When Prithviraj Chauhan had taken charge of the kingdoms of Delhi and Ajmer, the political scene of the country was dismal. The land was divided in small and tiny kingdoms of fiefdoms. Each ruler hated and carried grudge against his neighbour. Narrow mindedness and quarrelsome behaviour was the common tract. A king was always looking for an opportunity to humiliate his enemy king or kings. Intimidation, brow beating and poaching into one another’s territory was common practice. There was no rule, norm, fairplay and interkingdom codes of conduct.
Alien invaders often took advantage of this situation created by disunity and quarrelsome nature of Indian rulers. Mahmood Gaznavi of Gazni raided Indian lands several times and plundered the royal treasures, coffers, riches and temples. He desecrated the temples and smashed idols to inflict emotional hurt on the natives. A ruthless and fanatical character he was.
One other notorious invader of India was an Afghan chieftain of Gaur state called Mohammad Shahabuddin Gauri. Mohammad Gauri was not content with being a ruler of a small state. He had a dream of creating a vast empire and lord over it as emperor. First he waged wars with neighbourhood states. He suffered heavy losses in men and material at the hands of fellow Afghan rulers who were equally ruthless and blood thirsty. Gauri lost a lot and gained nothing.
Then, Gauri turned his attention on India. He had heard about the quarrelsome Indian kings who ever were busy in fratericidal wars amongst themselves and setting scores with each other. They had little time for preparing their armies to meet the alien challenges. For the alien invaders they had always been soft targets. And the interesting thing was that all of them wallowed in incredible riches and wealth. The alien invaders had come home from Indian campaign with loot loaded on thousands of camels and horses. So, Gauri decided to try his luck in India. To him creating an empire in India looked a better prospect after studying the political and geographical conditions. Gazanavi had plundered Indian kingdoms several times which provided Gauri enough inspiration. But there was a fundamental difference between the two. Mahmood Gaznavi was only interested in looting and plundering the riches of India, whereas Gauri wanted to own India as his empire to satisfy his greed for power and arrogance besides milking its riches all the time.
Mohammad Gauri’s first move was against the border kingdom of Multan of Punjab area. The city fell easily to him without much bloodshed. It gave him an idea that he could conquer all the Indian kingdoms without much military preparation or raising a large invasion force. He had become very enthusiastic about his Indian campaign. He moved on fast.
Mohammad Gauri led his army through the desert of Rajasthan to the rich land of Gujarat which was being ruled by Chalukya king Bheemdeva at that time. But to the misfortime of Gauri Chalukya king was no push over or a soft target.
Bheemdeva accepted the challenge of the alien invader, Gauri. Chalukyas counter attacked and forced the Afghan invader to fall back in defeat. Gauri’s army retreated. It compelled Gauri to rethink about his military campaign and change his strategy besides liking his wounds. Although Bheemdeva had inflicted defeat on the alien invader, Mohammad Gauri yet he too suffered staggering losses in men and material. His coffers were empty and early replenishment was not possible without any rich source of revenue at hand. The only way was to attack neighbouring kingdoms and force them to fill up his treasury. The kingdom of Delhi appeared to him a big fat hen that could lay golden eggs for him. Delhi was being ruled by Prithviraj Chauhan and Ajmer was also a part of it now. Chalukyas of Gujarat had been at constant wars with Ajmer.
The Chalukya king Bheemdeva thought by creating pressure on immature king of Delhi could yield him golden eggs. With that assessment he decided to move against Nagaur fort of Ajmer to throw indirect challenge to the Delhi ruler to whom that fort also belonged. Habitually Chalukyas would target an asset of Ajmer. Just like the rebel Nagarjuna the Gujarat ruler was also committing the mistake of underestimating the power of the minor ruler of Delhi, a teenager Prithviraj Chauhan.
But the fact was that Prithviraj had grown for beyond his years. He was already advising his experienced ministers and commanders as a ruler in total control of the situation. A young genius Prithviraj indeed was which surprised and pleased all the ministers, courtiers, military commanders of Delhi. His mother Karpoori Devi was sightfully a proud queen because in Prithvi her and her husband’s life was redeemed. The young ruler had courage and bravery in ample measure he would demonstrate at the first opportunity he shall get.
