Chandela Dynasty

Chandela Dynasty, a vibrant ruling family hailing from Central India, held sway over the enchanting Bundelkhand region, known as Jejak-Bhukti, from the 9th to the 13th centuries AD. Picture this: the Chandela rulers, proud members of the Rajput clan, shaping the destiny of their people. Khajuraho, a city of historical marvels, served as their splendid capital. Imagine Nannuk, the visionary founder, laying the foundation for this remarkable dynasty. It’s almost like a fascinating tale of kings and queens unfolding against the backdrop of the beautiful Khajuraho.

Origin of the Chandela Dynasty

In the ancient times, the early leaders of the Chandela Dynasty acted as feudal lords under the Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty based in Kannauj. They played a significant role in the Tripartite war, emerging victorious against the Rastrakutas and Pala rulers.
According to mythological beliefs, the rulers of the Chandela Dynasty in Khajuraho saw themselves as the descendants of Sage Chandrodaya. They proudly identified as the successors of Som or Chandra, the celestial body representing the moon. This lineage led them to be recognized as Chandravashi Kshatriyas, a title that reflected their connection to the lunar dynasty.

Important Kings of Chandela Dynasty

Nannuka (831-845 AD)

Nannuka, the founder of the Chandella dynasty, had to support the Gurjar-Pratihara ruler militarily at first because he was their vassal. In exchange, the Gurjar-Pratihara ruler offered them protection from Muslim invaders.
The Chandellas were able to have a peaceful time thanks to the Pratiharas’ collective security, which allowed them to focus more on art, culture, and temple buildings.
Nannuka was the monarch of the little kingdom known as Khajurwatika at the period, now known as Khajuraho, according to the inscriptions.

Vakapati (845-865 AD)

In the second half of the ninth century, Vakapati succeeded his father Nannuk and conquered numerous bordering districts of Vindhayas.
According to inscription, Vakpati’s fame went throughout Central India, and he conquered all of his rivals and made the Vindhya region his delight hill.
He, too, had given the Pratiharas political assistance in exchange for their assistance in strengthening his kingdom.

Jaishakti (865-885 AD)

After Vakpati, his son, Jaishakti, took over as a ruler. He was brave and strong-willed, and continued to consolidate his dominion.
As “Bhukti” was regarded the territory directly ruled by the Palas and Pratiharas at the time, the areas captured by King Jaishakti were named Jaijakbhukti or Bundelkhand.
Following the breakup of the Pratiharas empire, the Chandellas declared independence and ruled over those territories for many years.
After him, many rulers came. They were Vijayshakti, Rahila dev (also named Rahilya) and Harshdeva.

Yashovarman (925-950 AD)

Yashovarman succeeded Harshadev as the Chandella dynasty’s first independent king, though during Jaishakti’s reign, Chandellas declared independence from Prahtihras, but they were unable to maintain it.
The downfall of the Gurajar-Pratihar and Rashtrakuta kingdoms provided Yashovarman the opportunity to fortify and expand his geographical limits. As a result, he conquered Kalinjar Hill.
The Chandella kingdom increasingly gained prominence as a result of acquiring these Hills, and they emerged as a formidable force in northern India. He also commissioned the Lakshmana Temple at Khajuraho.

Dhanga (950-1002 AD)

After Yashovarman, Dhanga succeeded to the throne and became the most powerful king of north India.
He was a great conqueror and ruler. During his reign, the empire reached its pinnacle of power.
He took the title of Maharajadhiraja. He seized the Kalinjar fort, occupied the Gwalior fort, and brought laurels to his dynasty, according to epigraphic documents.
Like his predecessor, he commissioned a magnificent Vishwanath Temple at Khajuraho.

Vidyadhara (1015-1036 AD)

Vidyadhara, the son and successor of King Ganda.
He successfully protected his kingdom against the Mahmud of Gazini’s invasion.
He is described as the greatest monarch of the Indian region by Muslim literature of the time.
He was not only a skilled warrior, but he also built numerous temples.
Several Khajuraho temples were built during his reign.
One of these was the Kandariya Mahadev temple at Khajuraho.
But after Vidyadhara, the Chandelas’ dominance gradually began to crumble following his death.

Architecture

The Chandellas were art and architecture patrons.
They constructed several monuments, palaces, water tanks, and strong forts throughout Bundelkhand, particularly at Khajuraho, their capital.
They have built temples in the Nagara architectural style.
A large number of these temples were constructed by Chandellas in Khajuraho.
These temples were constructed between 900 and 1150 CE.
Khajuraho is home to the country’s biggest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, many of which are known for their sensual sculptures.
The Kandariya Mahadev temple is well-known for its creative brilliance.
Since 1986, the Khajuraho Group of Monuments has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is regarded as one of India’s “seven wonders.”
Chandelles architecture is regarded as one of India’s greatest architectural achievements.

Decline of the Chandelas

Over time, several successors took charge of the Chandela dynasty, but none could quite live up to the fame and glory achieved by Vidhyadhar, who brought immense pride to his clan and region.
Unfortunately, as later monarchs came into power, they proved to be weak leaders lacking the necessary strength and control needed to sustain the dominion of their state. This weakness marked the beginning of the decline of the once-mighty Chandella dynasty.
The kingdom faced severe devastation with raids by the Ghazni following the death of Vidhyadhar.
These attacks further weakened the Chandella dynasty, making it more susceptible to external threats.
Adding to the troubles, the Kalachuri king took advantage of the situation and invaded the eastern section of the Chandella kingdom, exploiting an opportune moment.
The loyalty of minor kings who had once pledged allegiance to the Chandella rulers began to waver, breaking the protective shield that the dynasty had relied upon. This left the Chandella kingdom powerless and exposed.
The arrival of Sultan Qutb-ut-din Aibak hastened the disintegration of the Chandella dynasty, as external influences took a toll on its stability.
Attempts at revival became increasingly difficult due to the emergence of local kingdoms such as the Bundelas, Bhagelas, and Khangaras.
Additionally, the growing influence of the Muslim community further hindered the Chandella dynasty’s chances of bouncing back.
Continuous attacks by the formidable monarch Prithviraj Chauhan rendered the empire weak and vulnerable, contributing to the final unraveling of the once-great Chandella dynasty.

Conclusion

The Chandellas ruled over Bundelkhand for 500 years. They arose from the feudatories to become the sovereign rulers of central India. Meanwhile, the kingdom’s repeated Muslim invasions hampered its progress by making it economically and politically weak. During Chandellas’ reign, the fields of art and architecture prospered. UNESCO has designated the Khajuraho temples in Madhya Pradesh as a World Heritage Site. They built temples, water bodies, palaces, and forts in numerous places. This period is regarded as one of the most prosperous in India’s temple-building history.

Read Also: Indian Medieval Architecture