# Karna I

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**Karna** ( 1064–1092 CE) was a [Chaulukya](/source/Chaulukya) king who ruled the present-day [Gujarat](/source/Gujarat) and surrounding areas, from his capital [Anahilapataka](/source/Anahilapataka) (modern Patan) in India.

Karna succeeded his father [Bhima I](/source/Bhima_I), who had invaded the [Paramara](/source/Paramara_dynasty) kingdom of [Malwa](/source/Malwa) at the time of [Bhoja](/source/Bhoja)'s death. Karna was forced to retreat from Malwa by Bhoja's brother [Udayaditya](/source/Udayaditya). He annexed [Lata](/source/Lata_(region)) to the Chaulukya territory by defeating a [Kalachuri](/source/Kalachuris_of_Tripuri) general, but lost it within a few years. He also suffered a defeat against the [Chahamanas of Naddula](/source/Chahamanas_of_Naddula), who raided the Chaulukya capital during his reign.

Karna is credited with defeating a [Bhil](/source/Bhil) chief of [Ashapalli](/source/Ashaval), and laying the foundation of the Karnavati city, identified with the modern [Ahmedabad](/source/Ahmedabad) in western [India](/source/India). Karna married Mayanalladevi,[A] who was the mother of his son and successor [Jayasimha Siddharaja](/source/Jayasimha_Siddharaja).

## Early life

Karna was born to the Chaulukya monarch [Bhima I](/source/Bhima_I) and Queen Udayamati. According to the 12th-century Jain chronicler [Hemachandra](/source/Hemachandra), Bhima had three sons: Mularaja, Kshemaraja, and Karna. Mularaja died during Bhima's lifetime.[1] Kshemaraja, the elder surviving son, renounced his rights to the throne, and retired to Dadhisthali as an ascetic.[2] Bhima then placed Karna on the throne and retired. After becoming the king, Karna sent Kshemaraja's son Devaprasada to Dadisthali to take care of his father.[1]

The veracity of Hemachandra is doubtful, and is not corroborated by any historical evidence. The 14th century chronicler Merutunga states that Bhima's three sons were Mularaja, Karna and Haripala. Of these, Haripala was born of a concubine named Bakuladevi. According to historian A. K. Majumdar, Merutunga's account appears to be more satisfactory, since voluntary rejections of thrones were very rare. Karna may have banished his half-brother and nephew to eliminate any rival claimants to the throne. Hemachandra was a royal courtier of Karna's son [Jayasimha Siddharaja](/source/Jayasimha_Siddharaja) as well [Kumarapala](/source/Kumarapala_(Chaulukya_dynasty)) (a descendant of Kshemaraja/Haripala). Therefore, he probably invented a fictional narrative to avoid mentioning Bhima's illegitimate son as an ancestor of his patron. This theory is corroborated by the fact that Jayasimha Siddharaja hated Kumarapala.[3]

Karna bore the title Trailokyamalla.[4]

## Military career

### Paramaras of Malwa

Karna was a contemporary of his [Kalachuri](/source/Kalachuris_of_Tripuri) namesake Karna (also known as Lakshmi-Karna). Karna's father [Bhima I](/source/Bhima_I) had formed an alliance with the Lakshmi-Karna to defeat the [Paramaras](/source/Paramara_dynasty) of [Malwa](/source/Malwa). The Paramara king [Bhoja](/source/Bhoja) died as the alliance attacked Malwa, and a war of succession broke out between the Paramara relatives [Jayasimha I](/source/Jayasimha_I_(Paramara_dynasty)) and [Udayaditya](/source/Udayaditya). Lakshmi-Karna seems to have occupied Malwa for sometime, but he soon suffered a series defeats against other neighbouring kings, and Bhima broke away from him.[5]

Udayaditya ultimately ascended the Paramara throne in Malwa. The Chaulukya inscriptions and chronicles claim that Karna defeated the new Paramara king. An inscription from [Kumarapala](/source/Kumarapala_(Chaulukya_dynasty))'s reign states that Karna defeated the Malwa monarch at the Sudakupa pass. The Gujarat chronicler Arisimha claims that Karna brought a statue of [Nilakantha](/source/Shiva) to Gujarat as a result of his victory against the Malwa ruler.[5] Another Gujarat poet Someshvara claims that Karna overran Malwa, and the Paramara priest magically invoked an evil spirit to defeat him. However, Karna's priest Ama (who was an ancestor of Someshvara), turned this evil spirit against the Paramara priest, who was killed as a result.[6]

