Chandela Dynasty: History, Founders, Architecture and Rulers

A dynasty emerged in Jejakabhukti (modern Bundelkhand) of Central India between the 9th and 13th centuries AD, which was the Chandela Dynasty or Chandelas of Jejakabhukti. The capital of this dynasty was “Khajuraho.” Nannuka was the founder of this dynasty, but until then the Chandela rulers followed the supremacy of the Pratihara rulers. During Dhanga’s time, the Chandela dynasty first emerged as an independent sovereign empire. In the 13th century, this empire gradually disappeared in the face of destruction due to attacks by the Chahamana dynasty and Muslims (Ghuris and Ghaznavids).

An Overview of the Chandela Dynasty

Period: 9th century to 13th century.

Chandela dynasty founder: Nannuka.

Capital of Chandela dynasty: Khajuraho (ancient name was Khajuravahaka).

Adipurusha/Origin: Chandratreya.

Territory: Bundelkhand (Earliest name was Jejakabhukti).

Feudatories: Gurjara Pratihara Dynasty.

Last ruler of Chandela Dynasty: Paramardi-Deva or Parmardidev.

List of Rulers:

Source:

• Contemporary text Probodha Chandrodaya (Krishna Mishra), Balabhadra Vilasa.
• Khajuraho inscriptions.
• Baghari inscription (1195 CE).
• Ajaygadh inscription (1260 CE).
• Mahoba inscription.
• Nanyora or Nanora inscription.
• Mauprastar inscription.
• Kundeshwar copper plate.
• Charkhari copper plate.
• Mau stone inscription.

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Origin of Chandela Dynasty

Information about the origin of the Chandela Dynasty was obtained from inscriptions, various contemporary texts, and the opinions of contemporary historians. However, there is no room for disagreement about their origin. The following is a discussion of the origin of this dynasty and its rulers from various sources:

• It was found from contemporary texts ‘Probodha Chandrodaya’ and ‘Balabhadra Vilasa’ that the Chandelas belonged to the Lunar Dynasty (Chandravansha).
• The founder of this dynasty, Nannuka, was a descendant of Chandratreya, son of sage Atri, as known from the Khajuraho Inscription of 954 AD. Atri was also considered their ancestor in Balabhadra Vilasa.
• Another Khajuraho inscription from 1002 CE gives a different account. From this inscription, it is known that Chandratreya was the son of Indu and the grandson of Atri. And this same account was supported by the Baghari Inscription of 1195 AD and the Ajaygadh Inscription of 1260 AD.
• VA Smith and RC Majumdar theorized that the Chandelas might have belonged to the Bhar or Gond tribe. Rani Durgavati, who claimed to be a descendant of the Chandela dynasty, had married the Gond Chief of Garha-Mandla. Moreover, the rulers of this dynasty worshipped a tribal goddess named Maniya, whose temples were found in Mahoba and Maniyagadh.
• However, RK Dikshit rejected these arguments because, at that time, there was no goddess or deity named Maniya. And it is unacceptable to claim that the rulers of this dynasty were of Gond origin just because of connections with the Gond areas.

You can also read about Kadamba Dynasty: It’s Origin, Founder, Kings, Architecture.

Important Rulers of Chandela Dynasty

Nannuka

Nannuka was the founder of this dynasty. He had assumed the title of ‘Nripati’ or ‘Mahipati’ and we find mention of this in the Lakshama temple inscription.

Vakpati

• Important information about King Vakpati was obtained from the Mauprastar inscription.
• He had fought with Pratihara ruler Bhoja and Pala king Mahipala. His two sons were Jayashakti and Vijayashakti.

Jayashakti and Vijayashakti

• From the Mahoba inscription, it is known that Jayashakti was also known as Jejak. The present Bundelkhand region was known as Jejakbhukti at that time, named after him.

