Talk:Prithviraj Chauhan/Archive 1

This is an archive of past discussions about Prithviraj Chauhan. Do not edit the contents of this page. If you wish to start a new discussion or revive an old one, please do so on the current talk page.

Archive 1

Archive 2

Archive 3

Archive 4

Questioning the neutrality of the article

Overall article, particularly the last four sections are clearly biased without any historical reference. No historical evidence has the details mentioned here, minute by minute account of the war that occurred in 1192 seems like a page out of popular mythology, without any credible historical reference and source. The usage of words like "Muslim treachery", "patented Muslim subterfuge" and a bunch of adjectives are unnecessary and makes the article look like a propaganda pamphlet. A complete revamp, citing historical sources is required, removing anecdotal stories. Napoleon99 (talk) 04:23, 25 July 2010 (UTC) --

He was a great king for millions of Hindus who could not survive from being butchered by Muslims led by Muhammed Ghori, the Great. Prithviraj had a huge very large army Sanyogita, the princess of Kanauj, married Rajput king Prithviraj Chauhan after he won the first battle of Tarain against Muhammed of Ghori. She is described by historians as “having thick, black hair and eyes like the black bee moving in the petals of the white lotus”. She was the most beautiful Queen in the world then. There are numerous poems and scriptures written about the passion of their romance. However, their love marriage was shortlived, as soon after that, the Muslim invader Muhammed of Ghori again challenged Prithviraj and completely defeated him.

Prithviraj III: saint or sinner?

This article has alternated back and forth over the past few months with several versions that paint very different pictures of Prithviraj III and his adversary, Muhammad of Ghor. One version paints Pritiviraj as a saintly figure who is, like all Rajputs, completely invincible in battle unless deceived by the dirty tricks of the unscrupulous and cruel Muslims [3]. Another version paints Prithviraj as a lazy oppressor of Muslims, and Muhammad as their noble liberator [4]. A third version paints both men as sex-obsessed, with Prithviraj as a lazy philanderer, and Muhammad as a cruel rapist [5]. Each of these versions may contain kernels of truth; we can't know for sure. But this is an encyclopedia article; can we all accept an account of this man's life that is perhaps unexciting and certainly not titillating, but contains the facts as they are generally known, without bias or speculation? Tom Radulovich 21:12, 20 November 2005 (UTC)

Marriage with Sanyogita took place before first battle of Taraori. Yet Prithivraj did not loose the first war because of her but she contributed to his defeat in the second war. How? Regarding muslim persecution: This is a fabrication to negate the first attack of Prithviraj on Ghori. He attacked because hindu places of worship were destroyed in western punjab and hindu pilgrims were killed. Hindu kings had a great record of giving complete freedom of religion to others. What muslims on WP are hell bent on is that hindu rajputs never fought to defend there religion.

These guys are trying to assasinate the character of Prithviraj. Very eminent historians have recorded the letter exchange during second battle of taraori and its effect. Do you need more data from RC Majumdar's/Dashratha Sharma's books? Shivraj Singh 16:05, 21 November 2005 (UTC)

I think this talk is not about comparing the ruling styles of Hindu and Muslim Kings of India and we shall keep it this way. Also can you please bring up some real historical reference about Ghori begging for his life and all the war tactics that you have described? Anything by an unbiased historian before 1947 will suffice I believe.

خرم Khurram 22:16, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

Strange. I thought war was war. I dont see how an extended honeymoon and not being aware of the enemy lines at night without watchers (hence allegedly leading to his defeat) is a plausible enough excuse. If this is so, then he was a poor strategist and very unconcerned for his Kingdiom in that case. Obviously he wasn't either. But his overly romanticised image is leading to a biased opinion on here too. --Raja 22:55, 25 December 2005 (UTC)

War in India was not fought during night due to the custom from vedic times. Please check Mahabharata. Hence it was by stealth that Mahmood attacked in night. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.189.207.48 (talk) 09:44, 4 March 2009 (UTC)

Moving from Rajput page

Ghori attacked many times. First time he was routed in present day Gujarat by Rajputs. Mularaja-II was not even a teen yet and his mother organized the defences of Pattan. Battle was fought at Kayadara near Mount Abu and Ghori was resoundingly defeated. After this defeat he never entered India through Gujarat. In first battle of Taraori (tarain is misspelledword) in 1191 Prithviraj Chauhan captured Ghori and Ghori begged for his life. Prithviraj allowed him to go despite his generals asking him not to do so. Following year Ghori came again. Prithviraj advanced with his army and sent a letter to Ghori. In this letter ghori was asked to return as he had been defeated the previous year and was spared his life. Ghori replied that he was in India on the orders of his brother, Ghiasuddin, and that he could only retreat after he got a word from his brother. This letter was sent in the evening and Ghori moved his camp back a few kilometers. On receiving this letter and seeing Ghori move his camp back Prithviraj assumed that Ghori was not interested in fighting. Ghori also knew that rajputs did not fight in the night and only started fighting after sun had come up. (This is an ancient Kshatriya practice e.g mahabharata was also fought mostly in day time). He attacked in the early morning hours when Prithviraj and his army were sleeping and was able to win this war.

Cited ref: Early Chauhan dynasties: a study of Chauhan political history, Chauhan political institution, and life in the Chauhan dominions, from 800 to 1316 A.D. Prof Dashratha Sharma. Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass; Language: English ISBN 81-208-0492-9. First edition 1959. 2d rev. ed edition (1975). Reprint 2002 by Books Treasure, Sojati Gate, Jodhpur.

