The Chandelas of Jejakabhukti (Hindi: जेजाकभुक्ति के चन्देल, lit. 'Chandel dynasty of Jejakabhukti', Sanskrit: चन्द्रेल, lit. 'Chandra + aila') or the Chandel Empire, famous as Chandels of Mahoba, was a powerful Indian dynasty, claiming direct descent from the legendary Chandravanshi race (Ailas) of the Kshatriya class. Their country was known as Jejakabhukti, from which they ruled from the 8th to the 14th century, or possibly until the 16th century. They were the most prominent ruling family of the Chandel clan of the Rajputs. Apart from their extensive conquests, Chandelas played a more important in the national struggle against Muslim invaders. They ruled Central India for about six centuries, a period that is rather unusual in the annals of the ruling dynasties of India.
The Chandelas initially ruled as feudatories of the Gurjara-Pratiharas of Kanyakubja (Kannauj). The Chandelas became an independent power during the reign of Harsha Varman. By the time of Dhanga varman, Chandel Kingdom got the status of Chandel Empire. Their power grew through sustained military engagements with neighbouring dynasties, especially the Pratihara Empire, the Paramaras of Malwa, Pala Empire, and the Kalachuris of Tripuri. The Chandela records often mention these dynasties, along with other North and South Indian kingdoms, as subordinate and feudal Kingdom of the Chandelas.
