Disunity in Chahamana Polity lead to diversity.

Journal Article.: Diversity due to our disunity since medieval period.

Disunity in Chahamana Polity lead to diversity. 
Dr. Madhup Raman.

Unity in Diversity. We people of India always claim about our Unity in Diversity. But reality is that we are disunited so finding no way to accept disunity. We have been different with each other at any time either from Mahabharat time or Prithivi Raj Chauhan. We don't forget if we are united since ancient , medieval, or modern  time we would not have been exploited by foreign forces.  At least at the time of aggression of Qasim , Ghazni and Ghori we should have set off our differences indeed to save ourselves. But we did not do. Resultedly we were forced to accept diversity with a drastic change in social, political and economic set up. Vedic Buddhist cultural dominancy was also conversing into Isalmic culture. Dynastic  struggle had started earlier but it remained more destructive ,effective after Vigrahraja IV before the transitional  phase started. We can see these in the examples.
Beginning of Dynastic Struggle during the Chahamana Rule

and the reign of Prthviraja II : 

Aparagangeya: The Prthvirajavijaya mentions that Vigraharaja IV was succeeded by his son Aparagangeya.[1] He had possibly a variant प्रकार  of his name like Amaragangeya or Amargangu, as found in other works.[2] He had a very short reign and possibly died unmarried.

After him Prthvibhata or Prthviraja II, the son of patricide पितृहन्ता  Jugadeva, came to the Chahamana throne. This dynastic change may be well illustrated from these following geneological tables  

Arnoraja (1135 - 1150 AD)/Vigrahraja IV (1153 - 1164 AD)/Aparangangeya.

Arnoraja Queen Sudhava/Jugadev/Prithvi II (1167 - 1170 A.D.)

Arnoraja Queen Kanchandevi/Somesvara Karpurdevi (1170 - 1177 AD)/Prithiviraja III Hariraja (1177 - 1192 AD)

It appears that this dynastic change did not happen in a peaceful way. This is corroborated समर्थन करना  by Prthviraja II’s Dhod stone inscription of V.S. 1325 (C. 1169 A.D.), which mentions that he secured a victory over the ruler of Sakambhari by the strength of his arms.[3]

Probably there began a struggle for the throne between The two princes of the ruling family, Aparagangeya and Prthviraja II. This ultimately led to the removal of the former and the installation of the latter to the Chahamana throne. Prthviraja II thus appears to have been able to recover the kingdom of his father Jugadeva, who had lost it to Vigraharaja IV, father of Aparagangaya. In this succession struggle Aparagangeya probably lost his life as well, for nothing further was heard of him.

Prthviraja II As many as four inscriptions of Prthviraja II have been discovered, one at Hansi[4] in the Punjab, and the three others at the Mewar region in Rajasthan – two at Menal[5] and one at Dhod.[6] The first one is dated in  V.S. 1224 (C. 1167 A.D.) and the last one in V.S. 1225 (C. 1170 A.D.). He had, therefore, a very short reign but it was important on account of the gradual development of the Chahamana-Muslim conflict. After ascending the throne, he turned his attention against the Muslims of the Punjab.

The Hansi stone inscription mentions that the king’s maternal uncle Kilhana was placed in charge of the strategic fort of Asika in order to watch over the activities of the Hammira  who had become the cause of anxiety to the world."[7] D.R. Bhandarkar identifies Asika with Hansi.[8]The activities of the Hammira’s probably indicate that the Muslims, i.e. the Ghaznavites of the Punjab, were trying to penetrate into interior India. 

Though they had been successfully checked by Vigraharaja IV, yet during the time of Prthviraja II they became the cause of anxiety to the Chahamana kingdom. It seems that when Vigraharaja IV died and the ruling family was involved in a dynastic succession struggle, the Muslim found an opportunity to intensity their activities. 

But Prthviraja II equally rose to the occasion, and took immediate steps to meet the situation. He appointed an efficient governor, named Kilhana, to the strategic fort of Asika or Hansi to check the Muslim aggression. The fort of Asi or Asika was the gateway to India. 