There is an attempt by some politically minded groups to rewrite Hindu history to denigrate their kings and show that that Hindus and Hindu Kings (Rajputs) got what they deserved in their battles with Muslims because they were cowards and lazy. The role of trickery by adventurers, whatever their religious persuasions, who attempted to enter India and to make fortunes is being deliberately ignored. Only the rich, powerful and secure can afford to be magnanimous and transparent and in the process can even be deceived. Prithviraj was certainly a victim of such a process. Ghori came from a poor country looking to grab the rich lands of India and make it to the big time and surely would not have balked at using any quesionable means.

In Addition to So Called "politically minded groups",

    The Descendents of 'CONVERTED' Hindus and Offsprings of Hindu Girls Abducted to Harems by Barbarians

( Who Constitute 95% of Muslims of Indian Sub Continent ) are Interested in Showing that All The Barbaric Muslim Invaders ( Attacking Europe in west and Iran,Afganistan and India in East) were Heroes.

    Now, For People ( Who want to Find Their Roots in Turkish Blood ) ,

They Could be 'Heroes'. However, For Any HUMAN Believing in Humanity ( Irrespective of Religion ), Any such Act of 'Mass Cruelty' is a Matter of Shame.

    There is a Need of UNBIASED Approach, Which is Lacking in the Main Article, Many points are there,

which are Written to Disgrace Rajput Chivalry. Definitely There has been an Attempt to Kill the Identity of Hindu King.

    The Probable Reason is That Prithvi Raj Chauhan was Amongst Very Few NON Muslims to Kill a Muslim Emperor. )

And Muslims Have Not Forgotten That Incident Till Date.

    Such a Disgrace on the Minds of Muslim Population, is Visible in the

'Erratic' Acts of People of "Ghazni" in Afganistan, Where, Till Date, All the Visitors to 'Tomb of Ghauri' ,

Need to Step Through the Grave of Prithvi Raj Chauhan.
    Such a Hatred in Minds of People after 800 Years is Really 'Sick'.
 
 Main Article Seems to be Deliberately Tampered with the Rising Awareness regarding Prithvi Raj Chauhan by TV Serial.
 The Main Line " Of How The Ghauri was Killed by Blind And Mutilated King Prithvi Raj Chauhan", was Removed. 

As It was Hurting Sentiments of Muslim Population World Wide, Who Still Consider The Barbaric Ghauri As Their 'Hero'.

( E.g. Pakistan Takes Barbaric Ghaznavi and Ghauri as Their Heroes and has Named Its Missiles after Them.)

 Unfortunately, Such Hatred is Much More Amongst The Descendants of Forcefully Converted Hindus.

As The So Called "Turkish Blood" has Developed Respect for Non Muslims in Last 90 Years.

   Its The Muslims of Arabic World and Indian Subcontinent,

Who Need to Shed Their Hatred for NON MUSLIMS Before Its Too Late. --Baron78 (talk) 05:23, 18 September 2009 (UTC)

It seems a lot of of things are removed from the prithviraj section since last time i visited it. how many times, ghor attacked and how many times he was defeated by prithvi and then how he cheated prithviraj to win the battle, took him to afghan by making him blind and then there prithviraj killed him with bow and arrow. much about his love story with sayangeeta is removed.

who did these editing and removing? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.52.24.125 (talk) 02:10, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

Is this an historical article

The article seems to reflect more of what is there in popular belief/ TV serial than the actual historical facts. Somebody good at history should make it into a good atricle and request for a partial lock on the page. Vjdchauhan 14:31, 6 October 2006 (UTC)

references for prithviraj's slaying of ghori need to be given. it seems hogwash. Amitshah111 03:47, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Lock this page

Please lock this page as there has been a lot of vandalism recently

Repetition in the first paragraph

There appears to be repetition in the first paragraph...

He succeeded to the throne c. 1179, while still a minor, ...

later:

He was born c. 1168 to king Someshwara Chauhan and his wife Karpuravalli. He succeeded to the throne c. 1179, while still a minor, ...

remains in afghanistan?

Are his remains in afghanistan?--D-Boy 22:17, 14 November 2006 (UTC)

Birth of Prithvi Raj

I have visited Ajmer recently and inserted an image of the statue of Prithvi Raj. There is a Museum of Prithvi Raj on Taragarh Fort Ajmer. It records his life span 1166-1192. Accordingly correction may be made in his birth year. burdak 15:11, 20 December 2006 (UTC)

Hemu was the last Hindu king of Delhi

Hemu was the last Hindu king of Delhi, Prithviraj III was last Hindu King of Delhi before Islamic Kingdom estalished their (first and long running) rule over Delhi. Also see Second battle of Panipat.Vjdchauhan 19:22, 2 January 2007 (UTC).

Hemu was not the last Hindu king of Delhi.Though he declared himself king bud did not receive recognition from any state.After Humayun reestablished himself at Delhi and died next year.His son Akbar was recognised as emperor but he was not present at Delhi.Akbar and Hemu met in a war the second battle of Panipat in which Hemu was defeated and killed by Bairamkhan. --Shivbramh 06:26, 3 April 2007 no hemu is not last emporer of delhi,,

Where's his body?

Is it still in Afghanistan?--D-Boy 09:52, 15 January 2007 (UTC) his remains have bin brought to INDIA by a very brave rajput..unfortunately, he is in d jail now..coz he is the same person who has been convicted of killin foolan devi..

This article must be cleaned

The contents of this article has been taken from the storyline of a serial being aired on Star plus, the link to this page is http://starplus.indya.com/serials/pc/trivia.html. The facts given there may not be true as the history may have been tempered to make the serial interesting. Moreover that page is copyrighted by start plus.

I removed the sentence that only 3 people in history knew shadabhedi art. There are other well known people who knew this art like King dahasharatha, karna, rama arjuna etc.