The non-Chaulukya records, on the other hand, suggest that Udayaditya defeated Karna. According to the Paramara inscriptions, Udayaditya defeated three kings to ascend the Paramara throne. One of these three kings was Karna, who is identified with the Chaulukya king.[5] [Chahamana](/source/Chahamanas_of_Shakambhari) chronicle *[Prithviraja Vijaya](/source/Prithviraja_Vijaya)* states that the Chahamana king [Vigraharaja III](/source/Vigraharaja_III) gave a horse named Saranga to Udayaditya, with whose help Udayaditya defeated Karna.[7]The [Jainad](/source/Jainad) inscription of Udayaditya's son [Jagaddeva](/source/Jagaddeva_(Paramara_dynasty)) also mentions that he subdued Karna, and made the wives of the Gurjara warriors cry.[8] These evidences indicate that the Paramara claims of victory over Karna pertain to the Chaulukya Karna (and not the Kalachuri Karna).[6]

These opposing claims indicate that Karna defeated Udayaditya at first, but then Udayaditya was able to defeat him and ascend the throne of Malwa with Chahamana support. Udayaditya's son Jagaddeva seems to have accompanied his father in the battle against Karna.[9]

### Kalachuris of Tripuri

After the death of the [Paramara](/source/Paramara_dynasty) king [Bhoja](/source/Bhoja), the [Kalachuris of Tripuri](/source/Kalachuris_of_Tripuri) briefly occupied [Malwa](/source/Malwa). The Kalachuri general Vapullaka also conquered the [Lata region](/source/Lata_(region)) (present-day south Gujarat), which was located between the Chaulukya and the Paramara kingdoms. By 1074 CE, Lata was under Chaulukya control, as attested by one of Karna's [Navsari](/source/Navsari) inscription. Thus, it appears that Karna expelled the Kalachuris from Lata, and annexed the region to the Chaulukya kingdom.[10]

Karna's victory appears to have been achieved during the reign of the Kalachuri king Yashah-Karna, as suggested by a verse of the Gujarat poet Someshvara. This verse talks about how the rivalry between the legendary heroes [Karna](/source/Karna) and [Arjuna](/source/Arjuna) resulted in Arjuna's *yashah* (fame) being driven away.[10] It appears that Karna lost Lata to one Trivikramapala within three years, but the region was recaptured by his son [Jayasimha Siddharaja](/source/Jayasimha_Siddharaja).[11]

### Other campaigns

The [Chahamanas of Naddula](/source/Chahamanas_of_Naddula) invaded the Chaulukya kingdom during Karna's reign. According to their [Sundha Hill](/source/Sundha_Mata_Temple) inscription, the Chahamana ruler [Prithvipala](/source/Prithvipala) defeated Karna, and his successor [Jojalladeva](/source/Jojalladeva) occupied the Chaulukya capital [Anahilapataka](/source/Anahilapataka) by force. It is possible that the Naddula Chahamanas raided the Chaulukya capital while Karna was busy at another place.[11]

According to a *[Ras-Mala](/source/Alexander_Kinloch_Forbes)* account based on the writings of the 14th century chronicler Merutunga, Karna defeated the [Bhils](/source/Bhil_people) and the [Kolis](/source/Koli_people). The two tribes lived between the [Rann of Kutch](/source/Rann_of_Kutch) and the [Sabarmati River](/source/Sabarmati_River), and plundered the Chaulukya territories. As a result, Karna led a series of expeditions against them. In one such campaign, he defeated a Bhil chief named Asha (Āśā), who lived at [Ashapalli](/source/Ashaval). According to Merutunga, Karna established the city of Karnavati after this victory. Karnavati is identified with modern [Ahmedabad](/source/Ahmedabad) by some, but this is not certain.[12]

[Bilhana](/source/Bilhana)'s poem *Karna-Sundari*, which presents Karna as a hero, claims that he conquered [Sindh](/source/Sindh). But this claim is historically inaccurate.[11]