As colonel Tod observes, “Asigarh or Asidurg is celebrated as the scene of contest between the Hindus and early Muhammedans. It was by this route that most of Shahabuddin’s attempts were made to wrest हथियाना  the throne of Hindu from Prthviraja and, often did the warriors of the mountains of Kabul find their graves before Asi.........the route was by Pacapattan...........on the Sutlaj, to Bhatner and Fatchabad to Asi and Delhi.”[9] 

Colonel Tod appears to have confused Prthviraja II of the Hansi stone inscription of V.S.1224 (=C.1168 A.D.) with the famous Chahamana ruler Prthviraja III (C. 117-1192 A.D.), who was defeated Shiabuddin Muhammad Ghuri at the Second Battle of Tarain in 1192 A.D. Muhammad Ghuri established his power in the Punjab by overthrowing the last Yamini prince Khusrau Malik Taj-ud-Daulah (1160-1186), and from that base he attempted to penetrate further into India at the cost of the Chahamanas. 

But Prthviraja II’s inscriptions clearly show that he died much earlier (C. 1170 A.D.) before Muhammad Ghuri’s conquest of the Punjab. 

Further the Bijolia inscription which was the earliest inscription of Somesvara, who succeeded Prthviraja II, was issued towards the end of V.S. 1226 (=1170 A.D.).[10] It is thus clear that Colonel Tod’s “Prthviraja”, who possessed the strategic fort of Asior Hansi, was none but Prthviraja II of the Hansi inscription. His observation, however, clearly implies the strategic position of the fort of Hansi. 

In the Chahamana-Muslim conflict Kilhana proved a successful officer. The Hansi stone inscription mentions that he not only checked the Muslim aggressions, but also captured Panchapura from them.[11]

Both H.C.Ray and[12] D.R. Bhandarkar[13] identify Panchapura with Panhapattana on the Sutlej river. This is in agreement with Tod’s assumption[14] also. According to Ray if the identification is correct them Prthviraja II achieved some success against the Yamini Prince Khusrau MalikTaj-ud-Daulah (1160-1186), who was a mild and pleasure-seeking ruler.[15] Kilhana thus justified the confidence reposed on him. Another incident during the reign of Prthviraja II is mentioned by the Bijolia inscription. It states that the Chahamana monarch defeated a king named Vastupala, and took away his beautiful elephant, called Mansidhi.[16] But king Vastupala cannot be properly identified. Both Prthviraja II and his queen Suhavadevi were devout workshippers of Lord Siva. The Dhod stone inscription mentions that the Chahamana king took the title of Paramabhattaraka Paramesvara, and during his reign the temple of Nitya Pramoditadeva was built by his feudatory Adhiraja Kumarapla.[17] 

According to the Bijolia inscription the Chahamana king used to perform his religious duties by granting gold and villages to the Brahamanas.[18] The Menal stone inscription states that Maharajni Suhavadevi made an annual grant of 20 drammas to the Siva-temple at Menal, bearing the name of the god as Suhavesvara.[19] Though Prthviraja II was a devout Saiva Hindu, yet he was not orthodox in his religious outlook. This is well illustrated by his tolerant attitude to the Jainas. The Bijolia inscription states that he granted the village Morajhari to the Jaina temple of Parasvanatha.[20]

Somesvara His Activities in Gujarat :  According  to the Prthvirajavijaya since the death of Arnoraja, his youngest son Somesvara was living in Gujarat enjoying the patronage of Chaulukya Jayasimha.[21]  

The last years of Arnoraja’s reign were marked with conspiracies and political intrigues साज़िश which resulted in the murder of the Chahamana king by his eldest son Jugadeva, a civil war in the royal family, and the final occupation of the throne by Arnoraja’s second son Vigraharaja IV. 

It was very likely that Chaulukya Jayasimha became anxious to save the life of his grands on Somesvara (who was the son of his daughter Kanchanadevi) from the disorderly state of affairs in Sakambhari. Hence soon after the murder of his son-in-law Arnoraja, the Chaulukya monarch took away Somesvara to his own kingdom in Gujarat. 

The next Chaulukya king Kumarapala continued to favour and bring up the Chahamana prince in such a manner that his name Kumarapala, i.e., ‘protector of Kumara’, really became significant.[22]While living in Gujarat, Somesvara participated in the Chaulukya campaign against Konaha. 

