SOAS Research Online

Abstract

The history of the Candellas was first traced by Smith in an article in 1908 and then by Dr. H.C. Ray in a chapter of his Dynastic History of Northern India, Volume II, in 1935. These two scholars gave only a very brief political history of the dynasty with cursury references to other aspects of Candella history. This is the first effort to trace the full history of the Candellas with the help of inscriptions, contemporary literary works, Moslem sources, monographs and a large number of articles with important bearing on the Candellas. Besides the political history, I have discussed the administrative system, social, cultural and religious life in the Candella kingdom in detail. I have also tried to point out the significance of the Candellas in relation to the general history of India, and the history of Central and northern India in particular. The first chapter traces the origin, and early history of the dynasty. The second and third chapters deal with its rise under Harsa and Yasovarman and its supremacy under Dhanga and Vidyadhara. The fourth chapter discusses the decline of the Candellas and their revival under Kirtivarman. The fifth chapter traces their history from the reign of Madanavarman to their final collapse. The administrative, socio-economic, religious and cultural history of the dynasty is discussed in chapter VI and VII. The significance of the Candellas and their contribution to Indian history has been pointed out in the last chapter. Finally, in the Appendix, a critical estimate of the traditional sources has been made, and a few unpublished Candella inscriptions have been included with facsimilies.