Chandela

Chandela, Rajput clan that for some centuries ruled Bundelkhand (Jejakabhukti during the Chandela rule) in what is now Madhya Pradesh state, north-central India.

Origin of the dynasty

In the post-Harsha (emperor who ruled some of India’s northern areas in the 7th century ce) period, many Rajput clans claiming Kshatriya descent emerged and ruled over various parts of India. The Vindhyan region saw the rise of the Chandelas in the early 9th century. Nanuka, the first ruler of this dynasty, became lord of the southern parts of Jejakabhukti after overthrowing a chieftain of the Parihar, or Pratihara, clan, which ruled Bundelkhand. Like those of many Rajput dynasties, the origins of the Chandelas are ambiguous.

The Chandelas trace their ancestry to the Moon, a belief widely supported by both their dynasty’s inscriptions and local traditions. According to volume one of Epigraphia Indica (the official publication of Archaeological Survey of India from 1882 to 1977), an inscription that was discovered at a temple of Khajuraho links the clan to the sage Chandratreya, whom they consider their progenitor.

Rulers

The Chandelas ruled Jejakabhukti for more than 400 years. They were among the last Hindu rulers who fought against the early Muslim invaders.

Territory

Chandela dominion extended from the Yamuna (Jumna) River in the north to the region of Saguar (now Sagar) and from the Dhasan River in the west to the Vindhya Hills. Their strongholds were the famous fortress of Kalinjar, together with Khajuraho, Mahoba, and Ajaigarh.

Art and architecture

The Chandelas are renowned for their patronage of art and architecture. It was during Chandela rule that Khajuraho turned into a cultural and architectural hub. The clan claims to have constructed 85 temples, of which about 30 survive today. These temples, noted for their sculptural and architectural finesse, represent the Nagara style, enriched with distinct regional characteristics. An early Chandela temple, the Lalguan Mahadeva exhibits transitional features, blending sandstone and granite with relatively simple designs and limited ornamentation. Over time their architecture evolved into intricate and highly decorated structures. The new temples had multitiered spires (shikharas) and elaborate sculptural panels. The Chandela temples adhered to a standardized layout comprising a sanctum (garbhagriha), entrance hall (mandapa), antechamber (antarala), and raised terrace (adhisthana). They were typically pancayatana, a design in which the main shrine is built on a rectangular base with four smaller shrines at the corners. The temples followed a saptaratha plan (seven-faceted design) and saptanga(seven elements) elevation, achieving seamless vertical and horizontal integration. A hallmark of Chandela architecture was the use of miniature spires (anga-shikharas) around the central spire, enhancing a temple’s sense of grandeur.

The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple stands as the pinnacle of Chandela architectural achievement. Spanning more than 102 feet (31 meters) in length and crowned with a central spire rising 101 feet, it embodies architectural harmony. Its tiered roofs guide the eye upward to the sanctum, while rich carvings adorn every surface, depicting geometric patterns, deities, celestial beings, and other intricate motifs. Other significant temples, such as the Vamana, Adinatha, and Parshvanatha, reflect Jain influences while maintaining the distinct Chandela style. Some structures, like the Devi Jagadamba and Kunwar Math, lack inner ambulatory passages, marking them as earlier in the Chandela timeline.

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The Chandela rulers were devout Hindus, particularly followers of Shaivism, but they were tolerant of other faiths, including Vaishnavism and Jainism, as evidenced by the Jain temples built during their reign. The sculptures of Khajuraho showcase an extraordinary blend of religious and secular themes. These include depictions of gods, goddesses, celestial figures (apsaras), scenes from daily life, and amorous couples (mithunas). Sculptures of Vishnu, Shiva, and Jain Tirthankaras occupy central sanctums, reflecting the religious diversity of the region. Characterized by fluid postures, expressive gestures, and meticulous detailing, these sculptures are a testament to the Chandelas’ artistic brilliance.

Fall of the dynasty

The Chandela king Gandadeva assisted Jaipal, the ruler of the Punjab, at Lahore in his campaigns against the Ghazna ruler Mahmud and shared in the great defeat of 1001 near Peshawar (now in Pakistan). This marked the beginning of the dynasty’s decline. After Gandadeva’s death, the capital shifted from Khajuraho to Mahoba, with the fortified strongholds of Kalinjar and Ajaigarh becoming the new power centers. These forts offered greater security and enabled better resistance against Muslim invasions compared to Khajuraho. While they continued to rule during this period, the Chandelas failed to secure significant victories or expand their territory. In 1023 the Chandelas lost Kalinjar, which was thenceforth an object of contention between Hindus and Muslims. In 1082 they were reduced to vassalage by Ajmer. In 1165 Paramardi ascended the throne. However, in 1182–83 Prithviraj Chauhan invaded the Chandela kingdom, sacking Mahoba and forcing Paramardi to retreat to the Kalinjar fort, which the Chandela ruler hoped to regain. Even there, the Chandela forces were defeated, and Paramardi fled to Gaya. Although Paramardi temporarily regained control, the Delhi sultanate invaded in 1202–03. Paramardi chose to surrender and pay tribute but died before fulfilling this agreement. The Chandela dynasty was thus weakened significantly. Chandela rule was replaced eventually by that of the Bundelas.