The Mahameghavahana dynasty ( (Brahmi:𑀫𑀳𑀫𑁂𑀖𑀯𑀸𑀳𑀦) 2nd or 1st century BC to early 4th century CE[For a map of their territory see: ] In the first century B.C., Mahameghavahana, a king of Chedirastra (or Cetarattha, i.e., kingdom of the Chedi Kingdom)
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 Dakshinapatha expedition, defeated Mahendra of Dakshina Kosala who probably belonged to the Megha dynasty according to a speculation. As a result, the South Kosala during the fourth century A.D, became a part of the Gupta empire.
List of rulers
The Hathigumpha inscription describes the following rulers.
It does not directly mention the relationship between Mahameghavahana and Kharavela, or the number of kings between them.
Some historians have interpreted the inscription to create the following hypothetical family tree:
Kharavela
The third ruler of the dynasty,
Kharavela, conquered much of
India in a series of campaigns at the beginning of the common era. Kaḷingan military might was reinstated by Khārabēḷa: under Khārabēḷa's generalship, the Kaḷinga state had a formidable maritime reach with trade routes linking it to the then-Simhala (Sri Lanka), Burma (Myanmar), Siam (Thailand), Vietnam, Kamboja (Cambodia), Borneo, Bali, Samudra (Sumatra) and Jabadwipa (Java). Khārabēḷa led many successful campaigns against the states of Magadha,
Anga, the Satavahanas and the
South India regions ruled by the
Pandyan dynasty (modern
Andhra Pradesh) and expanded Kaḷinga as far as the
Ganges and the
Kaveri.
The Kharavelan state had a formidable maritime empire with trading routes linking it to Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Borneo, Bali, Sumatra and Java. Colonists from Kaḷinga settled in Sri Lanka, Burma, as well as the Maldives and Maritime Southeast Asia. Even today Indians are referred to as Keling in Malaysia because of this.
Branches of Mahameghavahana Dynasty
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.
-During the reign of
Kharavela, the third king of Mahameghavahana dynasty, South Kosala became an integral part of the Kalinga,from there originated the Kosala branch of the Mahameghavahana dynasty.
Mahendra a king of Dakshina Kosala,was often identified with the Meghas of Kosala, who ruled over Kosala from the 3rd century AD to the 6th century AD.
Administration
The Maha meghavahanas had a organized political structure under the rule of Emperor Kharavela in the 2nd half of the 1st century BC. The Hathigumpha Inscription mentions that the king himself learnt
lekha (writing) ,
rupa(coinage),
ganana(accountancy),
vavahara(law) and
vidhi(administration) and acquired mastry over different branches of learning so as to proficient in statescraft. The inscription mentions different army and state officials such as:
-
Mahamad
-
Nagara Akhadamsa ( City Judge)
-
Kamma
-
Chaulakamma
-
Padamulika
The inscription mentions the regular collection and remission of taxes by the government. The inscription also mentions the King's restorative and building activities, building of a canal, a victory palace and an amphitheatre. Agriculture was flourishing in the state.
The inscription mentions the king's possession of a vast army of cavalry, infantry, elephantry and chariots.
Cultural contribution
The Mahameghavahanas patronised the Prakrit language. The Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela was an earliest known example of a prashasti was inscribed in prakrit language and Brahmi script.
Sculpture
The primary source of Mahameghavahana sculpture are the caves of Udaygiri and Khandagiri hills. Most of the caves are extensively carved and beautifully decorated with sculptures.
File:Rishabhanatha and ambika, Khandagiri Caves.jpg|Carving of Rishabhanatha and Ambika, Ambika Gumpha
File:Cast of frieze from Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, India - DPLA - 12456231272fc52606f494574a423cea.jpg|Carving of Apsara making an offering
File:Cast of frieze from Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, India - DPLA - ccf0665f20ae1917fe5fe5fec9fe9a60.jpg|Cast of frieze from Udayagiri and Khandagiri Cave
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
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.
External links
