PRESENT HEAD OF HOUSE:

possibly Raja Abushan Braham Shah, present Raja Saheb of Agori-Barhar since 1971.

born 19th November 1954, educated at Welham Boys School, Dehra Dun; married 1982, Rani Sharda Singh, daughter of Kunwar Bharat Singh of Gangwal, and his wife, Kunwarani Mandavi Devi, and has issue.

STATES AND ESTATES:

Chanderi (Gwalior), Khajuraho, Mahoba, Kalinjar and Ajaygadh, afterwards Bilaspur, Ghund, Madhan, Nalagarh, Ramgarh, Theog, Agori-Barhar, Ajabpur, Galgalha, Gidhaur, Sahaspur etc.

BRANCHES:

None known.

SHORT HISTORY: ^(#1)

The name of this clan is a corruption of the Sanskrit 'chandra', and the tribal legend, is that the Chandela ancestor was Chandra Brahm, a son of Lord Chandra, the God of the Moon, by Hemavati, daughter of Hemraj, the Brahmin purohit of the Gaharwar Raja of Banaras. Chandra Brahm, was a distinguished warrior, he took Banaras, and founded the two great fortresses of Mahoba and Kalinjar in Bundelkhand, which they ruled till the beginning of the 12th century, when Raja Parmaladeva, was defeated and deposed in 1184, by Maharajadhiraja Prithviraj III of Ajmer and Delhi. They then moved to Kalinjar, where they remained till 1203, when they were scattered. A band of Chandelas moved into Oudh and settled in Kannauj, from where they migrated to Shivrajpur in Cawnpore district. A settlement in Unao district was founded by colonists from Chanderi in the Deccan in the reign of Padshah Alamgir. The Raja of Shivrajpur was the head of the clan till the time of the mutiny (1857). The fortunes of the Chandela Rajputs started with Raja Nannuk about 825 at Khajuraho. According to inscriptions, he was the chief of his clan in the first quarter of the ninth century, and that Khajuraho, then called Khajuravatika was the stronghold, and they were the vassals of the Pratihara rulers, who called upon them for assistance in battles over many years, until Pratihara power weakened and disintegrated, at which point, they proclaimed themselves independent, and eventually ruled much of the Bundelkhand region of central India for long periods between the 10th and the 13th centuries. Earlier, the Pratiharas helped the Chandels and other kings of the region in defending the country from the aggression of Muslim invaders from the Middle East. Their first capital was Khajuraho, which was later shifted to Mahoba (Mahotsav Nagar) and which remained their capital till the 16th century. In the early 10th century, the Chandelas ruled the fortress-city of Kalinjar, and afterwards they captured the strategic fortress of Gwalior (ca960) under the leadership of Raja Dhanga (954/1002). During the reign of king Paramardi (ca1165/1200?), the Chauhan king Prithviraj III of Delhi and Ajmer captured Mahoba about 1182, despite strong resistance. Mahoba was recaptured a few years later, but the city was taken by the Muslim general, Qutbuddin Aybak, later Sultan of Delhi, in 1203, thereafter the rulers were reduced to local chiefs, though they did retain their hold on their city of Kalinjar until about 1569 even as it remained under Muslim control till Raja Kirat Pal captured it in the 15th century. It returned to Muslim control in 1545, until 1680 when Maharaja Chhatrasalji Bundela of Orchha gained control. He bequeathed it to the Peshwa ruler on his own death in 1731.

• Rao Nannuka, 1st Rao of Khajuravatika ca825/845, married and had issue.

  • Rao Vakapati Ksitipa (qv)

• Rao Vakapati Ksitipa, 2nd Rao of Khajuravatika 845/865, during his reign, he managed to extend his territory to the hills of the Vindhyas; married and had issue.

  • Rao Jaishakti [aka Jai Jak] (qv)

  • Rao Vijayshakti (qv)

• Rao Jaishakti, 3rd Rao of Jejakabhukti 865/885, the region was named after him as Jaijikbhukti.

• Rao Vijayshakti, 4th Rao of Jejakabhukti 865/885, he fought many battles and subjugated a number of neighbouring areas, married and had issue.

