Dr Rajkumar Singh
Prithviraj Chauhan (1149-1192 CE) was a Rajput king of the Chauhan dynasty who ruled from Delhi and Ajmer in northwestern India. He is often considered as one of the last great Hindu warriors who fought against foreign invaders, and is a celebrated figure in Indian folklore and history. Prithviraj Chauhan was born in 1149 CE in Ajmer, Rajasthan, to King Someshwar Chauhan and Queen Karpuri Devi. He inherited the throne at the age of 13, after the death of his father. Prithviraj was a gifted warrior, skilled in archery, sword-fighting and horse-riding, and soon emerged as a powerful ruler in the region. Prithviraj Chauhan is best known for his battles against the Muslim invader Muhammad Ghori, who attacked India several times in the late 12th century. In 1191 CE, Prithviraj Chauhan defeated Muhammad Ghori in the first battle of Tarain, but was later defeated by Ghori in the second battle of Tarain in 1192 CE. According to legend, Ghori was able to defeat Prithviraj Chauhan by deceitfully blinding him with an arrow in the eye during a supposed archery competition. After his defeat, Prithviraj Chauhan was taken prisoner by Muhammad Ghori and taken to Afghanistan, where he was eventually executed. His death marked the end of the Chauhan dynasty and the beginning of Muslim rule in North India.Prithviraj Chauhan is remembered as a brave warrior and a symbol of Hindu resistance against foreign invaders.
Prithviraj Chauhan was the only son of his parents and was brought up with great care and attention. He was trained in the art of warfare from a young age, and was an accomplished archer, horse-rider and swordsman. He also received a good education and was well-versed in Sanskrit and other languages.Prithviraj’s childhood was marked by several incidents that later became the stuff of legend. According to one story, he once shot an arrow through the eye of a fish while looking at its reflection in a bowl of water, impressing his teacher and the courtiers who witnessed the feat. His early life was marked by a rigorous training in warfare, a good education, and several heroic incidents. In fact, Prithviraj Chauhan lived during a time of great political turmoil in India. During his reign, several dynasties and kingdoms vied for power, and the region was frequently invaded by foreign rulers.Prithviraj’s reign began in 1178 CE, when was only 13 years old and initially faced opposition from some of his father’s nobles who did not want to accept his authority. However, Prithviraj proved to be a capable and ambitious ruler. He expanded his kingdom by conquering neighbouring territories and built alliances with other Rajput kings to strengthen his position. One of the most significant events of Prithviraj’s reign was his conflict with Muhammad Ghori, a Muslim invader from Afghanistan who had set his sights on conquering India. In 1191 CE, Prithviraj defeated Ghori in the first battle of Tarain, which is considered one of the greatest victories in Indian military history. However, Prithviraj’s triumph was short-lived but in the following year, Ghori returned with a larger army and defeated Prithviraj in the second battle of Tarain. Ultimately he was captured and executed. Prithviraj’s death marked the end of the Chauhan dynasty and the beginning of Muslim rule in North India. There are several messages that are attributed to Prithviraj Chauhan, many of which reflect his values and beliefs as a warrior king and ruler. They include: a.”The sword is the ultimate tool of a king, but it should be wielded with wisdom and compassion, not just brute force.”This message reflects Prithviraj’s belief that the power of a king should be balanced with wisdom and compassion, and that the use of force should always be guided by principles of justice and fairness.”A ruler should be like a father to his subjects, always working to protect and care for them.” He believed that a ruler’s first duty was to the welfare of his subjects, and that he should always work to protect them from harm and ensure their prosperity and well-being. “Knowledge and learning are the true weapons of a king.”Prithviraj was a great patron of learning and scholarship, and believed that a ruler should be well-educated and informed in order to govern his kingdom wisely and effectively.”Unity and cooperation among Rajputs is essential for our survival and prosperity.”As a Rajput king, Prithviraj recognised the importance of unity and cooperation among the various Rajput clans and kingdoms in order to defend themselves against outside threats and ensure their continued existence and prosperity. Prithviraj Chauhan is remembered for his significant contributions to Indian politics and society which include a list: a. Défense of Indian sovereignty and identityPrithviraj Chauhan is well known for his valiant defense of Indian sovereignty and identity against foreign invaders, particularly the Muslim ruler Muhammad Ghori. His military victories and resistance inspired future generations of Indian leaders and warriors to continue to fight for the independence and integrity of their homeland.b. Promotion of trade and commerce. Prithviraj Chauhan was a patron of trade and commerce, and his reign saw a significant growth in the economy of his kingdom. He built roads and encouraged the influx of merchants from all over India, which led to an increase in trade and the prosperity of his subjects. c. Infrastructure development. Prithviraj Chauhan was known for his commitment to developing the infrastructure of his kingdom. He constructed irrigation canals to improve agricultural productivity and built several temples, monuments, and other public works to beautify his kingdom and make it a desirable place to live and work.d. Patronage of art and culturePrithviraj Chauhan was a patron of art and culture, and his court was known for its patronage of music, dance, and literature. He encouraged the development of new art forms and sponsored several great works of literature, including the famous epic poem “Prithviraj Rasao”. Fair and just governance. Prithviraj Chauhan was known for his fair and just governance. He implemented policies to protect the rights of farmers and the poor, and provided free medical care and education to those in need. He was also known for his compassion and generosity towards his subjects.
(The author is a Youth Motivator, presently Professor of Political Science and Dean, Student’s Welfare (DSW), at BN Mandal University, Madhepura, Bihar).