Battle of Pauni

Kharavela's invasion of Vidharbha
King Satakamni in the Hathigumpha inscription
Date 15 CE–2nd century CE Location Vidharbha, Deccan, Maharashtra Result Satavahana victory Retreat of Kharavela's army
Belligerents
Satavahana dynasty	Mahameghavahana dynasty
Commanders and leaders
Satakarni	Kharavela

The Western Campaign of Kharavela refers to a military expedition undertaken by the Kalinga king Kharavela in the second year of his reign, as recorded in the Hāthigumphā inscription. Disregarding the authority of the Satavahana ruler Satakarni, Kharavela dispatched his army westward, reaching the river Kanhabennā and causing alarm in Asikanagara, identified with the ancient Rishika region, corresponding to modern Khandesh. The campaign is believed to have reached Pauni in Vidarbha, then under Satakarni’s control, but ultimately met with resistance and was forced to retreat. The absence of any mention of victory in the inscription suggests that the expedition was unsuccessful.

Invasion

The Hāthigumphā inscription states that in the second year of his reign, Kharavela of Kalinga launched a westward campaign, ignoring the Satavahana ruler Satakarni. His army advanced to the river Kanhabennā, causing panic in Asikanagara, identified not as Maski but as Asika or Rishika modern-day Khandesh, west of Kalinga.

The army likely reached the Vainganga River near Pauni, then the capital of Vidarbha under Satakarni's control, as confirmed by coin finds. The incursion alarmed neighboring regions like Asika, but the absence of a victory claim in the inscription suggests Kharavela's forces were repelled, likely by a prompt Satavahana response near Pauni.

The Hathigumpha inscription of the Kalinga king Kharavela mentions a king named "Satakani" or "Satakamini", who is identified with Satakarni. The inscription describes dispatching of an army and Kharavela's threat to a city variously interpreted as "Masika" (Masikanagara), "Musika" (Musikanagara) or "Asika" (Asikanagara). NK Sahu identifies Asika as the capital of Assaka janapada. According to historian Ajay Mitra Shastri, Asika-nagara was located in the present-day Adam village in the Nagpur district, where a seal mentioning the Assaka has been found.

"Satakarni" in the Hathigumpha inscription.

"And in the second year (he), disregarding Satakamini, dispatches to the western regions an army strong in cavalry, elephants, infantry (nara) and chariots (ratha) and by that army having reached the Kanha-bemna, he throws the city of the Musikas into consternation."

— Hathigumpha inscription

The inscription also mentions a river, variously identified with Krishna or with the combined flow of Kanha-Wainganga.

Aftermath

Kharavela launched another military expedition, this time deliberately avoiding direct conflict with the Satavahana ruler. During this campaign, he subdued groups referred to as the Rathikas and Bhojakas, compelling them to submit to his authority. However, the campaign appears to have yielded no lasting territorial acquisitions.