Yashahkarna

Yashahkarna (IAST: Yaśaḥakarṇa; r. c. 1073–1123 CE) was a ruler of the Kalachuri dynasty of Tripuri in central India. His kingdom was centered around the Chedi or Dahala region in present-day Madhya Pradesh.

Yashahakarna
Imperial Seal of Yashahkarna[1]
King of Dahala
Reign	c. 1073–1123 CE
Predecessor	Karna
Successor	Gayakarna
Issue	Gayakarna
Dynasty	Kalachuris of Tripuri
Father	Karna
Mother	Avalladevi

During Yashahkarna's reign, the Kalachuris lost the northern parts of their kingdom to the Gahadavalas, and also suffered defeats against the Paramaras and the Chandelas. However, he successfully invaded Vengi and defeated the Palas while sacking Champaranya (Champaran).

In short, you could attribute his ambitious reign as both a clause for imperial expansion, and a clause for the decline of the Kalachuri kingdom.

Reign

Yashahkarna was a son of his predecessor Karna. His mother Avalladevi was a Huna princess.^[2]

Yashahkarna ascended the throne around 1073 CE, and soon conquered the Andhra region, as attested to his Khaira plates inscription.^[a][1] There, he is said to have worshipped at the Shiva temple in Draksharama. The contemporary ruler of the region was probably the Vengi Chalukya king Vijayaditya VII. Yashahkarna also raided Champaranya, which V. V. Mirashi identifies as Champaran in Bihar.^[2]

Yashahkarna lost the northern parts of his kingdom, including Varanasi, to the Gahadavalas.^[2] The Paramara king Lakshmadeva raided the Kalachuri capital, Tripuri during his reign. The Chandela king Sallakshanavarman also defeated Yashahkarna.^[3]

Yashahkarna's rajaguru (royal preceptor) was Purusha-shiva.^[4]

See also

Sack of Champaranya

Notes

1. His presence in the Andhra region was almost certainly temporary, either a raid or momentary occupation.