After defeating Chalukyas of Gujarat Prithviraj Chauhan became enthused to establish his domination over north India. Several small kingdoms like Alwar, Bharatpur and Mathura etc. were still outside the influence of Delhi. To take control of entire Rajasthan it was imperative to vanquish those small kingdoms and merge in Delhi empire of Chauhans. These states were being ruled by Bhandanakas.
In a short time Prithviraj had grown into an able ruler, expert strategist and military planner. He made Narayana his military power centre and began to expand his army.
Bhandanakas were already afraid of aggressive postures of Prithviraj. The establishment of military centre at Narayana caused a great alarm amongst Bhandanakas. The expansion plans of Prithviraj was no more a secret. In self defence Bhandanakas also tried to increase their army power by new recruitments and procurement of weapons. The Delhi ruler learnt about the frantic activities of Bhandanakas and decided to cut their efforts short. Prithviraj Chauhan asked his commanders to prepare for a military campaign against Bhandanakas without waste of time to get them in unprepared state. Prithviraj Chauhan declared that he would lead the campaign which greatly enthused his commanders.
The massive Delhi force marched in three big columns. The main central battler column was led by Prithviraj Chauhan himself. The columns on the flanks were headed by his trusted lieutenants and they carried arms, ammunitions (arrows) and the provisions in convoys besides fighting units to guard them. This army caught Bhandanakas underprepared to take on the invasion force. Chauhan’s battle units trapped Bhandanaka force badly from all sides. It had not anticipated the Delhi force to move so fast. Totally off guard it was caught in the process of building up a viable force capable of holding ground against invasion. The Bhandanakas were up against the skillful planning of Prithviraj Chauhan. The very initial charge of Delhi force dealt a crippling blow to the central force of Bhandanakas.
The defenders tried to put up some resistence but were swept away by fast waves of the attackers. Their ranks broke up and entire Bhandanaka army disintegrated. They got ruthlessly massacred.
In this decisive war Bhandanakas got wiped out and the Delhi flag went up on the forts of Alwar, Mathura and Bharatpur. Prithviraj Chauhan now was the master of entire Delhi and Rajas of that region. The snowballing power of Delhi ruler soon became a matter of grave concern for the rulers of the central belt. It was obvious that Prithviraj would now turn his attention to them.
The most worried was Chandel king, Raja Parmadeen of Bundelkhand who thought it wise to seek the help of Raja Jaichanda of Kannauj a neighbourhood state against imminent move of the Delhi ruler.
Raja Jaichanda was himself a very ambitious ruler who had dreams of bringing entire north India under his domination. But his dream was cut short by ever increasing influence of Prithviraj Chauhan of Delhi. When the Delhi ruler vanquished Chalukyas, Bhandanakas and several other small kingdoms to create an empire Raja Jaichand a had got worrying. Prithviraj Chauhan had become a feared name who naturally inspired awe with his proven might. Being a spoilter of his dreams Prithviraj evoked hatred and extreme jealousy in Jaichanda. There was a time when Raja Jaichanda had laughed when he had head of an immature boy descending on the throne of Delhi. He had dreamt of scaring away the boy king and seizing Delhi throne. But the events that followed sent his dreams up in smoke and made him green in envy. He had been looking for an opportunity to run down Prithviraj Chauhan for consolation. The jealousy against the Delhi ruler constantly kept roasting his heart.
Then one day the chance presented itself to him. A messenger had come from Raja Parmadeen of Chandels to seek his help against the suspected move of the Delhi ruler of invading his land. Indeed, Prithviraj Chauhan was planning on those lines.
The court session of Raja Jaichanda was on. Then, a guard came to the court to announce, “Hailed be our Maharaja! A messenger has arrived from Mahoba, the capital of Chandels and he prays to be allowed to present himself to Your Majesty.”
“Is he a messenger from Raja Parmadeen?” Raja Jaichanda asked with keen interest.
“Yes, my lord.”
“Bring him in at once. It seems he carries some very urgent message.” Jaichanda was smiling hopefully. The messenger was ushered in by the guards. The visitor respectfully bowed low hailing the king, “Victory to Maharaja Jaichanda of Kannauj from this humble messenger of Mahoba court of Chandels!”
