Chandel

The Chandel, also written Chandela, were a Rajput clan whose families ruled several kingdoms in northern India; its most celebrated branch were the Chandelas of Jejakabhukti, masters of Bundelkhand from the tenth to the thirteenth century. A younger line founded Kahlur, later called Bilaspur: Raja Bir Chand established it around 697, and Raja Kahal Chand built Kahlur Fort around 900, after which the dynasty was also known as the Kahluria.

Its rajas kept their independence in the Punjab Himalaya, moving their capital to Bilaspur under Dip Chand (r. 1663-1665). Raja Bhim Chand defeated a Mughal army at Nadaun and abdicated in 1692 to live as an ascetic.

His son Ajmer Chand made neighbouring hill states tributary. In 1815 Raja Mahan Chand placed the state under British protection as one of the Simla Hill States.