In the Prthvirajavijaya he is said to have cut off with his own hands the head of the king of that country.[23] Merutunga, the chronicler of Gujarat, gives his name as Mallikarjuna, but attributes all the credit of defeating and killing him to the Chaulukya general Ambada.[24] On the other hand, Hemachandra, the contemporary Jaina scholar, states that some Chaulukya soldiers killed the ruler of Konkana.[25] In other words, he did not give the credit to Ambada. On account of such conflicting claims, it appears very difficult to say who actually achieved that distinction. A greater reliability may, however, be placed upon the statement of the Prthvirajavijaya. Whose authenticity is generally accepted on the ground that the information supplied by other Chahamana sources (including their inscriptions) more or less agrees with that found in the Prthvirajavijaya. However, all these conflicting claims may be reconciled by assuming that Somesvara along with the Chaulukya soldiers defeated and killed the ruler of Konkana, and Ambada was the commander of the Chaulukya army in the whole compaign.

The Prthvirajavijaya states that Somesvara while living in Gujarat, married the daughter of one Achalaraja, the ruler of Tripuri.[26] Achalaraja seems to be a Kalachuri prince, not properly identified.[27] Jonaraja, the commentator, mentions the name of his daugher as Karpuradevi.[28]

By Karpuradevi, Somesvara had two sons, names Prthviraja and Hariraja. Both of these princes were born in Gujarat when Chahamana Vigraharaja IV was rulling in Sakambhari. he became very much pleased with the birth of his nephews, and died in peace.[29]

After the death of Vigraharaja IV, the Sakambhari kingdom age in fell into disorder. His son and successor Aparagangeya was involved in a succession struggle which led to his defeat and death, and Prthviraja II, the nephew of Vigraharaja IV, succeeded to the Chahamana throne in C. 1167 A.D.

Somesvara brought from Gujarat to Sakambhari :

It appears that Somesvara had practically lost touch with Sakambhari when Prthviraja II occupied the Chahamana throne. However, Prthviraja II did not reign long. He died in C. 1170 A.D., and probably left no issue to succeed him. The ministers of the Sakambhari kingdom, therefore, brought back Somesvara from Gujarat, and placed him on the throne.[30]As many as five inscriptions of his reign have been discovered, one at Bijolia[31] two at Dhod,[32] one at Revasa,[33] and one at Anvalda.[34] The earliest is dated in V.S. 1226 and the latest in V.S. 1234, corresponding roughly to 1170-1177 A.D. 

 His reign was, therefore, not a long one, and he certainly died before 1178 A.D. 

Prihviraja III  When we find his son Prthviraja III ruling at Sakambhari.[35] It seems that Somesvara came to the throne at a fairly advanced age by spending most of his time in the court of Gujarat.Along with these inscriptions, 

Somesvara had also some coins of ‘the Bull and Horseman type.’ The obverse bears the figure of a horseman with the legend ‘Sri Somesvaradeva’ and the reverse has the figure of humped bull and the legend Asavari Sri Sama (ntadeva).[36]

During the reign of Somesvara the Chahamana territory seems to have been extended in the Mewar region in the south, where most of his inscriptions have been discovered. 

The Bijolia inscription states that he took the title of Pratapa-Lankesvara,[37] which means that he was as powerful as Ravana, the Lord of Lanka. Somesvara efficiently carried on the administration by establishing peace and order in the kingdom. He was always anxious to get the help of his ministers in his administration. 

The Sanskrit work, the Viruddhavidhi-Vidhvamsa[38] mentions two important ministers during his reign. They were Skanda and his son Sodha. They were the Nagara Brahamanas of Anandanagara. According to N.C. Ray the place Anandanagara was modern Vadnagara in Northern Gujarat.[39] Most probably Skanda came to Sakambhari from Gujarat when Somesvara ascended the Chahamana throne in order to assist him in administration. He was vastly learned scholar, as well as an efficient general. He was placed in charge of the very important post of Sandhi-Vigrahika (ministry of peace and war). After him this post was given to his worthy son Sodha. Kadambavasa seems to be another minister of Somesvara. He became the Chief Minister during the regency of Karpuradevi when Prthviraja III succeeded his father Somesvara as a minor son.[40]

