Rahila (IAST: Rāhila, reigned c. 885-905 CE) was a king of the Chandela dynasty of India. He ruled in the Jejakabhukti region (Bundelkhand in present-day Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh).

Rahila
Nṛpati ("Lord of men")
Chandela king
Reignc. 885-905 CE
PredecessorVijayashakti
SuccessorHarsha
DynastyChandela
FatherVijayashakti

Rahila was the son of his predecessor Vijayashakti.[1] R. K. Dikshit dates his reign approximately to 885-905 CE.[2] In an inscription of one of his successors, his title is given as nṛpati ("Lord of men"). No royal titles have been assigned to him, which suggests that he was a subordinate to the Pratiharas, like other early Chandela rulers.[3]

Not much is known about Rahila's military career. He is mentioned in two Khajuraho inscriptions of his successors.[1] These eulogistic inscriptions praise him as a warrior, but do not provide much information of historical value. For example, the 954 CE Khajuraho inscription states that he gave enemies sleepless nights. Using analogies, it compares a battle to a ritual sacrifice, and states that Rahila was never tired of this sacrifice.[2] The legendary text Paramala Raso, which is of doubtful authenticity, contains a highly exaggerated account of Rahila's military campaigns. For example, it claims that he invaded Rameshvara with a cavalary of 2 million horses, and confiscated a thousand ships from the king of Simhala.[4]

Historical description

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Rahila is believed to have commissioned several public works. Inscriptions at an Ajaygadh temple bear his name. The Rahilya Sagar lake in Mahoba, which has a temple on its bank, is named after him.[1] Paramala Raso states that he established the Rasina (or Rajavasini) township, which is identified with Rasin village near Badausa.[4] This village has a Chandela-style temple.[1]

According to Paramala Raso, Rahila's queen was Rājamatī.[4] The Kalachuri king Kokkala I married a Chandela princess Naṭṭā-devi. According to R. C. Majumdar, this princess might have been a daughter of Rahila's uncle Jayashakti.[5] However, R. K. Dikshit, believes that she was probably a daughter or sister of Rahila.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Mitra 1977, p. 33.
  2. ^ a b Dikshit 1976, p. 30.
  3. ^ Thapar 2013, p. 594.
  4. ^ a b c d Dikshit 1976, p. 31.
  5. ^ Ramesh Chandra Majumdar (1951). The History and Culture of the Indian People: The age of imperial Kanauj. G. Allen & Unwin. p. 83.

Bibliography

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