Prithviraj chauhan autobiography

King of Ajmer from 1177 blame on 1192

For other uses, see Prithviraj Chauhan (disambiguation).

Prithviraja III (IAST: Pṛthvī-rāja; 22 Possibly will 1166 – December 1192), popularly be revealed as Prithviraj Chauhan or Rai Pithora, was a king from the Chauhan (Chahamana) dynasty who ruled the locale of Sapadalaksha, with his capital view Ajmer in present-day Rajasthan in north-western India. Ascending the throne as unmixed minor in 1177 CE, Prithviraj inbred a kingdom which stretched from Thanesar in the north to Jahazpur (Mewar) in the south, which he respect to expand by military actions be against neighbouring kingdoms, most notably defeating greatness Chandelas.

Prithviraj led a coalition pay several Rajput kings and defeated blue blood the gentry Ghurid army led by Muhammad time off Ghor near Taraori in 1191 Nevertheless, in 1192, Muhammad returned with cease army of Turkish mounted archers reprove defeated the Rajput army on glory same battlefield. Prithviraj was captured survive summarliy executed, although his minor individual Govindaraja was reinstated by Muhammad sort his puppet ruler in Ajmer. Diadem defeat at Tarain is seen rightfully a landmark event in the Islamic conquest of India, and has antique described in several semi-legendary accounts, about notably the Prithviraj Raso.

Sources unravel information

The extant inscriptions from Prithviraj's novel are few in number and were not issued by the king personally. Much of the information about him comes from the medieval legendary annals. Besides the Muslim accounts of Battles of Tarain, he has been upon in several medieval kavyas (epic poems) by Hindu and Jain authors. These include Prithviraja Vijaya, Hammira Mahakavya boss Prithviraj Raso. These texts contain donated descriptions, and are, therefore, not one hundred per cent reliable.Prithviraja Vijaya is the only lasting literary text from the reign nigh on Prithviraj.Prithviraj Raso, which popularized Prithviraj in that a great king, is purported enrol be written by his court poetess Chand Bardai. However, it contains indefinite exaggerated accounts, much of which decline not useful for the purposes accustomed history.

Other chronicles and texts that comment Prithviraj include Prabandha-Chintamani, Prabandha Kosha concentrate on Prithviraja Prabandha. These were composed centuries after his death, and contain exaggerations and anachronistic anecdotes. Prithviraj has too been mentioned in Kharatara-Gachchha-Pattavali, a Indic text containing biographies of the Kharatara Jain monks. While the work was completed in 1336 CE, the finish off that mentions Prithviraj was written on all sides of 1250 CE. The Alha-Khanda (or Alha Raso) of the Chandela poet Jaganika also provides an exaggerated account light Prithviraj's war against the Chandelas.

Some further Indian texts also mention Prithviraj on the other hand do not provide much information build up historical value. For example, the Indic poem anthology Sharngadhara-paddhati (1363) contains uncomplicated verse praising him, and the Kanhadade Prabandha (1455) mentions him as prominence earlier incarnation of the Jalore Chahamana king Viramade.

Early life

Prithviraj was born let down the Chahamana king Someshvara and ruler Karpuradevi (a Kalachuri princess). Both Prithviraj and his younger brother Hariraja were born in Gujarat, where their divine Someshvara was brought up at honourableness Chaulukya court by his maternal dearest. According to Prithviraja Vijaya, Prithviraj was born on the 12th day admit the Jyeshtha month. The text does not mention the year of crown birth, but provides some of say publicly astrological planetary positions at the at this juncture of his birth, calling them favorable. Based on these positions and conceited certain other planetary positions, Dasharatha Sharma calculated the year of Prithviraj's commencement as 1166 CE (1223 VS).

The primitive biographies of Prithviraj suggest that take action was educated well. The Prithviraja Vijaya states that he mastered 6 languages; the Prithviraj Raso claims that earth learned 14 languages, which appears health check be an exaggeration. The Raso goes on to claim that he became well-versed in a number of subjects, including history, mathematics, medicine, military, sketch account, philosophy (mimamsa), and theology. Both authority texts state that he was especially proficient in archery.

Reign

Early reign

Prithviraj moved dismiss Gujarat to Ajmer, when his pa Someshvara was crowned the Chahamana disconnection after the death of Prithviraja II. Someshvara died in 1177 CE (1234 VS), when Prithviraj was around 11 years old. The last inscription strange Someshvara's reign and the first name from Prithviraj's reign are both moderate to this year. Prithviraj, who was a minor at the time, ascended the throne with his mother restructuring the regent. The Hammira Mahakavya claims that Someshvara himself installed Prithviraj dilemma the throne, and then retired top the forest. However, this is doubtful.

During his early years as the awkward, Prithviraj's mother managed the administration, aided by a regency council.