-- It should be noted that Dasharatha, Karna, Rama and Arjuna are mythological figures. There is no valid historical proof of their existence.

Death of Muhammed Ghori and Prithviraj.

In Pakistan and Afghnistan death of Muhammed Ghori and Prithviraj are entirly different as what is given here. It seems that Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia is also not giving fact or true history. Since they don't know it properly they should first check it out and then tell to others what really happened otherwise some people get to know the false information which is not the right thing. vkvora 13:36, 8 April 2007 (UTC)

Prithviraj Chauhan, the last ruler of Chauhan dynasty to sit on the throne of Delhi, was born in 1168 as the son of Someshwar Chauhan, the king of Ajmer. He was a brilliant child and very sharp at learning the military skills. He had the skill of hitting the target only on the basis of its sound. He succeeded to the throne of Ajmer at the age of thirteen, in 1179,when his father died in a battle. His grandfather Angam, ruler of Delhi, declared him heir to the throne of Delhi after hearing about his courage and bravery. He once killed a lion on his own without any weapon. He was known as the warrior king.

When he ascended to the throne of Delhi, he built Qila Rai Pithora here. His whole life was a continuous chain of bravery, courage, chivalrous deeds and glorious exploits. He defeated the mighty Bheemdev, ruler of Gujarat, at the mere age of thirteen.

His love story with his enemy, Jaichand's daughter, Samyukta is very famous. He rode off with her on the day of her 'Swayamwara'.

He expanded his empire, during this time Mahmud Ghori attacked India in 1191 and he was defeated at the first battle of Tarain. After defeating the army of Mahmud Ghori he was asked to attack the retreating army but in true Rajput tradition he refused to do so as it did not conform to the fair war rules. As a result Mahmud ghori again attacked India and in the second battle of Tarain Prithviraj Chauhan was defeated and captured. He was treated very badly, his eyes were burnt with red-hot irons and he was made blind. But Prithviraj did not lose courage. Helped by his court poet and friend Chand Bardai, he is believed to kill Mahmud ghori with his "shabdabhedi baan". His skill of hitting the target just on the basis of sound made by it come handy. and during the archery competition organized by Mahmud ghori, he displayed his skill. When Mahmud ghori praised him he heard his voice and attacked him. Mahmud ghori was killed. In order to escape death at the hands of enemies he and his friend Chand Bardai stabbed each other.

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

---

man, this is the true fact. it seems someone removed your section from wikipedia. who? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.52.24.125 (talk) 02:13, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

I am agree with this .... thanks for posting this. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 192.8.220.8 (talk) 12:33, 29 March 2010 (UTC)

-- This is very true that this information provided on Wiki is incorrect. Prithviraj Chouhan was brave enough to run from battle field but to fight the odd and stand with bravery to kill Gauri (as described above). We request to get this changed with correct info on main page. - Gaurav —Preceding unsigned comment added by Gaurav1545 (talk • contribs) 15:49, 13 May 2010 (UTC)

This article is simply not neutral

This needs serious cleenup. It seems this article is some mythology book. This is not acceptable in Wikipedia. Im tagging this article--R.iqbal 18:27, 1 September 2007 (UTC)

The Article Prithviraj : historical fact to be corrected.

In the article instead of historical fact something extra are given.

vkvora 17:10, 23 October 2007 (UTC)

How can the two statements be contradictory "Prithviraj's former courtier Chand Bardai, who was later to compose the Prithviraj Raso, Ghori was thus stuck dead by Prithviraj." and "Prithviraj and Chandar did not want to die from the hands of Ghori's courtiers so prithvi ordered Chandar to stab him and to himself also because being a Rajput he couldn't to kill a poet." In above two statements at One place chand bardai was suppose to compose the Prithvi Raj Raso and in the sentence he stabbed himself. So there is some confusion which has to be removed so that the audience/ reader/surfer gets a clear idea and is not confused. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 122.169.20.153 (talk) 15:49, 4 November 2007 (UTC)

Too many idiots trying to edit

I'd like some assistance from someone in cleaning up this page. I've tried to clean up as much of the 1st grader's grammar as I could, but there still seems to be some more formatting, with which I'm not familiar. For instance, the person who wrote some of the citations placed them right after the statement instead of adding a citations page on the bottom. Anyone more experienced with that should look into it. Also, I'm calling out to anyone that knows anyone that knows anything more about Chauhan to please contribute and try to find sources confirming the statements, also. Thanks, --Kiran (talk) 14:31, 19 July 2008 (UTC)

His body?

anyone know? after killing ghori. he told his friend to kill him rather than ghoris empire at ghoris palace

Defeat of Prithviraj Chauhan

ghori was killed in his own palace by the good skill of KING PRITHIVRAJ CHAUHAN

The Great Chauhan

Character assassination is the game being played here. The fact is that little mention of Ghori remains in history other than his wars with Prithviraj. Prithviraj was a great king. At a time when Muslim hordes were becoming unstoppable--not just in India, but Europe--all over the world, Prithviraj was successful in grinding Ghori's nose into the ground. The question is why is Prithviraj buried alongside Ghori? It is because Prithviraj showed Ghori the meaning of humility and humiliation. It is said that when Ghori asked Prithviraj to call him king, Prithviraj joked about the irony of calling a man who was once grovelling at his feet for mercy king. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Ajaymeru (talk • contribs) 05:03, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

Khokhar Farce

Here people are debating history, not creating jokes. Now that the Khokhars are claiming to kill Ghori, I wonder who is next? The fact is being a warrior is tough, but making false hoods is another thing. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 97.100.242.250 (talk) 05:09, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

