with victories over many powerful kings. He came into conflict with the
Pratihara king Bhoja I and gained a resounding victory over him. He is said
to have plundered Vanga or East Bengal, vanquished the Rashtrakuta king
Krishna II, who was his son-in-law and invaded northern Konkan. Thereafter,
the Kalachuris entered into a series of matrimonial alliances with the
Rashtrakutas till the time of Krishna III and the two families maintained
amicable relations.
Sankaragana I Kokalla I married the Chandella princess Nattadevi and
had 18 sons. The eldest son, Sankaragana, succeeded his father and defeated
the Somavamsi king of Kosala. He was succeeded by his son, Balharsha
whose reign was very brief.
Yuvaraja I Notwithstanding the close relationship between the Kalachuris
and the Rashtrakutas, the latter under Krishna 1Il invaded the kingdom of
Yuvaraja 1. Later Yuvaraja succeeded in driving the Rashtrakutas from his
kingdom. This was a significant achievement in commemoration of which the
famous poet Rajasekhara, who now lived in the Kalachuri court, staged the
famous drama Viddhasalabhanjika at the court of Yuvaraja. Yuvaraja I was a
Saiva and helped the Saiva ascetics in preaching their doctrine in his
kingdom.
Lakshmanaraja and Sankaragana II Yuvaraja I was succeeded by his
son Lakshmanaraja who won a victory over Mularaja I, the founder of
Chalukyas or Solankis. Like his father Lakshmanaraja patronised Saivism.
Lakshmanaraja was succeeded by his son Sankaragana II, who was a
Vaishnava. He was succeeded by his brother Yuvaraja II, who lacked martial
ardour and the kingdom suffered serious reverses during his rule. His
maternal uncle Chalukya Taila II attacked his kingdom. Hardly had he
recovered from this shock, when he was overwhelmed by the Paramara king
Munja.
Kokalla II After the withdrawal of the Paramaras, the ministers of
Sankaragana II placed his son Kokalla II on the throne. Under Kokalla II, the
Kalachuris recovered their power. He was succeeded by his son,
Gangeyadeva.
Gangeyadeva During his reign the Kalachuris became the greatest political
power in India. The most important  factor contributing to his success was that