| Conventional Long Name: | Maha-Meghavahana Dynasty Mahāmēghabāhana |
| Common Name: | Maha-Meghavahana Dynasty Mahāmēghabāhana |
| Era: | Classical India |
| Year Start: | 2nd or 1st century BC |
| Year End: | 4th century CE |
| P1: | Maurya Empire |
| P2: | Satavahanas |
| S1: | Kushan Empire |
| S2: | Murunda dynasty |
| S3: | Gupta Empire |
| Religion: | Jainism |
| Government Type: | Monarchy |
| Leader1: | Vriddharaja |
| Leader2: | Kharavela |
| Leader3: | Kudepasiri |
| Image Map Alt: | Map of the Maha-Megavahanas. |
| Image Map Caption: | Map of the Maha-Meghavahanas, circa 20 BCE.[1] |
| Map Width: | 290 |
The Mahameghavahana dynasty (2nd or 1st century BC to early 4th century CE[2] [3]) was an ancient ruling dynasty of Kalinga after the decline of the Maurya Empire.[4] In the first century B.C., Mahameghavahana, a king of Chedirastra (or Cetarattha, i.e., kingdom of the Chedis)[5] 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.[6] [7] 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 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.[2] [8]
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.[9]
The Hathigumpha inscription describes the following rulers.[10] It does not directly mention the relationship between Mahameghavahana and Kharavela, or the number of kings between them.[11] Some historians have interpreted the inscription to create the following hypothetical family tree:[10]
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.