Among the following ancient Indian rulers, who is especially known as an ardent follower and patron of Jainism?

Introduction / Context:
Jainism, like Buddhism, received royal support from several ancient Indian rulers. Some kings are remembered for their strong personal commitment to Jain teachings and for promoting Jainism through patronage, inscriptions, and public works. This question asks you to identify which king, among the options listed, was an ardent follower of Jainism.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is on kings with a strong connection to Jainism.
• The candidates are Bimbisara, Mahapadma Nanda, Kharavela, and Pulakeshin II.
• We assume basic familiarity with their regions and religious leanings.

Concept / Approach:
Kharavela was a famous king of Kalinga (in present day Odisha) from the Chedi or Mahameghavahana dynasty. The Hathigumpha inscription near Bhubaneswar provides detailed information about his reign and explicitly associates him with Jainism and the support of Jain monks and institutions. Bimbisara and Mahapadma Nanda were Magadhan rulers with more varied religious associations, and Pulakeshin II was a Chalukya ruler in the Deccan, not specifically famous for patronage of Jainism in the same distinctive way. Therefore, Kharavela stands out as the clearly Jain devoted king among the options.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify Kharavela as the ruler of Kalinga known through the Hathigumpha inscription. Step 2: Recall that this inscription mentions his support for Jainism, his patronage of Jain monks, and his role in repairing Jain structures. Step 3: Compare this with Bimbisara and Mahapadma Nanda, who are not singled out in historical memory primarily as Jain patrons. Step 4: Note that Pulakeshin II, a Chalukya ruler, is known more for his military achievements and conflicts with Harsha, not especially for Jain patronage. Step 5: Conclude that Kharavela was the ardent follower of Jainism among the given choices.

Verification / Alternative check:
History texts that discuss Jainism's growth in eastern India often highlight Kharavela as an important royal patron. The Hathigumpha inscription at Udayagiri caves explicitly links him with Jain religious activities, including support of Jain monks and ritual structures. No comparable inscriptional evidence elevates the other kings listed to the same status as Jain patrons in standard exam oriented summaries.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Bimbisara: A Magadhan king contemporary with the Buddha, known to have interacted with both Buddhist and Jain leaders, but not primarily remembered as an ardent Jain follower.
• Mahapadma Nanda: Founder of the Nanda dynasty in Magadha, associated more with political power and expansion than with strong Jain devotion.
• Pulakeshin II: A Chalukya king famous for his conquests and resistance to Harsha; his religious affiliations do not centre prominently on Jainism in exam literature.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may loosely associate all ancient kings with multiple religions because of India's pluralistic environment. This can lead to guessing based on familiarity rather than specific evidence. Another mistake is confusing Kharavela with Mauryan kings like Ashoka, who are linked with Buddhism instead. To avoid errors, fix in memory that Kharavela of Kalinga is the king strongly associated with Jainism through the Hathigumpha inscription.

Final Answer:
The ancient Indian king especially known as an ardent follower of Jainism is Kharavela of Kalinga.