Rare Facts of Indian History

Prithvi Raj Chauhan III, commonly known as Prithviraj Chauhan (1149-1192 AD), was one of the powerful kings of Medieval Era, belongs to Chauhan Dynasty, ruled in North India in later half of 12th century.
Ajmer and Delhi were twin capitals of his kingdom and he was the last Hindu king who sit upon the throne of Delhi before Hemu (in 1545), after that Delhi was under Muslims rule, before British ruled in India.
He was one of the greatest warrior of India and one of the greatest in the world too. His bravery is renowned still today. He died as an undefeated warrior, taking Muhammad Ghori down before he could die. Muhammad Ghori was an Afghan king of Ghor, who was trying to invade in India. Here is an interesting tale of his undefeated and a true warrior's death:-
Prithviraj Chauhan defeated Ghori in First battle of Tarain in 1191. In that battle, Ghori's army ran away from the battlefield leaving him behind alone. He was captured by Prithviraj's soldiers, brought him in front of Prithviraj. Ghori begged for mercy and Prithviraj set him free on gesture of mercy, denied his courtier's advice of not to set Ghori free. Ghori went back to his kingdom and was eager to take revenge.

Next year in 1192, Ghori attacked second time. This time he planned to attacked at midnight as he was knowing that Rajputs never fought in night (a tradition followed from Mahabharata). So, he attacked at midnight when Prithviraj's soldiers were sleeping and destroying Prithviraj's army. It was Second battle of Tarain (in 1192), in which Ghori defeated Prithviraj Chauhan. Ghori captured Prithviraj, took him to Ghor and imprisoned him. As a prisoner in Ghor, Prithviraj was presented before Muhammad, where he looked Ghori straight into the eyes. Ghori ordered him to lower his eyes, whereupon a defiant Prithviraj scornfully told him how he had treated Ghori as a prisoner in India. Prithviraj also added that eyelids of Rajputs eyes are lowered only in death. On hearing this, Ghori flew into rage and ordered that Prithviraj's eyes to be burnt with red hot iron rods. This heinous deed being done, Prithviraj became blind, brought to the court to be taunted by Ghori and his courtiers. At that time, Chand Bardai, his childhood friend, biographer was accompanied by him. He told Prithviraj that he should avenge Ghori's betrayal and daily insults. The blind Prithviraj avenges the injustice done to him. He got an opportunity when Ghori announced a game of archery. On the advice of his friend Chand Bardai, Prithviraj who was present their at the court said that he'll also like to participate. On hearing this, courtiers laughed at him and was taunted by Ghori as how he could participate when he could not see. Chand Bardai then replied Ghori that Prithviraj knows 'Shabdhbhedi Baan Vidya' (an archery skill to shoot an arrow to hit an invisible sound source). Then Prithviraj told Ghori to order him to shoot, and he would reach his target. Ghori became suspicious and asked Prithviraj why he wanted Ghori himself to order and not anyone else. On behalf of Prithviraj, Chand Bardai answered Ghori that he as a king would not accept orders from anyone other than king, Ghori's suspicion was satisfied and he agreed.

On the said day, Ghori sitting in his royal enclosure, called Prithviraj, brought him to the ground and unchained him for the event. On Ghori's ordering Prithviraj to shoot, Prithviraj moves in that direction and suddenly his friend Chand Bardai starting singing a poem, in actual Chand Bardai was giving Prithviraj information about the Ghori's position which was described by him as -

Char baans, chaubis hasta, angul ashta praman, Ete pai Sultan hai, Ab mat chuko Chauhan

(Ten pole measures, twenty four arm's length and eight fingers width away, is seated the Sultan, do not miss him now, Chauhan) after listening this in fraction of a second, Prithviraj shoots in the head of Ghori. Ghori dies straight away and hence Prithviraj avenges his insult.
After this Prithviraj and his friend stabbed each other on the spot and died too because they thought that killing each other was far better than killing by Ghori's men.
This was the story of a brave king and undefeated warrior, Prithviraj Chauhan. After his death, many invaders invaded India and Delhi was then under the rule of Muslims for more than 700 years, before the Britishers enslaved India.