IF TREACHERY IS THE NAME OF THE GAME AT WIKIPEDIA, SO BE IT. WE SHALL FIGHT THE BATTLE ON OTHER FRONTS. IF WIKIPEDIA BECOMES FREELY ACCESSIBLE TO ANY VANDAL TO DO AS HE PLEASES, WE SHALL INFORM THE PUBLIC THAT WIKIPEDIA OUGHT NOT TO BE TRUSTED AT ALL. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 97.100.242.250 (talk) 07:28, 21 January 2009 (UTC)

Almost every respected historian who has written on this subject has concluded the death of Ghori to have been at the hands of Khokhars/Gakhars after Prithvi had deserted the battlefield. Khokhar (talk) 12:12, 6 July 2009 (UTC)

I wanna stop the edit war..............

hey guyz lets just stop reporting each other as vandals and stop this edit war...... lets find out what are the differences between my views and yours and resolve them..

I'll go first...... All I want is for u guys to stop lying about the raso poem and the mythical archery contest where you describe chauhan as a mythical super-power robin hood of some sort. Lets be realistic, it is illogical and blatent falsehood. You are only trying to restore the lost honour of the second battle of tarain. I understand that Chauhan is revered allover india for his bravery and courage to stand up against ghori and losing his life in the progcess but telling mythical stories and spreading falsehood, and insulting Ghori is not going to help your cause.

So plz feel free to give your suggestions to solve this problem............!!!

—Preceding unsigned comment added by Adil your (talk • contribs) 21:53, 16 February 2009 (UTC)

Prithviraj Killed....

It is one reference and as my Indian History professor, an amazing knowledgable Irish man, once told me "Just because its printed doesn't mean its correct".

I understand that you have passion and hatred for the Infidel but perhaps you could put your energy into more constructive uses of articles.

In the same way there are articles and books which give the other opinion, as well as Afghans who view Prithviraj as the killer of Ghori.

Gorkhali (talk) 07:01, 11 April 2009 (UTC)

Prithviraj fled....

Everyone agrees that Prithviraj was captured from Ajmer, not from Tarain hence it clearly shows that he fled from the battlefield... Please provide a reference when reverting this fact.... —Preceding unsigned comment added by Adil your (talk • contribs) 07:31, 10 April 2009 (UTC)

Not everyone agrees, to say "everyone" is a huge exaggeration on your part Adil. It is clear you have a deep hatred for the Infidel King of Delhi, but perhaps you could put your energies into something more fruitful like helping to fix articles instead of getting into a disruptive behavior.

Cheers

Gorkhali (talk) 06:57, 11 April 2009 (UTC)

The Indian Express

Many years ago, while travelling by jeep from Kandahar to Kabul, I had to make a night halt en route at Ghazni. At the hotel, I learned that there was a grand mausoleum over the tomb of Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi near the town, and I determined to see it. A few extra Afghanis (the local currency) helped my driver to comprehend the necessity of making a small detour the next morning.

The mausoleum was indeed grand - judging by local standards - with a high, arched doorway like the Buland Darwaza. lie tomb proper was in a cellar about four or five feet be low ground-level. It intrigued me considerably to note that there were no steps leading down into the tomb. Instead, a metal chain hung from the ceiling of the cellar. I was told that I would have to hold the chain and jump down.

I asked for the reason for this peculiar method of entry. The caretaker was evasive at first. But after much persuasion, he disclosed that there was another tomb at the exact spot where you jumped down. There, the infidel king of Delhi, Prithviraj Chauhan, lay buried.

Title: Ghazni’s best-kept secret Author: S.C. Sharma Publication: The Indian Express Date: April 25, 1998

Gorkhali (talk) 06:57, 11 April 2009 (UTC)

Prithviraj Chauhan's grave exists in Afghanistan: Book

NEW DELHI, July 31: While the legendary Rajput king Prithviraj Chauhan is a hero in India, his 'grave' in Afghanistan is visited by the locals even today to vent their anger for killing Mohammed Ghori, 900 years ago says a new book.

The book "Arms and Armour: Traditional Weapons of India" by E Jaiwant Paul says on the outskirts of Ghazni are two domed tombs... The larger was of Ghori and few meters away was a second smaller tomb of Prithviraj Chauhan.

"In the centre of the second tomb was a bare patch of earth where the actual grave should have been. Hanging over this spot from the top of the dome is a long, thick rope ending in a knot at shoulder height. Local visitors would grab hold of this knot in one hand and stamp vigorously and repeatedly with one foot on the bare patch in the centre of the tomb," says Paul, a weapons collector.

Paul, who saw this on his visit to Afghanistan says on seeking an explanation, he found that the Afghans still stamped on his grave because Prithviraj killed Ghori, 900 years ago.

Most history books say that Prithviraj was slain in a battle. But in Afghanistan, Prithviraj's tomb stands near Ghazni and history books need to be rewritten, he says adding "his remains must be brought back home, where they belong."

Besides giving anecdotes from the lives of ancient Indian warriors, the book also traces the development of the weapons of the Indian kings, from the earliest to the modern times and also provides illustrations of a wide variety of arms and armour used.

"Akbar's swords had names and ranks assigned to them and these were sent by rotation each night to his bed chamber," notes the book.

Stressing the great value placed on arms, Paul says even today the Rajputs and Marathas bring out their weapons on the festival of Dussehra and worship them in an elaborate ritual.

They are cleansed, greased and even perfumed, for which purpose dhoop (incense) is used.

In Mewar, the rite is performed during the Navratri festival, when the Mother Goddess is worshipped over a period of nine days.

The book says that the worship of the sword (asi) and the horse (aswa) have given the name to the continent of Asia. The swords and daggers from India present a diversity and a range probably unparalleled anywhere in the world. In comparison, European swords are far more conservative.