Then, news arrived that a Chalukya force had set out to capture the fort of Nagaur of the Ajmer state to throw a gauntlet to Prithviraj. The Delhi ruler asked his commanders to ready the army to face the challenge of Chalukya attack. He wanted it to be a decisive battle.
He confided to his mother Karpuri Devi, “Mother! Our old foes Chalukyas are reported to be on the move to take our Nagaur fort. I want to take part in this battle myself. The enemy needs to be checked once for all. For us it is a sentimental confrontation as well because they killed my father.”
Karpoori Devi had tears in her eyes as the memories of her husband came to her mind.
“I can understand your feelings, son. But you must be very careful. Chalukyas are daredevils and very ruthless people. They have always been a thorn in our flesh,” mother spoke with genuine concern.
“Mother! I have not underestimated the enemy. We have already considered everything and adequate preparations have been made. Anyway I can’t sit back at home while our traditional enemy is trampling upon our lands. It is time to test whatever battle skills I have learnt and proved myself in the battlefield as a capable ruler and fighter.”
“You may be right, my son. I would have preferred not to see you in the battle against battle hardened enemy. You need a couple of years more to physically mature up,” Karpoori Devi revealed her motherly feelings.
Prithviraj Chauhan was confident of himself. He did not feel any handicap of immaturity. He was a man and wanted to act like a man.
He spoke, “Don’t worry mother. I will come out victorious. Our commanders are an experienced lot. Our ministers are good planners. They all agree that we can successfully tackle the might of the Chalukyas. We have made assessments from all angles.”
“I hope so,” said Karpoori Devi and sighed. “You must remember that they have claimed your father. I lost my husband to them and you lost your father. So, tread carefully. Don’t go in revengeful mood. That kind of sentiment sometimes make one overreact, overact and indiscretion inviting danger. That is why I would like you to let the commanders fight this battle.”
Prithviraj shook his head and held the hands of his mother endearingly, “I promise I will not get provoked into some foolish act at the sight of Chalukyas. I have learnt to live with that tragedy and got over it. I wont do any childish thing. Infact I am thinking of striking an everlasting peace with Chalukyas in the spirit of ‘Forget and forgive the past events’. I am thinking of future instead of settling the past scores. Believe me, your Prithvi is a grown up man.”
Queen Karpoori Devi asked, “But does our enemy understand all this?”
“We will make them understand. When father got killed then situations and causes were not in our favour. We were fighting against time. Now the situations are in our favour. Things have changed. We are strongly based in Delhi. We have a powerful army. Don’t stop me, ma! It is my chance to establish myself.”
Karpoori Devi nodded her head saying, “Alright son, if you are so confident of yourself. You may go to war. My blessings are with you. I will be praying for your victory. But don’t throw caution to winds. God may protect you.”
Prithviraj Chauhan touched her feet. Fully armed and atop his huge royal elephant set out to meet the enemy in the battlefield with his large force.
The fort of Nagaur was still in the hands of the defenders of Ajmer army. Chalukya force was led by Prince Jagdeva, the son of King Bheemdeva of Gujarat. He had laid a siege to the fort. When Jagdeva learnt that Prithviraj Chauhan was himself leading Delhi army he asked his commander to sound kettle drums and bugles to alert the soldiers.
The armies of Prithviraj Chauhan and Jagdeva clashed in the battle field outside the fort. Jagdeva had taken Prithviraj to be a juvenile warrior who had ventured into a real battle foolishly mistaking it for a kid game. He was wondering if he should take the boy prisoner or get his sword make him martyr.
But very soon he had to reassess the enemy. Prithviraj Chauhan was fighting like a veteran and leading his soldiers with skill. The arrows from Prithviraj shoot were claiming the lives of Chalukya soldiers all around him. He looked at armoured figure of Prithviraj in great surprise. One of the commanders of Jagdeva confirmed to him that the figure atop the elephant indeed was Prithviraj.
Suddenly, Prithviraj Chauhan spotted his main enemy, Jagdeva and began to shoot deadly arrows in that direction. In a defensive move Jagdeva jumped off his elephant that appeared to have been injured. He quickly got on a tall white horse. In a counter move Prithviraj also got down from his elephant and opted for a horse.
The Delhi soldiers were fighting fiercely and taking heavy toll of Chalukyas. They had clearly gained an upper hand and the enemy was on the back foot and falling back. Prithviraj was trying to reach Jagdeva with his sword menacingly drawn. The later was trying to take cover of his soldiers.
