Post-Kharavela Period and Murundas

The death of Kharavela marked the beginning of a long and relatively obscure period in Odisha’s history. For nearly four centuries after the Mahameghavahana dynasty’s decline, the historical record becomes fragmentary, pieced together from scattered inscriptions, coins, and literary references.

Decline of the Mahameghavahanas

Kharavela’s successors, if any, were unable to maintain the vast empire he had built. The Hathigumpha inscription does not name his heir, and no other inscription of comparable detail has been discovered from the immediate post-Kharavela period. The Mahameghavahana dynasty appears to have faded from power within a few generations, with Kalinga reverting to a collection of smaller principalities. The Satavahanas, who had been checked by Kharavela, may have extended their influence into southern Kalinga during this time.

The Murundas

One of the few historically attested ruling groups in post-Kharavela Odisha is the Murunda dynasty. The Murundas are mentioned in several Puranic texts as rulers of the Kalinga region. They are believed to have been of Saka (Indo-Scythian) origin, possibly related to the Western Kshatrapas. Their rule in parts of Odisha is dated roughly to the 2nd–3rd centuries CE. However, very little is known about individual Murunda kings, their administration, or the extent of their territory. Some scholars identify them as the Munda people mentioned in early Jaina texts.

Other Minor Dynasties

The post-Kharavela period also saw the emergence of several local ruling families. These included:

• The Kusanas: Some branch of the Kushana empire may have exerted influence over parts of northern Odisha, though this remains speculative.
• The Nagas: A Naga dynasty is believed to have ruled parts of western Odisha and Chhattisgarh during this period.
• Local Chiefs: Numerous small chieftains (gramikas, bhojakas) controlled villages and districts, as evidenced by land grant inscriptions from the Gupta period.

Legacy and Continuity

Despite political fragmentation, cultural and religious life continued. Buddhism and Jainism maintained their presence, though Brahmanical Hinduism gradually gained ascendance. Trade networks persisted, and archaeological evidence from sites like Sisupalgarh suggests continued urban occupation.

This “dark age” of Odisha history lasted until the rise of the Mathara dynasty in the 4th century CE, which would again consolidate power and initiate a new phase of state formation.