Kadambavasa served slightly the chief minister of the monarchy during this period. He is further known as Kaimasa, Kaimash or Kaimbasa in the folk legends, which nature him as an able administrator good turn soldier devoted to the young king.Prithviraja Vijaya states that he was accountable for all the military victories not later than the early years of Prithviraj's sovereignty. According to two different legends, Kadambavasa was later killed by Prithviraj. Ethics Prithviraja-Raso claims that Prithviraj killed excellence minister after finding him in authority apartment of the king's favourite doxy Karnati. Prithviraja-Prabandha claims that a workman named Pratapa-Simha conspired against the itinerary, and convinced Prithviraj that the path was responsible for the repeated Islamist invasions. Both these claims appear just now be historically inaccurate, as the ostentatious more historically reliable Prithviraja Vijaya does not mention any such incident.

Bhuvanaikamalla, glory paternal uncle of Prithviraj's mother, was another important minister during this put off. According to Prithviraja Vijaya, he was a valiant general who served Prithviraj as Garuda serves Vishnu. The subject also states that he was "proficient in the art of subduing nāgas". According to the 15th-century historian Jonaraja, "naga" here refers to elephants. Notwithstanding, Har Bilas Sarda interpreted Naga despite the fact that the name of a tribe, at an earlier time theorized that Bhuvanaikamalla defeated this tribe.

According to historian Dasharatha Sharma, Prithviraj pre-empted actual control of the administration confine 1180 CE (1237 VS).

Conflict with Nagarjuna and Bhadanakas

The first military achievement be advantageous to Prithviraj was his suppression of systematic revolt by his cousin Nagarjuna, captivated recapture of Gudapura (IAST: Guḍapura; maybe modern Gurgaon). Nagarjuna was a adolescent of Prithviraj's uncle Vigraharaja IV, move the struggle for the Chahamana authority had led to a rivalry 'tween the two branches of the family.

According to Prithviraja Vijaya, Nagarjuna rebelled ruin Prithviraj's authority and occupied the steeple of Gudapura. Prithviraj besieged Gudapura portend a large army comprising infantry, camels, elephants and horses. Nagarjuna fled nobleness fort, but Devabhata (possibly his general) continued to offer resistance. Ultimately, Prithviraj's army emerged victorious, and captured high-mindedness wife, mother, and followers of Nagarjuna. According to Prithviraja Vijaya, a crown made of the defeated soldiers' heads was hung across the Ajmer exert yourself gate.

Two verses of Kharatara-Gachchha-Pattavali mention excellence victory of Prithviraj over the Bhadanakas, while describing a debate between mirror image Jain monks. This victory can suspect dated to sometime before 1182 Present, when the said debate took menacing. According to Cynthia Talbot, the Bhadanakas were an obscure dynasty who unimpassioned the area around Bayana. According jab Dasharatha Sharma, the Bhadanaka territory comprised the area around present-day Bhiwani, Rewari and Alwar.

War against Chandelas

The 1182–83 Embark on (1239 VS) Madanpur inscriptions from Prithviraj's reign claim that he "laid want waste" Jejakabhukti (present-day Bundelkhand), which was ruled by the Chandela king Paramardi. Prithviraj's invasion of the Chandela home is also described in the next folk legends, such as Prithviraj Raso, Paramal Raso, and Alha-Raso. Other texts such as Sarangadhara Paddhati and Prabandha Chintamani also mention Prithviraj's attack persist Paramardi. The Kharatara-Gachchha-Pattavali mentions that Prithviraj had embarked upon a digvijaya (conquest of all the regions). This appears to be a reference to dignity start of Prithviraj's march to Jejakabhukti.

The legendary account of Prithviraj's campaign averse the Chandelas goes like this: Prithviraj was returning to Delhi after associating the daughter of Padamsen, when surmount contingent was attacked by the "Turkic" forces (Ghurids). His army repulsed glory attacks but suffered serious casualties sound the process. Amid this chaos, interpretation Chahamana soldiers lost their way turf unknowingly encamped in the Chandela seat of government Mahoba. They killed the Chandela exchange a few words gardener for objecting to their image, which led to a skirmish among the two sides. The Chandela troublesome Paramardi asked his general Udal persuade attack Prithviraj's camp, but Udal gather against this move. Paramardi's brother-in-law Mahil Parihar ruled modern-day Orai; he harboured ill-will against Paramardi and instigated integrity king to go ahead with probity attack. Prithviraj defeated Udal's contingent avoid then left for Delhi. Subsequently, blue with Mahil's scheming, Udal and diadem brother Alha left the Chandela entourage. They started serving Jaichand, the Gahadavala ruler of Kannauj. Mahil then clandestinely informed Prithviraj that Chandela kingdom challenging become weak in absence of professor strongest generals. Prithviraj invaded the Chandela kingdom and besieged Sirsagarh, which was held by Udal's cousin Malkhan. Back failing to win over Malkhan proof peaceful methods and losing eight generals, Prithviraj captured the fort. The Chandelas then appealed for a truce, person in charge used this time to recall Alha and Udal from Kannauj. In survive of the Chandelas, Jaichand dispatched cease army led by his best generals, including two of his own successors. The combined Chandela-Gahadavala army attacked Prithviraj's camp, but was defeated. After enthrone victory, Prithviraj sacked Mahoba. He ergo dispatched his general Chavand Rai pass away Kalinjar Fort to capture Paramardi. According to the various legends, Paramardi either died or retired shortly after representation attack. Prithviraj returned to Delhi aft appointing Pajjun Rai as the regulator of Mahoba. Later, Paramardi's son recaptured Mahoba.

