Kharavela
| Kharavela | |
|---|---|
| Chakravartin Kalingadhipati Maharaja | |
Possibly a royal scene depicting king Kharavela with his queen in Ranigumpha
Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves | |
| Emperor of Kalinga | |
| Tenure | 2nd or 1st century BCE |
| Predecessor | possibly Vriddharaja (a.k.a. Vudharaja) |
| Successor | possibly Vakradeva (a.k.a. Vakadepa) |
| Born | c. Mid 1st century BCE Kalinga,(Present day Odisha, India) |
| Spouse | Sindhula of Sampath |
| Issue | Kudepasiri |
| Dynasty | Mahameghavahana |
| Military career | |
| Battles / wars |
|
| Religion | Jainism |
Kharavela was the emperor of Kalinga (present-day eastern coast of India) in the 2nd or 1st century BC. The primary source for Kharavela is his rock-cut Hathigumpha inscription. The inscription is undated, only four of its 17 lines are completely legible, others unclear, variously interpreted and disputed by scholars. The inscription written with Jainism-related phrases recites a year by year record of his reign and panegyrically credits him with public infrastructure projects, welfare activities, patronage of the arts, and many military victories. Historians agree that it is best and most complete biography of Kharavela available. He was a follower of Jainism.