# Kharavela's Invasion of Vidharbha

In the second year of his regin Kharavela despatched an army with cavalry and war elephants to invaded Vidarbha which at that time was ruled by Satavahana King Satakarni. His army clashed with Satakarni at Pauni and Satakarni emerged victorious and successfully halted the invasion of Kharavela. Kharavela launched another expedition into the region but did not engage in direct conflict with the Satavahana ruler. In this campaign, he subjugated the Rathikas and Bhojakas and made them his vassals.
   "And in the second year (he), disregarding Satakamini, dispatches to the western regions an army strong in cavalry, elephants, infantry (nara) and chariots (ratha) and by that army having reached the Kanha-bemna, he throws the city of the Musikas into consternation."

## Background

Satakarni, with his father Simuka who had established a considerable empire in the Deccan and had taken the title of Dakshiņāpathapati (Lord of the Southern Territory), sought to expand his kingdom into northern India. The Sunga Empire at the time held huge area north of the Narmada River, and its capital had shifted from Pataliputra to Vidisa in central India. This is also reflected in the Greek king Antiacidas' actions, who addressed a letter to Vidisa rather than Pataliputta, as attested by an inscription on a pillar present at the site. According to historical records, Satakarni indeed invaded Vidisa and captured the city for a time.There is an inscription on one of the architraves of the Great Stupa at Sanchi that mentions Vasishthiputra Ananda as Aveshanika, describing him as the foreman under King Satakarni. It is thought to have caused some kind of heavy blow to the prestige of the Sunga dynasty so that Kanvas might have risen to the top. The Puranas state that founder of the Satavahana Dynasty, Simuka, ascended to power overthrowing the Kanvas and may be related to this invasion by Satakarni.

## Prelude

The Hathigumpha inscription records an invasion of his kingdom by a foreign enemy. According to the inscription, in the second year of his reign, the King of Kalinga, whom modern Odisha believes is Kharavela, let loose his fourfold army towards the west, and while ignoring Satakarni, showed terror-stricken residents of the capital of Rishika territory Kanha-Benna. Scholars have debated the proper interpretation of this event. Some identify Kanha-Benna with the Krishna River and suggest that "Asika-nagara" should be read as "Musika-nagara," interpreting the passage to mean that Kharavela's forces frightened the residents of Maski in the Raichur District upon reaching the Krishna River.

## Invasion

Kharavela's forces marched westward up to the river Kanhabenna, identified as the Wainganga River. Pauni, on this river was an important city at that time. Pauni was under control of Satakarni as coins issued by him were obtained during recent excavations. Kharavela's invasion of Vidarbha had thrown the people of Asika, or Rishika, which adjoined Vidarbha on the west, into great alarm. This explanation clarifies Kharavela's campaign in the region.
Kharavela's forces faced strong resistance at Pauni, and he retreated. The Hathigumpha inscription does not mention any conquests in this campaign, implying that none had been made. It seems Satakarni, hearing about the invasion, gathered his forces fast enough to thwart the attack and drive Kharavela's forces back. Two years after the first campaign, Kharavela mounted another invasion, but this time did not engage directly with the Satavahana king. During this campaign, he subdued the Rathikas and Bhojakas and forced them to submit to him. These raids, however, did not result in any considerable territorial acquisitions.