Yashovarman also known as Kakshvarman occupied the throne of Kannauj in the beginning of the eighth century. He was a powerful monarch who engaged himself in many military adventures. He was a contemporary of Lalitaditya Muktapida, the ruler of Kashmir. The chief source of knowledge of his life and reign is the poetical work in Prakrit by his celebrated court-poet Vakapati. Yashovarman`s rise to power was sudden. He rose to power as a military adventurer. It is believed that Yashovarman had succeeded in conquering Magadha and Bengal. His empire extended towards the North-West as well and he defeated the Arabs also. However, the success of Yashovarman towards the South is uncertain. He had conquered greater part of North India.
Yashovarman established the Chandella dynasty as an independent power. He increased his power by defeating many royal empires. He built a magnificent temple at Khajuraho. This temple is the first in the Nagara style at Khajuraho, and is abundant in sculptures. This temple is made of finely grained sandstone of Panna, and now known as Lakshmana Temple. He had conquered fort of Kalinjar also. A rock inscription does indicate that he had conquered Pala, Kosala, Kashmir, Khas, Kuru, Mithila and Malava kingdoms.
Yashovarman has many conquests to his credits. It was the period of the decline of Pala dynasty. Yashovarman had conquered the areas of Gauda and Mithila from Gopala II, the Pala king. It is believed that Khas king Chawduraj ruler of Kashmir was also defeated. He belonged to the Lohar kingdom. But some historians doubt this as it was far from the state of Yashovarman. The state of Kosala was divided into north and south parts. The north was under Pratihara kingdom and south under kings of a Soma dynasty. Khajuraho writing does indicate that Yashovarman had defeated the king of Kosala. King Yasaskar, Sangramdeva and Purnagupta of Kashmir were the contemporary of Yashovarman. An inscription indicates that Yashovarman had conquered the warriors of Kashmir but no historical book is available which refers to his conquest. Gopala II was the ruler of Mithila and Yashovarman had brought it under his authority most probably. In Malava King Yashovarman`s defeated Parmara Siyak who was part of Rashtrakuta Dynasty.
Khajuraho inscription states that Yashovarman attacked and conquered the state of Kuru. Yashovarman was a patron of learning. He is said to have written a play named Ramabbyudaya. The Rajatarangini mentions that the poets Vakpatiraja, Bhavabhuti and others adorned the court of Yashovarman.
He was devotee of Lord Vishnu though he was tolerant of all other religions. Yasovarman`s military conquests strongly indicate that he was very powerful and ambitious ruler. He freed himself from the autonomy of the Pratiharas and adopted the title of Maharajadhiraj. He established his empire in the Central India. Yashovarman expired near about 950 A.D.