  • Rao Rahil Dev [Rahilyadeva] (qv)

  • Rani Netta Devi, married Raja Kokkala I of the Kalachuri Kingdom, ruled ca875/ca925

• Rao Rahilyadeva, 5th Rao of Jejaka-bhukti ca880/ca900 or 885/905, he built a tank known as Rahilyasagar and a temple on its banks, married Rana Rajamati, and had issue.

  • Rao Harsh Dev (qv)

• Rao Harshadeva, 6th Rao of Jejaka-bhukti 900/925, he further extended his territory and built the Chausath Yogini and Lalguan Mahadeva temples; he came to the aid of Pratihara Raja Mahipal I, in regaining his throne of Kannauj, after it had been occupied by Rashtrakuta Raja Indra III; married Rani Kanchuka Devi, a Chahaman Princess, and had issue. He died 925.

  • Raja Yashorvarman [Lakshavarman] (qv)

• Rao Yasho Varman I, 7th Rao of Jejaka-bhukti 925/950, he proclaimed himself independent when the power of the Pratihara and Rashtrakuta Rajas began to decline; he also began to attack and annex the contiguous areas of the Rashtrakuta kingdom, engaging in many expeditions and proving himself to be an able general and a brave warrior; he captured Kalinjar and extended the frontiers of his kingdom both in the north and in the south; he built the Lakshman temple in order to show his gratitude for the Gods' favour; married Rani Pushpa Devi, and had issue.

  • Rao Dgangadeva (qv)

  • Rao Krishnadeva [aka Kanhapa], tasked with keeping the Malwa frontier secure.

• Rao Dhangadeva, 8th Rao of Jejaka-bhukti 950/999 or 954/1002, during his reign, the Chandelas reached the zenith of their power and prosperity; he still further expanded his territory and annexed the eastern part of the Pratihara kingdom lying north of the Yanmuna, he also assumed the title of Maharajadhiraj Kalanjaradhipati; he built the Parsvanatha and Vishwanath temples, and was also a great patron of art and learning, married and had issue. He died about 999.

  • Maharajadhiraj Rao Gandadeva Kalanjaradhipati (qv)

• Maharajadhiraj Rao Gandadeva Kalanjaradhipati, 9th Rao of Jejaka-bhukti 999/1002, his reign was one of peace and prosperity, he built the Jagadambi and Chitragupta temples, married and had issue.

  • Rao Vidyadhara Kalanjaradhipati (qv)

• Rao Vidyadhara Kalanjaradhipati, 10th Rao of Jejaka-bhukti 1003/1035, during his reign, the kingdom came under threat from Mahmud Ghazni who ultimately was repulsed, he built the Kandariya Mahadeva temple, married Rani Satyabhama, and had issue.

  • Parama-bhattaraka Maharajadhiraja Parameshvara Vijayapala Kalanjaradhipati (qv)

• Parama-bhattaraka Maharajadhiraja Parameshvara Vijayapala Kalinjaradhipati, 11th Rao of Jejakabhukti 1035/1045, during his reign, Ghaznavid invasions had weakened the Chandela kingdom and the Kalachuri Rajas took advantage of this and attacked the kingdom and annexed some of the eastern parts of his territory; also the Kachchhapaghatas of Gwalior probably gave up their allegiance to the Chandelas during his reign; later he moved his capital to Mahotsava Nagar (Mahoba) and built the Vijai-sagar lake; married Rani Bhuvanadevi, and had issue.

  • Parama-bhattaraka Maharajadhiraja Parameshvara Parama-Maheshvara Shrimanmat Devavarman Shri Kalanjaradhipati (by Rani Bhuvanadevi)(qv)

  • Parama-bhattaraka Maharajadhiraja Parameshvara Parama-Maheshvara Shrimanmat Kirtivarman Shri Kalanjaradhipati (by Rani Bhuvanadevi)(qv)

• Parama-bhattaraka Maharajadhiraja Parameshvara Parama-Maheshvara Shrimanmat Deva Varman Shri Kalanjaradhipati, 12th Rao of Jejakabhukti 1045/1060, he was defeated in a battle and dethroned by the Kalachuri King, he was killed sp in 1060.

