Prithviraj Chauhan, also known as Rai Pithora, was a ruler of the Chauhan Dynasty or Chahamanas of Shakambhari. The ruler who defeated Ghurid Invader Muhammad Ghori around 17 times and influential Hindu King Jaychandra of Kanauja is revered as Akhand Hindu Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan. Prithviraj Chauhan advanced his Kingdom to many parts of present-day Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh under the Capital City Delhi and Ajaymeru (modern-day Ajmer).
Prithviraj Chauhan was born on the 12th day of the Jyeshtha month, Vikram Samvat, in 1166 and blessed the Chauhan King Someshwar Chauhan of Ajaymeru (modern-day Ajmer) and Karpuradevi princess of Kalachuri kingdom. Someshwar emphasizes the value of education equal to the war-fare tactics like archery and sword to his child. Thus, with this progressive approach of “Shastra and Shashtra,” it is said that Prithviraj Chauhan mastered around 14 languages and some of the prominent subjects, which includes painting, mathematics, medicine (Ayurveda), and philosophy (Mimamsa).
Accession to the throne:
Someshwar Chauhan died in the battle in 1177, and as a result, 11 years old Prince Prithiviraj Chauhan inherited the throne under his mother Karpuradevi’s guidance. Kaimash, Kaka Kanha and Bhuvanaikamalla were the prominent ministers of Prithviraj’s administration and served him in the most significant wars and in taking administrative decisions.
Prithviraj Chauhan assumed total control of the administration of the Kingdom at the very young age of 14 years, and her mother acted as a regent. The bravery, maturity and intellectuality of Chauhan satisfied her mother to believe in him as a king.
At a young age, Prithviraj Chauhan assumed total control over Delhi as his Maternal Grandfather Maharaja Anangpal Tomar, ruler of Delhi, declared Prithviraj Chauhan as an heir of the Delhi province. Chauhan and Anangpal Tomar faced an intense contradiction from the side of Jaychandra and other Ministers, but Chauhan proved them wrong by advancing his territories.
माँ आशापुरा के वीर पुत्र ने, जब मूछों पर ताव दिया, सोलह बार मोहम्मद गोरी के, अंग-अंग पर घाव किया, पर संस्कृति का रक्षक था, हर बार प्राण का दान दिया, शत्रु दल से छला गया तो, निज वीर-शौर्य प्रमाण दिया
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Love Interest and Conflict with Jaychandra of Kannauj:
The love story of Prithviraj Chauhan and Samyogita (Princess of Kannauj and Daughter of Jaychandra) is renowned among youth; that some depicts them as two bodies, one soul. The major obstacle in their path was Jaychandra (father of Samyogita and father-in-law of Prithviraj), who wanted to take revenge from Prithviraj by overtaking him from Delhi’s throne. Raja Jayachandra of Kannauj was greedy towards the Crown and Wealth.
Jayachandra conducted a Rajasuya Ceremony to prove his supremacy among all, which Prithviraj denied to participate, that depicts refusal to accept him as the most powerful king of the Bharat (India). In order to take revenge, Jayachandra organized the Swayamvar for her Daughter Samyogita and didn’t invited Prithviraj Chauhan.