A Comprehensive Compendium of History, Culture, Lifestyle and Tourism of Odisha
The reign of Kharavela is a significant landmark in the history of Orissa. The caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri hills and the Hathigumpha inscriptions provide eloquent testimony to Kharavela’s connectedness with Jainism. Among the followers of Mahavira, Kharavela stands out as the tallest name.
There is no concrete and sure evidence to show that there was actually a Nanda Rule in Kalinga other than that of Ashoka. This rule can not be connected with any type of contemporary relic as it can be done with Chandasoka who had
left sacred monuments.
N. K. Sahu has fixed up the chronology of Kharavela’s reign, as follows: (1)Establishment of Chedi rule in Kalinga -73 B.C.,
(2) Birth of Kharavela-64 B.C, (3) Coronation-40 B.C., and (4) Rule as Heir-apparent- 49-40 B.C.
After giving a description of his early life up to the 24th year, the Hatigumpha inscription records the events of his 13 years’ reign chronologically.