• Parama-bhattaraka Maharajadhiraja Parameshvara Parama-Maheshvara Shrimanmat Kirtivarman Shri Kalanjaradhipati, 13th Rao of Khajuraho 1060/1100, he defeated the Kalachuri Raja, Lakshmi Karan in battle in about 1070 and restored Chandela supremacy; he was also a great patron of the arts, as well as the builder of the famous temples of Adinath, Javasri and possibly of Chaturbhuj; during his reign a struggle for supremacy in Northern and Central India occurred between the Chandelas, Kalachuris and others, which gained ground in the next reign; he is believed to have commissioned the Kirat Sagar lake in Mahoba, the Kirat Sagar lake in Chanderi and the Budhiya Tal lake in Kalinjar; though he was a Shaivite, he also patronized Vaishnavism and Jainism; he was portrayed as a righteous ruler who had conquered six internal enemies, later he shifted the Chandela capital from Khajuraho to Mahoba; married and had issue. He died 1100.

  • Raja Sallakshan Varman [aka Hollakshan Varman] (qv)

  • Raja Prithvi Varman (qv)

• Rao Sallakshana Varman, 14th Rao of Khajuraho 1100/1110 or 1115, inscriptions of his descendants imply that he achieved military successes against the Paramaras, the Kalachuris of Tripuri and the ruler of Kanyakubja; married and had issue. He died 1115.

  • Rao Jayavarman (qv)

• Rao Jaya Varman, 15th Rao of Khajuraho 1115/1120 (abdicated), he was possibly attacked and defeated by the Gaharwar ruler Govind Chandra, who conquered a part of the Chandela territory in 1120, he abdicated his throne and is said to have started living in a jungle on the banks of river.

• Rao Prthvi Varman, 16th Rao of Khajuraho 1120/1130, his kingdom was attacked by the Kalchuri and Chalukya rulers, but was still able to maintain his kingdom intact, married and had issue.

  • Rao Madanavarman (qv)

  • Rao Pratapavarman

• Rao Madana Varman, 17th Rao of Khajuraho 1130/1163 or 1128/1164 or 1129/1162, he was a strong ruler and fought a number of battles in order to retain his kingdom, he may have annexed the northern part of the Baghelkhand region from the Kalachuri Raja, Gayakarna, though he didn't retain it for long, he may have captured a part of the Paramara territory and maintained friendly relations with the Gahadavala Raja, Govindchandra; he also had conflicts with the Raja of Gujarat but they were inconclusive; he may also have campaigned in Eastern India; he had commissioned a large number of tanks and temples, including the Madan Sagar as well as the Dulhadeo Temple; married (a), Maharani Valhana Devi, married (b), Rajni Lakhama Devi, married (c), Rajni Chaandala Devi, and had issue.

  • Rao Yasho Varman II (qv)

• Rao Yasho Varman II, 18th Rao of Khajuraho 1163/1165, married and had issue. He died 1165.

  • Parama-bhattaraka Maharajadhiraja Parameshvara Parama-Maheshvara Shrimanmat Paramardi Deva Shri Kalanjaradhipati [aka Paramala](qv)

• Parama-bhattaraka Maharajadhiraja Parameshvara Parama-Maheshvara Shrimanmat Paramardi Deva Shri Kalanjaradhipati, 15th or 19th Rao of Khajuraho 1165/1200 or 1164/1182 or 1167/1202, his reign was initially peaceful, but he became embroiled in a conflict with his contemporary, Maharaja Prithviraj III of Delhi, who eventually attacked and ransacked the city of Mahoba in or about 1182, and appointed Raja Pajawan, Raja of Dausa, as an administrator for a time, Raja Paramarda Deva fled with his family to Kalinjar, which was also stormed and ransacked on 12th April 1203; Qutbuddin attacked Kalinjar in 1202 followed quickly by Mahoba, which was lost to the Chandelas, though Kalinjar remained theirs; married (amongst others), (a), a sister of Pratihara Raja Mahil, married (b), Rani Malhana Devi (possibly the same as the first), and had issue.