The exact historicity of this notional narrative is debatable. The Madanpur inscriptions establish that Prithviraj sacked Mahoba, nevertheless historical evidence suggests that his situation of Chandela territory is either put in order fabrication by the bards, or upfront not last long. It is common that Paramardi did not die instead retire immediately after the Chauhan victory; in fact, he continued ruling translation a sovereign nearly a decade name Prithviraj's death. Cynthia Talbot asserts prowl Prithviraj only raided Jejakabhukti, and Paramardi regained control of his kingdom in the near future after his departure from Mahoba. Discoverer continues that Prithviraj was not wrong to annex the Chandela territory nigh his kingdom. Conversely, according to R.B. Singh, it is probable that remorseless part of Chandela territory was subsidiary by Chahmanas albeit for a divide time.

Wars in Gujarat

The Kharatara-Gachchha-Pattavali mentions natty peace treaty between Prithviraj, and Bhima II, the Chaulukya (Solanki) king prop up Gujarat. This implies that the brace kings were previously at war. That war can be dated to before 1187 CE (1244 VS). Position Veraval inscription states that Bhima's ground-breaking minister Jagaddeva Pratihara was "the slug to the lotus-like queens of Prithviraja" (a reference to the belief turn this way the moon-rise causes a day-blooming lotus to close its petals). Since Bhima was a minor at the period, it appears that Jagaddeva led probity campaign on the Chaulukya side.

The historically unreliable Prithviraj Raso provides some petty details about the Chahamana-Chaulukya struggle. According cause to feel it, both Prithviraj and Bhima required to marry Ichchhini, the Paramara ruler of Abu. Prithviraj's marriage to renounce led to a rivalry between rendering two kings. Historian G. H. Ojha dismisses this legend as fiction, thanks to it states that Ichchhini was unornamented daughter of Salakha, while Dharavarsha was the Paramara ruler of Abu concede defeat the time. Historian R. B. Singh, on the other hand, believes stray Salakha was the head of added Paramara branch at Abu. The Raso also mentions that Prithviraj's uncle Kanhadeva had killed seven sons of Bhima's uncle Sarangadeva. To avenge these murders, Bhima invaded the Chahamana kingdom reprove killed Prithviraj's father Someshvara, capturing Nagor in the process. Prithviraj re-captured Nagor, and defeated and killed Bhima. That is known to be historically mistaken, as the reign of Bhima II lasted nearly half a century afterwards Prithviraj's death. Similarly, historical evidence suggests Bhima II was a child recoil the time of Someshvara's death, point of view therefore, could not have killed him.

Despite these discrepancies, there is some facts of a battle between the Chahamanas and the Chaulukyas at Nagor. Four inscriptions found at Charlu village close to Bikaner commemorate the death of Mohil soldiers at the battle of Nagor in 1184 CE (1241 VS). Birth Mohils are a branch of leadership Chauhans (the Chahamanas), and it research paper possible the inscriptions refer to nobility battle described in Prithviraj Raso.

Sometime earlier 1187 CE, Jagaddeva Pratihara signed cool peace treaty with Prithviraj. According tell off Kharatara-Gachchha-Pattavali, a chief named Abhayada right away sought Jagaddeva's permission to attack limit rob the wealthy visitors from Sapadalaksha country (the Chahamana territory). In take on, Jagaddeva told Abhayada that he confidential concluded a treaty with Prithviraj block much difficulty. Jaggadeva then threatened cap have Abhayada sewn in a donkey's belly if he harassed the society of Sapadalaksha. Historian Dasharatha Sharma theorizes that the Chahamana-Chaulukya conflict ended decree some advantage for Prithviraj, as Jagaddeva appears to have been very flustered to preserve the treaty. According coalesce historian R.C. Majumdar and Satish Chandra his long drawn out struggle admit Gujarat was unsuccessful and he gratifying a reverse against Bhima. Thus, Prithviraj concluded a treaty by 1187 CE.^[30][31]

Paramaras

The area around Mount Abu was ruled by the Chandravati Paramara ruler Dharavarsha, who was a Chaulukya feudatory. Partha-Parakrama-Vyayoga, a text written by his last brother Prahaladana, describes Prithviraj's night tactic on Abu. This attack, according comprise the text, was a failure schedule the Chahamanas. It probably happened via the Gujarat campaign of Prithviraj.

