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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 | |
| Reign | c. 885-905 CE |
| Predecessor | Vijayashakti |
| Successor | Harsha |
| Dynasty | Chandela |
| Father | Vijayashakti |
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]
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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]
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