Jain Ruler Kharavela: Imperialist To The Core

Hathigumpha Inscription / Image Credit

In the latter half of the first century B.C., Kalinga ruler Kharavela professed Jainism and became its great patron. It is interesting to note that though Kharavela had embraced Jainism, which stresses on non-violence, he was an imperialist to the core and entered in sanguinary conflicts with his adversaries all over India. 

Kharavela is credited with setting up several images and his chief queen granted a rock-cut cave to the Jain monks.

The Hathigumpha Inscription  of Kharvela 

The Hathigumpha Inscription  in a cavern called Hathigumpha in Udayagiri hills near Bhubaneswar in Odisha was inscribed by Kharavela . This inscription is the main source of information about Kharavela. 

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