The historic Battles of Tarain were not just simply historical events, but we’re watershed moments in Indian history that affected not only India as a whole but the entire subcontinent in all its aspects.
The two iconic and impactful confrontations between the valiant Rajput Ruler Prithviraj Chauhan and the ambitious Ghurid Ruler Mohammad Ghori are well recorded in the annals of Indian history as these two battles were not only confrontations and conflicts between two individuals or armies, but two distinct cultural and political worlds.
The two great personalities.
At the onset of the 12th Century, Prithviraj Chauhan established his control and rule over the Chauhan Dynasty with Delhi and Ajmer being his core capitals. A heroic figure in the annals of history, Prithviraj is renowned for his valor, sense of honor, and Rajputana ethos.
On the other hand, Mohammad Ghori was the undisputed master of the Ghurid Empire spanning across present-day Afghanistan and Iran. Unlike his predecessor Mahmud of Ghazni who raided and plundered India just for it wealth, Ghori was more determined to make it a part of the huge Ghurid Empire.
This ambition of Mohammad Ghori and Rajputana ethos and his strict defensive policy against foreign invasions brought both these personalities face to face.
The First Battle of Tarain [1191 AD]
With such ambitions in eyes, Mohd. Ghori marched in and seized a fort in Bhatinda under Prithviraj Chauhan’s control. The Rajput Ruler saw this as direct invasion and marched towards Bathinda with a huge army.
Both the forces met at the battlefield of Tarain in Thanesar in Haryana which was the central point of the route to fertile Gangetic Plains.
Though, Ghori’s army was more disciplined and organised, it was new to the Indian warfare and their techniques. Also, Prithviraj marched with a huge army. Many historians claim that Prithviraj’s army was almost four times that of Mohd Ghori ‘s.
The Rajput army emerged victorious in this decisive confrontation and the Ghori ‘s army was scattered, confused and suffered a heavy defeat. Mohammad Ghori himself was severely wounded and narrowly escaped both death and capture.
The Rajput victory was seen as a festive celebration with his victory being immortalised in ballads, poems and legends. The victory soon became a folklore and mothers would narrate it as lullabies to put their children to sleep.
The Second Battle of Tarain [1192 AD]
Though, humiliatingly defeated; Mohd. Ghori’s ambitions were not deterred by this temporary setback. He took this defeat as a learning lesson and started preparing to avenge his defeat and humiliation.
Not only Ghori’s army was large and well- equipped and prepared this time, but alot of water has flown since the first clash in the Rajput camp. Not only there were increased internal rivalries and defections among the Rajput rulers for power and control, many of the historians have also stated that many of the local Rajput kings joined hands with Mohammad Ghori to bring an end to Prithviraj Chauhan’s growing prestige and power.
Both the forces again met at the iconic Tarain battlefield, but this time Ghori’s army was larger and well prepared. Though, living up to the Rajput’s war ethos, Prithviraj fought till last before being captured and executed. Many legends also point out especially in the famous poem Prithviraj Raso that how dramatically Prithviraj Chauhan despite being blinded killed Mohammad Ghori by an arrow by just hearing a sound alone.
Impact of these Battles in History.
These battles had profound consequences to the political, cultural, and economic developments in the subcontinent. These battles in fact became watershed moments in the history as they marked the end of Rajput dominance and the establishment of Muslim Rule in India.
Ghori returned to Ghazni after appointing his slave Qutub-ud Din Aibak as his Governor in India. But after Ghori ‘s death , Aibak proclaimed himself Sultan and began the Delhi Sultanate that was further refined by the Mughals.
Further, the cultural and trading contacts between the Turkish and Indian rulers improved.
Conclusion.
These two battles were not only decisive in terms of political rule, but were also turning point in the Indian history. Both confrontations represent a transition from Rajput dominance to the rise of the Delhi Sultanate.
These developments brought crucial changes in the varying landscapes of the Indian subcontinent that saw the rise and spread of Islam, the blending and amalgamation of cultures, and the establishment and acceptance of varying administrative systems and practices.
