Which Chandela king faced Mahmud Ghaznavi?

Question

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Correct — C, Vidyadhar (Vidyadhara). The Chandela king Vidyadhara was ruling Bundelkhand (Jejakabhukti) when Mahmud of Ghazni marched on the Chandela stronghold of Kalinjar in 1019 CE during his invasions of North India. Contemporary and near-contemporary accounts describe Vidyadhara as a powerful ruler who avoided a decisive defeat, making him the Chandela king remembered for standing up to the Ghaznavid invasion.

Why the other options are wrong — (a) Kumarapala was a 12th-century king of the Chaulukya (Solanki) dynasty of Gujarat, a noted Jain patron — not a Chandela, and from a later era than Mahmud Ghaznavi's raids.  (b) Bhima II was also a Chaulukya (Solanki) king of Gujarat, who later faced Muhammad of Ghor's forces — a different dynasty, different invader, and a later period.  (d) Arnoraja was a Chahamana (Chauhan) king of Sakambhari — not a Chandela, and not the ruler associated with defending Kalinjar.

Concept: The Chandela dynasty ruled Bundelkhand (Jejakabhukti) from a base around Khajuraho, Mahoba, and Kalinjar, and are best remembered for the Khajuraho temple complex. During Mahmud of Ghazni's raids into North India in the early 11th century, the Chandela king Vidyadhara was one of the few rulers to mount effective resistance, centred on the formidable hill-fort of Kalinjar.

State PCS 2021 Q100 — History PYQ with Answer

State PCS 2021 Q100 — History PYQ with Answer