Kalinga Dynasty

Kalinga in Orissa was first invaded and occupied by the Nandas and later by Ashoka. Kalinga emerged as an independent state in the 2nd century BC under the Chedi dynasty. Mahadeva Vahana, a Chedi dynasty ruler from Madhya Pradesh, took control of Kalinga following the fall of the Mauryan Empire. The most prominent king of this dynasty was Kharavela. He was the third king of the Chedi dynasty.  Kharavela (176–163 BC), the grandson of Mahadeva Vahana, was the most well-known monarch of that dynasty. The 'Hatikumbha Inscription' discovered in Udayagiri, near to Cuttack, contains information on Kharavela. This inscription is carved on a rock in the Udayagiri near Bhubaneshwar. This inscription in Brahmi script records a brief history of Kharavela's reign. Kharavela maintained the independence of Kalinga by attacking neighboring countries. The Kharavela inscription claims that he extended the length of a canal built during the Nandas' reign and spent a large sum of money for the welfare of his subjects. Kharavela was a Jain follower. He took many steps to promote Jainism. The history of Kalinga after Kharavela's death is unclear.