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Shravanabelagola Inscription of Bhadrabahu and Chandragupta

A carved inscription on Chandragiri hill in Karnataka recording the arrival of the Jain monk Bhadrabahu with Chandragupta, the basis for the tradition that he died there as an ascetic.

The epigraphic basis for the Jain tradition that Chandragupta abdicated and died as an ascetic in Karnataka.

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A dark stone wall covered with rows of small carved relief panels showing human figures in various scenes, set into square recesses. A black sign above in English, Hindi and Kannada reads 'Inscription of the incoming of Shrutkevali Bhadrabahu Swami and Samrat Chandragupta'.
Inscription of the incoming of Shrutakevali Bhadrabahu Swami and Samrat Chandragupta, Shravanabelagola, Karnataka.

About this source

What it is

This inscription, carved into a stone wall at Shravanabelagola in Karnataka, records the arrival of the Jain monk Bhadrabahu together with Chandragupta, referred to here as Samrat Chandragupta. It is surrounded by carved relief panels showing human figures in traditional sculptural style.

Why it matters

It is the key epigraphic evidence behind the Jain tradition that Chandragupta Maurya abandoned his throne, became a Jain ascetic, and followed Bhadrabahu to Karnataka, where he is said to have died. This story links Chandragupta to Jainism and to South India, offering a very different ending to his life than other traditions suggest.

Look closer

  • Why might different religious traditions tell different stories about how Chandragupta's life ended?
  • What does the location, far from the Mauryan capital, suggest about this part of his story?
  • How does an inscription like this become the basis for a whole historical tradition?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Chandragupta Maurya on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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