In that battle in a couple of hours thousands of soldiers died and lay maimed or injured. The swords were flashing and the human blood was getting sprayed around which was increasingly belonging to Chalukya soldiers. At last the Chalukya army accepted defeat and prayed for stoppage of bloodshed.
Some Chalukya soldiers moved towards Prithviraj Chauhan with white flag of surrender. The commander of Delhi army rushed to his king and hailed him, “Victory to Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan. Then, he informed, “Chalukya commander wants to present himself in defeat and to propose a treaty.”
“Allow him,” Prithviraj said in his regal tone.
The enemy commander was pushed in front of the Delhi ruler. He bowed low and spoke, “In defeat, I Chalukya commander make my obeisance to victor, Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan of Delhi.”
“What is your name, Commander?” Prithviraj asked.
“Mukutrai, Your Majesty.”
“So Mukutrai, what have you to say?”
“Your Majesty! As the defeated ones we are at your mercy and you have the right to do anything with us. You may make us prisoners and…,” Mukutrai prayed.
“What about your master Jagdeva?” Prithviraj asked sternly.
“Depends on your wish, Maharaj. We have accepted defeat and you may take him prisoner and do what a vanquisher does to a vanquished…or.”
“Or what?” Prithviraj arched his brows.
“My master, Prince Jagdeva wants to make a peace proposal aimed at a treaty…”
“What if we are not interested?”
“That is your prerogative, victor Maharaja. All depends on your wish,” Mukutrai spread his hands in the gesture of helplessness.
Prithviraj said, “Let us hear the proposal.”
“Your Majesty! My master thinks we Chalukyas and you Chauhans have carried on a mutual mistrust and animosity for long as tradition without any rhym and reason. It has damaged both our kingdoms. To day we face the grave danger of alien invasion we just barely survived. Prince Jagdeva wants to end the enmity between us once for all and become true friend. That we both can prosper and our people would live in peace.”
“Mukutrai! The thought of your prince is sensible and desirable if it is genuine. But can you tell me in whose kingdom this Nagaur fort falls, Chalukya or Chauhan?”
“This fort surely belongs to Chauhans, Maharaja.”
“Then, why Chalukyas tried to take it by force? Give me an honest answer,” Prithviraj looked hard at the enemy commander.
“Your Majesty! Politics has always been based on the balance of power. The balance sometimes gets upset and that creates controversies. The show of power has been the regal tradition of our land since ancient times to test the balance of power. In that tradition we tried to capture this fort of Nagaur.”
“Mukutrai! A purposeless show of power never does any good to anyone. The people suffer, the soldiers die and the treasury has to bear the cost of an unnecessary exercise. Won’t Chalukyas pay that price?”
“You are correct, Your Majesty. You may decide our fate and order us whatever your wish is. Being vanquished we are bound to bow our heads to your order whatever it is concerning us. There are no excuses.”
“Alright, Mukutrai!” Prithviraj said nodding his head in satisfaction,”We accept your friendship proposal. But for that your Master shall come to me and personally discuss the terms of treaty. Chalukyas must abide by all the terms and conditions of the treaty.”
Mukutrai’s face beamed and he spoke aloud, “Hailed be the magnanimous, majestic and gracious victor Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan of Delhi!”
Then he bowed to say, “Your Majesty! Please allow me to take leave. I will inform my master about the acceptance of the peace proposal. He will be very glad to hear that and certainly it will be a privilege for him to meet your goodness.”
Thus, Prithviraj gained victory against the mighty Chalukyas and wrote a new chapter. The Chauhans had a dubious record of losing all the battles against Chalukyas. The lost history of enmity was buried for ever and Chalukyas and Chauhans became friends to the relief of all. Prithviraj Chauhan could have executed the Chalukya prince Jagdeva and taken revenge for the killing of his father but he preferred to act like a farsighted statesman. He was brave and knew how to treat the other brave. Jagdeva was treated by Prithviraj like a friend and a honoured guest. Jagdeva appreciated the gesture of his adversary and presented to the Delhi ruler elephants, horses, arms, money and treasures as reparage and friendship gifts.
This victory established Prithviraj Chauhan as a skillful battler, valiant and a farsighted victor who could deal like a statesman.