Yashovarman (925-950 CE)

• Yashovarman (Lakshmanavarman) was the first powerful ruler of this dynasty. Although he was a powerful king, he still followed the supremacy of the Pratihara rulers. He first attacked Kannauj under the Pariharas, then won the Kalinjar or Kalanjara fort from the Rashtrakuta Dynasty.
• Yashovarman was described as kaal for malavas in the Khajuraho inscription. He built the huge Vishnu temple (Chaturbhuj) of Khajuraho.
• Yashovarman obtained the Vaikuntha idol from Pratihara Devpal and installed it in the Vishnu temple.

Dhanga (950-999 CE)

• Dhanga was the first independent sovereign ruler of the Chandela dynasty. He had conducted extensive military campaigns from the time following his ascension to the throne. The Khajuraho and Nanyora Inscriptions mentioned that Dhanga was the son of Yashovarman. He had assumed the title of “Maharajadhiraj,”
• In his Khajuraho inscription, Dhanga of the Chandela dynasty stated that he had carried out hundreds of “Tulapurusha Dana” ceremonies. He first established his capital at Kalanjara (modern Kalinjar) and later moved it to Khajuraho.
• Dhanga’s minister Prabhas and judge Bhat Shodhar had gained immense fame for their activities. Chandela was the first ruler to use the Devanagari script of Hindi in his inscriptions in the early medieval period.

Vidyadhara

• Dhanga’s grandson Vidyadhara had made many efforts to maintain the empire; it can be said that he was the most powerful king until the fall of this dynasty. Towards the end of his reign, the Ghaznavids had begun to attack, which had weakened the foundation of the empire. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Kalachuri Dynasty king Gangeyadeva conquered the eastern part of the Chandela Dynasty.
• However, in the subsequent period, he defeated Paramara Dynasty rulers Bhoja and Kalachuri Ruler Gangeyadeva, forcing them to accept his suzerainty. Vidyadhara had killed the Gurjara Pratihara ruler (probably Rajyapala) because he had fled from the capital instead of fighting against the invaders of Mahmud of Ghazni. When Mahmud of Ghazni’s attacks were increasing, he ended the war by paying tribute to Mahmud. He was also known as ‘Bida’ and ‘Nand’.

Kirtivarman

• Kirtivarman’s court poet was Krishna Mishra. He had composed “Probodha Chandrodaya,” whose main subject was immense devotion to Lord Vishnu.

Paramardi-Deva

• He had patronized Jagnik, the author of Parmal-raso. In 1203 Qutbuddin Aibak attacked Kalinjar and completely ended the Chandela dynasty. Prithviraj Chauhan had attacked and defeated him during his reign.
• Finally, in 1305 AD, Alauddin Khalji merged the Chandela kingdom into the Delhi Sultanate.

You can also read about Decline of Mauryan Empire: Reasons and Debates Behind It.

Art and Architecture of Chandela Dynasty

The characteristics of the Nagara Style of temple construction can be seen in the Chandela Dynasty’s architecture. The style of temple architecture that became popular in northern India is known as Nagara. Around this Nagara style, three smaller schools were formed. Those three sub-schools were: Odisha School, Khajuraho School, and Solanki School.

Khajuraho school

During the period of the Chandela dynasty, the Khajuraho School developed within the Nagara style of temple architecture. Some notable temples and features of the temples of this period are:

• Lakshman Temple at Khajuraho Yashovarman (930–950 CE).
• Vishvanatha Temple Dhanga (999-1002 CE).
• Kandariya Mahadeva Temple Vidyadhara (1030 CE).
• Parshvanatha Temple.
• Dulhadeo Temple at Khajuraho.
• Ajaigarh Temple.
• Devi Jagadambi, or Jagadamba Temple.
• Chaturbhuj temple of Vishnu.

The Main Features of Temples are Described Below

• The temples were mainly built with sandstone. The lavish decoration is notable on both the outer and inner walls of the temple. The faces of the temples were mostly built facing north and east.
• Influenced by Vatsayana’s “Kamasutra,” erotic or love-themed poetry can be seen as the subject of sculpture across the entire wall of the temples of that time. They built the temples in the Panchayatan style.
• Temples were built on higher platforms and belonged to Hindu as well as Jaina religions. Each temple was composed of Garbhagriha, Mandapa, and Ardha-Mandapa.

Chandela Dynasty FAQ’s