Genealogy
The genealogy of the Chandela kings can be determined fairly accurately with the help of their epigraphic records. About 65 stone inscriptions and many copper plates are found in different sites of Chandelas. These inscriptions and copper plates are found in Khajuraho, Kalinjar, Ajaygarh and Mahoba etc. Genealogy of the Chandela Royal Family
Chandratreya Muni
↓
Nannuka (831-845)
↓
Vakapati (845-865)
↓
Jayashakyi and Vijayashakti (865-885)
↓
Rahila (885-905)
↓
Harsha (905-925) + Kanchuka
↓
Yashovarman or Lakshavarma (925-950) + Pushpa
↓
Dhanga and Krishnapa + Asarva = Devalabdhi
↓
Ganda (999-1003)
↓
Vidyadhara (1003-1035) + Satyabhama
↓
Vijayapala (1035-1050) + Bhuvanadevi
Devavarman (1050-1060) and Kirtivarman (1060-1100)
↓
Sallakshavarman (1100-1110)
Jayavarman (1110-1120) ↓
Prithivivarman
↓
Madanavarman (1128-1165) = Valhanadevi Pratap
↓ = Lakhamadevi
= Chandaladevi
Yashovarman II
↓
Paramardideva (1165-1203)
↓
Trailokyavarman (1203-1245)
↓
Viravarman (1245-1285) = Kalyanadevi
↓
Bhojavarman (1285-1288)
↓
Hammiravarman (1288-1308)
Primary Chandela Rulers
Nannuka (c. 831-845 A.D.) unfortunately there is very less information about the history of Nannuka’s reign who is mentioned only in two inscription dated in v.s. 1011(A.D. 954) and v.s. 1059 (A.D. 1002). The first epigraph refers unclear to his victorious career, handsome personality, widespread fame and sovereign authority. He was ‘a touch stone to test the worth of the gold of the regal order’ (kshatra-suvarna-sara-nikasa-grava), and ‘playfully decorated the faces of the women of the quarters with the sandal of his fame’. His enemies without exception bowed down at the progress of his unprecedented valour’ while other princes, confounded through fear, carried (his) command on their head’, like Sheshnag. ‘Shaped like the god of love’, this ruler had conquered many hosts of enemies (bahu-vairi-varga-jayinah), and his fame is sung by ‘delighted panegyrists spread far and wide causing despair to his antagonists.
Vakpati (c. 845-865 A.D.)
The two inscriptions mention above are again the only source that disclose the name of Vakpati, the son and successor of Nannuka. One of them refers to his ‘spotless fame’ (amalakirti) which pervaded three worlds, while other praises him for learning (vidya-avadata-hrdaya), unstained valour, modesty and knowledge of polity. He defeated his enemies, caused pleasure to his subjects, removed their apprehensions, and thus reduced to insignificance the glory of the mythical kings Prthu and Kakustha by his accomplishments. Both the epigraphs compare him to Vakpati (Brhaspati), noted for his wisdom and learning among the gods.
There is a significant statement in the record of A.D. 954, viz., that Vakpati’s ‘pleasure-mound was that Vindhya, the peaks of which are charming with the sweet notes of his Excellencies sung by Kirata women…..’ This reference connects him with the Vindhyan region, over a part of which his father appears to have established his sway.
Jayashakti and Vijayashakti (c. 865-885 A.D.)Vakpati had two sons, Jayashakti and Vijayshakti. The two brothers, referred to in a large number of dynastic records, are generally mentioned together. In Mahoba inscription, the territory was controlled by Chandelas to be known as Jejakabhukti after the name of Jeja or Jayashakti.
The elder brother, Jayashakti, ascended the throne after the death of his father. He appears to have died without leaving any son, and was succeeded by his younger brother Vijayshakti.
Khajuraho stone inscription of A.D. 954 tells us that ‘ princes, when they are met together, enraptured, praise with shaking of heads the deeds of both of them by the unmeasured prowess of whom adversaries were destroyed, as wood are burnt a blazing fire.Rahila (c. 885-905 A.D.)
Vijayashakti’s successor was his son Rahila. The record of 954 A.D. describes him as mighty warrior, ‘thinking of whom the enemies enjoy little sleep at night. Further describing his warfare in the symbolism of a sacrifice, it tells us that Rahila ‘ never tired, at the sacrifice of battle, where the terribly wielded sword was the ladle, where the oblation of clarified butter was made with streaming blood, where the twanging of bow string was exclamation vasat (and) at which exasperated warriors marching in order were the priests, successful with his counsel sacrificed, like beasts, the adversaries in the fire of enmity made to blaze up, high by the wind of his unappeased anger’.
