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{{Short description|Ancient Indian dynasty}}
{{Short description|Ancient Indian dynasty}}
{{Infobox country
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
| conventional_long_name = Maha-Meghavahana Dynasty<br />Mahāmēghabāhana
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
| common_name           = Maha-Meghavahana Dynasty<br />Mahāmēghabāhana
{{Infobox Former Country
| era                   = Classical India
| conventional_long_name   = Maha-Meghavahana Dynasty<br />Mahāmēghabāhana
| year_start             = 1st century BC
| common_name             = Maha-Meghavahana Dynasty<br />Mahāmēghabāhana
| year_end               = 4th century CE
| era                     = Classical India
| p1                     = Maurya Empire
| year_start               = 2nd or 1st century BC
| flag_p1                = Ashoka Maurya Empire.png
| year_end                 = 4th century CE
| p2                     = Satavahanas
| p1                       = Maurya Empire
| flag_p2                = Map_of_the_Satavahanas.png
| p2                       = Satavahanas
| s1                     = Kushan Empire
| s1                       = Kushan Empire
| flag_s1                = Map of the Kushan Empire.png
| s2                       = Murunda dynasty
| s2                     = Murunda dynasty
| s3                       = Gupta Empire
| s3                     = Gupta Empire
| religion                 = [[Jainism]]
| flag_s3                = Map_of_the_Gupta_Empire.png
| government_type         = Monarchy
| religion               = [[Jainism]]
| leader1                 = Vriddharaja
| government_type       = Monarchy
| leader2                  = Kharavela
| title_leader          = [[Maharajadhiraj]] (Emperor)
| leader3                  = Kudepasiri
|leader1               = Mahameghvahan
|image_map              = Map of the Maha-Meghavahanas.png
|year_leader1 = 1st c. BC-unkown
|image_map_alt          = Map of the Maha-Megavahanas.
|leader                =  
|image_map_caption      = Map of the Maha-Meghavahanas, circa 20 BCE.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Schwartzberg |first1=Joseph E. |title=A Historical atlas of South Asia |date=1978 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago |page=145, map XIV.1 (f)|isbn=0226742210 |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=182}}</ref>
| year_leader2 =  
|map_width = 290
| demonym                =
| area_km2              =
| area_rank              =  
| image_map              = Map of the Maha-Meghavahanas-min.png
| image_map_alt          = Map of the Maha-Megavahanas.
| image_map_caption      = Map of the Maha-Meghavahanas, circa 20 BCE.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Schwartzberg |first1=Joseph E. |title=A Historical atlas of South Asia |date=1978 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago |page=145, map XIV.1 (f)|isbn=0226742210 |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=182}}</ref>
| map_width             = 290
}}
}}
The '''Mahameghavahana dynasty''' ([[IAST]]:Mahā-Mēgha-Vāhana;, 1st century BC to early 4th century CE<ref name="Sahu">{{Cite journal|last=Sahu|first=J. K.|date=1977|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress|volume=38|pages=49–54|issn=2249-1937|jstor=44139050|title=The Meghas of Kosala}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/187259/13/13_chapter%202.pdf|title=The Meghas of Kosala|last=Sahu|first=J.K.|date=1977|website=shodhganga}}</ref>) was an ancient Indian dynasty of [[Kalinga (historical kingdom)|Kalinga]] after the decline of the [[Maurya Empire]].<ref>For a map of their territory see: {{cite book |last1=Schwartzberg |first1=Joseph E. |title=A Historical atlas of South Asia |date=1978 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago |page=145, map XIV.1 (f)|isbn=0226742210 |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=182}}</ref> In the 1st c. B.C., a king of [[Chedi Kingdom|Chedi]], Mahameghavahana conquered [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]] and [[Kosala]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.282457|title=Tribes in Ancient India|last=L Bhagawandas Gandhi|date=1927}}</ref> They belonged to the [[Chandel (Rajput clan)|Chedi-Chandel]] clan of the [[Lunar dynasty|Chandravansh]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Taṇḍana |first=Premanārāyaṇa |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=a0shAAAAMAAJ&q=%E0%A4%9A%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BF+%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE+%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B2&dq=%E0%A4%9A%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BF+%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE+%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B2&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwieq52v2LaBAxWG1GEKHX_kClE4ChDoAXoECAQQAw#%E0%A4%9A%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BF%20%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%20%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B2 |title=ब्रजभाषा सूर-कोश: Nirdeśaka Dīnadayālu Gupta |date=1962 |publisher=Lakhanaū Viśvavidyālaya |language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Dikshit |first=R. K. |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=a9j9ZJGJOV0C&pg=PA130&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=V%E1%B9%9B%E1%B9%A3%E1%B9%87%C4%ABs&f=false |title=The Candellas of Jejākabhukti |date=1976 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=978-81-7017-046-4 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Verma |first=Dr Shyam Bahadur |url=https://books.google.com/books/about/Prabhat_Brihat_Hindi_Shabdakosh_Vol_1.html?id=hr9Zl_7g8HAC |title=Prabhat Brihat Hindi Shabdakosh (Vol-1): Bestseller Book by Dr Shyam Bahadur Verma: Prabhat Brihat Hindi Shabdakosh) |date=2010-01-01 |publisher=Prabhat Prakashan |isbn=978-81-7315-769-1 |language=hi}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite book |last=Kapoor |first=Badrinath |url=https://books.google.com/books/about/Brihat_Pramanik_Hindi_Kosh.html?id=hkmDkkI5JYYC |title=Brihat Pramanik Hindi Kosh |date=2006-09-01 |publisher=Lokbharti Prakashan |isbn=978-81-8031-057-7 |language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Thakur ‘Bipin’ |first=Dr Bindeshwari Prasad |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=2Ht3EAAAQBAJ&pg=PA502&dq=%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B2+%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B2&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiikYfu2baBAxUddfUHHTlyCisQ6AF6BAgGEAM#v=onepage&q=%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B2%20%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B2&f=false |title=BHARTIYA SANSKRITI KE GAKAAR PRATEEK |publisher=Sarv Bhasha Trust |isbn=978-93-93605-21-4 |language=hi}}</ref><ref name="MajumdarBhavan1951">{{cite book |author=[[Ramesh Chandra Majumdar]] |title=The History and Culture of the Indian People: The age of imperial unity; 2d ed. 1953 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-3dDAAAAYAAJ |year=1951 |publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Society |first=Bihar and Orissa Research |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=IahEAQAAMAAJ&q=kharavela+chakravarti&dq=kharavela+chakravarti&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjgorSBt66BAxWSPXAKHWHvDBAQ6AF6BAgNEAM#kharavela%20chakravarti |title=Journal of the Bihar and Orissa Research Society |date=1917 |publisher=The Society |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=M2Pr0PCTYV4C&q=kharavela+Agramahishi&dq=kharavela+Agramahishi&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjY4Ze-tq6BAxXYO3AKHaXqBHwQ6AF6BAgOEAM#kharavela%20Agramahishi |title=Journal of the Andhra Historical Research Society |date=1946 |publisher=Andhra Historical Research Society |language=en}}</ref>
{{South Asia in 50 CE}}
{{HistoryOfSouthAsia}}
The '''Mahameghavahana dynasty''' ({{IAST|Mahā-Mēgha-Vāhana}}, 2nd or 1st century BC to early 4th century CE<ref name="Sahu">{{Cite journal|last=Sahu|first=J. K.|date=1977|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress|volume=38|pages=49–54|issn=2249-1937|jstor=44139050|title=The Meghas of Kosala}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/187259/13/13_chapter%202.pdf|title=The Meghas of Kosala|last=Sahu|first=J.K.|date=1977|website=shodhganga}}</ref>) was an ancient ruling dynasty of [[Kalinga (historical kingdom)|Kalinga]] after the decline of the [[Maurya Empire]].<ref>For a map of their territory see: {{cite book |last1=Schwartzberg |first1=Joseph E. |title=A Historical atlas of South Asia |date=1978 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago |page=145, map XIV.1 (f)|isbn=0226742210 |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=182}}</ref> In the first century B.C., Mahameghavahana, a king of Chedirastra (or Cetarattha, i.e., kingdom of the [[Chedi Kingdom|Chedi]]s)<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.282457|title=Tribes in Ancient India|last=L Bhagawandas Gandhi|date=1927}}</ref> conquered [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]] and [[Kosala]]. During the reign of [[Kharavela]], the third king of Mahameghavahana dynasty, South Kosala became an integral part of the kingdom. He patronised [[Jainism]], but did not discriminate against other religions.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M1JuAAAAMAAJ|title=A History of the Early Ganga Monarchy and Jainism|author=Hampa Nagarajaiah|publisher=Ankita Pustaka|year=1999|isbn=978-81-87321-16-3|page=10|author-link=Hampa Nagarajaiah}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3hNPAQAAIAAJ|title=History of Jainism|author=Kailash Chand Jain|publisher=D. K. Print World (P) Limited|year=2010|isbn=978-81-246-0547-9|page=437}}</ref> He is known by his [[Hathigumpha inscription]].