Gahadavala conflict

The Gahadavala kingdom, centered around Kannauj add-on headed by another powerful king Jayachandra, was located to the east expend the Chahamana kingdom. According to a-one legend mentioned in Prithviraj Raso, Prithviraj eloped with Jayachandra's daughter Samyogita, chief to a rivalry between the four kings.

The legend goes like this: Soughtafter Jaichand (Jayachandra) of Kannauj decided get rid of conduct a Rajasuya ceremony to reveal his supremacy. Prithviraj refused to enter into in this ceremony, and thus, refused to acknowledge Jaichand as the unmatched king. Jaichand's daughter Samyogita fell advance love with Prithviraj after hearing walk his heroic exploits, and declared digress she would marry only him. Jaichand arranged a swayamvara (husband-selection) ceremony insinuate his daughter, but did not attract Prithviraj. Nevertheless, Prithviraj marched to Kannauj with a hundred warriors and uneconomical with Samyogita. Two-thirds of his warriors sacrificed their life in fight contradict the Gahadavala army, allowing him harmonious escape to Delhi with Samyogita. Subordinate Delhi, Prithviraj became infatuated with new wife, and started spending governing of his time with her. Lighten up started ignoring the state affairs, which ultimately led to his defeat antithetical Muhammad of Ghor.

This legend is additionally mentioned in Abu'l-Fazl's Ain-i-Akbari and Chandrashekhara's Surjana-Charita (which names the Gahadavala emperor as "Kantimati"). Prithviraja Vijaya mentions go off at a tangent Prithviraj fell in love with significance incarnation of an apsaraTilottama, although significant had never seen this woman allow was already married to other squadron. According to historian Dasharatha Sharma, that is probably a reference to Samyogita. However, this legend is not design in other historical sources such variety Prithviraja-Prabandha, Prabandha-Chintamani, Prabandha-Kosha and Hammira-Mahakavya. Depiction Gahadavala records are also silent reflect on this event, including the supposed Rajasuya performance by Jayachandra.

According to Dasharatha Sharma and R. B. Singh, there fortitude be some historical truth in that legend, as it is mentioned instructions three different sources. All three multiplicity place the event sometime before Prithviraj's final confrontation with Muhammad of Ghor in 1192 CE.

Other rulers

The Prithviraj Raso mentions that Prithviraj defeated Nahar Rai of Mandovara and the Mughal decisive Mudgala Rai, but these stories manifest to be pure fiction. No recorded records suggest existence of these persons.

The construction of the now-ruined Qila Rai Pithora fort in Delhi is attributed to Prithviraj. According to Prithviraj Raso, Delhi's ruler Anangpal Tomar gave say publicly city to his son-in-law Prithviraj, famous was defeated when he wanted move on back. This is historically inaccurate, pass for Delhi was annexed to the Chahamana territory by Prithviraj's uncle Vigraharaja IV. In addition, historical evidence suggests lose concentration Anangpal Tomar died before the commencement of Prithviraj. The claim about coronet daughter's marriage to Prithviraj appears add up have been concocted at a consequent date.

War with the Ghurids

Prithviraj's predecessors challenging faced multiple raids from the Islamic dynasties that had captured the north-western areas of the Indian subcontinent encourage the 12th century. By the accumulate 12th century, the Ghazna-based Ghurid house controlled the territory to the western of the Chahamana kingdom. While Prithviraj was still a child, in 1175 CE, the Ghurid ruler Muhammad motionless Ghor crossed the Indus River good turn captured Multan. In 1178 CE, unwind invaded Gujarat, which was ruled via the Chaulukyas (Solankis). During its go to Gujarat, the Ghurid army appears to have passed through the exaggeration frontier of the Chahamana kingdom, tempt evident by the destruction of not too temples and sacking of the Bhati-ruled Lodhruva. The Prithviraja Vijaya mentions delay the activities of the Ghurid horde were like Rahu to the Chahamana kingdom (in Hindu mythology, Rahu swallows the Sun, causing a solar eclipse). However, it does not mention absurd military engagement between the two kingdoms. On its way to Gujarat, rectitude Ghurid army besieged the Naddula (Nadol) fort, which was controlled by picture Chahamanas of Naddula. Prithviraj's chief cleric Kadambavasa advised him not to ahead of you any assistance to the rivals keep in good condition the Ghurids, and to stay tumult from this conflict. The Chahamanas sincere not immediately face a Ghurid descent, because the Chaulukyas of Gujarat furtive Muhammad at the Battle of Kasahrada in 1178 CE, forcing the Ghurids to retreat.

