The Bundelkhand region of India for long periods between the 10th to the 16th centuries was ruled by the Chandela dynasty. Chandela Rajputs are found in large numbers in India. They are the followers of the Hindu religion and orthodox by nature.

The Chandelas ruled over Central India with Khajuraho as their capital city and was a very powerful dynasty of kings. History supports the fact that they are the descendants of the moon (Chandravamshi). Historical accounts also infers that Chandelas were the Hindu Rajputs. For a hundred years the Chandela rulers from Nannuk to Harsh Dev were the vassals of the Pratiharas. Infact the Chandels of Khajuraho had a small kingdom which was part of the large empire of the Pratiharas.They proclaimed themselves independent when the Pratihara empire weakened and disintegrated.

The founder of the Chandela dynasty was Nannuk.He was the chief of his clan in the first quarter of the ninth century .Khajuraho was then called Khajuravatika which meant bearer of dates or garden of dates which was the stronghold of Nannuk and his people.Nannuk`s son was Vakapati who succeeded his father during the second quarter of the ninth century.According to various inscriptions Vakapati managed to extend his empire and included some of the hills of the Vindhyas .Vakapati had two sons Jaishakti and Vijayshakti who succeeded him one after the other .The princes were strong and courageous and during their rule annexed considerable territories to their kingdom.Jaishakti ruled first and from this name the region ruled by the Chandelas acquired the name of Jaijikbhukti . Next came Vijayshakti his brother who subjugated a number of neighbouring areas by winning battles . Vijayshakti was succeeded by his son Rahil.Rahil was succeeded by his son Harshdev around 900A.D.He ruled the Chandela dynasty for twenty five years and enhanced the prestige of his dynasty during his rule.Harshdev died in 925A.D.and Yashorvarman ascended the throne after him .Records say that Yashorvarman also known as Kakshvarman waged many battles and proved to be a competent and brave king.During his reign Chandelas became a great power as he extended his kingdom in the north as well as in the south.As an expression of gratitude to the gods he constructed the magnificent Lakshmana temple.He was succeeded by Dhangdev who ruled over Khajuraho from 945 A.D. to 1002A.D.With the growing strength of the Chandelas the power of the Pratiharas ,who were once their master declined .Kalinjar acquired great importance after Khajuraho and was regarded as the second capital of the kingdom.During his reign he constructed the Vishwanath and the Parshwanatha temples.

Dhangdev was succeeded by Ganda who ruled for fifteen years.He constructed the famous Jagadamba and the Chitragupta temples during his reign .His son Vidyadhar was a great king . Chandela dynasty is famous in Indian history for the valiant king Vidyadhar who repulsed the attacks of Mehmood Gazhni. His love for sculptures is shown in the world famed temples of Khajuraho and Kalinjar fort. Vidyadhar was succeeded by his son Vijaipal to the Chandela throne.During his reign the Kalchuris took away some of the Chandela territory.Devavarman was the son and successor of Vijaipal and after his death in 1060A.D.his brother Kirtivarman ascended the throne.Kirtivarman`s son was Sallakshan who reigned for a short period of time. Jaivarman ,his son succeeded him in 1115A.D.and after him Prithvivarman, his uncle ascended the throne of Khajuraho .He ruled for ten years.Prithvivarman was an able ruler and protected his kingdom from the Kalchuris and Chalukyas who threatened the security of the Chandelas.His son and successor was Mandanvarman who consolidated the empire of the Chandelas and revived the lost reputation of the dynasty.The Dulhadeo temple was constructed during his reign.Yashovarman II succeeded Mandarvarman .He died after two years and the throne was occupied by his son Parmardidev.He was the last Chandela rulers and was crowned when he was still a king .The first blow came from Prithviraj Chauhan after which the Chandela dynasty started declining.

The Chandelas were not only brave rulers but also patron of art and culture and the magnificent and exquisitely carved temples constructed during their reign bear ample testimony to this fact.The architecture of the period belongs to the genre of north Indian temple architecture .The most magnificent and remarkable construction of the period remains the famous temples of Khajuraho.They also built a large number of Jain and Hindu temples.