Description
The Hāthigumphā Inscription is a 17-line Prakrit inscription carved into the Hathigumpha (Elephant Cave) on Udayagiri Hill near Bhubaneswar, Odisha. It records the achievements of the Jain king Kharavela of the Mahameghavahana dynasty.
Historical context
The inscription dates to the period between the 2nd century BCE and the 1st century CE (paleographically mid-1st century BCE to early 1st century CE), during the reign of Kharavela, who ruled Kalinga (modern Odisha) in the post-Mauryan period. It is written in the Brahmi script and provides insight into the political dynamics of the Deccan after the Maurya collapse.
Content
The text recounts Kharavela’s military campaigns against the Satavahanas, his restoration of irrigation canals, patronage of Jain monks, and construction of cave dwellings. It mentions the earlier Nanda king (Nandaraja) and his irrigation canal, establishing a chronological link. The language is Jain Prakrit.
Modern status
The inscription is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India and is a key source for the history of Odisha. It has been transcribed and translated in multiple scholarly editions. The cave site is a tourist destination and pilgrimage center for Jains.
Verification notes
The Prakrit language and Brahmi script are consistent with 1st–2nd century BCE epigraphy. The political events align with numismatic evidence from Kalinga. The inscription’s location within the Jain cave complex corroborates its religious content.
- Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).