Over the next few days, Muhammad of Ghor consolidated his rigorousness in the territory to the western of the Chahamanas, conquering Peshawar, Sindh, and Punjab. He shifted his support from Ghazna to Punjab, and masquerade attempts to expand his empire eastward, which brought him into conflict give up your job Prithviraj.

Prithviraja Vijaya mentions that Muhammad supplementary Ghor sent an ambassador to Prithviraj, but does not provide any details.Hasan Nizami's Taj-ul-Maasir (13th century CE) states that Muhammad sent his chief magistrate Qiwam-ul Mulk Ruknud Din Hamza although Prithviraj's court. The envoy tried defile convince Prithviraj to "abandon belligerence person in charge pursue the path of rectitude", on the contrary was unsuccessful. As a result, Muhammad decided to wage a war aspect Prithviraj.

The medieval Muslim writers mention single one or two battles between leadership two rulers. The Tabaqat-i Nasiri at an earlier time Tarikh-i-Firishta mention the two Battles look up to Tarain. Jami-ul-Hikaya and Taj-ul-Maasir mention single the second battle of Tarain, check which Prithviraj was defeated. However, rank Hindu and Jain writers state go off at a tangent Prithviraj defeated Muhammad multiple times earlier being killed:

• The Hammira Mahakavya claims depart after defeating Muhammad for the good cheer time, Prithviraj forced him to remorseful to the princes whose territories do something had ransacked, before letting him consignment. Muhammad invaded the Chahamana kingdom cardinal more times, but was defeated in receipt of time. However, his ninth invasion succeeded.
• The Prithviraja Prabandha states that the twosome kings fought 8 battles; Prithviraj licked and captured the Ghurid king seep in the first seven of these, however released him unharmed each time.
• The Prabandha Kosha claims that Prithviraj captured Muhammad 20 times, but was himself in jail during the 21st battle. The Surjana Charita and Prithviraj Raso also specify 21 battles.
• The Prabandha Chintamani gives loftiness number of battles between Muhammad snowball Prithviraj as 22. It also states that Prithviraj's army defeated the past enemy king in a previous conflict, in which a subordinate of Prithviraj heroically sacrificed himself.

While these accounts sound to exaggerate the number, it evenhanded possible that more than two engagements took place between the Ghurids dowel the Chahamanas during Prithviraj's reign.^[51] Position early victories mentioned by the Hindustani and Jain writers probably refer restriction Prithviraj's successful repulsion of raids by way of Ghurid generals.

First battle of Tarain

Main article: First Battle of Tarain

During 1190–1191 List, Muhammad of Ghor invaded the Chahamana territory, and captured Tabarhindah or Tabar-e-Hind (identified with Bathinda). He placed on the level under the charge of Zia-ud-din, nobility Qazi of Tulak, supported by 1200 horsemen. When Prithviraj learned about that, marched towards Tabarhindah with his feudatories, including Govindaraja of Delhi. According bright the 16th-century Muslim historian Firishta, her majesty force comprised 200,000 horses and 3,000 elephants.

Muhammad's original plan was to give back to his base after conquering Tabarhindah, but when he heard about Prithviraj's march, he decided to put annoy a fight. He set out be different an army, and encountered Prithviraj's buttressing at Tarain. In the ensuing campaigning, Prithviraj's army decisively defeated the Ghurids. Muhammad of Ghor was injured endure forced to retreat.

Prithviraj did not pay court to the retreating Ghurid army, not not up to par to invade hostile territory or undervalue Ghori's ambition.^[55] He only besieged authority Ghurid garrison at Tabarhindah, which over after 13 months of siege.

Second action of Tarain

Main article: Second Battle submit Tarain

Prithviraj seems to have treated picture first battle of Tarain as essentially a frontier fight. This view admiration strengthened by the fact that operate made little preparations for any forward-thinking clash with Muhammad of Ghor. According to Prithviraj Raso, during the age preceding his final confrontation with distinction Ghurids, he neglected the affairs disregard the state and spent time guarantee merry-making.^[55]

Meanwhile, Muhammad of Ghor returned harmony Ghazna, and made preparations to an eye for an eye his defeat. According to Tabaqat-i Nasiri, he gathered a well-equipped army weekend away 120,000 select Afghan, Tajik and Altaic horsemen over the next few months. He then marched towards the Chahamana kingdom via Multan and Lahore, assisted by Vijayaraja of Jammu.

Prithviraj had archaic left without any allies as adroit result of his wars against picture neighbouring Hindu kings. Nevertheless, he managed to gather a large army take care of counter the Ghurids. Prithviraj successfully marshaled a sizeable army composed of pin down 100 Rajput rulers, mainly War elephants, cavalrymen and foot soldiers.^[58][59] The Ordinal century Muslim historian Firishta estimated nobility strength of Prithviraj's army as 300,000 horses and 3,000 elephants, in adjoining to a large infantry. This decline most likely a gross exaggeration, regard at emphasizing the scale of position Ghurid victory.^[55] Prithviraj wrote a notice to Muhammad of Ghor, promising him no harm if he decided abide by return to his own country. Muhammad insisted that he needed time check confer his brother Ghiyath al-Din who was ruling from his capital even Firozkoh. According to Firishta, he largescale to a truce until he reactionary an answer from his brother. Notwithstanding, he planned an attack against say publicly Chahamanas.

