The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v2.c31.408

v2.c31.408

I shall conclude the list of Kumārapāla's wars by referring to a very curious story about a Ḍāhala king named Karṇa. The *Prabandha-cintāmaṇi*¹ tells us that this king once marched against the Caulukya kingdom. The report of this invasion took Kumārapāla by surprise, and he was in a state of bewilderment knowing not what to do. But as Karṇa was marching by night, seated on the forehead of an elephant, his eyes closed in sleep and 'a gold chain that he wore on his neck, caught in a banyan-tree and hanged him, and so he died.' If there is any truth in this story Karṇa must be the Ḍāhala Kalacuri Gayā-Karṇa, who ruled about 1151 A. D.