Two relatively late texts suggest that Karna was defeated by the [Chahamana](/source/Chahamanas_of_Shakambhari) king [Durlabharaja III](/source/Durlabharaja_III). The 14th-century text *[Prabandha Kosha](/source/Prabandha_Kosha)* claims that Durlabha defeated the [Gurjara](/source/Gurjaradesa) king, brought him to the Chahamana capital [Ajmer](/source/Ajmer) in chains and forced him to sell [yogurt](/source/Yogurt) in a market. The 15th century *[Hammira Mahakavya](/source/Hammira_Mahakavya)* claims that Karna was killed in a battle against Durlabha. However, this claim is historically inaccurate: Durlabha died around 1070 CE, while Karna lived until 1092 CE. Moreover, the earlier Chahamana records (such as *[Prithviraja Vijaya](/source/Prithviraja_Vijaya)*) do not mention any such conflict. It is possible that Durlabha achieved a minor military success against Karna, which was magnified into a major victory by the later [panegyrists](/source/Panegyrist).[13]

## Personal life

Karna married Mayanalla, a daughter of the [Kadamba](/source/Kadambas_of_Goa) king Jayakeshi I (r. c. 1050–1080). The various legends provide contradictory accounts of how this marriage happened. According to Hemachandra's 12th century *Dvyashraya*, Mayanalla was an extremely beautiful Kadamba princess. She once saw Karna's painting by a [Buddhist](/source/Buddhist_art) artist. Enamoured by Karna's looks, she rejected all other suitors, and resolved to marry him. With the approval of her father Jayakeshi, she sent an artist to Karna's court with her own portrait. The Kadamba king also sent gifts for Karna, including an elephant. When Karna went out in the garden to check out the gifted elephant, he found the princess waiting for him. He verified her identity by asking certain questions, and then married her.[14]

According to Merutunga's 14th century *[Prabandha-Chintamani](/source/Prabandha-Chintamani)*, Mayanalla-devi was an ugly princess of [Karnata](/source/Karnata). One day, she remembered her [past life](/source/Reincarnation). In that past life, she was a devout [Shaivite](/source/Shaivite), who had planned to visit the [Somanath](/source/Somanath) temple in Gujarat. However, she was stopped at Bahuloda for being unable to pay a pilgrim tax imposed by the rulers of Gujarat. When Mayanalla recalled this incident from her past life, she decided to marry the king of Gujarat and waive this unfair tax. At her insistence, her father Jayakeshi sent a [marriage proposal](/source/Marriage_proposal) to Karna, but Karna rejected the ugly princess. Mayanalla then came to Karna's court with her eight female companions, and threatened to commit suicide. Karna still refused to marry her, but unable to witness their deaths, Karna's mother Udayamati declared that she would die with the girls. As a result, Karna had to relent. He married Mayanalla, but kept neglecting her. Ultimately, she was able to win him over with help of a minister.[15] Later, she convinced their son [Jayasimha Siddharaja](/source/Jayasimha_Siddharaja) to waive the pilgrim tax. This is also attested by another chronicler.[16]

The Kashmiri poet [Bilhana](/source/Bilhana) also appears to allude to this incident. He stayed at Karna's court for sometime, and composed the poetic drama *Karna-Sundari*, which presents Karna as a hero. According to this work, Karna dreamt of the princess (called Karnasundari, or "Karna's beautiful woman"), and decided to marry her. His jealous queen attempted to get him married to a boy disguised in Karnasundari's dress. However, Karna's clever minister foiled her plan by replacing the boy with the real Karnasundari.[11] Although Bilhana was a contemporary of Karna, his account is the least accurate one, because it is intended to be a drama.[17] Nevertheless, his account is helpful in estimating the date of this marriage. Bilhana probably left Karna's court somewhere between 1072 and 1078 CE. Assuming that Karnasundari is same as Mayanalla, Karna's marriage to her would have taken place sometime before this.[18]

It is difficult to determine whether Mayanalla was beautiful (as claimed by Hemachandra and Bilhana), or ugly (as claimed by Merutunga). Both Hemachandra and Bilhana wrote under Chaulukya patronage, so they had a vested interest in portraying Karna's queen in a positive light. Merutunga was not under any such pressure, but his account is fanciful and full of historical inaccuracies. For example, he claims that Jayakeshi's father was Shubhakeshi (it was actually Shashthi II).[18] Merutunga further provides an absurd account of how Shubhakeshi chose to die with a tree in a [wildfire](/source/Wildfire), because he was grateful to the tree for having given him shade during a journey.[14]

