Chandela

CHANDELA DYNASTY

The Chandela’s dynasty was a royal dynasty of Central India. They ruled most of the Bundelkhand area (Jejakabhukti) between the 9-13th century.

They ruled as the Gurjara-Pratiharas of Kanyakubja (Kannauj). Coming off 10th century Chandela ruler Yashovarman became independent he continued to acknowledge the Pratihara. The time of his successor Dhanga, the Chandelas had become a sovereign power. They fought so many battles with the neighbouring dynasties, especially the Paramaras of Malwa and the Kalachuris of Tripuri in 11th century, the Chandelas raided by the northern Muslim dynasty, including the Ghaznavids and the Ghurids. The Chandela power ended around the beginning of the 13th century, by Chahamana and Ghurid invasions.

The Chandelas are well known for their Art and Architecture, most for the temples which are situated in the capital Khajuraho. They also commissioned a number of temples, water bodies, palaces and forts at other places, including their strongholds of Ajaigarh, Kalinjar and their later capital Mahoba.

HISTORY

The Chandela belong to Gurjara-prathiaras community. Nannuka was the founder of the dynasty and a king of small kingdom around Khajuraho. According to the inscriptions Vakpati defeated several enemy. Vakpati’s son Jayashakti consolidated the chandela power. According to another inscription, the chandela dynasty is named “jejakabhukti” after the jayashakti. Rahila’s son played a very important role in restoring the of Prathira King Mahipla.

Harsha’s son Yashovarman acknowledged the prathira and become practically independent. Yashovarman conquered the most important fortress of Kalanjara. Dhanga’s son gonda apper to have the teritory inhertied. Vidyadhara killed the King of Kannauj for protect his capital instead of fighting Mahmud of ghazni. The Chandela architecture reached its maximum power at the period.