Chandela Dynasty


Chandela Dynasty

  • Ruled over Bundelkhand (Bundelkhand has also known jaijak bhukti or Jejaka bhukti). The region is now divided between the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, with the larger portion lying in the latter.
  • Nannuk, the founder of the Chandela dynasty.
  •  According to inscriptions, he was the chief of his clan in the first quarter of the ninth century. Epigraphic records show that Khajuraho then called Khajuravatika - Bearer of Dates or Khajuravatica - Garden of Dates, was the stronghold of Nannuk and his people. Later on, his descendants linked their lineage with the Moon or with Chandratreya of the legend, in order to attribute some divine links to the origin of their dynasty.
  • Capitals of this dynasty

                  - Khajuraho, MP (In fact this is their cultural capital)
                  - Mahoba, UP Mahotsava Nagar

  • Best Niagara style temples were built by them. In fact, the most beautiful temples of India at Khajuraho were built by them.
  • Almost 80 temples were built by them in and around Khajuraho. Last only 25 are surviving today. Few of them are
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                 - Vishwantaha Temple 
                 - Kandariya mahadeva temple
                 - Chaturbhuia temple
                 - Lakshmana temple
                 - Devi Jagadamba
                 - Adinatha Temple (1st Tirthankara)
                 - Parsvanatha Temple.

These temples are beautifully decorated with many sculptures and mostly erotic sculptures of Mithunas (A mythological romantic couple).
  • The first inscriptions of Hindi were issued by these kings in 10th C. AD. These were the first kings to issue in Hindi.
  • One of the kings of this dynasty called Ganda; he fought with Ghazini and was defeated.