## Religion and constructions

Like his predecessors, Karna was a [Shaivite](/source/Shaivite), and is said to have built three temples. According to the 14th-century chronicler Merutunga, he built a temple dedicated to the goddess Kochharba at Ashapalli after defeating its Bhil chief Asha. He also established the Karnavati city nearby, where he commissioned the Karneshvara and Jayantidevi temples. He also built the Karnasagara tank at [Gambhu](/source/Gambhu) near [Modhera](/source/Modhera) and Karnavati. In his capital Anahilapataka (now Patan), he erected the Karnameru temple.[19][20] He is also ascribed a *[vapi](/source/Stepwell)* at Bhadravati ([Bhadreshwar](/source/Bhadreshwar)). According to [Hemachandra](/source/Hemachandra), Karna repaired a temple of the goddess [Lakshmi](/source/Lakshmi), and prayed her for a son; as a result of the Lakshmi's blessings, [Jayasimha Siddharaja](/source/Jayasimha_Siddharaja) was born to him.[21] His minister Shantu built Shantu Vasatika at Karnavati, Patan, Vanka and Nihala. His another minister Munjala built Munjala Vasati at Patan somewhere before 1900 CE. Saliga Jinalaya or Sagal Vasatika was built in [Khambhat](/source/Khambhat) before 1094 CE. None of these temples survives. According to *Bhaktamara-stotra-vritti*, Shreshthi Chanaka built Adinath temple at Patan. Minister Dhavala, nephew of Vimala, constructed Revanta-prasada. Vayatiya Vasati at Ashapalli probably constructed in early years of Karna, existed before Udayana arrived there. Udayana-vihaea in Karnavati was completed in 1093 CE. The temple is discussed in Mahendrasuri's *Vadasthala* and its rejoiner *Prabodhyavadasthala* by Jinapatisuri as it had raised controversies in 1192 regarding its sanctity due to its consecration by a *Chaityavasi* abbot.[22]

Based on style-critical analysis, the *rangamandapa* and *[torana](/source/Torana)* at [Sun Temple, Modhera](/source/Sun_Temple,_Modhera) is ascribed the early years of Karna's reign. The extant temples built during this period include the [Brahma temple](/source/Brahma_Temple,_Khedbrahma) at [Khedbrahma](/source/Khedbrahma), the Limboji Mata temple at Delmal, Nilkantha Mahadev temple at Sunak, the completely ruined Vishnu Temple on the bank of lake at Ganja, Dugdheshwara Mahadev temple at Madrodpur in Kheralu Taluka of [Mehsana district](/source/Mehsana_district). [Shantinatha Jain temple of the group of temples](/source/Kumbharia_Jain_temples) at [Kumbhariya](/source/Kumbhariya,_Banaskantha_district) belongs to this period. Lakulisha Temple at [Pavagadh](/source/Pavagadh) is stylistically attributed to this period.[22]

Karna was also tolerant towards [Jainism](/source/Jainism), as evident from Rajashekhara's 15th century commentary on Sridhara's *Nyaya-Kandali*. One legend claims that as Karna became a disciple of Vardhamana Suri, but this is historically inaccurate since Vardhamana Suri had [starved himself to death](/source/Sallekhana) at an earlier date.[19]

According to [Someshvara](/source/Someshvara_(13th-century_poet))'s *Surathotsava Mahakavya*, his ancestor Ama-sharman served as a priest (*purohita*) to Karna. The Chaulukya kings gave Ama-sharman a considerable amount of wealth, which he used to build Shiva shrines, dig ponds, and make donations to the poor. Someshvara claims that during Karna's invasion of Dhara, the priest of Dhara produced a demoness (*krtya*); Ama-sharman used [mantras](/source/Mantras) (chants) to protect Karna and defeat the demoness.[23]

## In popular culture

The story of Karandev (Karna), Minaldevi (Mayanalla) and their son Siddhraj (Jayasimha Siddharaja) is depicted in the [Gujarati](/source/Gujarati_language) historical fiction *[Patan ni Prabhuta](/source/Patan_trilogy)* (The Glory of Patan) by [Kanhaiyalal Munshi](/source/K._M._Munshi).[24]

## Notes

1. According to [M. A. Dhaky](/source/Madhusudan_Dhaky), the correct spelling of her name is *Mailaldevi* as in [Kannada language](/source/Kannada_language).[25]