Evolution of Chandela Power
Sri Harsha (c. 905-925 A.D.)
Rahila was succeeded by his more famous son, Harsha, who is mentioned in several inscriptions of his successors. A newly-emerging prince of the dynasty, Harsha (c. AD 905-925), sixth in the line, successfully fought the Rastrakuta king, who was the foe of his overlord, and reinstated the Pratihara ruler Kshitipaladeva on the throne of Kanauj in AD 917. This victorious event has been recorded in a stone inscription found near the Vamana temple at Khajuraho. Harsha’s marriage with the Rajput princess Kanchuka of the Chahamana family indicates the rise in the social status.
Paramabhattaraka, Maharajadhiraja and Parmeshvara Kalanjaraadhipati 
Yashovarman also known as Lakshavarman, the son of Harsha, and his Chawahan queen Kanchuka. The most elaborated details of Yashovarman are in Khajuraho inscription of v.s. 1011 in the following verses ‘ …… that frontal ornament of princely families the illustrious king Yashovarman….. was a sword to (cut down) the Gaudas as if they were pleasure-creepers, equalled the forces of the Khasas, (and) carried off the treasure of the Kosalas; before whom perished the Kashmiri warriors, who weakened the Mithilas (and) was as it were a god of death of the Malavas; who brought distress on the shameful Chedis, who was to the Kurus what a storm is to trees, (and) a scorching fire to the Gurjaras’. (v. 23)‘Free from fear, he impetuously defeated in battle the Chedi king whose forces were countless, who had put down his lotus-foot on rows of diadems of famous princes….’ (v. 28)
‘At the conquest of the regions, his soldiers gradually managed to ascend the slopes of the snowy mountain....’ (v. 30)
‘He easily conquered Kalanjara Mountain
‘ The illustrious Lakshavarman in his conquests of the regions made, equal to Indra, the daughter of Kalinda (Yamuna), and the offspring of Jahnu (Ganga), one after another, his pleasure-lakes, encamping the forces of his army on either bank unmolested by any adversaries, (and rendering) their waters muddy by the bathing of his furious mighty elephants’ (v. 39).
The epigraphs extol him for his munificence, devotion to the Brahmans, truthfulness and handsome personality. One record tells that he outdid Sivi in charity by giving away crores and crores’ of rupees in gift to the supplicants, another would have us believe that he surpassed Karna in munificence, Yudhisthira in truthfulness, and Arjuna in valour.
He acquired the prestigious Vaikuntha-Vishnu image from his Pratihara overlord Devapala, and announced his victory by building a splendid temple, the first in the Nagara style at Khajuraho. The inscription on the Lakshaman temple declares Yashovarman conquest of the strategic fort of Kalinjar. It was from his time that the Chandela king began calling himself Kalanjaraadhipati or Lord of Kalanjar.
‘ From Kailash, and from him Sahi, the king of Kira(Kara raja), received it as a token of friendship; from him afterwards Herambapala obtained it fro a force of elephants and horses, and received it from Devapala, the lord of horses(Hayapati), the son of Herambapala, either as a gift or as a trophy of victory.
The same record also contains a description of the temple - ‘the charming splendid home of the enemy of the daityas, which rivals the peaks of the mountain of snow; the golden pinnacles of which illumine the sky, (and) on which groups of lotuses are wafted to and fro by multitudes of banners on high poles…..’.
The Khajuraho inscription of v.s. 1059 also, referring to the shame shrine, states that Yashovarman ‘erected this dwelling….. of Vaikuntha…… from which the charioteer of the sun, to save the wheels, turns away his chariot, because with its sharp spires shining like the autumnal moon, it pierces the zodiac; and the golden dome of which always cause it to be taken for the sun, kissing with its orb the peaks of the mountain of snow.’The same inscription mentions his queen Puppa (Puspa?) Devi, born in an illustrious family, and compare her to such celebrities as Anasuya, Arundhati, Damayanti, Madalasa and Sachi. She was the mother of his illustrious son and successor Dhangadeva. Dudhai inscriptions reveal the existence of another son his name was Krishnapa.
The art and architecture of Lakshaman temple is enough to prove the personality of King Yashovarman. It’s a symbol of power, prosperity and lover of art and great religious leader.
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