Deterioration of his relation withthe Chaulukyas :The Prthviraja-Raso[41] states that Somesvara was killed in a battle by Chaulukya Bhimadeva II (C. 1178-1241 A.D) This seems to be a more fiction, as Chahamana spigraphic evidence clearly points out that Somesvara had died before 1178 A.D.[42] when Bhimadeva II ascended the Chaulukya throne of Gujarat.[43] But from the Chaulukya records it appears that during the reign of Kumarapala’s successor Ajayapala, there took place a conflict between the Chaulukyas and the Chahamanas in which the latter were defeated and had to acknowledge Chaulukya supremacy. Thus according to the ‘Sukrta-Samkirtana’the king of Sapadalaksa sent a silver pavilion to Chaulukya  Ajayapala as a feudatory gift.’[44] This is corroborated by the Kadi inscription (V.S. 1263) of Bhimadeva II which mentions that Ajayapala exacted tribute from the ruler of Sapadalaksa.[45] According to H.C.Ray this ruler of Sapadalaksa was none but Chahamana Somesvara.[46] We should, therefore, try to find out the reasons which led to the breakup of the good relation that existed between the Chaulukyas and the Chahamana since the days of Kumarapala and Somesvara.

Chaulukya Kumarapala died in C. 1173 A.D. He had no son, and therefore, the problem of succession became acute. The Kumarapalaprabandha[47] states that Kumarapala had desired that his daughter’s son, Pratapamalla, should succeed him. But before he could make any arrangement, Ajayapala, the son of Kumarapala’s brother Mahipala, seized the Chaulukya throne of Gujarat by putting and end of Kumarapala’s life by poison. It seems that Ajayapala’s usurpation of the Chaulukya throne by a heinous means led to his conflict with Chahamana Somesvara. 

There were reasons for Somesvara to remain grateful to Kumarapala who had brought him up in Gujarat and probably helped him in recovering his paternal throns. So when Ajayapala murdered Kumarapala and usurped the Chaulukya throne, Somesvara was naturally perturbed क्षुब्ध . It seems that the Chahamana king probably invaded the Chaulukya kingdom in order to punish Ajayapala. But the Chaulukya monarch proved to be too powerful for the Chahamana king who had to acknowledge the Chaulukya supremacy by paying tribute.

Prithiviraj Chauhan or Prithiviraj III Gjajni, Ghori, Jaichand.

It is the polity of this valiant Chahamana dynasty of Sakambhari that strove  the chief theme of polity with unity, sovereignty and integrity but could not gain proper support from the local chieftains. It was discord amongst us that welcomed Mahmud Gahzani and  Muhammad Gori to come over us.

Imagine if there were a support of Jaichand to Pritviraj Chauhan.

Ancient India, writer Dr. Tripathi claims that Prithivraj III was the most valiant king of Chahaman Dynasty. His luminous personalities made him the folk hero of the peoples later made him a hero of exciting songs and songs.

Dr. Majum Dar has also written that the name of Prithviraj occupies a unique place in Indian history. His memory as the last Hindu Samrat of Northern India has been incorporated with folk songs and has given the theme to folk songs.  

A famous poet named Chandabardai has immortalized him in his famous epic 'Prithvirajaraso', but in the form of which this book is available, it cannot be considered a contemporary and authentic account of his life - a book. Another one related to his biography is called 'Prithvirajvijay'. It is an older and more reliable book. But only a fraction of it has come to light. 'Muslim historians have also given their details about Prithviraj-III. 

Prithviraj-III  was a great conqueror and outstanding general of his army. He defeated the Chandela king named Paramal and he took his capital Mahoba  in 1182. 

There is also an archival evidence of Prithviraj Chauhan's victory over Chandel King.  More time on Mahoba he could not keep the balance.  

Prithviraj's attitude is largely dependent on the fact that he successfully faced the Muslim invasion, although he could not stand again in front of this attack due to lack of sense of nationality in the country and his own political short-sightedness.  

Muhammad Ghori, after conquering Punjab, sent a message to Prithviraj Chauhan that he wanted to befriend the Chauhan king.  But Prithviraj, who at this time was being troubled by the spontaneity and courage of youth, not only rejected Ghori's offer in full, but he proceeded to take the front from Muhammad Ghori.  But accepting the advice of his old minister,he quietly waited for the attack of Ghori.  When Mohammad Ghori entered the frontier of Prithviraj's kingdom and started harassing and oppressing his subjects, Chahman - Raja proceeded to confront him with a huge army.  The two armies encounter each other  and a fierce battle ensues in the plain of Tarain.  In the war, the Ghori's army were lost  and finally they escaped.  

