Chandel

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Chandel or Chandela were the tribe of Gond origin that for some centuries ruled Bundelkhand in north-central India and fought against the early Muslim invaders. they were feudatories of the Pratiharas.[1][2][3]

Origin and History[change | change source]

According to S. N. Sen, the Chandels were originally Hinduised Bhars or Gonds or both, who became Kshatriyas on attaining political power. The Gaharwars similarly are associated with the Bhars; the Bundelas and the northern Rathors are offshoots of the Garhawars. The Dharmashastras recognise the possibility of lower castes being elevated to higher castes.[4]

The British indologist V. A. Smith also believed that the Chandelas were in origin a non-Aryan tribe, associated with the original Gonds and Bhars.[5]

References[change | change source]

  1. "Chandela | Indian clan | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-04-26.
  2. Sinha, Manoj (2022-01-06). Dynasties of India: The Families That Ruled. Notion Press. ISBN 979-8-88503-605-4.
  3. Mehta, Behram H. (1984). Gonds of the Central Indian Highlands. Concept Publishing Company.
  4. Sen, Sailendra Nath (1999). Ancient Indian History and Civilization. New Age International. ISBN 978-81-224-1198-0. The Chandel Rajputs were originally Hinduised Bhars or Gonds or both, who became Kshatriyas on attaining political power. The Gaharwars similarly are associated with the Bhars; the Bundelas and the northern Rathors are offshoots of the Garhawars. The Dharmashastras recognise the possibility of lower castes being elevated to higher castes.
  5. Gangoly, Ordhendra Coomar (1957). The Art of the Chandelas. Rupa.