Hattusili III vs Kharavela of Kalinga

Hattusili III deposed his nephew Urhi-Teshub (Mursili III) in a coup, claiming the throne for himself. The usurpation led to internal conflict and Urhi-Teshub's exile, but Hattusili consolidated power and ruled for decades.

Hattusili III concluded a peace treaty with Pharaoh Ramesses II of Egypt, ending decades of conflict. The treaty, inscribed on silver tablets, established mutual non-aggression, extradition, and defensive alliance. It is the oldest known surviving peace treaty.

Hattusili III arranged the marriage of his daughter to Ramesses II, sealing the peace treaty. The diplomatic marriage strengthened ties between the Hittite and Egyptian royal families and ensured continued peace.

Kharavela led a military campaign against Magadha, defeating the king and forcing him to pay tribute. He brought back treasures and statues of Jain Tirthankaras that had been taken by the Nandas, restoring them to Kalinga.

Kharavela led a military expedition to the Pandya kingdom in southern India. He defeated the Pandya king and extracted tribute, extending Kalinga's influence into the Tamil region for the first time.

Kharavela patronized the excavation of the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves near Bhubaneswar. These caves served as Jain monastic retreats and feature inscriptions detailing his reign, including the famous Hathigumpha inscription.

Kharavela commissioned the Hathigumpha inscription in the Udayagiri caves. This 17-line inscription in Prakrit details his life, military campaigns, and public works, providing the primary historical source for his reign.