According to Jawami ul-Hikayat, Muhammad determined a few men to keep honourableness fires in his camp burning administrator night, while he marched off tension another direction with the rest deduction his army. This gave the Chahamanas an impression that the Ghurid armed force was still encamped, observing the interval. After reaching several miles away, Muhammad formed four divisions, with 10,000 archers each. He kept the rest assess his army in reserve. He textbook the four divisions to launch ending attack on the Chahamana camp, near then pretend a retreat.

At dawn, representation four divisions of the Ghurid herd attacked the Chahamana camp, while Prithviraj was still asleep. After a petty fight, the Ghurid divisions pretended with regard to retreat in accordance with Muhammad's usage. Prithviraj was thus lured into chiselling them, and by the afternoon, high-mindedness Chahamana army was exhausted as expert result of this pursuit. At that point, Muhammad led his reserve potency of 10,000 mounted archers and gripped the Chahamanas, decisively defeating them. Diarist Juzjani attributed the success of honesty Ghurid army to the 10,000 in the saddle archers which eventually overthrow the "infidel host".^[61] However, scholars like Dashratha Sharma and R.B. Singh argue that Ghoris' triumph was more a result go together with deceitful and treacherous strategies rather puzzle the inherent strength of his shoring up. According to Taj-ul-Maasir, Prithviraj's camp gone 100,000 men (including Govindaraja of Delhi) in this debacle. Prithviraj himself welltried to escape on a horse, nevertheless was pursued and caught near representation Sarasvati fort (possibly modern Sirsa). To sum up, Muhammad of Ghor captured Ajmer associate killing several thousand defenders, enslaved spend time at more, and destroyed the city's temples.

Jain accounts of Prithviraj's downfall

Prabandha Chintamani jam the 14th-century Jain scholar Merutunga states that Prithviraj cut off the work away at of one of his ministers, who guided the Ghurid invaders to emperor camp as revenge. Prithviraj was squeeze up deep sleep after a day disparage religious fasting, and therefore, was hands down captured.

Hammira Mahakavya by the 15th-century Jain scholar Nayachandra Suri states delay after his initial defeat, the Ghurid king raised a fresh army be infatuated with the support of a neighboring striking, and marched to Delhi. Before illustriousness battle, he bribed Prithviraj's master homework horses and musicians with gold notes acceptance. The master of horses had qualified Prithviraj's horse to prance to drumbeats. The Ghurids attacked the Chahamana encampment just before dawn, when Prithviraj was sleeping. Prithviraj tried to escape fascination his horse, but his musicians resonance the drums. The horse started prancing, and the invaders easily captured Prithviraj.

According to another Jain text, Prithviraja Prabandha, Prithviraj's minister Kaimbasa and his spear-bearer Pratapasimha were not on good qualifications. Kaimbasa once complained to king break the rules Pratapasimha, who convinced the king avoid Kaimbasa was aiding the Ghurids. Require angry Prithviraj attempted to kill Kaimbasa with an arrow one night, on the other hand ended up killing another man. Conj at the time that his bard Chand Baliddika admonished him, the king dismissed both the grace and the minister. At the adjourn of Ghurid invasion of Delhi, Prithviraj had been sleeping for ten life. When the Ghurids came close, king sister woke him up: Prithviraj peaky to flee on a horse, on the contrary Kaimbasa helped the Ghurids capture him by telling them about a sure sound that caused his horse signify prance.

Death and succession

Most medieval sources circumstances that Prithviraj was taken to decency Chahamana capital Ajmer, where Muhammad contrived to reinstate him as a Ghurid vassal. Sometime later, Prithviraj rebelled be against Muhammad, and was killed for sedition. This is corroborated by numismatic evidence: some 'horse-and-bullman'-style coins bearing names virtuous both Prithviraj and "Muhammad bin Sam" were issued from the Delhi pile, although another possibility is that class Ghurids initially used Chahamana-style coinage destroy ensure greater acceptance of their fall apart coinage in the former Chahamana house. After Prithviraj's death, Muhammad installed rectitude Chahamana prince Govindaraja on the potty of Ajmer, which further supports that theory.

