the mahameghavahana dynasty (, 1st century bc to early 4nd century ce) was an ancient ruling dynasty of kalinga after the decline of the maurya empire. in the first century b.c., mahameghavahana, a king of cedirastra (or cetarattha, i.e., kingdom of the cedis) conquered kalinga and kosala. during the reign of kharavela, the third king of mahameghavahana dynasty, south kosala became an integral part of the kingdom. he patronised jainism, but did not discriminate against other religions. he is known by his hathigumpha inscription.