The rock-cut Hathigumpha inscription near Bhubaneswar relates to which king?

Correct Answer: Kharavela

Subject: history

Bimbisara
Ashoka
Kharavela
Chandragupta II

Explanation: • Hathigumpha inscription — Udayagiri caves, Bhubaneswar, Odisha • Inscribed by Kharavela — 3rd ruler of Mahameghavahana dynasty of Kalinga (2nd–1st century BC) • 17-line Brahmi inscription in Prakrit — year-by-year account of his reign • Kharavela was a devout Jain — restored Jina statue taken by Nanda dynasty • He built irrigation canals extending the Tanasuli canal • Key for post-Mauryan history reconstruction — first studied by General Cunningham