The various sources differ on leadership exact circumstances:

• The contemporary Muslim historian Hasan Nizami states that Prithviraj was deceived conspiring against Muhammad, prompting the Ghurid king to order his beheading. Nizami does not describe the nature oppress this conspiracy.
• According to Prabandha Chintamani (c. 1304), Muhammad took him to Ajmer, intending to let him rule as pure vassal. However, in Ajmer, he dictum paintings depicting Muslims being killed tough pigs in the Chahamana gallery. Indignant, he beheaded Prithviraj with an axe.
• Hammira Mahakavya states that Prithviraj refused amplify eat food after being captured. Dignity noblemen of the Ghurid king not obligatory that he release Prithviraj, but Muhammad ignored their advice, and Prithviraj sound in captivity.
• Prithviraja-Prabandha (dated 15th century will earlier) states the Ghurids placed Prithviraj in gold chains and brought him to Delhi. Prithviraj reproached the Ghurid king for not following his occasion of releasing the captured enemy. Heavy-going days later, while imprisoned in Ajmer, Prithviraj asked his ex-minister Kaimbasa select his bow-and-arrows to kill Muhammad form the court, which was held the same front of the house where subside was imprisoned. The treacherous minister out him the bow-and-arrows, but secretly enlightened Muhammad of his plan. As pure result, Muhammad did not sit watch his usual place, and instead reserved a metal statue there. Prithviraj dismissed an arrow at the statue, crackup it into two. As a insults, Muhammad had him cast into clean pit and stoned to death.

The 13th-century Persian historian Minhaj-i-Siraj states that Prithviraj was "sent to hell" after teach captured. The 16th-century historian Firishta extremely supports this account. According to recorder Satish Chandra, Minhaj's account suggests avoid Prithviraj was executed immediately after dominion defeat,^[74] but R. B. Singh believes that no such conclusion can fleece drawn from Minhaj's writings.Viruddha-Vidhi Vidhvansa get ahead of the Hindu writer Lakshmidhara is ethics only source that claims that Prithviraj was killed on the battlefield.^[75]

The Prithviraj Raso claims that Prithviraj was tied up to Ghazna as a prisoner, scold blinded. On hearing this, the versifier Chand Bardai traveled to Ghazna contemporary tricked Muhammad of Ghor into conformity an archery performance by the imperceptive Prithviraj. During this performance, Prithviraj slug the arrow in the direction vacation Muhammad's voice and killed him. Anon after, Prithviraj and Chand Bardai join each other. This is a mythical narrative, not supported by historical evidence: Muhammad of Ghor continued to plan for more than a decade abaft Prithviraj's death.

After Prithviraj's death, the Ghurids appointed his son Govindaraja on magnanimity throne of Ajmer as their dependant. In 1192 CE, Prithviraj's younger kin Hariraja dethroned Govindaraja, and recaptured a-okay part of his ancestral kingdom. Govindaraja moved to Ranastambhapura (modern Ranthambore), vicinity he established a new Chahamana circle of vassal rulers. Hariraja was following defeated by the Ghurid general Qutb al-Din Aibak.

Cultural activities

Prithviraj had a determined ministry for pandits (scholars) and poets, which was under the charge reinforce Padmanabha. His court had a release of poets and scholars, including:

• Jayanaka, calligraphic poet-historian who wrote Prithviraja Vijaya
• Vidyapati Gauda
• Vagisvara Janardana
• Vishvarupa, a poet
• Prithvibhata, a royal versifier (identified as Chand Bardai by dire scholars)

Kharatara-Gachchha-Pattavali mentions a debate that took place between the Jain monks Jinapati Suri and Padmaprabha at Naranayana (modern Narena near Ajmer). Prithviraj had encamped there at the time. Jinapati was later invited to Ajmer by pure rich Jain merchant. There, Prithviraj present itself him a jaya-patra (certificate of victory).

Legacy

Inscriptions

According to historian R. Perilous. Singh, at its height, Prithviraj's imperium extended from Sutlej river in ethics west to the Betwa river bonding agent the east, and from the Formidable foothills in the north to leadership foot of Mount Abu in rendering south. Thus, it included parts slope present-day Rajasthan, Uttrakhand, southern Punjab, northerly Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and fiction Uttar Pradesh.^{[better source needed]}

However, according to archeologist Rima Hooja and historian R.C. Majumdar, Prithviraj inherited a kingdom that only extended till modern day Hissar and Sirhind (Bathinda) on north west, and hoe Delhi in North. His territories were bounded on southern frontier by Guhilas of Mewar along with Chauhans accuse Nadol, on the eastern border preschooler kingdoms of Bayana, Kachchhapaghatas of Gwalior and Gahadavalas of Varnasi and method north-west frontier by empire of honourableness Ghaznavids. Majumdar further asserts that magnanimity military campaigns of Prithviraj on wreath neighbours do not resulted in set annexation of territory.^[80][81][82]

Only seven inscriptions middle-of-the-road to Prithviraj's reign are available; bugger all of these were issued by loftiness king himself:

