Prithviraj Chauhan : Tales and Myths Of The Fearless Rajput Hero

1000 to 1200: A period which saw rapid changes in West, Central Asia, and North India. The developments during this period led to the incursion of the Turks into Northern India. The continuous incursion of Turkish tribesmen from Central Asia, mercenary characters of the Turkish, and strife between Muslim sects and different regions made the period restless.

Only a bold warrior and the leader of men who were adept at warfare could withstand this situation and one such valiant Hindu King was Prithviraja III, also known as Prithviraj Chauhan.

Who Was Prithviraj Chauhan

According to Prithviraj Vijaya, a eulogistic Sanskrit epic poem, Prithviraj Chauhan was born on the 12th month of Jyeshtha month. Prithviraj Chauhan’s year of birth is not mentioned in the text of this epic.

Prithviraj Chauhan was the most famous Chauhan ruler. He ascended the throne at the young age of eleven in 1177. He took the reins of administration in his hands when he was 16. Prithviraj Chauhan, after his reign, immediately started his expansionist policy. He brought many of the smaller Rajput states under his control. Prithviraj ruled from both Ajmer and Delhi.

According to Prithviraj Vijaya, Prithviraj was well-educated and knew 6 languages. On the other hand, as per Prithviraj Raso, Prithviraj had learned 14 languages.

Prithviraj Vijayaclaims that Prithviraj Chauhan was a skilled archer and possessed the ability to hit any target solely based on the target’s sound. Prithviraj Rasomentioned that he was well-versed in various subjects like mathematics, medicine, history, painting, military, etc. There were various Scientists in Ancient India who made contributions to the mathematics and medical fields.

Prithviraj Chauhans’s Conflict with Other Rajput Rulers

1. Conflict with Nagarjuna

Just like another great Rajput ruler MaharanaPratap, Prithviraj Chauhan’s accession to the throne also faced tough challenges. The first rebellion he faced was from his cousin Nagarjuna. According to Prithviraj Vijaya, Nagarjunarebelled against Prithviraj’s reign and occupied Gudpura Fort.

Prithviraj surrounded Gudpura Fort with a large army. Nagarjuna fled the fort and ultimately, after Devabhata’s (Nagarjuna’s general) unsuccessful resistance against Prithviraj, made Prithviraj victorious.

2. Conflict with the Bhadanaka Kingdom

As per Cynthia Talbot, the Bhadanaka dynasty controlled the areas around the Rewari, Bhiwani, and Mahendragarh regions of Haryana and Alwar in Rajasthan during the 11th and 12th centuries.

3. Prithviraj Chauhan’s War Against the Chandelas

Prithviraj led an expedition in the Bundelkhand region against the Chandelas. In this struggle, the famous warriors of Prithviraj Chauhan, Alha, and Udal, lost their lives. The Chandel ruler is said to have got support from Jai Chandra, the Gahadavala ruler of Kanauj.

The Battle of Tarain 

The Battle of Tarain was between two ambitious rulers, Prithviraj Chauhan, and Muizzuddin Muhammad or Muhammed Ghori. The conflict between the two rulers started with rival claims for Tabarhinda. 

The battle which was fought at Tarain in 1191 made the Ghurid forces completely routed and the First Battle of Tarain was won by Prithviraj Chauhan. Though little attempts were taken by Prithviraj to oust the Ghurids from Punjab.

The Second Battle of Tarain in 1192 is regarded as one of the turning points in Indian history. Muhammad Ghori had 1,20,000 men in his troop which included a force of heavy cavalry with steel coats and armor and 10,000 mounted archers.

As soon as Prithviraj started realizing the Ghurid threat, he appealed to all the Rajput rulers of Northern India for help. Many Rajput kings sent contingents to help Prithviraj but Jayachandra, the ruler of Kannauj stayed away. Prithviraj is said to have a greater force than Muhammed Ghori's force, but the Turkish army was better organized and led.

The superior organizational skills and speed of movement made Muhammed Ghori victorious. Prithviraj was defeated by Muhammed Ghori and somehow managed to escape. Later Prithviraj was captured near Saraswati. 

The Turkish army captured Saraswati, Hansi, Samana, and Ajmer. Prithviraj was allowed to rule Ajmer for some time. Soon after, Prithviraj was executed on a charge of conspiracy which led his son to succeed him. Later, Prithviraj Chauhan's son moved to Ranthambore, India, and the Chauhan dynasty was then retired to Ranthambore.