The dynasty was established Kalinga in the 1st century by a ruler Mahameghavahana from the [[Chandel (Rajput clan)|Chedi-Chandel]] clan. 3rd one was [[Chakravartin]] Kharavela or Bhikshurajvarman, he drove out the Indo-Greek ruler [[Demetrius I of Bactria|Demetrius I]] from [[India]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=C.S.Natarajan |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=H91LDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT234&dq=Kharavela+defeated+Greek&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjwy-uvhLSBAxWZb94KHUBcAVk4ChDoAXoECAIQAw#v=onepage&q=Kharavela%20defeated%20Greek&f=false |title=National Words: A Solution to the National Language Problem of India |date=2018-02-13 |publisher=Notion Press |isbn=978-1-948147-14-9 |language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sanyal |first=Sanjeev |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=0SD5DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT56&dq=Kharavela+defeated+Greek&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwij1LuChLSBAxV8dPUHHSmQCrEQ6AF6BAgOEAM#v=onepage&q=Kharavela%20defeated%20Greek&f=false |title=Incredible History of the Indian Ocean |date=2020-09-14 |publisher=Penguin Random House India Private Limited |isbn=978-93-5305-962-0 |language=en}}</ref> He humiliated [[Maurya Empire|Mauryans]] and conquered [[Pushyamitra Shunga]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Das |first=Manmatha Nath |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32999 |title=Glimpses Of Kalinga History |date=1949}}</ref> [[Satavahanas]], Musikas, Bhojakas, Rastrikas and Pandyas. His empire had extensive trade with Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Indonesia.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Das |first=Manmatha Nath |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.32999 |title=Glimpses Of Kalinga History |date=1949}}</ref> He patronised [[Jainism]], but did not discriminate against other religions.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M1JuAAAAMAAJ|title=A History of the Early Ganga Monarchy and Jainism|author=Hampa Nagarajaiah|publisher=Ankita Pustaka|year=1999|isbn=978-81-87321-16-3|page=10|author-link=Hampa Nagarajaiah}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3hNPAQAAIAAJ|title=History of Jainism|author=Kailash Chand Jain|publisher=D. K. Print World (P) Limited|year=2010|isbn=978-81-246-0547-9|page=437}}</ref> South Kosala was later conquered by [[Gautamiputra Satakarni]] of the [[Satavahana dynasty]] in the early part of the 2nd century CE and remained in their possession up to the second half of the 2nd century CE. It was during the second and third century CE, the Meghas or Meghavahanas reappeared in the political scene and regained their suzerainty over South Kosala. [[Samudragupta]] during his [[Dakshinapatha|Daksinapatha]] expedition, defeated [[Mahendra of Dakshina Kosala|Mahendra of Kosala]] who probably belonged to the Megha dynasty. As a result, the South Kosala during the fourth century A.D, became a part of the Gupta empire.<ref name="Sahu"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/187259/13/13_chapter%202.pdf|title=The Meghas of Kosala|last=Sahu|first=J.K|website=shodhganga}}</ref>
South Kosala was later conquered by [[Gautamiputra Satakarni]] of the [[Satavahana dynasty]] in the early part of the 2nd century CE and remained in their possession up to the second half of the 2nd century CE. It was during the second and third century CE, the Meghas or Meghavahanas reappeared in the political scene and regained their suzerainty over South Kosala. [[Samudragupta]] during his [[Dakshinapatha]] expedition, defeated [[Mahendra of Dakshina Kosala]] who probably belonged to the Megha dynasty according to a speculation. As a result, the South Kosala during the fourth century A.D, became a part of the Gupta empire.<ref name="Sahu"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/187259/13/13_chapter%202.pdf|title=The Meghas of Kosala|last=Sahu|first=J.K|website=shodhganga}}</ref>
 