  • Raja Trailokya Varman I (qv)

  • Raja Samarjit [Ashajit] (3rd or 4th son), 20th Raja of Mahoba, he drove out the administrator appointed by Raja Prithviraj III, but in 1203 lost the Kingdom to Qutbuddin Aibek of Delhi, married and had issue.

    • Raja Barimal, Raja of Agori, with his brother, he captured the kingdom of Agori from the Kharwar Raja Madan Shah Baland, and with Barhar he became an independent ruler; married and had issue.

      • Raja Narayan Braham, Raja of Agori-Barhar (qv)

    • Raja Bharmal, became the independent ruler of Bardi, married and had issue.

      • Raja Bir Bikram Singh, Raja of Patsanda 1266/-, married and had issue. He died after 1266.

        • nine generations

          • Raja Puran Mal, Zamindar of Gidhaur (qv)

  • Rao Brahmajit

• Rao Trailokya Varman I, Raja of Kalinjar 1203/1245, he regained the throne of Kalinjar after 1203.

• Rao Vira Varman I, Raja of Kalinjar 1245/1285, married Rani Kalyanidevi, and had issue.

  • Rao Hammira Varman (qv)

• Maharajadhiraj Rao Bhoja Varman Kalanjaradhipati, Raja of Kalinjar 1285/1288, possibly a nephew of his predecessor, he seemed to retain control of the important Chandela cities including Ajaigarh, Kalinjar and Khajuraho

• Rao Hammira Varman Kalanjaradhipati, Raja of Kalinjar 1288/1311, he appears to have been reduced in title and status to that of a local chief in 1308 or 1309, when the region was conquered by Sultan Alauddin Khilji

• Rao Vira Varman II, Raja of Kalinjar 1311/-, he was mentioned in only one stone inscription dated 1315, he too was apparently of comparatively low status.

• .......

• Raja Trailokya Varman II, Raja of Kalinjar, fl.1375

• .......

• Raja Prithvi Chand, Gaur Raja of Kalinjar, married and had issue. He lived around 1390.

  • Raja Pahar Chand (qv)

  • Rao Bal Singh, married and had issue, the Amethia Rajas of Amethi.

• Raja Pahar Chand, Gaur Raja of Kalinjar

• .......

• Raja Kirat Pal Singh, Raja of Kalinjar and Mahoba, fl.1545, married and had issue.

  • Rani Durgavati, born 5th October 1524 in Kalinjar Fort, she administered the Kingdom during the minority of her son, she moved the capital to Chauragarh in place of Singaurgarh; the state was attacked by Baz Bahadur in 1556, but the attack was repulsed with heavy losses to his army, in 1562, Padshah Akbar vanquished Baz Bahadur and annexed Malwa to the Mughal Empire, Akbar then turned his attention to Garha-Mandla and ordered his General, Khwaja Abdul Majid Asaf Khan, an ambitious man who vanquished Ramchandra, the ruler of Rewah, to invade the state; she led the defence herself, but after being injured twice and realizing the hopelessness of her cause, she took out her dagger and killed herself, rather than submit to the Mughal enemy; she had built many lakes in her state and had improved the welfare of her people; she extended her patronage to scholars and was also known as a liberal administrator and had appointed many eminent Muslims to important posts; married 1542, Raja Dalpat Shah, Gond Raja of Garha-Mandla near Jabalpur 1548/1550, died 1550, and had issue. She died 24th June 1564 in battle at Nara Nalai.

    • Raja Bir Narayan Bahadur, Raja of Garha-Mandla, born 1543/1545, after his death the state was given to Raja Chandra Shah. He died 1564?.

• Raja Ram Chand, Raja of Kalinjar, fl.1569

TREES:

1. Origins at Khajuraho ca825 to 1200 (Dynastic Tree 1)

2. Succession at Mahoba and Kalinjar 1165 - 1569 (Dynastic Tree 2)

3. Chanderi Kingdom and successor states (Dynastic Tree)