[Solved] King Kharavela and Hathigumpha Inscription Facts

King Kharavela and Hathigumpha Inscription Facts

King Kharavela of Kalinga is associated with the Hathigumpha inscription located in the Udayagiri hills of Odisha. This Prakrit inscription provides a year-by-year biographical record of his reign and achievements.

Primary Reference: NCERT Class XII - Themes in Indian History Part 1

Archived: 1999

Updated: 7 Sept 2025

King Kharavela is related to -

[43rd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1999]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

Inscriptions serve as the most reliable primary source for reconstructing the history of regional dynasties in ancient India, especially when literary records are scarce.

Authentic Source Evidence

King Kharavela of the Mahameghavahana dynasty is immortalized in the Hathigumpha (Elephant Cave) inscription at the Udayagiri hills near Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Written in Prakrit, it dates between the 2nd and 1st century BCE.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: The Hathigumpha inscription is a biographical record of Kharavela's 13 years of rule, documenting his military conquests, infrastructure work, and patronage of Jainism.

Logic 2: Girnar and Junagarh inscriptions (Options A and B) are primarily associated with Ashoka, Rudradaman I, and Skandagupta.

Logic 3: The Sarnath inscription (Option D) is famous for Ashoka’s Lion Capital and Buddhist history.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"In what language is the Hathigumpha inscription written?"

It is written in the Prakrit language using the Brahmi script.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"The inscription is unique because it follows a chronological, year-by-year account of the king's achievements, which is rare in ancient Indian records."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Kalinga 6 Jainism 5