"India is a heterogenous country and these variations in shape, form and style of the Indian sword have evolved over centuries and are the outcome of martial, cultural and historical traditions of the regions to which they belong," he says.(PTI)

Source: http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/web1/05aug01/national.htm

AFGHANISTAN NEWS

Prithviraj Chauhan's grave exists in Afghanistan: Book

New Delhi, Jul 31 (PTI) While the legendary Rajput king Prithviraj Chauhan is a hero in India, his 'grave' in Afghanistan is visited by the locals even today to vent their anger for killing Mohammed Ghori, 900 years ago says a new book. The book "Arms and Armour: Traditional Weapons of India" by E Jaiwant Paul says on the outskirts of Ghazni are two domed tombs... The larger was of Ghori and few meters away was a second smaller tomb of Prithviraj Chauhan.

"In the centre of the second tomb was a bare patch of earth where the actual grave should have been. Hanging over this spot from the top of the dome is a long, thick rope ending in a knot at shoulder height. Local visitors would grab hold of this knot in one hand and stamp vigorously and repeatedly with one foot on the bare patch in the centre of the tomb," says Paul, a weapons collector.

Paul, who saw this on his visit to Afghanistan says on seeking an explanation, he found that the Afghans still stamped on his grave because Prithviraj killed Ghori, 900 years ago.

Most history books say that Prithviraj was slain in a battle. But in Afghanistan, Prithviraj's tomb stands near Ghazni and history books need to be rewritten, he says adding "his remains must be brought back home, where they belong."

(About the book: Arms and Armour: Traditional Weapons of India; By E Jaiwant Paul, Published by Roli Books; Price Rs 595; PP 144) PTI

SOURCE: http://www.afghanistannewscenter.com/news/2005/july/jul312005.html

Gorkhali (talk) 07:08, 11 April 2009 (UTC)

Unlikely tomb

It seems very unlikely that Prithviraj would have been given any sort of tomb in Afghanistan, and surely we need more than a reluctant comment by an Afghan or the testimony of one man who writes about arms and armour to affirm that he was even taken to that country. Ghori is generally accepted to have died on his way back home; the Encyclopaedia Brittanica, for instance, says:'Muḥammad was assassinated in 1206 on his way back to Afghanistan.' The Prithviraj Raso is firstly a poetic work (and poets like to embellish their accounts), and secondly has had parts added, and lines and words changed over time. I don't have a reference to hand at the moment, but it is also recorded in a number of history books that Prithviraj was beheaded in Ajmer. If anyone has non-poetic references dating from Pre-Partition that suggest otherwise, or somehow corroberate the account that Ghori took Prithviraj back with him, and had the archery competition, thus killing him, it would be good to put the record straight. I realise that these are still emotive issues for Hindus and Muslims, but we are contributing to an encyclopaedia here, and should do our best to state the facts. Energyworm (talk) 22:09, 11 April 2009 (UTC)

You have a made a valid point. I will try and make a trip to te University library and see if I can dig up something else.

Gorkhali (talk) 22:39, 11 April 2009 (UTC)

Agree 100%, have a look at this, the last statement also has a reference...

After defeating Prithvirāj Chauhān, Sultan Muḥammad Ghorī established an empire, appointing a regional governor at Delhi. He controlled much of northern and central India. Sultan Muḥammad Ghorī returned west to Ghaznā to deal with the threat to his western frontiers from the Turks and Mongols, but his armies, mostly under Turkish generals, continued to advance through northern India, raiding as far east as Bengal. A few years later a rebellion rose in Punjab. He returned to India and crushed the rebels, but was assassinated on his way back to Ghaznā.[6]

This is a neutral reference , not a biased one from an Indian writer as Gorkhali provides (no offence), To maintain a NPOV you have look at a proper reference from a third person who is neither an indian nor an Afghan, and does not portray His own side of story... Why would the grave have the words "Killed our sultan" when it is a historical fact present in books that he was killed much later in Ghazni as the reference states... Best wishes... Adil your (talk) 11:41, 12 April 2009 (UTC)

The Tarikh-e Firishtah, as translated into English as 'History of the Rise of Mahommedan Power in India' states about the end of the Second Battle of Tarain: 'Chawund Ray, King of Dehly, and many other princes, were slain on the field, while Pithow Ray, * King of Ajmeer, being taken in the neighbourhood of the Soorsutty, was afterwards put to death.' Ghori still continues on various campaigns after this, but meets his end also in a bloody way:'for on the second of Shaban, having reached the village of Rohtuk, on the banks of the Indus, 20 Gukkurs, who had lost some of their relations in the late wars ... found their way up to the tents in the night, and hid themselves, while one of them advanced to the tent-door, but being stopped by a sentry who was about to seize him, he plunged his dagger into his breast....He (Ghori) was asleep, with two slaves fanning him. These stood petrified with terror, when they beheld the Gukkurs enter, who, without hesitation, sheathed their daggers in the King's body, which was afterwards found to have been pierced by no fewer than 22 wounds.' (I have abbreviated the detailed account somewhat.) The transfer of the body back to Ghazna is not without event, but eventually he is said to have been buried there, on the 22nd Sha'ban 602 AH (=3 April, 1206 CE), in a new vault that had been built for his daughter. So far the only reference to a great mausoleum in Ghazni is to the mausoleum of Sultan Mahmud Ghaznawi. Energyworm (talk) 16:10, 12 April 2009 (UTC)

Adil, I really did not appreciate your comment.