The Sada dynasty who ruled form [[Amaravati]] region in their inscription from [[Guntupalli Group of Buddhist Monuments|Guntapalli]] describe themselves as Maharaja of Kalinga Mahisaka countries belonging to Mahameghavahana family.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Shimada|first=Akira|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YweEJsuLNCUC&q=the+sadas&pg=PA43|title=Early Buddhist Architecture in Context: The Great St?pa at Amar?vat? (ca. 300 BCE-300 CE)|date=9 November 2012|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-90-04-23283-9|language=en}}</ref>


==List of rulers==
==List of rulers==
The Hathigumpha inscription describes the following Rulers.<ref name="Bhagwan_1883">{{cite book |title=Proceedings of the Leyden International Oriental Congress for 1883 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=womFcFAtU7MC&pg=PA144 |year=1885 |author=Bhagwanlal Indraji |author-link=Bhagwanlal Indraji |chapter=The Hâtigumphâ and three other inscriptions in the Udayagiri caves near Cuttack |pages=144–180 }}</ref> It does not directly mention the relationship between Mahameghavahana and Kharavela, or the number of kings between them.<ref>{{cite book |author=Sailendra Nath Sen |title=Ancient Indian History and Civilization |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wk4_ICH_g1EC&pg=PA176 |year=1999 |publisher=New Age International |isbn=978-81-224-1198-0 |pages=176–177 }}</ref> Indraji interpreted the inscription to create the following hypothetical family tree:<ref name="Bhagwan_1883"/>
The Hathigumpha inscription describes the following rulers.<ref name="Bhagwan_1883">{{cite book |title=Proceedings of the Leyden International Oriental Congress for 1883 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=womFcFAtU7MC&pg=PA144 |year=1885 |author=Bhagwanlal Indraji |author-link=Bhagwanlal Indraji |chapter=The Hâtigumphâ and three other inscriptions in the Udayagiri caves near Cuttack |pages=144–180 }}</ref> It does not directly mention the relationship between Mahameghavahana and Kharavela, or the number of kings between them.<ref>{{cite book |author=Sailendra Nath Sen |title=Ancient Indian History and Civilization |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wk4_ICH_g1EC&pg=PA176 |year=1999 |publisher=New Age International |isbn=978-81-224-1198-0 |pages=176–177 }}</ref> Some historians have interpreted the inscription to create the following hypothetical family tree:<ref name="Bhagwan_1883"/>


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{{Tree chart| |Vud| | | |Has| | |Vud=Vudharaja (a.k.a. Vriddharaja)|Has=Hastisaha (a.k.a. Hastisimha)}}
{{Tree chart| |Vud| | | |Has| | |Vud=Vudharaja (a.k.a. Vriddharaja)|Has=Hastisaha (a.k.a. Hastisimha)}}
{{Tree chart| | |!| | | | | |!| |}}
{{Tree chart| | |!| | | | | |!| |}}
{{Tree chart| |Kha|-|v|-|Dau|Kha=[[Kharavela]] (a.k.a. Bhiku,Bhikshuraja)|Dau=Daughter}}
{{Tree chart| |Kha|-|v|-|Dau|Kha=[[Kharavela]] (a.k.a. Bhiku, Bhikshuraja)|Dau=Daughter}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | |!| | | |}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | |!| | | |}}
{{Tree chart| | | | |Vak| | | |Vak=Vakradeva (a.k.a. Kudepasiri)}}
{{Tree chart| | | | |Vak| | | |Vak=Vakradeva (a.k.a. Kudepasiri)}}

Revision as of 11:54, 23 July 2024


Maha-Meghavahana Dynasty
Mahāmēghabāhana

2nd or 1st century BC–4th century CE
Map of the Maha-Megavahanas.
Map of the Maha-Meghavahanas, circa 20 BCE.[1]
Religion
Jainism
GovernmentMonarchy
Historical eraClassical India
• Established
2nd or 1st century BC
• Disestablished
4th century CE
Preceded by		 Succeeded by
Maurya Empire
Satavahanas
Kushan Empire
Murunda dynasty
Gupta Empire

