The Chandelas initially ruled as feudatories of the Gurjara-Pratiharas of Kanyakubja (Kannauj). The 10th century Chandela ruler Yashovarman became practically independent, although he continued to acknowledge the Pratihara suzerainty. By the time of his successor Dhanga, the Chandelas had become a sovereign power. Their power rose and declined as they fought battles with the neighbouring dynasties, especially the Paramaras of Malwa and the Kalachuris of Tripuri. From the 11th century onwards, the Chandelas faced raids by the northern Muslim dynasties, including the Ghaznavids and the Ghurids. The Chandela power effectively ended around the beginning of the 13th century, following Chahamana and Ghurid invasions.
The Chandelas were originally vassals of the Gurjara-Pratiharas. Nannuka (r. c. 831-845 CE), the founder of the dynasty, was the ruler of a small kingdom centered around Khajuraho. According to the Chandela inscriptions, Nannuka’s successor Vakpati defeated several enemies.Vakpati’s sons Jayashakti (Jeja) and Vijayashakti (Vija) consolidated the Chandela power.According to a Mahoba inscription, the Chandela territory was named “Jejakabhukti” after the Jayashakti. Vijayashakti’s successor Rahila is credited with several military victories in eulogistic inscriptions. Rahila’s son Harsha played an important role in restoring the rule of the Pratihara king Mahipala, possibly after a Rashtrakuta invasion or after Mahiapala’s conflict with his step-brother Bhoja II.
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