Gorkhali (talk) 18:19, 22 April 2009 (UTC)

Second Battle of Tarain

This section is a joke, not even the references support what it says and are mostly just made up to take up space from the look of things...Khokhar (talk) 12:08, 6 July 2009 (UTC)

Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals (1206-1526) - I By Satish Chandra

[7] Khokhar (talk) 12:26, 6 July 2009 (UTC)

The references I gave were for the fact that prithviraj was killed by Ghori and not the other way around... But this guy called Sanjeevpunj edited the entire text but kept my references which created this confusion... I think removing referenced text like this would count as vandalism... So I reverted the edit and told him to provide a counter reference.... Adil your (talk) 15:38, 7 July 2009 (UTC)

That makes sense now.. I'll give you a hand and try to keep an eye on the article's integrity.Khokhar (talk) 23:52, 14 July 2009 (UTC)

The paragraph is incorrect as it stands, especially the kind of details given and supporting references. For example - an army of 120,000 is a huge army considering the times. Further more the details are too specific without an authentic reference.

"K.Khokhar and Adil your" where did you get this information?

All referenced. Khokhar (talk) 18:09, 20 August 2009 (UTC)

A minor edit

{{editsemiprotected}} The article starts like this

Prithvi Raj Chauhan (1166-1192 CE)...

I would suggest it to be changed to

Prithvi Raj III, commonly known as Prithvi Raj Chauhan, (1166-1192 CE)...

--118.94.128.136 (talk) 15:35, 11 September 2009 (UTC)

Why? Algebraist 17:53, 11 September 2009 (UTC)

Done --Srin ivas 05:41, 12 September 2009 (UTC)

I have edited the prithviraj raso part and given 8 refrences for that.Some one called adil keeps reverting it to his own version but keeps my refrences.bardai and prithvi died at the same time so no way he could have written the end to praise his kings heroic death.Also regarding the raso being fiction it is true that some other authors have added to the raso but i hv refrenced from the original 1300 stanza raso.according to which the death part was written by bardai's son who escaped from afghanistan.Also there is the news of prithviraj's tomb in afghanistan.There is also historical fact that the grandson of prithvi moved to ranthambore from wher the chauhans continued to rule.there is serious doubt whether the raso is fictional or tue.Most of the refrences regarding it fictional is eother from muslim authors or from refrences of muslim authors.Also the version of this adil mentions spear throwing dont know where it came from.It is better to leave both versions of the death there and not to mark either as fiction.hope this adil doesnt restore to reverting again.also the jayapalan refrence says ghori was killed by khokars,which is not convincing to say the least. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Sunnyji 2k (talk • contribs) 14:29, 9 October 2009 (UTC)

Well... first of all where did you get the info that pritviraj and bardai died at the same time... And if they did who wrote the part of his death... And if it is another writer then, Raso can't be trusted since its not authored by bardai... Point no.2 is Ghori and Prithviraj died years apart... 14 years actually... Now for prithviraj to have killed ghori, he would have to come up from his grave 14 years after his death... Point no.3 Out of TEN authors that i have quoted only 1 is Muslim, in fact most are INDIAN authors... And almost all the authors that you have quoted are Indian... So its pretty clear who is quoting who... And you even quoted from This Page[8]... Which doesn't even know the difference between Ghori and Mahmud Ghaznavi... Most of your references are picked up from this blog [9] which itself is fighting a battle just to prove that its authentic... Kindly open and read these books yourself before putting them up as reference...Adil your (talk) 03:41, 10 October 2009 (UTC)

Regarding fiction... Go ahead and read the books on Raso... Most of them would actually start by stating that its historically incorrect and contains work of fiction..and there is also a reference for it being fiction... just read this [10]..BTW its not a Muslim author...Adil your (talk) 03:49, 10 October 2009 (UTC)

prithviraj and bardai died at same time according to[11]

The thing you said is a blog is actually part of a thesis which has since been accepted.As far as reading the books is concerned i have read the john todd and d.c ganguly and syamalan das book and all of them say that while the whole 10000 stanza raso isnt historically correct,the 1300 originally written in 12th century by bardai and finished by his son are historically correct.If u find a version of either of them please read it.They also mention findings of inscriptions corraborrating theory of the raso.You failed to read the last refrence about the rulers of ranthambore who were desecendents of son of Prithviraj chauhan who shifted to ranthambore after loss of delhi and the line survives.The authors you quoted have drawn refrence from 18th or early 19th or even older books written by muslim authors.where did you find the refrence of spear throwing?when all books menton an archery contest.What about the findings of the prithviraj grave in afghanisthan?A lot of older books that i have gone through and refrenced here spell mohammed ghori as mohmad ghori,mohammad ghauri,mahmod ghauri and mahmud ghauri,the all expert article clearly mentions the capturing of ghanznvi by ghori which is a well known fact hence its refrence to ghori cant be wrong.Regarding the completion of raso it is mentioned that one of bardai's son complted it after his death,one who had managed to escape from afghanistan.Enough doubts in your version of the raso,there is already a version of the battle according to your refrences and i believe you and i are not the judges to decide whether the Raso is true or fictional,this the reason why i mentioned it as an alternate version.

Now you said.... "the 1300 originally written in 12th century by bardai and finished by his son are historically correct" ... So this must contain the wars and the archery contest....right....??? But then look what Keay writes, in the same reference you have provided above on page 14... "LEGEND AND FICTION are mixed up with history" and then he specifies where... it says the repeated conflicts between Prithviraj and Sultan are quite unhistorical and Mughals are brought on the stage 30 years earlier.... So even if I agree that we cannot label someting as fact or fiction on our own pov, YET.... We can certainly write what scholars (neutral ones of course) think of it... And we certainly can't mix fiction and legend with history in wikipedia... We ought to explain that this story is widely accepted as fiction and for the following reasons... otherwise it would confuse the reader if you label it as Alternate ending... After all this is an encyclopedia not a movie... Adil your (talk) 04:19, 11 October 2009 (UTC)

And you still haven't answered my first question... How can Prithiviraj kill a man 14 years after his death...??? Just another link to confirm it...[12]... An alternate ending 14 years after Prithviraj's death is quite silly because otherwise Ghori would have to die 14 years younger... Both of which are against the historical records...

