Territory of Chandelas: Jaijakbhukti

JaijakBhukti

Post Harsha period was a period, when all Rajput kings were fighting for supremacy in central India. In that period, a new dynastical name introduced in the Indian history and wrote the name of their supremacy is known as Chandelas.

There may be confusion about origin of Chandela dynasty, but there are many inscriptions and copper plates to prove their territory and control in central India.

The available epigraphic evidence shows that they had strong hold in Vindhyan ranges. Stone Epigraph V. S. 954 AD ‘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.

But seventh king of this dynasty king Yashovarman pushed up his northern frontier upto the river Yamuna and Ganga. ‘ 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 Yamuna formed the northern limit of the empire of his son Dhanga too, who also controlled the Ganga, at least between Prayag and Kashi.  He captured the fort of Gwalior. He entitled as Kalanjaraadhipati or master of Kalanjar fort. The 13^th king Kirtivarman is associated with Deogarh region on the Betwa, while during the region of his grandson Madanvarman, a Chandela governor was stationed at Bilahari (Jabalpur Dist.) is believed to have administered the surrounding territory, including the Sagar and Damoh district. His successor Paramardideva lost the western part of his kingdom including Mahoba to the Sultan of Delhi, but his son Trailokyavarman, partially made up his loss by gaining fresh territory in what is now known as Baghelkhand.

The territory of Chandelas bounded on the north by the Yamuna, on the south by Narmada, on the east by Tons (Tamasa) and on the west by Chambal, lies almost in the centre of India. It comprises such parts of Uttar Pradesh as lie to the south of the Ganga and Yamuna, including portions of the districts of Allahabad and Mirzapur, besides those of Jhansi, Banda, Jalaun and Hamirpur; Sagar and Damoh districts of Madhya Pradesh; a large number of erstwhile princely states including Chhatarpur, Ajaygarh, Orchha, Panna, Charkhari and Bijawar, formerly included in the Central India States Agency.

The important towns under the Chandela rulers were Mahoba (Mahotsava-nagara), Kalinjar (Kalanjara), Ajaygarh (Jayadurga), Dudahi, Chandpur and Madanpur.

There is sufficient evidence to prove the beauty of Chandela towns, every town and forts of Chandelas was decorated with, temples, gardens, ponds and tanks. The most beautiful town was Khajuraho (Kharjurvahaka), it was a well-planned and develop town of Chandelas, where they decorated most beautiful monuments. Still there are many ponds and tanks with temples. The most develop fort was Kalinjar and Ajaygarh, those are still decorated with many tanks and ponds, and many temple ruins are there.