as old as the
3rd century BCE (324-103BC = 221BC).
Significance of Hathigumpha Inscription
The Hathigumpha Inscription of Kharvela is one of the important inscription of Chedi king
who is known by the name of Kharvela who belonged to the Mahameghavahana dynasty. He
was a follower of Jainism as we come to know from his record. The inscription is a sectarian
one and belonged to Jainism. This inscription is noted for its mentioning of the one Satakarni
who is identified with the Satavahana king, Satakarni I. The inscription is also important from
the fact that here we find the mention of one Vinita who can be identified with either
Demetrius I or Demetrius II. It also records the subjugation of the Raṭṭhikas and Bhojakas
which shows that upto the 4th year of the reign of Kharvela, they existed as separate states as
in the time of Ashoka, but subsequently his states must have been swallowed up by the
Satavahanas.
The next importance of this inscription is the mentioning canal from Tanasuliya - Vāta which
was excavated in the year 300 before the Nanda King (100 or 103?) which will fix the upper
limit of Kharvela’s reign. The next important point mentioned in the inscription is the
mentioning of Vahasatimita. This Vahasatimita or Bṛihaspatimitra can be known from the
coins of the first hay of the 2nd century BCE. So he may be identified with the King of
Magadha who was ruling before the Pushyamitra Shunga. Here for the first time, we are
getting reference of Bharatvarsha and Uttarapatha which is identified with Northern India.
The inscription also mentioned the name of Kalinganagari which was a capital of the
Kharvela. The Vajirahara mentioned in the inscription is known by some name till the 12th
century CE, when it is mentioned by Kulothunga Chola I or the Chalukya Chola Rajendra
Hathigumpha Inscription 5
Chola II as Vayiragara in the Tiruvorriyur Ādhipurīśvara temple inscription of the 2nd year.
The reference of Magadha is also very important which is identified with Southwestern Bihar
consisting of the modern districts of Patna Gaya and Northwestern Hazaribag. It also refers to
Anga consisted of the positions of the districts of Bhagalpur and Monghyr which be to the
south of Ganges adjoining Magadha. The Paṁḍarāja of Hathigumpha inscription refers to the
Kings of Southern extremely of the Indian peninsula from Madurai to Cave Comoran. The
Gorakhgiri mentioned in the inscription is undoubtedly an ancient name of the Barabar Hills,
Gaya in Bihar.
Tamira or Tramira is equal to Dravida or Droumila i.e. The Tamilakam of the Tamil Nadu
known as Damirike in classical sources, here we also find information on the administration
of the Kharvela. The sources of revenue included not only the wealth and Vasu extracted from
his enemies but also Kara (taxes) and Dana (clothes) imposed on his subjects. He granted
certain remissions along with various privileges to various jatis of the Jānapada. The last term
refers to Paurajānapada i.e. people of cities and provinces which occurs in the Arthashastra of
Kautilya. We also find reference of Kharvela’s army which he divided into 4 branches namely
cavalry (Haya), elephants (Gaja), infantry (Nara), Chariots (Ratha). He also constructed the
Mahāvijaya Palace with an expenditure of 3,800,000 (copper coins).
Next was the restoration of walls and buildings in storm battered Kalinganagara involving 35
Lakhs coins in expenditure. His religious affiliations are publicly affirmed, he was a follower
of Jainism and the Hathigumpha Inscription by its reference to Jaina monks, their texts and
rituals as well as to a Ajina image brought back from Magadha made it an important
document for the history of Jainism. His Jaina affiliation did not however prevent him from
stating that he gave respectful attention to all sects (Sarva Pāsaṁda Pūjako). Indeed he boasts
of giving certain tax exemptions to Brahmanas. His chief Queen also donated a cave to a
Jaina ascetic claims not a Brahmana gotta but a royal lineage. In this inscription Kharvela is
known as Kalingadhipati (Kalinga ruler).
Hathigumpha Inscription 6