Template:South Asia in 50 CE

Outline of South Asian history
South Asia (orthographic projection)
Palaeolithic (2,500,000–250,000 BC)
Madrasian Culture
Soanian Culture
Neolithic (10,800–3300 BC)
Bhirrana Culture (7570–6200 BC)
Mehrgarh Culture (7000–3300 BC)
Edakkal Culture (5000–3000 BC)
Chalcolithic (3500–1500 BC)
Anarta tradition (c. 3950–1900 BC)
Ahar-Banas Culture (3000–1500 BC)
Pandu Culture (1600–1500 BC)
Malwa Culture (1600–1300 BC)
Jorwe Culture (1400–700 BC)
Bronze Age (3300–1300 BC)
Indus Valley Civilisation(3300–1300 BC)
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Vedic Civilisation(2000–500 BC)
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Iron Age (1500–200 BC)
Vedic Civilisation(1500–500 BC)
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Pradyota Dynasty (799–684 BC)
Haryanka Dynasty (684–424 BC)
Three Crowned Kingdoms (c. 600 BC – AD 1600)
Maha Janapadas (c. 600–300 BC)
Achaemenid Empire (550–330 BC)
Ror Dynasty (450 BC – AD 489)
Shaishunaga Dynasty (424–345 BC)
Nanda Empire (380–321 BC)
Macedonian Empire (330–323 BC)
Maurya Empire (321–184 BC)
Seleucid India (312–303 BC)
Pandya Empire (c. 300 BC – AD 1345)
Chera Kingdom (c. 300 BC – AD 1102)
Chola Empire (c. 300 BC – AD 1279)
Pallava Empire (c. 250 AD – AD 800)
Maha-Megha-Vahana Empire (c. 250 BC – c. AD 500)
Parthian Empire (247 BC – AD 224)
Middle Kingdoms (230 BC – AD 1206)
Satavahana Empire (230 BC – AD 220)
Kuninda Kingdom (200 BC – AD 300)
Mitra Dynasty (c. 150 – c. 50 BC)
Shunga Empire (185–73 BC)
Indo-Greek Kingdom (180 BC – AD 10)
Kanva Empire (75–26 BC)
Indo-Scythian Kingdom (50 BC – AD 400)
Indo-Parthian Kingdom (AD 21 – c. 130)
Western Satrap Empire (AD 35–405 )
Kushan Empire (AD 60–240)
Bharshiva Dynasty (170–350)
Nagas of Padmavati (210–340)
Sasanian Empire (224–651)
Indo-Sassanid Kingdom (230–360)
Vakataka Empire (c. 250 – c. 500)
Kalabhras Empire (c. 250 – c. 600)
Gupta Empire (280–550)
Kadamba Empire (345–525)
Western Ganga Kingdom (350–1000)
Kamarupa Kingdom (350–1100)
Vishnukundina Empire (420–624)
Maitraka Empire (475–767)
Huna Kingdom (475–576)
Rai Kingdom (489–632)
Kabul Shahi Empire (c. 500 – 1026)
Chalukya Empire (543–753)
Maukhari Empire (c. 550 – c. 700)
Harsha Empire (606–647)
Tibetan Empire (618–841)
Eastern Chalukya Kingdom (624–1075)
Rashidun Caliphate (632–661)
Gurjara-Pratihara Empire (650–1036)
Umayyad Caliphate (661–750)
Mallabhum Kingdom (694-1947)
Bhauma-Kara Kingdom (736-916)
Pala Empire (750–1174)
Rashtrakuta Empire (753–982)
Paramara Kingdom (800–1327)
Yadava Empire (850–1334)
Somavamshi Kingdom (882–1110)
Chaulukya Kingdom (942–1244)
Western Chalukya Empire (973–1189)
Lohara Kingdom (1003–1320)
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The Mahameghavahana dynasty (Mahā-Mēgha-Vāhana, 2nd or 1st century BC to early 4th century CE[2][3]) was an ancient ruling dynasty of Kalinga after the decline of the Maurya Empire.[4] In the first century B.C., Mahameghavahana, a king of Chedirastra (or Cetarattha, i.e., kingdom of the Chedis)[5] conquered Kalinga and Kosala. During the reign of Kharavela, the third king of Mahameghavahana dynasty, South Kosala became an integral part of the kingdom. He patronised Jainism, but did not discriminate against other religions.[6][7] He is known by his Hathigumpha inscription.