Ghori too escaped from the battlefield with great difficulty, along with some of his trusted warlords.  "It  was the great military achievement of the Hindus like the last glimmer of the lamp , brfore it is finally extinguished."

But this crushing  defeat did not discourage even Ghori,but he started keeping his effort day and night to avenge his humiliating defeat.Ultimately Ghori attacked Prithviraj again the very next year by collecting a large army of hill fighters from Central Asia.

Chauhan's army  fought bravely, but in the end they had to bear defeat.  In this war, many heroic Rajput chieftains lost their  lives.  

Prithviraj himself became a prisoner, Ghori took his authority and brought his son at the throne of Ajmer. Again being disturbed from his uncle his son shifted to Ranthambhaur and established a new dynastic rule. Ultimately his dynastic rule was ended by Allaudin Khilji in 1301.

On the other hand Quttubudin finaly seized the capicity of the ruler of Chahamana, Hariraja brother of Prithviraj III.

Discord in Chahamana Dynasty of Sakambhari : It was the Chahamana Dynasty of Sakambhari ( Rajasthan) which rose to the occasion, and took the onerous responsibility of checking the Muslim inroads. For nearly two hundred years the Chahamanas magnificently did their duty, and when they collapsed in 1192, all hopes were lost when disoder appeared in the Chahaman ruling . There had been a prolonged dynastic succession war among the sucessors that weakened the strength,and capicity of the monarchs.They all were involved in their family war, they could not keep eyes over the impending danger. It is a significant fact that within a decade after the second Battle of Tarain, 1192, the Muslims conquered practically the whole of Northern India from the Punjab to Bengal.

Raso claims that after the defeat in the 2nd Battle of Tarain, 1192 Prithviraj as a prisoner was taken to Ghazni , and his eyes were burnt he was made blinded. On hearing this, the court  poet Chand Bardai traveled to Ghazni and tricked Muhammad of Ghor into watching an archery performance by the blind Prithviraj. At the right time of performance Chand described the locational postion of Sultan, sensing that  Prithviraj shot an arrow in the direction of Muhammad's voice assuming that he should have been there and killed him. Shortly after, Prithviraj and Chand Bardai killed each other by stabbing one another and accepted their death for their self honour. Although this is a fictional narrative, not supported by historical evidence but left an impression of Prithviraj.Where as Muhammad of Ghor continued to rule for more than a decade after Prithviraj's death.

Dr. Madhup Raman.
Free Lance Cartoonist,Blogger,Vlogger.

Ramayan. Dhaneshwar Ghat.

Biharsharif.13.10.2020.

References.

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[1] PV, Canto VIII, Verse 54.

[2] DHNI, Vol. II, p. 1078, fn. 5

[3] G.H.Ojha –History of Udaipur, Vol. I, p. 57; JRAS, 1913, p. 276, fn. 2

[4] IA, Vol XLI (1912) , pp. 17-19

[5] (a) ASI, WC, 1906, pp. 59-60 (Menal Stone Inscription)

      (b) JASB, Vol. LV (19886), Part I, pp. 15-16 (Menalgarh Pillar Inscription).For the two inscriptions found at Menal please see also G.H.Ojha – History of  Udaipur, Vol.I, pp. 60-61.

[6] RMR, 1923, p. 2; G.H.Ojha – History of Udaipur Vol. I, p. 57

[7] IA, Vol. XLI (1912) , p. 17.

[8] IA, Vol. XLI (1912), p. 17.

[9] JRAS, Vol. I, p. 135.

[10] IA, 1891, p. 133.

[11] IA, Vol. XLI, (1992), p. 18

[12] DHNI, Vol. II, p. 1080

[13] IA, Vol. XLI, (1912), p. 18

[14] JRAS, Vol. I, p. 135

[15] DHNI, Vol. II, p. 1080

[16] Bijolia Inscription, Verse 25.

