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.[2]
Religion
Hinduism
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

The Mahameghavahana dynasty (Mahā-Mēgha-Vāhana, 2nd or 1st century BC to early 4th century CE[4][5]) was an ancient ruling dynasty of Kalinga after the decline of the Maurya Empire.[6] In the first century B.C., Mahameghavahana, a king of Chedirastra (or Cetarattha, i.e., kingdom of the Chedis)[7] 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.[8][9] 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 Daksinapatha expedition, defeated 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.[4][10]

List of rulers

The Hathigumpha inscription describes the following Rulers.[11] It does not directly mention the relationship between Mahameghavahana and Kharavela, or the number of kings between them.[12] Indraji interpreted the inscription to create the following hypothetical family tree:[11]

Lalaka
Khemaraja (a.k.a. Kshemaraja)Unknown
Vudharaja (a.k.a. Vriddharaja)Hastisaha (a.k.a. Hastisimha)
Kharavela (a.k.a. Bhiku,Bhikshuraja)Daughter
Vakradeva (a.k.a. Kudepasiri)
Vadukha (a.k.a. Badukha)

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.[13][14] They were Maha Sada, Sivamaka Sada and Asaka Sada.[13]

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.

References

Citations

  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. ↑ Schwartzberg, Joseph E. (1978). A Historical atlas of South Asia. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. p. 145, map XIV.1 (f). ISBN 0226742210.
  3. ↑ Schwartzberg, Joseph E. (1978). A Historical atlas of South Asia. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. p. 25, 145. ISBN 0226742210.
  4. 1 2 Sahu, J. K. (1977). "The Meghas of Kosala". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 38: 49–54. ISSN 2249-1937. JSTOR 44139050.
  5. ↑ Sahu, J.K. (1977). "The Meghas of Kosala" (PDF). shodhganga.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ L Bhagawandas Gandhi (1927). Tribes in Ancient India.
  8. ↑ Hampa Nagarajaiah (1999). A History of the Early Ganga Monarchy and Jainism. Ankita Pustaka. p. 10. ISBN 978-81-87321-16-3.
  9. ↑ Kailash Chand Jain (2010). History of Jainism. D. K. Print World (P) Limited. p. 437. ISBN 978-81-246-0547-9.
  10. ↑ Sahu, J.K. "The Meghas of Kosala" (PDF). shodhganga.
  11. 1 2 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.
  12. ↑ Sailendra Nath Sen (1999). Ancient Indian History and Civilization. New Age International. pp. 176–177. ISBN 978-81-224-1198-0.
  13. 1 2 Vyas 1995, p. 31.
  14. ↑ 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.

Sources

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