South Kosala was later conquered by Gautamiputra Satakarni of the Satavahana dynasty in the early part of the 2nd century CE and remained in their possession up to the second half of the 2nd century CE. It was during the second and third century CE, the Meghas or Meghavahanas reappeared in the political scene and regained their suzerainty over South Kosala. Samudragupta during his Dakshinapatha expedition, defeated Mahendra of Dakshina Kosala who probably belonged to the Megha dynasty according to a speculation. As a result, the South Kosala during the fourth century A.D, became a part of the Gupta empire.[2][8]

The Sada dynasty who ruled form Amaravati region in their inscription from Guntapalli describe themselves as Maharaja of Kalinga Mahisaka countries belonging to Mahameghavahana family.[9]

List of rulers

The Hathigumpha inscription describes the following rulers.[10] It does not directly mention the relationship between Mahameghavahana and Kharavela, or the number of kings between them.[11] Some historians have interpreted the inscription to create the following hypothetical family tree:[10]

Architecture

Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves is the most prominent example of Mahameghavahana dynasty work. These caves were built in 2nd century BCE during the rule of King Kharavela. Udayagiri means "Sunrise Hill" and has 18 caves while Khandagiri (means "Broken Hill") has 15 caves. The Hathigumpha cave ("Elephant Cave") has the Hathigumpha inscription, written by Raja Kharavela, the king of Kalinga in India, during the 2nd century BCE. The Hathigumpha inscription consists of seventeen lines incised in deep cut Brahmi letters starting with Jain Namokar Mantra. In Udayagiri, Hathigumpha (cave 14) and Ganeshagumpha (cave 10) are especially well known due to art treasures of their sculptures and reliefs as well as due to their historical importance. Rani ka Naur (Queen's Palace cave, cave 1) is also an extensively carved cave and elaborately embellished with sculptural friezes. Khandagiri offers a fine view back over Bhubaneswar from its summit. The Ananta cave (cave 3) depicts carved figures of women, elephants, athletes, and geese carrying flowers.

  • Udayagiri

    Udayagiri

  • Ganesha Gumpha (cave no-10), Udayagiri

    Ganesha Gumpha (cave no-10), Udayagiri

  • Hathi Gumpha (cave no-14), Udayagiri

    Hathi Gumpha (cave no-14), Udayagiri

  • Carving of Tirthankaras & Goddesses inside Navamuni Gumpha

    Carving of Tirthankaras & Goddesses inside Navamuni Gumpha

  • Udaygiri Stone Caves

    Udaygiri Stone Caves

  • Carving of Jain Tirthanakars

    Carving of Jain Tirthanakars

  • Sarpa Gumpha (cave no-13), Udayagiri

    Sarpa Gumpha (cave no-13), Udayagiri

References

  1. ↑ Schwartzberg, Joseph E. (1978). A Historical atlas of South Asia. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. p. 145, map XIV.1 (f). ISBN 0226742210.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sahu, J. K. (1977). "The Meghas of Kosala". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 38: 49–54. ISSN 2249-1937. JSTOR 44139050.
  3. ↑ Sahu, J.K. (1977). "The Meghas of Kosala" (PDF). shodhganga.
  4. ↑ For a map of their territory see: Schwartzberg, Joseph E. (1978). A Historical atlas of South Asia. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. p. 145, map XIV.1 (f). ISBN 0226742210.
  5. ↑ L Bhagawandas Gandhi (1927). Tribes in Ancient India.
  6. ↑ Hampa Nagarajaiah (1999). A History of the Early Ganga Monarchy and Jainism. Ankita Pustaka. p. 10. ISBN 978-81-87321-16-3.
  7. ↑ Kailash Chand Jain (2010). History of Jainism. D. K. Print World (P) Limited. p. 437. ISBN 978-81-246-0547-9.
  8. ↑ Sahu, J.K. "The Meghas of Kosala" (PDF). shodhganga.
  9. ↑ Shimada, Akira (9 November 2012). Early Buddhist Architecture in Context: The Great St?pa at Amar?vat? (ca. 300 BCE-300 CE). BRILL. ISBN 978-90-04-23283-9.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Bhagwanlal Indraji (1885). "The Hâtigumphâ and three other inscriptions in the Udayagiri caves near Cuttack". Proceedings of the Leyden International Oriental Congress for 1883. pp. 144–180.
  11. ↑ Sailendra Nath Sen (1999). Ancient Indian History and Civilization. New Age International. pp. 176–177. ISBN 978-81-224-1198-0.

External links

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