Chandela

The Chandelas of Jejakabhukti (Bundelkhand) are celebrated in Indian history as the builders of the world-famous UNESCO Khajuraho Group of Monuments and the guardians of the impregnable fortress of Kalinjar. Their legendary kingdom nurtured the heroic medieval folk-epic heroes Alha and Udal.

Detailed Historical Chronicle

Origins and Emergence The Chandelas trace their origin from the celestial union of the Moon God Chandra and the maiden Hemavati. The dynasty gained prominence in the 9th century under Nannuka and Harsha Chandela, who initially governed Jejakabhukti as feudatories of the imperial Pratiharas of Kannauj.

Under Yashovarman (Lakshavarman, r. 925–950 CE), the Chandelas declared sovereign independence, capturing the holy fortress of Kalinjar and erecting the colossal Lakshmana Temple at Khajuraho.

The Imperial Heights: King Dhanga and Vidyadhara King Dhanga (r. 950–1002 CE) was one of the most powerful sovereigns of medieval Northern India. He constructed the majestic Vishvanatha and Parshvanatha temples at Khajuraho and sent military contingents to assist King Jayapala of the Kabul Shahi dynasty against Subuktigin.

His grandson, Vidyadhara (r. 1003–1035 CE), was the supreme Hindu monarch of his age. In 1018 CE, Vidyadhara severely punished the Pratihara king of Kannauj for surrendering cowardice before Mahmud of Ghazni. When Mahmud invaded Kalinjar in 1019 and 1022 CE, Vidyadhara’s military preparations were so formidable that Mahmud was forced to raise the siege, conclude a diplomatic pact, and exchange panegyric poetry with the Chandela king. Vidyadhara built the grandest temple of Khajuraho, the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple.

Alha, Udal, and Parmardideva Under Raja Parmardideva (r. 1165–1203 CE), Mahoba became the setting for the celebrated Alha-Khand (Parmal Raso), composed by the bard Jagnik. The twin warrior brothers Alha and Udal performed legendary feats of arms before falling in battle against Prithviraj III Chauhan in 1182 CE.

Rani Durgavati: The Chandela Lioness of Gondwana The immortal glory of the Chandela blood was revived in the 16th century by Rani Durgavati, daughter of Raja Salbahan of Kalinjar. Married into the Gond kingdom of Garha-Mandla, Rani Durgavati ruled as regent with fearless chivalry, defeating Afghan warlord Baz Bahadur three times. In 1564 CE, when Akbar’s imperial army under Asaf Khan invaded, she led her soldiers into battle atop an elephant, choosing glorious martyrdom over submission.