As F.E kay say that bardai dies with prithvi i have made an edit regarding that.Regarding the part where F.E Kay say about mixing the history with fiction he is referring to the whole 10000 stanzas.I have added that the version's correctness is historically is debatable.I do agree that the 14 year gao is the one that raises to most endearing point.I remember reading some where that raso says prithvi was imprisoned in ghoris prison for long tima and he was regularly bought to the court to be ridiculed,and that bardai managed to get a position in ghoris court and worked there.I will hit the library soon to find the refrence regarding that.Until then yes the 14 years point is indeed a very good one. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Sunnyji 2k (talk • contribs) 14:06, 11 October 2009 (UTC)

Good luck with that... Peace...Adil your (talk) 10:11, 12 October 2009 (UTC)

Prithviraj Chauhan (c. 1168-1192) Prithviraj Chauhan was a king of the Rajput Chauhan (Chauhamana) Rajput dynasty, who ruled a kingdom in northern India during the latter half of the 12th century. He was born c. 1168 to king Someshwara Chauhan and his wife Karpuravalli. He succeeded to the throne c. 1179, while still a minor, and ruled from the twin capitals of Ajmer and Delhi. His elopement with Samyukta, 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, Chand Bardai. The Chauhan succession had been rather confused since the death of Vigraha-raja in 1165; Prithviraj 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. To this day, Prithviraj is considered to be a legendary hero and martyr by Hindus, and his lineage appears quite spread out covering vast tracts of Uttar Pradesh, Harayana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Prithviraj ChauhanPrithviraj Chauhan was the last Hindu king to sit upon the throne of Delhi. Qila Rai Pithoura in Delhi,also known as Pithoragarh, is named after him. After his unfortunate defeat in 1192 AD at the second Battle of Tarain ,India was now open to invasion by muslim invaders.And Delhi came under the control of the Muslim rulers.Delhi continued to be under the control of Muslim rulers until the British period. The only exception to this was Hemu, who managed to sit on the throne of Delhi for a few days after Humayun's death. Prithviraj was one of the most interesting and powerful characters of Indian history. Even today his name is associated with the virtues of Rajput valour, chivalry and patriotism. His bravery on the battlefield was unmatched and he was known to be virtuous and principled until his death.

The Warrior King as he was popularly known, fell in love with his enemy's daughter - Sanyogita. He rode off with her on the day of her swayamvar before the watchful eye of her father.

His story highlights all the important aspects of life: duty, bravery, patriotism, friendship, family and romance.

Prithviraj was born to his parents after 10 years of long prayer. Although he grew up to be a very naughty boy, he was the sharpest of all the princes. He often surprised everyone by his profound thoughts on subjects beyond his young age. He loved his parents very much and also respected Jai Chandra, Nayantra and Anangpal II. Everybody in turn, loved him.As a child, he was indeed the Balkrishna, and as he grew up, he reflected the different faces of Lord Krishna: Murlidhar, Chhaliya, Chakradhar. He and his friend Chander (Chandbardai) shared a friendship almost alike that of Lord Krishna & Sudama. In his youth, he defeated many enemies but always allowed room for forgiveness. He never fought in anger or for personal gain but only performed the duty of a king. 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.His FamilyAnangpal 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 the beautiful 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. His ChildhoodAt gurukul , Prithviraj learnt shastra vidya (weaponry, armed combat), sahitya (literature), kala (arts) and rajniti shastra (politics).It was here that he learned the art of"shaabd bhedi baan chalaana" that is hittitng a target without seeing the target, that is only on the basis of sound. It was here that he was groomed to be the King of Ajmer. One day at the gurukul, young Prithviraj was attacked by a lion. Though caught unawares and unarmed, Prithviraj bravely fought the lion and killed it! Tales of his heroism spreading far & wide.

With the stories of Prithviraj's courage, valour and intelligence spreading far and wide, Anangpal the King of Delhi decided to adopt him. He announced Prithviraj Chauhan as his heir. Thus he was crowned prince of Delhi at the young age of 13 years.

Prithviraj at the age of 12 killed Bheemdev Solanki, the king of Gujarat, who betrayed his father Someshwar Chauhan.

He had 4 best friends : Sanjam, Chandar, Pundir, and Arjun. His Immortal LoveAfter becoming the king of Ajmer, Prithviraj heard the court poet describe the unmatched beauty of a lady. Immensely impressed, he soon found out that the beauty described was Sanyogita, the daughter of the Jai Chandra, King of Kannauj. He disguised himself and went to see her. They had met before on the yatra to Koteshwar Mandir. At that time, Prithviraj disguised himself as Surya and princess Sanyogita under the name of Nandini. Though whenever they met, a fight used to always used to break out between them. They're relation was like Krishna and Radha.

Meanwhile Sanyogita too had heard tales of Prithviraj's courage and valour and was smitten. When she finally saw an attractive painting of Prithviraj Chauhan, she knew in her heart that she would marry him. She met the King in disguise and they fell in love.