“You are welcome, envoy,” Raja Jaichanda sweetly said to embolden the messenger. “How are things in your Mahoba?”
“So far everything is fine, my lord, by the grace of God and good wishes of Your Majesty. Salutations to you from my Raja, Paramadeenji.”
“God bless good old Raja Parmadeenji,” spoke Raja Jaichanda and added, “So, what brings you here?”
“My lord, things are fine right now but there are dark clouds of trouble on the horizon for us, so we fear. There are definite signs. Something is brewing against us, Your Majesty.”
“Make yourself clear, man,” Jaichanda urged.
“Sir, you know well what the Delhi ruler, Raja Prithviraj Chauhan is doing to all those kings who do not lie prostrate before him. He has beaten Chalukyas, Bhandanakas and other minor rulers around Delhi into submission. Now he is eyeing our kingdom of Chandel.”
“I have heard about it. That juvenile ruler is dreaming of becoming an emperor of all he surveys. What a cheek! Sooner or later that boy king will be taught a befitting lesson by someone of us. He has some good military commanders and that is fuelling his boyish imaginations. You think Prithviraj is planning to invade the land of mighty Chandels?” Raja Jaichanda raised his eyebrows although he knew too well that Chandels were the immediate target of the expansion plan of Prithviraj.
“It is no wild guess, Your Majesty. We have confirmed information that preparation of attack against us being carried out feverishly. Battle plans have already been drawn and the military units of Delhi are fast readying for campaign in our central belt. We are the first kingdom in their way. That is why my king, Raja Parmadeen has sent me to you to seek your military aid in meeting the challenge of the Delhi ruler. Sir, if we fall to him your kingdom will be the next victim.”
Raja Jaichanda a thundred, “Don’t speak those words, envoy. If that boy king dares to challenge my mighty kingdom he will became a lump of minced meat. He is no match for us. If he dares to move against Mahoba, we shall together dig a big grave for Prithviraj right there to bury his childish dreams.”
A minister intervened to ask, “Messenger! Do you carry verbal message only or you have a letter from your court or king?”
“I carry a letter dictated by our Maharaja with his own tongue, sir. I forgot to present it as I got engaged in a very kind conversation by the Majesty Benevolent here.”
The messenger produced a sealed envelop from the folds of his dress and extended it to the minister. At a cue from the king, the minister tore the envelop and retrieved a letter and read out to Raja Jaichanda :
Raja Parmadeen Chandel of Bundelkhand sends his greetings and salutations from the core of heart to the illustrious ruler of Kannauj. His Majesty, Raja Jaichanda whose glory shines all over the lands and we pray it to continue to do so in future too.
Bundelkhand and Kannauj have been friends from time immemorial. Like brothers we have lived always. In hours of need we have stood by each other. I am privileged to enjoy the personal friendship of Your Majesty as well. You have always generously treated me like a younger brother and rendered help whenever we needed. For that I am very grateful to you.
Today I sadly mention our peace loving states force a perilous situation due to the aggressive policies of the Delhi ruler, Prithviraj Chauhan. He had constantly been increasing his military power to expand his empire. His greed for power has swallowed down all the kingdoms of the northern belt. Now he is planning to launch an attack on our Chandel kingdom of Bundelkhand to expand in the central belt. This information is confirmed and Delhi forces are already on the move. It is possible that by the time this letter reaches you we may already be under attack from our enemy.
We pray to you to extend military help to us immediately as the situation brooks no delay. It is obvious that if we fall Prithviraj will eye your kingdom as his next target. Please treat this letter as an urgent request to enable us to face our common enemy. With baited breath we wait to hear from you for succour.
Your brother and friend,
Parmadeen Chandel, Mahoba
The minister remarked, “There is the royal seal and the signature of Raja Parmadeen.”
Raja Jaichanda ground his teeth, “How dare that boy king cast an evil eye on our friend and allies!”
A minister spoke, “Your Majesty! We need to go to the help of Bundelkhand. The Delhi ruler needs to be taught a lesson otherwise he surely will make trouble for us.”
“Of course, we can’t sit idle. We shall help our friend Raja Parmadeen. This Prithviraj evil needs to be nipped in the bud,” spoke Jaichanda and talked with his confidant minister for some time.
At last Jaichanda looked at his army chief saying, “Commander! We must send reinforcement to the aid of Bundelkhand army.”
