The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c31.s5.5

v1.c31.s5.5

The only data of the early history of Kaliṅga, apart from unenlightening references in literature, are those that are supplied by the inscriptions of Açoka and the Hāthigumphā cave in Orissa. The edicts of Açoka (XIII, ed. Senart) tell us that early in his reign—about 262 B.C.—he conquered Kaliṅga and ravaged it pitilessly. The sight of the horrors which he had brought upon the wretched land caused a revulsion of feeling in the king, and inclined him towards the Buddhist faith. When after his death the Maurya empire began to decay, Kaliṅga asserted its independence, and rose again to prosperity. The most important of the Hāthigumphā inscriptions is the record of Khāravela or Bhikshurāja, to whom reference has already been made (p. 600). From this we learn that Khāravela of the Cheta family succeeded to the throne in the 24th year of his age. He claims to have had a population of 350,000 men in his capital, and to have increased the power of Kaliṅga by triumphs gained over his western and northern neighbours. He seems to have been a magnificent ruler of liberal tendencies, and styles himself 'a worshipper of men of all sects.' Other inscriptions record the names of king Vakradeva, probably his son, and of a prince Vaḍukha². For the rest, all is dark.