Prithviraj Chauhan

Prithviraj Chauhan fell in love with Sanyukta (also known as Sanyogita, Sanjukta, or Samyukta), the daughter of Raja Jaichand of Kannauj. Her father did not approve of this match as Prithviraj belonged to a rival clan. So he arranged a “Swayamvara” for his daughter to which he invited all the eligible kings and princes expect Prithviraj. In order to further insult him, he commissioned a clay statue of Prithviraj to be placed as the doorman. Prithviraj and Sanyukta came to know of this and devised a plan to outwit her father.

On the day of the “Swayamvara”, the bride-to-be ignored all the suitors present at the event and garlanded the clay statue much to the chagrin of her father. Then Prithviraj, who was hiding behind the statue, came out of his hiding and eloped with Sanyukta, taking her to Delhi. The couple went on to have several children including Govindraj, Akshay and Rensi.

Prithviraj Chauhan was captured by Muhammad Ghori at the Second Battle of Tarain and executed. After her husband was taken captive by Muhammad Ghori, Maharani Sanyukta and other Rajput women ended their lives instead of surrendering to the Afghan invaders.

Prithviraj Chauhan was born in 1149 as the son of Someshwar Chauhan, the king of Ajmer, and Karpuri Devi.

He grew up to be an intelligent, brave and courageous young man. This impressed his maternal grandfather, Arkpal or Anangpal III of the Tomara dynasty, who named him as his heir.

Someshwar Chauhan died in a battle in 1179 and Prithviraj succeeded him as the king and ruled from the twin capitals of Ajmer and Delhi. Upon becoming the king he set out on several campaigns in order to expand his territories.

His initial campaigns were against the smaller states of Rajasthan which he easily conquered. Then he launched an expedition against the Chandelas of Khajuraho and Mahoba. He was successful in defeating the Chandelas and was able to acquire significant booty from this campaign.

In 1182 he launched an attack on the Chaulakyas of Gujarat. The war raged on for years and he was finally defeated by the Chaulakya ruler Bhima II in 1187.

He also led a military campaign against the Gahadvalas of Kannauj for control over Delhi and the upper Ganga doab. Even though he was able to expand and defend his territories through these campaigns, he also isolated himself politically from his neighboring states.

Shahabuddin Muhammad Ghori attacked the fortress of Bhatinda in East Punjab, which was on the frontier of Prithiviraj Chauhan's domains, in 1191. Chauhan appealed to Kannauj for help but was refused any aid. Undaunted, he marched to Bhatinda and met his enemy at Tarain and a fierce battle between the two forces ensued. This came to be known as the First Battle of Tarain.

Prithviraj Chauhan led the Rajput army in the Battles of Tarain fought in 1191 and 1192 against the Ghurid force led by Shahabuddin Muhammad Ghori. He won the first battle and captured his enemy whom he later on released. Chauhan was defeated at the second battle following which he was captured.