7/30/2019 Sushil Handa LTL Prithviraj Chauhan
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Introduction
Birth And Early Years
Immortal Love for Sanyogita
Prithviraj Chauhan was a King of the KshatriyaChauhan
(Chahamana) Rajput dynasty, who ruleda kingdom in northern India
during the latter halfof the 12th century. He reconsolidated
control of theChauhan kingdom and conquered several
neighboringkingdoms, which made his state the leading Hindukingdom
in northern India. His kingdom includedmuch of the present-day
Indian states of Rajasthanand Haryana, and parts of Uttar
Pradesh,HimachalPradesh and Punjab.
Prithviraj was born in 1168 to King SomeshwaraChauhan and his
wife Karpuravalli. He was thesharpest of all the princes at
learning the military skills.He had the skill of hitting the target
only on thebasis of its sound. He succeeded the Throne ofAjmer at
the age of 13, in 1179,when his fatherdied in a battle. At the age
of 13, he killed BheemdevSolanki, the King of Gujarat, who betrayed
his fatherSomeshwar Chauhan. His grandfather Angam, rulerof Delhi,
declared him heir to the throne of Delhiafter hearing about his
courage and bravery.
Sanyogita, the daughter of Jaichandra Gahadwalafell secretly in
love with Prithviraj. Her father,
Jaichandra got wind of this and he arranged a'Swayamwara' for
Sanyogita. He called many princes
worthy of his daughter, from all across the countryexcept
Prithviraj. To humiliate Prithviraj, Jaichanderected his statue,
dressed and bent as a dwaarpal
Prithviraj Chauhan1168 - 1192
at the gateway to the swayamvar. At the time of theswayamvar,
Sanyogita passed all the eligible princes andfinally garlanded
Prithviraj's statue. At that moment,Prithviraj , who was hiding
behind the statue steppedout and whisked his beloved away and put
her up on hissteed to make a fast getaway to his capital in
Delhi!
Another ruler also named Mahmud who was from Ghori inAfghanistan
had grown powerful and had captured Ghazniand subsequently attacked
the Ghaznavid, Governor ofPunjab, and defeated him. The kingdom of
Mahmud Ghori
now stretched up to the domains of Prithviraj Chauhan. A
clashwas inevitable.
Mahmud Ghori threw the gauntlet by laying siege to theFortress
of Bhatinda in East Punjab, which was on thefrontier of
Prithviraj's domains. Prithviraj marched on toBhatinda and met his
enemy at a place called Tarain near theancient town of Thanesar.
Prithviraj won the battle andgeneral Mahmud Ghori became a prisoner
in Prithviraj'shands.Eventually, Prithviraj pardoned Mahmud
Ghori.
The very next year Prithviraj's gesture was repaid by Ghori
whore-attacked Prithviraj with a stronger army and
guilefullydefeated him by attacking the Rajput army before
daybreak.Prithviraj was defeated and brought to Afghanistan as
acaptive to Ghori.
Important Battles
The 1st Battle of Tarain 1191 C.E. - Victory of
PrithvirajChauhan
The 2nd Battle of Tarain 1192 C.E. - Defeat of
PrithvirajChauhan
The Blinding of Prithviraj
Death And Revenge Of Prithviraj
As a prisoner in Ghor he was presented before Mahmud,where he
looked Ghori straight into the eye. Ghoriordered him to lower his
eyes. On Prithviraj's denyingto do that, Ghori ordered that
Prithviraj's eyes beburnt with red-hot iron rods. After that,
Prithviraj wasregularly brought to the court with his friend
ChandBardai.
Prithviraj got an opportunity of revenge when Ghoriannounced a
game of Archery.Prithviraj, who was then
at court said he would also like to participate though
hecouldn't see. He told Mahmud Ghori to order him toshoot, and he
would reach his target.Ultimately, Mahmud Ghori agreed. Chand
Bardaiprovided Prithviraj with an aural indication of whereGhori
was seated. He gave Prithviraj indication of thesame, by composing
a couplet.
Ghori then ordered Prithviraj to shoot. Prithviraj tookaim based
only on the voice and on Chand Bardai'scouplet, he sent an arrow
racing to Ghori's throat.Ghori was thus stuck dead by Prithviraj.
Prithviraj andChandar did not want to die from the hands of
Ghori'scourtiers so they stabbed each other.
Thus ended the story of the brave Prithviraj Chauhan - thelast
Hindu ruler of Delhi. Delhi was to remain underMuslim rule for the
next 700 years till 1857 andunder British rule till 1947.
