Prithviraj III

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For the Indian TV serial with the protagonist of the same name, see Dharti Ka Veer Yodha Prithviraj Chauhan.

Statue of Prithvi Raj Chauhan at Ajmer
Statue of Prithvi Raj Chauhan at Ajmer

Prithvi Raj Chauhan (1168-1192 CE) Prithvi Raj Chauhan was a king of the Hindu Rajput Chauhan (Chauhamana) dynasty, who ruled a kingdom in northern India during the latter half of the 12th century.

Prithvi Raj Chauhan was the second last Hindu king to sit upon the throne of Delhi (the last Hindu king being Hemu). He succeeded to the throne in 1179 CE at the age of 11, and ruled from the twin capitals of Ajmer and Delhi. He controlled much of Rajasthan and Haryana, and unified the Rajputs against Muslim invasions. His elopement with Samyukta (Sanyogita), the daughter of Jai Chandra, the Gahadvala king of Kannauj, is a popular romantic tale in India, and is one of the subjects of the Prithviraj Raso, an epic poem composed by Prithviraj's court poet and friend, Chand Bardai.

Prithvi Raj fought and defeated the Afghan ruler Muhammad Ghori in the First Battle of Tarain in 1191 CE but was then immediately defeated at the Second Battle of Tarain in 1192 CE. After his defeat, India was open to invasion by the Mahmud Ghori, and Delhi came under the control of him. Qila Rai Pithora in Delhi, also known as Pithoragarh, is named after him.

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[edit] Biography

Prithvi Raj Chauhan, also called Rai Pithora, was the ruler of Ajmer and Delhi, by far the strongest of all the rulers of Northern India at the end of the twelfth century. His brother Khandey Rai (or Gobind Rai - some historians called him Prithvi's relative whose daughter was married to Prithvi) was the viceroy of Delhi. Prithvi's first cousin Jaichand, Raja of Kanauj, had strained relations with Prithvi because their grandfather (father of their mothers) had allowed Prithvi to inherit the throne of Delhi. Also because Prithvi had married the beautiful daughter of Jaichand against his wish.

Prithvi Raj Chauhan's succession had been rather confused since the death of Vigraha-raja in 1165; Prithvi Raj reconsolidated control of the Chauhan kingdom and conquered several neighboring kingdoms, which made his state the leading Hindu kingdom in northern India. Delhi was captured from the Tomara Rajputs during the early years of his reign, and was renamed Qila Rai Pithora. He campaigned against the Chandela Rajputs of Bundelkhand. His kingdom included much of the present-day Indian states of Rajasthan and Haryana, and parts of Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Princely Nabha jewel in the crown of India and families from Nabha has close relations with the Great Prithvi Raj Chauhan.

Coin of Prithiviraja of Chauhans or Chahamanas of Ajmer/Delhi , circa 1179 AD -1192 AD. Obv: Rider bearing lance on caparisoned horse facing right.Devnagari Legends : Sri Pr/thvi raja deva'. Rev: Recumbent bull facing left ,trishula on bulls rump,Devnagari Legends : Asavari / Sri Samanta deva.
Coin of Prithiviraja of Chauhans or Chahamanas of Ajmer/Delhi , circa 1179 AD -1192 AD.
Obv: Rider bearing lance on caparisoned horse facing right.Devnagari Legends : Sri Pr/thvi raja deva'. Rev: Recumbent bull facing left ,trishula on bulls rump,Devnagari Legends : Asavari / Sri Samanta deva.

[edit] Lineage

Anangpal Tomara II , the King of Delhi, had two daughters, Roopsundari and Kamaladevi. Roopsundari married Vijaypal, King of Kannauj. They had a son Jai Chandra. His daughter was named Sanyogita. Kamaladevi married Someshwar Chauhan, the King of Ajmer. Prithviraj was their son, born after 10 years of marriage. Pratha, his sister marries his friend Samar Singh (King of Chittor). His uncle Kanh's daughter was married to Raja Pajawan or Pajjun of Amber.

[edit] Early life

Prithvi Raj was born c. 1168 to king Someshwara Chauhan and his wife Karpurawali (or, Kamaladevi?). He was renowned to be the sharpest among all the princes in the household[citation needed].

At gurukul , Prithvi Raj learnt shastra vidya (weaponry, armed combat), sahitya (literature), kala (arts) and rajniti shastra (politics). He was crowned prince of Delhi at the young age of 13 years[citation needed].

[edit] Important Battles

Muhammad Ghori, hailing from Ghor in present-day Afghanistan, conquered Ghazni and subsequently defeated the Ghaznavid governor of Punjab. Muhammad Ghori's domain now touched upon that of Prithvi Raj Chauhan. A clash was inevitable.

Prithviraj was so obsessed with his wife sanyogita that samarsingh, his sister’s hisband had to wait for 40 days to meet him. This obsession with sanyogita was the reason of his fall.

Some of the brave generals of Prithviraj were also upset with him as he punished them for petty things. He kept Kaimas ,his general captive due to his affair with a maid servant. He also imprisoned Chamundrai,his finest soldier.

One of his generals Hahulirai Hara couldn’t bear his insult and joined Ghori against him. It was he who imprisoned Chand before his war with Ghori.


[edit] Myths

During the Final battle in 1192 A.D., Prithviraj kept his resistance till he was captured. When his arrows were exhausted, he fought with his sword and then with his dagger. It took the might of 40 mighty men to capture him when he was barehanded.

Prithviraj had boasted that he could pierce 7 iron plates with a single arrow blind folded. During his captivity Chand asked him to redeem his pledge. At this Prithviraj grieved at his sorry state but Chand reminded him that it is only one arrow that is needed.He also signalled the location of Gori’s seat.

“char bans chaubis gaj , angul asth praman, ta uper sultan hai, mat chuke chauhan”

Prithviraj said that he wouldn’t shoot at the word of a lowly officer hence Ghori himself asked him to shoot. It was only one arrow that enough to bring Ghori to the ground. fearing that they will be ill treated both Prithviraj and Chand killed each other with their daggers.

Chand Bardai compiled the story of the life of Prithviraj Chauhan in his epic poem Prithviraj Raso. Prithviraj Chauhan died in 1192, with his death a period of bravery, courage, patriotism and principles came to an end. Prithviraj Raso of Chand Bardai and Prithviraj Vijay of Jayanak have immortalized deeds of Prithviraj Chauhan.