At a glance
- Tarain is in Haryana (Taraori, Karnal district), not Rajasthan.
- The clash with Muhammad of Ghor began over Tabarhinda (Bathinda).
- Delhi: he inherited it; his uncle Vigraharaj IV had taken it from the Tomars.
Facts
| Father | Someshwar |
|---|---|
| Mother | Karpuradevi, a Kalachuri princess (Prithviraj Vijay); the Raso tradition makes his mother a daughter of Anangpal Tomar |
| Brother | Hariraj |
| Came to the throne | 1177, aged about 11 |
| Also known as | Rai Pithora |
| Court poets | Jayanak (Prithviraj Vijay); Chand Bardai by tradition |
War with the Chandels, 1182
- In 1182 he defeated Paramardideva, the Chandel king of Mahoba.
- The warriors Alha and Udal are said to have died fighting in this war.
The two battles of Tarain
| Battle | Course and result |
|---|---|
| First Tarain, 1191 | Prithviraj's army routed the Ghurids and Muhammad of Ghor was wounded and withdrew. Not pursuing him is called Prithviraj's mistake |
| Second Tarain, 1192 | Ghori returned with a better-organised army of cavalry and mounted archers and defeated Prithviraj; Ajmer and later Delhi came under Turkish rule |
Prithviraj fled and was caught near Sirsa (Saraswati). According to Satish Chandra he was left to rule Ajmer for a short time under the Ghurids and then executed on a charge of conspiracy; other chronicles tell his death differently.
After Tarain
- Prithviraj's son Govindraj was put on the Ajmer throne as a Ghurid vassal; Hariraj, Prithviraj's brother, removed him, and Ajmer then passed to the Turks.
- Govindraj moved to Ranthambore and began the Ranthambore line (1194).
Stories of the Raso
- Sanyogita: according to the Prithviraj Raso, Jaichand of Kannauj left Prithviraj out of his rajasuya and swayamvar, and Prithviraj carried off his daughter Sanyogita. G.H. Ojha called it fiction and many historians do not accept it; the RBSE book, with Dasharatha Sharma, accepts it.
- Ghazni: the Raso's story that Prithviraj killed Ghori at Ghazni is legend; Muhammad of Ghor lived until 1206.
Remember: often mixed up
- Prithviraj II · Prithviraj IIIII was Jagdev's son · III was Someshwar's son.
Test yourself: asked in exams
CET Graduation Level 2024 · Q130
In which year Prithivi Raj III defeated Chandel Ruler of Mahoba?
- (1)1181 A.D.
- (2)1182 A.D.
- (3)1191 A.D.
- (4)1192 A.D.
Show answer
✓ (2) 1182 A.D.
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