The Last Great Chandela

Madanvarman (c. 1128-1165 AD)

 Three successors of Kirtivarman have no spectacular achievements to boast of, but they maintained the integrity of their dominion. Madanvarman, the son and successor of Prthvivarman started a new phase of territorial aggrandisement at the cost of the neighbouring states.

The inscriptions found at Kalinjar, Ajaygarh, Mahoba and Khajuraho prove the possession of the four important towns, traditionally associated with the Chandelas. Other epigraphs of his reign have been found at Mau, Augasi and Papaura.

The Augasi plate proves The Mau inscription of his minister Gadadhara that refers to his wars with the contemporary rulers. It describes Madanvarman as one ‘ before whose name even, ever quickly flees the Chedi king, vanquished in fierce fight; (and) through dread of whom the king of Kashi always passes his time in friendly behaviour; by whom moreover that ruler of Malava, full of arrogance, was quickly exterminated, while other monarchs, paying homage to him, have enjoyed supreme comfort’. Madanvarman might have taken advantage of the difficulties of his southern neighbour and aggrandised himself at his expense.

 One of the Kalinjar epigraphs records that Madanvarman ‘in an instant defeated the king of Gurjara, as Krishna in former times defeated Kamsa’.

The bharat Kala Bhawan plates of Madanvarman mention the names of his three queens, viz., Valhanadevi, Lakhamadevi and Chandaldevi. The Kalinjar record mentions the name of his younger brother Pratapvarman. Other records mention some of his civil and military officials.

A number of towns and tanks in different parts of Bundelkhand perpetuate Madanvarman memory to the present day. These include Madanpura in Jhansi district, Madankhera near Mahoba and Madanesasagarapura now marked by the ruins of a temple in Ahara (Tikamgarh), Madanasagara about 5 kms.  Mahoba and two other equally large tanks of the same name in Jatara and Ahra-Narayanpura in Tikamgarh.

A  Great Patron of Art

Parmardideva (c. 1165-1203 AD)

Parmardideva, popularly known as Parmal, is the most widely known of all the Chandela kings. His fame, however, rests not so much on his achievements as on his association with the two popular heroes, Alaha and Udala.

He came to throne in his infancy, at the five, is evidenced by Parmal Raso. The same fact is also hinted at in an Ajaygarh inscription.

Parmardideva, who lived at a most critical period in our history, was blessed with along reign of more than thirty-five years. 

Semara plates, Baghari inscription, Ajaygarh and Kalinjar inscriptions refer to his conquests. A fragmentary inscription from Mahoba of v.s. 1204 (AD 1183) that specially refers to his victory over the contemporary Chedi king. It also alludes to Paramardideva’s digvijaya campaigns in Anga, Banga and Kalinga.

The early years of his reign appear to have been peaceful, but in the eighties of the twelth century he had to encounter a most formidable rival in Prthiviraja III Chahamana, who was aspiring for supremacy in Northern India.

The traditional account of the war between Paramardideva and Prthiviraja is preserved in the Parmal Raso. All accounts agree that the battle for Mahoba was fiercely contested resulting in many causalities and severe loss to both sides. After the heroic resistance offered by the Chandelas Mahoba fell to Prthiviraja. It was sacked and occupied. Kalinjar, too, did not escape.

Twenty years later, Paramardideva had encountered a more formidable foe. Paramardideva’s turn came in AD 1203. Kutub-ud-deen proceeded at the Kalinjar. The Taj-ul-Masir, which gives a detailed account of his operations in Jejakabhukti, states that ‘in the year 599 A.H., Kutub-ud-deen proceeded to the investment of Kalinjar…. The accursed Paramar, the Rai of Kalinjar, fled into the fort after a desperate resistance in the field, and afterwards surrendered himself, and ‘placed the collar of subjection’ round his neck and on his promise of allegiance, was admitted do the same favours as his ancestor had experienced from Mahmud Subuktigin, and engaged to make a payment of tribute and elephants, but he died a natural death before he could execute any his engagement.

The largest number of the copper plates charters issued by the Chandela kings, and they furnish the best proof of his liberality.