[17] RMR 1923, p. 2

[18] Bijolia Inscription, Verse 25.

[19] ASI, WC, 1906, p. 59, No. 2191

[20] Bijolia Inscription, Verse 24.

[21] PV, Canto VI, Verse 35.

[22] PV, Canto VII, Verse 11.

[23] PC, pp. 122-123

[24] PC, pp. 122-123

[25] CG, p. 113

[26] PV, Canto VII, Verse 16, The name Achalaraja is actually found in PV, Canto IX, Verse 87.

[27] DHNI, Vol. II, p. 1081, fn. 4

[28] PV, Canto IX, Verse 87.

[29] PV, Canto VIII, Verses 57-58

[30] EI, Vol. XXVI, pp. 102-112; JASB, Vol. XL, Part I, pp. 14-15; 28-32; 40-46

[31] RMR, 1923, p. 2

[32] ASI, WC, 1910, p. 52

[33] RMR, 1923, p. 2

[34] PIHC, 1951, p. 328 

[35] CCIM, pp. 257 and 161.

[36] Bijolia Inscription, Verse 27.

[37] IHQ, Vol. XVI, p. 570, Verses 6-7

[38] DHNi, Vol. II, p. 984, fn. 4

[39] PV, Canto IX, Verses 35-43

[40] PV, Canto IX, Verses 35-43

[41] Prthviraja-Raso, Part III, pp. 56-57

[42] PIHC, 1951,pp. 326-327

[43] DHNI, Vol. II, p. 1016

[44] BG, Vol. I, Part- I, p. 194

[45] IA, Vol. VI, p. 194, Line 8

[46] DHNI, Vol. II, p. 1001.

[47] BG, Vol. I, Part I, p. 194

-----------------------------

Style 2.
Journal Article : Diversity due to our disunity since medieval period.

Disunity in Chahamana Polity lead to diversity. Dr. Madhup Raman.

Unity in Diversity. We people of India always claim about our Unity in Diversity. But reality is that we are disunited so finding no way to accept disunity. We have been different with each other at any time either from Mahabharat time or Prithivi Raj Chauhan. We don't forget if we are united since ancient , medieval, or modern  time we would not have been exploited by foreign forces.  At least at the time of aggression of Qasim , Ghazni and Ghori we should have set off our differences indeed to save ourselves. But we did not do. Resultedly we were forced to accept diversity with a drastic change in social, political and economic set up. Vedic Buddhist cultural dominancy was also conversing into Isalmic culture. (Part 1)
Polity with Quality Existence  :  The science of polity relates to this and connected to these problems. It was well known to the people in ancient India. The term is known with other different names as Rajadharma, Dandnity, Nitisastra and Arthasastra. The term Arthasastra was given explained  by Chanakya as we know. This term explains to origin, kingship, members of royal family, ministry, over lordship, secretariat, central administration, officials, feudatories, territorial gain, judicial, military  and  military and revenue administration.Though the science of polity developed as an independent political science only around 7th century B.C.There has been a continuous flow of literature on polity since the earliest time. One thing is quite clear from these earlier works that monarchy was prevailing system of government because they devoted considerable space to the discussion about prince and qualifications of an ideal ruler. They also contain valuable suggestion regarding administrative set up. Unfortunately most of the rulers were lacking their quality in their polity so they merely could be successfull. We have a very shot listed name since ancient to modern period.

It was not much necessary that the ruler should be endowed with distinct qualities so as to enable him to direct the ship of the state; for there was the overlord  to guide him in difficult circumstances. A minor or a less capable person might very well occupy the position of the head of the state. Hence Samantaraja’s successors, like Naradeva, Jayaraja, Vigraharaja I, Chamundaraja I and Gopendraraja were all insignificant rulers.

Switching from Ancient to Medieval.or Strength to discord.
With the Arab Conquest of Sind in 712 A.D. when first Muslim invader Muhammad Bin Qasim invaded Sindh India, the Hindu ruler King Dahir gave him a stiff struggle. He tried his best to save the integrity of India. Ultimately he was defeated and the Muslims first set a foothold in India. From Sind they tried to penetrate into Western India, but met a rebuff from the Pratiharas. And no kings came forward to support Dahir as well as Pratiharas. It was considered as the only regional attack over Dahir, and local power. But we forgot the impending danger come ahead silently.

