Archive · 7 Sep 2025
Kharavela: The Forgotten Jain Warrior Who Avenged Ashoka's Invasion
Imagine a long, long time ago, in a place called Kalinga (now Odisha in India), there was a king named Kharavela.
He was a warrior, but also followed the Jain religion, which values peace.
Years before, another king named Ashoka from the Mauryan Empire had attacked Kalinga.
Later, Kharavela became king and wanted to get back at the Mauryans.
He led his army to defeat them.
We know about Kharavela because he had his story written on a cave wall.
The cave where his story is written is called Udayagiri caves.
It's like he was saying, 'Kalinga has its own story too!'
Kharavela was a 2nd-century BCE Jain warrior and ruler of Kalinga.
Sources about Kharavela come from the Hathigumpha Inscription in the Udayagiri Caves.
He led an expedition into Magadha and defeated the Mauryans.
Kharavela brought back Jain idols taken by the Magadhan kings.
The Hathigumpha Inscription details events of his reign.
- Who
- Kharavela, a Jain warrior and ruler of Kalinga.
- What
- Kharavela avenged the Mauryan attack on Kalinga.
- When
- 2nd century BCE
- Where
- Kalinga (modern-day Odisha)
- Why
- To seek revenge for the Mauryan invasion of Kalinga.
- Ruler
- Kharavela
- Dynasty
- Mahameghavahana
- Location of Inscription
- Udayagiri Caves, Odisha
- Inscription Name
- Hathigumpha Inscription
- Era
- 2nd century BCE
- Noteworthy Action
- Led an expedition into Magadha, defeated the Mauryans