A king so brave, his name once shook the earth. A warrior so fierce, his legend was nearly lost to time.
In today’s politically sanitized textbooks, Prithviraj Chauhan is barely mentioned. But this fearless Rajput warrior, the last Hindu emperor of Delhi, lived a life that reads like an epic—marked by unmatched valor, legendary romance, and devastating betrayal.
From the battlefields of Tarain to the Swayamvara halls of Kannauj, this is the story of a king who dared to defy fate, enemies, and betrayal—until his very last breath.
1. The Rise of a Legend: Who Was Prithviraj Chauhan?
Born in 1166 CE, Prithviraj III of the Chauhan dynasty ruled from Ajmer and Delhi. He was a prodigious warrior, ascending the throne at just 11 years old.
🔥 Why He Was Feared:
- Known as Rai Pithora to his people.
- Mastered Shabdbhedi Baan Vidya (shooting by sound).
- Expanded his kingdom from Rajasthan to Punjab, facing off against rival kings and Turkic invaders.
- Patron of the arts—his court poet, Chand Bardai, wrote the immortal Prithviraj Raso.
Prithviraj wasn’t just a king—he was a true Kshatriya: a ruler, poet, warrior, and statesman.
2. The Love Story That Shook Thrones: Prithviraj & Sanyogita
No tale of Prithviraj is complete without his forbidden love for Princess Sanyogita, daughter of his enemy, King Jaichand of Kannauj.
💔 The Swayamvara Sabotage:
- Jaichand, envious of Prithviraj’s fame, excluded him from Sanyogita’s Swayamvara.
- To mock him, he placed a statue of Prithviraj as a doorman.
- Sanyogita, secretly in love with Prithviraj, garlanded the statue, choosing him as her husband.
- Furious, Jaichand imprisoned his daughter—but Prithviraj stormed the palace, abducted her, and escaped!
Their union became a symbol of love and rebellion, but it made Jaichand Prithviraj’s eternal enemy—a betrayal that would later change Indian history.
3. The Betrayal That Changed India: Muhammad Ghori’s Invasion
⚔️ First Battle of Tarain (1191 CE) – A Glorious Victory
- Prithviraj’s army defeated and captured the Afghan warlord Muhammad Ghori.
- In an act of Rajput chivalry, Prithviraj spared Ghori’s life and let him go.
- A decision that would cost him everything.
⚔️ Second Battle of Tarain (1192 CE) – The Betrayal
- Ghori returned with a better-prepared cavalry and tactics.
- Jaichand, Sanyogita’s father, refused to support Prithviraj, effectively betraying him.
- Another general, Khande Rao, even switched sides during the battle.
- Prithviraj was captured and blinded, taken to Afghanistan in chains.
4. The Final Revenge: A Blind King’s Last Shot
Despite blindness and captivity, Prithviraj’s warrior spirit was unbroken.
🎯 The Legend of the Final Arrow:
- His loyal poet, Chand Bardai, traveled to Ghori’s court.
- He tricked Ghori into letting the blind king demonstrate his archery skills.
- Using Shabdbhedi Baan, Prithviraj shot an arrow guided only by Ghori’s voice—killing him instantly.
- Both Prithviraj and Chand Bardai were executed, dying as martyrs to dharma.
5. Why Was Prithviraj Chauhan Forgotten?
Despite his heroism, history pushed him into the shadows.
❌ Reasons for Erasure:
- No Successor – His son died in battle; the Chauhan legacy ended.
- Delhi Sultanate Began – Muslim rulers rewrote history.
- History by the Victors – Mughal-era chroniclers and colonial historians minimized Hindu resistance.
Even in modern India, left-leaning academic circles have ignored or distorted his legacy in the name of secularism and appeasement.
⚡ Final Thoughts: Prithviraj Chauhan—India’s Unbowed Warrior
Prithviraj Chauhan’s story isn’t just history—it’s a reminder of India’s resistance, honor, and cultural pride. His life was an epic of valor, romance, and sacrifice, and it’s time we reclaim his memory from neglect.
🎬 While Bollywood’s Samrat Prithviraj (2022) tried to revive him, the real heroism goes far beyond the screen.
Let’s remember the last Hindu emperor who stood tall before the storm.
Har Har Mahadev!
Jai Rajputana!