## References

1. Asoke Kumar Majumdar 1956, p. 56.

1. Asoke Kumar Majumdar 1956, p. 89.

1. Asoke Kumar Majumdar 1956, pp. 55–56.

1. Dasharatha Sharma 1959, p. 128.

1. Asoke Kumar Majumdar 1956, p. 57.

1. Asoke Kumar Majumdar 1956, p. 58.

1. R. B. Singh 1964, p. 127.

1. H. V. Trivedi 1991, pp. 93–97.

1. Asoke Kumar Majumdar 1956, pp. 57–58.

1. Asoke Kumar Majumdar 1956, p. 59.

1. Asoke Kumar Majumdar 1956, p. 60.

1. Tommaso Bobbio 2015, p. 164.

1. R. B. Singh 1964, p. 125.

1. Asoke Kumar Majumdar 1956, p. 61.

1. Asoke Kumar Majumdar 1956, pp. 61–62.

1. Asoke Kumar Majumdar 1956, p. 64.

1. Asoke Kumar Majumdar 1956, p. 62.

1. Asoke Kumar Majumdar 1956, p. 63.

1. Asoke Kumar Majumdar 1956, p. 65.

1. S. B. Rajyagor 1975, p. 791.

1. Asoke Kumar Majumdar 1956, p. 67.

1. M. A. Dhaky 1961, pp. 37–42, 76–77.

1. B. J. Sandesara 1953, p. 45.

1. Shvetal Vyas Pare 2014, p. 601.

1. M. A. Dhaky 2002, pp. 135–139.

### Bibliography

- Asoke Kumar Majumdar (1956). [*Chaulukyas of Gujarat*](https://books.google.com/books?id=ffAdAAAAMAAJ). Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. [OCLC 4413150](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/4413150)
- B. J. Sandesara (1953). [*Literary Circle of Mahāmātya Vastupāla and its Contribution to Sanskrit Literature*](https://books.google.com/books?id=5tljAAAAMAAJ). Singhi Jain Series.
- Dasharatha Sharma (1959). [*Early Chauhān Dynasties*](https://books.google.com/books?id=n4gcAAAAMAAJ). S. Chand / Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 9780842606189.
- Harihar Vitthal Trivedi (1991). [*Inscriptions of the Paramāras, Chandēllas, Kachchapaghātas, and two minor dynasties (Part 2)*](https://books.google.com/books?id=8B4LAQAAMAAJ). Vol. VII. Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum. [Archaeological Survey of India](/source/Archaeological_Survey_of_India). [doi:10.5281/zenodo.1451755](https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1451755) [Via Internet Archive](https://archive.org/details/dli.ernet.108214/page/n5/mode/2up)
- Madhusudan A. Dhaky (1961). ["The Chronology of the Solanki Temples of Gujarat"](http://vmis.in/Resources/digital_publication_popup?id=136#page/30). *Journal of the Madhya Pradesh Itihas Parishad*. **3**. Deva, Krishna (ed.). [Bhopal](/source/Bhopal): Madhya Pradesh Itihas Parishad.
- M. A. Dhaky (2002). ["'મીનળદેવી'નું અસલી અભિધાન"](https://jainelibrary.org/book-detail/?srno=249363) [Minaldevi's Original Name]. *Nirgranth Aitihasik Lekh-Samucchay* (in gu). Vol. 1. Shreshthi Kasturbhai Lalbhai Series, Book 4. Shah, Jitendra B. (ed.). Ahmedabad: Shreshthi Kasturbhai Lalbhai Smaraknidhi. Retrieved 2021-11-15. – via Jain eLibrary.
- R. B. Singh (1964). [*History of the Chāhamānas*](https://books.google.com/books?id=TKs9AAAAIAAJ). N. Kishore. [OCLC 11038728](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/11038728)
- S. B. Rajyagor (ed.) (1975). [*Gujarat State Gazetteers: Mehsana District*](https://books.google.com/books?id=JycbAAAAIAAJ). Vol. 5. Directorate of Government Print., Stationery and Publications, [Government of Gujarat](/source/Government_of_Gujarat)
- Shvetal Vyas Pare (2014). ["Writing Fiction, Living History: Kanhaiyalal Munshi's historical trilogy"](http://search.ror.unisa.edu.au/media/researcharchive/open/9915910287801831/53108738660001831). *Modern Asian Studies*. **48** (3): 596–616. Cambridge University Press. [doi:10.1017/s0026749x12000777](https://doi.org/10.1017/s0026749x12000777). [S2CID 144227022](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:144227022)[dead link]
- Tommaso Bobbio (2015). [*Urbanisation, Citizenship and Conflict in India: Ahmedabad 1900–2000*](https://books.google.com/books?id=-5vwCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA164). Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-51400-8.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Karna I](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karna_I) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karna_I?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.