Lakshmikarna

Lakshmikarna (IAST: Lakśmi-Karṇa; r.  c. 1041–1073 CE), also known as Karna, was a ruler of the Kalachuri dynasty of Tripuri in central India.

The most famous king of his dynasty, Lakshmikarna raided territories of several neighbouring kingdoms, including those of the Chandras, the Cholas, the Kalyani Chalukyas, the Chaulukyas, the Chandelas, and the Palas.

By the end of his reign, however, he suffered several setbacks and lost control of Malwa to Bhoja's brother Udayaditya.

[1] The 1048-49 Rewa stone inscription describes Lakshmikarna's military successes in the eastern regions of Vanga (modern Bengal) and Anga.

Vajradaman's son Jatavarman married Lakshmikarna's daughter Virashri, and later aided him in his Anga campaign.

[2] The Rewa inscription further states that Lakshmikarna invaded the Gurjara country, where he turned the local women into widows.

Lakshmikarna engineered a peace treaty by gifting him elephants, horses and the golden mandapika of Bhoja.

Bhoja's successor Jayasimha sought assistance from the Kalyani Chalukya king Someshvara I to restore the Paramara rule in Malwa.

A pillar inscription found at Paikar (or Paikore) in Birbhum district records the creation of an image at Lakshmikarna's order.

[3] The Siyan stone slab inscription from Nayapala's reign states that Lakshmikarna was defeated.

[6] According to Tibetan accounts, the Buddhist monk Atisha engineered a peace treaty between Nayapala and the "king of Karnya of the West".

Lakshmikarna allied with Someshvara II, while the Paramara king Jayasimha sided with Vikramaditya VI.

The combined army of Lakshmikarna and Someshvara II attacked the Paramara kingdom of Malwa, and captured it after dethroning Jayasimha.

These included the noted Sanskrit poet Bilhana, whose Vikramnka-deva-charita states that he defeated one Gangadhara in a poetic competition held at Lakshmikarna's court.