Yashahkarna (Nagari: यश:कर्ण, IAST: Yaśaḥakarṇa; r. c. 1073–1123 CE) was a ruler of the Kalachuris of Tripuri and he ruled the Dahala Kingdom of Chedi region in Central India. During his reign, the Kalachuris lost the northern parts of their kingdom, including Varanasi, to the Gahadavalas. Yashahkarna also campaigned in the Andhra region and raided Champaran, while facing incursions and defeats at the hands of the Paramaras of Malwa and Chandela Empire.
Yashakarna's reign saw military campaigns, territorial losses and another major setback in Kalachuri authority. Reign Yashahkarna was a son of his predecessor Karna. His mother Avalladevi was a Huna princess. He ascended the throne around 1073 CE. Invasion of Andhra Around 1073 CE, Yashahkarna, invaded Vengi, the capital of Eastern Chalukyas of Andhra. The campaign took place during a period when Vijayaditya VII, Chalukya ruler of Vengi was facing military pressure from the Cholas, Western Chalukyas, and other regional powers.
According to the Khaira Plates, Yashahkarna defeated the ruler of Andhra despite the latter showing no apparent weakness in battle. The inscription further records that Yashahkarna visited the sacred Bhimeshvara temple and made rich offerings there. It poetically describes the Godavari River, flowing near the temple, as singing his praises through the sound of its seven streams.
According to Dr. N. Venkataramanayya, the complete absence of Vijayaditya VII's inscriptions in the years following the campaign appears to support the Khaira Plates' account of Yashahkarna's invasion and victory. There, he is said to have worshipped at the Shiva temple in Draksharama.
Raid on Palas Yashahkarna also raided Champaranya, which V. V. Mirashi identifies as Champaran in Bihar. Other conflicts Yashahkarna lost the northern parts of his kingdom, including Varanasi, to the Gahadavalas. The Paramara king Lakshmadeva raided the Kalachuri capital, Tripuri during his reign, while the Chandela king Sallakshanavarman defeated and subdued Yashahkarna. Religion Yashahkarna was a follower of Shaivism. The name of his rajaguru (royal preceptor) was Purusha-shiva.
Notes
References
Bibliography