The Pratiharas established an empire which extended from Gujarat to Bihar and from the frontiers of the Punjab to those of Orissa. The Pratihara Empire was based on a tradition of national greatness in resisting the Muslim invasion. For about two or three centuries it was able to fulfill its historic mission.

King Dahir facing the first Muslin Invader Muhammad Bin Qasim.

Break up of Pratiharas  : But the disintegration of the Gurjara Pratihara Empire ruling around Gujarat and south western Rajasthan set in from C.916 917 A.D.,and by 950 it was definitely on the decline. The political unity of Northern India was lost, and a number of dynasties, which ruled in different principalities as the vassals of the Pratihara Empire, began to rise into independence.
These were the Chandellas in Bundelkhand, the Chahamanas in Sakambhari, Rajasthan the Chaulukyas in Gujarat Rajasthan , the Paramaras in Malwa, the Kalachuris in Tripuri, and the Guhilets in Medapata.

Origin of Rajputa : These dynasties were generally grouped together under the name Rajput tracing their origin to sun or moon. So they are known as Chandrvanshi or Suryavanshi.They were not satisfied with the mere achievement of their independence.  Each of them was actuated by the ambition of securing for itself an imperial authority as the Pratiharas had achieved. In doing so these Rajput dynasties were involved in constant struggle with each other even by ignoring the common Muslim danger before them.
As failed to join together against the impending danger, they had to pay the penalty of their blunder. They fought with the Muslim invaders separately, and suffered defeat and humiliation. In fact the mutual rivalry among these Rajput dynasties paved the way for the establishment of Muslim rule in Northern India.

Hindu Shahi dynasty of Afghanistan :  After the decline of the Pratihar power, the Hindu Shahi dynasty of Afghanistan and the Punjab earnestly responded to the task of opposing the Turkish invaders from Ghazni (Afghanistan). But the task was found to be too heavy for them, and the Ghaznavites ultimately conquered both Afghanistan and the Punjab. Henceforth the Punjab became the Muslim base for further raids into the interior of India.

Though the fall of the Pratihara Empire was followed by the rise of the local Rajput Kingdoms engaged in internecine struggles, yet the Muslims were not able to make an easy conquest of Northern  India. 

Chahamana Dynasty of Sakambhari : It was the Chahamana Dynasty of Sakambhari ( Rajasthan) which rose to the occasion, and took the onerous responsibility of checking the Muslim inroads. For nearly two hundred years the Chahamanas magnificently did their duty, and when they collapsed in 1192, all hopes were lost. It is a significant fact that within a decade after the second Battle of Tarain, 1192, the Muslims conquered practically the whole of Northern India from the Punjab to Bengal.

Gjajni, Ghori, Prithivi, Jaichand.

It is the polity of this valiant Chahamana dynasty of Sakambhari that strove  the chief theme of polity with unity, sovereignty and integrity but could not gain proper support from the local chieftains. It was discord amongst us that welcomed Mahmud Gahzani and  Muhammad Gori to come over us.

Raso claims that after the defeat in the 2nd Battle of Tarain, 1192 Prithviraj as a prisoner was taken to Ghazni , and his eyes were burnt he was made blinded. On hearing this, the court  poet Chand Bardai traveled to Ghazni and tricked Muhammad of Ghor into watching an archery performance by the blind Prithviraj. At the right time of performance Chand described the locational postion of Sultan, sensing that  Prithviraj shot an arrow in the direction of Muhammad's voice assuming that he should have been there and killed him. Shortly after, Prithviraj and Chand Bardai killed each other by stabbing one another and accepted their death for their self honour. Although this is a fictional narrative, not supported by historical evidence but left an impression of Prithviraj.Where as Muhammad of Ghor continued to rule for more than a decade after Prithviraj's death. Imagine if there were a support of Jaichand to Pritviraj Chauhan.

References.

Chand Bardai : Prithiviraj Raso

R.B.Singh :   History of Chamana.

Dashrath Sharma : The Last Hindu Emperor  of  Delhi.

H C Ray :  The Age of the Chahamana  Prthviraja III

R C Majmudar : The Struggle for Empire,

Cynthia Talbot : The Last Hindu Ruler.