Chandela

Chandela refers to the Chandela dynasty, a prominent Rajput realm of central India. They ruled Bundelkhand in present-day Madhya Pradesh and parts of Uttar Pradesh from roughly the 9th or 10th century to the 13th century. The dynasty's power centered on Kalinjar Fort in northern Bundelkhand and later on Khajuraho, whose temples became a major royal patronage project.

During the 10th and 11th centuries, the Chandelas consolidated control over Bundelkhand and extended their influence in the region. They supported temple construction, agrarian development, and fortification networks around strategic sites. Following the rise of the Delhi Sultanate's influence in the 13th century, Chandela rule weakened and their territories were incorporated into larger umbrella polities.

The Chandela are best known for constructing the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage Site designated in 1986. Built roughly between the 950s and 1050s CE, the temples are noted for their Nagara-style architecture and richly carved sculptures that depict deities, mythological narratives, and aspects of daily life, including a famous collection of erotic art. Major temple clusters are associated with rulers such as Yasovarman and his successors.

The Chandela legacy persists in the study of medieval central Indian history and temple architecture. The Khajuraho temples attract scholars and visitors for their artistic innovation, religious symbolism, and historical value, reflecting a period of dynamic royal patronage in Bundelkhand.