Fall of Great Rulers

Trailokyavarman (c. 1203-1245 AD)

The Ajaygarh rock inscription of Kalayandevi states that ‘Trailokyavarman ruled the kingdom’ after Parmardideva. He ruled over an extensive area including the former states of Chhatarpur, Panna, Ajaygarh and Bijawar. The most important achievement of Trailokyavarman was the request of Kalanjir, which had been captured by Kutub-ud-din Aibak in Ad 1203, and placed in charge of a Muslim governor. There are ample epigraphic evidence which throws light on the struggle between the Chandelas and Kalchuris. Besides the Kalchuri and Muslim rulers, he had another enemy. An Ajaygarh inscription gave some details that Ananda the governor of that fort ‘reduced to submission the wild tribes of Bhilas, Sabaras and Pulindas’. The same inscription also refers another enemy of his, who given unusual name of Bhojuka’.

Trailokyavarman had a long reign of at least 37 years. The available records show that he was far from being a local chieftain.

Viravarman (c. 1245-1285 AD)

Viravarman, the son and successor of Trailokyavarman continued to follow the aggressive policies of his father. While Trailokyavarman had extended his dominions towards the east, Viravarman sought expansion towards the west, at the expense of petty Hindu rulers.  The Dahi copper- plate suggests that Viravarman came into conflict with Nalapurapati Gopala, a Madhuvanakadhiap and king Hariraja of Gopagiri.

Viravarman’s records are found at Ajaygarh and nearby. That shows his possession in to important forts Ajaygarh and Kalinjar. One of his stone inscriptions has been found at Jhansi and other at Gurha.  His two cooper plates were discovered at Charkhari and Dahi, near Bijawar.

One of the Ajaygarh inscriptions mentions his chief queen, Kalayandevi, and gives a description of the families of both of her parents. She was born in Dadhichi vamsa and was the daughter of Maheshwar.

The Kalinjar inscription refers to his works of public utility and other pious benefactions. He is credited with the construction of various temples, gardens, ponds (tadaga) and tanks (vapi), and with the installation of the images of Shiva, Kamala and Kali.

Bhojavarman (c. 1285-1288 AD)

The next ruler was Bhojavarman, who was controlling Ajaygarh fort. Only three inscriptions of his reign have been discovered so far and all of them come from Ajaygarh fort. None of them throws any light on the achievements of Bhojavarman or on the history of his reign, but they provide very valuable information about certain families that had served the Chandelas with great devotion and distinction.

Hammiravarman (c. 1288-1311 AD)

Hammiravarman was ruler of Chandela dynasty about whom any information is available. There are three inscription of his reign, viz., his Charkhari copper plate (V.S. 1346), Bamhni sati record (v.s. 1365) and Ajaygarh sati stone inscription (v.s. 1368). They indicate that he had a long reign of 22 years. Through the records, it proves that he had control on Ajaygarh and Kalinjar fort. His rule was supplanted in a part of his dominions by that of the Khiljis. The growing Muslim influence in Bundelkhand in the 14^th century Ad and the rise of new powers like the Khangars and Bundelas in Bundelkhand and Baghelas in the Rewa area literally squeezed the Chandela out of existence. The later princes of the dynasty maintain their possession over Kalinjar and Ajaygarh till Kirata Rai, father of the famous princess Durgavati.