“As you wish, Majesty,” the commander bowed his head.
“Get one fourth of our army on the move to Mahoba to help their forces as soon as possible. There should be no delay,” Jaichanda ordered.
After the departure of the commander Jaichanda turned to the messenger, “You may return to Mahoba after taking your meals at our guest house. Tell Raja Parmadeen, that we are sending a large force to help his army to deal with the Delhi invader.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” The messenger bowed.
“And listen, if Delhi force arrives before our military units reach Mahoba, the Chandel army must fight back and hold the ground. Do not give up and face the situation bravely. Eventually our combined forces will prevail against the invaders. Our force is already preparing to move to your help.”
“I understand, Your Majesty. Our Maharaja will be very glad to learn that. I seek your permission to leave, sir,” the messenger said with a bowed head.
“You may go. Go fast and reassure Raja Parmadeen of our adequate help. He shouldn’t worry,” reiterated Raja Jaichanda.
The fears of Chandel king was not misplaced.
The Delhi ruler was a fast thinker and planner. He would not allow his enemies to organise themselves. As soon as it was learnt that a messenger of Raja Parmadeen had gone to Kannauj to seek the help of Raja Jaichanda, Prithviraj decided to strike before the enemy forces could join hands. A massive and well prepared force set out from Delhi to take on Chandels of Bundelkhand. It moved fast and reached Mahoba.
The kettle drums and bugles of war sounded.
In no time Chauhans and Chandels were in the battle. Meanwhile, the Kannauj reinforcements had also arrived and they joined the Chandel units. Apparently they too had made a quick move correctly sensing the impending danger. The Chauhans were fighting like daredevils. They were in great fighting spirit being at wars for some time against the various enemies. Most of their soldiers were by now experienced veterans being led by their young, crafty and battle hungry energetic king Prithviraj Chauhan. His presence in the battle field always proved a morale booster for Delhi forces. A series of victories against enemies were keeping them in high spirits with an aura of invincibility.
In comparison, Chandels were demoralised. The arrival of Kannauj units made little difference. The overawing reputation of Prithviraj Chauhan was further dampening their spirits. First Chandels were at the receiving end and now Kannauj soldiers were bearing the brunt of the charges of Delhi forces.
Some time into the battle and Kannauj units began to fall apart. The soldiers began to flee from the battle. They were not responding to the calls to rally. Chandels were already a beaten lots.
Prithviraj ordered his soldiers not to harm or go in chase of the fleeing enemy.
The Delhi ruler had defeated the combined forces of Chandels and Kannauj. It yet again proved that Prithviraj was the supreme warrior of the land and a victor of that period.
The vanquished Raja Parmadeen was produced before Prithviraj in shackles as a prisoner. He was in a very sullen mood.
“So, Chandel Raja!” Prithviraj addressed to him, “Had you accepted our domination without option for battle you wouldn’t have been in this sorry state.”
Parmadeen nodded his head but showed defiance in saying, “Delhi ruler! A warrior king loves his sword just like a farmer loves his crops, a mother lover her child and a devotee adores his lord. The sword of a king is for defending his land, people and crown. I had to do my duty of battling irrespective of the outcome.”
“Good!” exclaimed Prithviraj and liked the spirit of the defeated king. “I appreciate your philosophy. Now tell me what treatment should I met out to you?”
“You are the victor and I am vanquished. It is your right to decide my fate,” Paradeen said.
“You have accepted me as a victor and I shall behave like a true victor.” Prithviraj spoke to his soldiers, “Open the shackles of Raja Parmadeen. Free him!”
The command was carried out. Parmadeen stood there a free man but very surprised.
Prithviraj said to him majestically, “We shall return your kingdom to you and make you our ally and friend as well provided you take pledge to allegiance to us. I only want you to be my trustworthy friend.”
“That is a very small price you are asking, O ruler of Delhi,” Chandel king spoke gratefully and added, “It would be my privilege and good fortune to be your trusted ally.”
Thus, Parmadeen regained his freedom and the kingdom in exchange for a pledge of allegiance to the throne of Delhi.
The alliance between Chauhans and Chandels came as a rude shock to Raja Jaichanda. Now he hated Prithviraj more than ever before. His heart seethed for revenge.