Suspecting the relationship between the two of them, Jaichand decided to organize a swayamvara in all pomp and splendour for his daughter. He called many princes worthy of his daughter, from all across the country. However Prithviraj wasn't invited. Jaichand despised Prithviraj as the latter had been chosen by Anangpal to be the heir to the throne of Delhi. So, to humiliate Prithviraj, Jaichand erected his statue, dressed and bent as a dwaarpal at the gateway to the swayamvar. However, at the time of the swayamvar, Sanyogita passed all the eligible princes and finally garlanded Prithviraj's statue. At that moment, Prithviraj stepped out and whisked his beloved away! It is believed that after Sanyogita's haran, Prithviraj was presented with a special, magical bow and arrow. Important BattlesA fortuneseeker, Muhammad, hailing from Ghor in present-day Afghanistan, grew increasingly powerful. He conquered Ghazni and subsequently defeated the Ghaznavid governor of Punjab. Muhammad Ghori's domain now touched upon that of Prithviraj Chauhan. A clash was inevitable. First Battle of Tarain (1191 CE)Muhammad Ghori invaded Prithviraj's domains and laid siege to the fortress of Bhatinda in Punjab, which was at the frontier between the two kingdoms. Prithviraj's appeal for help from his father-in-law was scornfully rejected by the haughty Jaichandra. Undaunted, Prithviraj marched on Bhatinda and gave battle to the invaders at a place called Tarain near the town of Thanesar.

In face of the Rajput onslaught, the invading Muslim army broke ranks and fled, leaving their leader, Muhammad Ghori, a prisoner in Prithviraj's hands. Muhammad Ghori was brought in chains to Pithoragarh, Prithviraj's capital. He begged his captor for mercy and release. Prithviraj's ministers advised against pardoning the aggressor. However, the chivalrous and valiant Prithviraj thought otherwise and respectfully and magnanimously released the vanquished Ghori.Some say that Prithviraj actually pardoned him 16 times over 16 encounters. Second Battle of Tarain (1192 CE)The very next year, Ghori repaid Prithviraj's gesture. In 1192 AD he again invaded India with a huge army of 1,20, 000 armed men. Both the armies faced each other again at Tarain. Prithviraj had the support of his feudal chiefs but these were only small princes. No powerful ruler extended his support to him even at this critical juncture. Thus, for all practical purposes he had to face the enemy single handed. Again, the two armies met at Tarain. The Hindus followed a traditional practice of battling only between sunrise and sunset.This practise was based upon great epics and ethics in their civilized society.The Ramayana and the Mahabharata support this practise. Ghori attacked the surprised Rajput army before daybreak and thus emerged victorious. At the point when annihilation became certain, Sanyogita committed Jauhar {suicide} for self-immolation rather than face the prospect of personal dishonour at the hands of a barbaric invader. Prithviraj was taken in chains to Ghor in present-day Afghanistan. Captivity, revenge and deathAs a prisoner in Ghor, Prithviraj was brought in chains before Muhammad Ghori. He haughtily looked Ghori straight into the eye. Ghori ordered him to lower his eyes, whereupon a Prithviraj scornfully reminded him of how he had treated Ghori when the latter was a prisoner. He declared that the eye of a Rajput are lowered only in death. On hearing this,Ghori ordered that his eyes to be burnt with red hot iron rods. The heinous deed was committed. The blind prithvi was then brought to the presence of the barbaric warlord to be taunted by Ghori and his courtiers.

Prithviraj's former courtier Chand Bardai, who was later to compose the Prithviraj Raso, a ballad-biography of Pritiviraj, came to Ghori to be near Prithviraj in his misery. Chand Bardai came in disguise and paens. On one hand, he earned Mahmud's regard; on the other, he took every oprportunity to meet with Prithviraj and urge him to avenge Ghori's betrayal and daily insults.[citation needed]: The two got an opportunity to kill Muhammad Ghori when Ghori announced an archery competition. Chand Bardai told Ghori that Prithviraj was so skilled an archer, that he could take aim based only on sound, and did not even need to look at his target. Ghori disdained to believe this; the courtiers guffawed and taunted Chand Bardai, asking how a blind man could possibly shoot arrows. In the spirit of their usual barbaric mockery, they brought the blind and hapless Prithviraj out to the field. Pressing a bow and arrows into his hand, they taunted him to take aim.

Chand Bardai told Ghori that this taunting would avail nothing, for Prithviraj would never do as some sundry courtiers bade him do. He said that Prithviraj, as an anointed king, would not accept orders from anyone other than another king. His ego thus massaged, and in the spirit of the occasion, Mahmud Ghori agreed to personally give Prithviraj the order to shoot.Some iron plates were hung and Prithiviraj was asked to aim at them.A man was to strike the plate with a hammer and Prithviraj was supposed to hit that plate.

Thus, Chand Bardai provided Prithviraj with an aural indication of where Ghori was seated. He gave Prithviraj one further indication of the same, by composing a couplet on the spot and reciting the same in Prithviraj's hearing. The couplet, composed in a language understood only by Prithviraj went thus:

"Char bans, chaubis gaj, angul ashta praman, Ta upar sultan hai, Chuke mat Chauhan."

(Four measures ahead of you and twenty four yards away as measured with eight finger measurement, is seated the Sultan. Do not miss him now, Chauhan).

Ghori then ordered Prithviraj to shoot. Prithviraj thus came to know the location of Ghori and started shooting at the plates.When he hit the target courtiers said "vah" "vah" and Ghori said "Shabash", recognising Ghori's voice and turning in the direction from where he heard Ghori speak, Prithviraj took aim based only on the voice and on Chand Bardai's couplet, he sent an arrow racing to Ghori's throat. Ghori was thus stuck dead by Prithviraj. Prithviraj and Chandar did not want to die from the hands of Ghori's courtiers so they stabbed each other

Prithvi Raj Chauhan