The Chandella dynasty ruled the Bundelkhand region of central India from the 9th to the 13th century CE. They trace their origins to the Gond tribe and were initially subordinate to the Pratihara dynasty. Under kings like Jayashakti Chandella, the dynasty expanded its control over the eastern part of Madhya Pradesh, with their capital at Khajuraho. Notable Chandella rulers include Dhanga, who resisted invasions from Mahmud of Ghazni, and Vidhydhara, who built the Gwalior and Kalinjar forts. The Chandellas are renowned for their architectural legacy, particularly the erotic temples they built at

1. Jiwaji
University,
Gwalior
Seminar Presentation

2. Chandellas
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Deepali Chhabra

3. Chandela, also spelled Candella, Rajput clan of
Gond origin that for some centuries ruled
Bundelkhand in north-central India and fought
against the early Muslim invaders. The first
Chandela is thought to have ruled early in the
9th century CE. 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.
Chandellas

4. Chandellas
According to inscriptions, Vijaishakti conquered a number of neighboring
areas. Rahil, the son of Vijaishakti, lead the throne after him. The village
Rahilya which is situated in south west of Mohaba was named after him.
There he also built a tank known as Rahilyasagar and a temple on its banks,
He had ruled for twenty years. He was succeeded by his son Harshdev around
900 A.D. He extended his dominion in his twenty five years of rule. During his
reign, Rashtrakuta King Indra III, invaded and captured Kannauj.

5. Chandellas
Chandelas trace back their
original home to
Maniyagarh. Its name is
derived from Godess
Maniya Devi, worshipped
by Chandela and Gond
tribals. Till 5th Chandela
Ruler Rahila, they were
subordinate to the
Pratihara and after that
they started ruling
independently.

6. They ruled eastern
part of Madhya
Pradesh.
(Bundelkhand
region)
Chandella kingdom
expanded steadily
under the early
kings such as
Jayashakti
Chandella
Capital city-
Mohoba,
Khajuraho
The Chandella
dynasty of
Bundelkhand
was one of the
36 Rajput clans

7. Dhanga was a great
ruler of this dynasty.
He took the title of
Maharajadhiraja. He
is well known for his
wars against
Mahmud of Ghazni.
Several of Khajuraho
temples were built
during his reign.
Chandella
Vidhydhara also
resisted attacks of
Muhammad Ghazni .
He built Gwalior and
Kalinjar forts.
After this the
Chandellas sank
into obscurity and
Bundelkhand
passed into the
hands of the
Muslims.

8. ARCHITECTURE:
Chandellas were creative builders in their major
towns and strongholds, above all in their capital,
Khajuraho.
A large group of these temples still exists at
Khajurajo in Bundelkhand. These temples were
built during the period 900-1150 CE.
The Kandariya Mahadev temple is famous for its
artistic excellence. The architecture of the
Chandellas is considered as one of the supreme
achievements of Indian architecture.
Candellas

9. ARCHITECTURE:
There are three main compartments in each temple,
‘garbha griha’ or ‘cella’, ‘mandapa’ (an assembly
hall) and ‘ardha mandapa’ (entrance portico). Some
temples may also contain the ‘antarala’ or vestibule
to the ‘garbha griha’ and the transepts or ‘maha-
mandapa’. The ‘Kendriya Mahadev Temple’ is the
largest and the most striking of the Khajuraho
Temples. The other important temples at Khajuraho
include the ‘Shiva Temple’ at Visvanath and the
‘Vishnu Temple’ at Chaturbhanj.
Candellas

10. Thankyou!