• Barla or Badla inscription, 1177 CE (1234 VS)
• Phalodi inscription, 1179 Jaunt (1236 VS): records the grants unchanging by Prithviraj's vassal Ranaka Katiya.
• Madanpur inscriptions of 1182 CE (1239 VS)
  • Inscription 1: Mentions that Prithviraj invaded blue blood the gentry territory of the Chandela ruler Paramardi
  • Inscription 2: Names Prithviraj's father (Someshvara) celebrated grandfather (Arnoraja), and states that of course plundered Jejakabhukti (the Chandela territory)
  • Inscription 3: Contains names of Shiva (Tryambaka, Chandrashekhara, and Tripuranta).
• Udaipur Victoria Hall Museum style appellation, 1187 CE (1244 VS)
• Visalpur (Bisalpur secure Tonk) inscription, 1187 CE (1244 VS)

Characterization

The late medieval (14th and 15th centuries) Sanskrit stories about Prithviraj present him as an unsuccessful king who was memorable only for his defeat destroy a foreign king.Prabandha-Chintamani and Prithviraja-Prabandha, sure by Jain authors, portray him reorganization an inept and unworthy king who was responsible for his own attack, and whose mistreatment of his blessed subordinates turned them into traitors. Look contrast, the Hammira Mahakavya, also sure by a Jain author, presents him as a brave man whose subordinates turned against him out of simple greed. The Hammira Mahakavya, which was probably intended to please a Chauhan lord, retains the elements of probity Jain tradition that occur in decency two Prabandha texts, but also attempts to glorify Prithviraj who was include ancestor of the text's hero Hammira.

Prithviraj Raso, a legendary text patronized remarkably by the Rajput courts, portrays Prithviraj as a great hero. Over goal, Prithviraj came to be portrayed pass for a patriotic Hindu warrior who fought against Muslim enemies. He is endless as a king whose reign put asunder the two major epochs of Amerind history. The convention of portraying Prithviraj as a Hindu king defeated chimp part of the Islamic conquest doomed India appears to have started corresponding Hasan Nizami's Tajul-Ma'asir (early 13th century). Nizami presents his narrative as clean description of "war with enemies slope the faith" and of how "the Islamic way of life was traditional in the land of the Hindus."Tajul-Ma'asir as well as the later subject Tabaqat-i Nasiri (c. 1260) present the Ghurid victory over Prithviraj as an not worth mentioning milestone leading to the establishment delineate the Delhi Sultanate.

The 16th century legends describe him as the ruler a few India's political centre Delhi (rather prior to Ajmer, which was his actual capital). For example, Abul Fazl's Ain-i-Akbari does not associate the Chahamana dynasty hash up Ajmer at all. Prithviraj's association laughableness Delhi in these legends further fortify his status as a symbol wink pre-Islamic Indian power.

Prithviraj has been asserted as "the last Hindu emperor" tier eulogies. This designation is inaccurate, on account of several stronger Hindu rulers flourished knoll South India after him, and uniform some contemporary Hindu rulers in union India were at least as well-built as him. Nevertheless, the 19th-century Nation officer James Tod repeatedly used that term to describe Prithviraj in tiara Annals and Antiquities of Rajast'han. Tod was influenced by the medieval Farsi language Muslim accounts, which present Prithviraj as a major ruler and paint his defeat as a major notable in the Islamic conquest of Bharat. After Tod, several narratives continued distribute describe Prithviraj as "the last Faith emperor". For example, the inscriptions mass the Ajmer memorial (smarak) to Prithviraj also honour him as "the stick up Hindu emperor".

In popular culture

Memorials dedicated admit Prithviraj have been constructed in Ajmer and Delhi. A number of Amerindian films and television series have antique made on his life. These include: Prithviraj Chouhan (1924), Prithviraj Sanyogita (1929) by Narayanrao D. Sarpotdar, Prithviraj (1931) by R. N. Vaidya, Prithviraj Sanyogita (1933), Prithivirajan (1942) by B. Sampathkumar, Prithviraj Samyogita (1946) by Najam Naqvi, Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan (1959) by Harsukh Jagneshwar Bhatt, Rani Samyuktha (1962) by virtue of D. Yoganand, Samrat Prithviraj (2022) moisten Chandraprakash Dwivedi; and the Hindi swarm serials Main Dilli Hoon (1998–1999) standing Dharti Ka Veer Yodha Prithviraj Chauhan (2006–2009).

The Indian animated film Veer Yodha Prithviraj Chauhan (2008) was movable by Rakesh Prasad. Prithviraj was very one of the first historical count to be covered in Amar Chitra Katha (No. 25). Many of these modern retellings depict Prithviraj as ingenious flawless hero, and emphasize a communication of Hindu national unity.

The video distraction Age of Empires II HD: Righteousness Forgotten contains a five-chapter campaign highborn "Prithviraj".^{[citation needed]}

References

Bibliography