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Prithvi Raj Chauhan

Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan is a clan that ruled parts of northern India in the medieval period. Prithviraj Chauhan, the last Hindu king of Delhi, was a member of this community.

Myth of origin

Rajput bardic accounts, which are based on mythology, describe the Chauhans as one of the four Agnikula Rajput clans^[a] who claim to have originated from a sacrificial fire-pit (agnikunda) at Mount Abu. These claims of supernatural origin are clearly improbable and have numerous variants, and they give rise to the Chauhans claiming to be a clan of the Agnivanshi dynasty.^[3]

History

The Chauhans were historically a powerful group in the region now known as Rajasthan. For around 400 years from the 7th century AD their strength in Sambhar was a threat to the power-base of the Guhilots in the south-west of the area, as also was the strength of their fellow Agnivanshi clans.^[4] They suffered a set-back in 1192 when their leader, Prithviraj Chauhan, was defeated at the Battle of Tarain but this did not signify their demise.^[5]

Manik Rai (AD 685), progenitor of Chauhan dynasty was lord of Ajmer and Sambhar in Western Rajwara.^{[citation needed]}

Ajay Raj (Anuraj)

Chauhans^[6] asserted their independence from the Gurjara Pratiharas, and in the early 11th century, the Sakhambari king Ajaya-Raja founded the city of Ajayameru (Ajmer) in the southern part of their kingdom.^{[citation needed]}

Samantas

Mukut Bandh and Mandaleshwar are traditionally the two type of samanta (a title for noble vassals) granted by Chauhans. The Mukut Bandh owned land but accepted the suzerainty of the Chauhans, while Mandaleshwar were granted jagirs by Chauhan rulers.^{[citation needed]}

Notable people

• Manik Rai, founder of Chauhan Dynasty
• Prithvi Raj Chauhan, ruler of Ajmer and Delhi
• Gugga, a warrior, minor king and Nāga demigod^[7]
• Hammir Dev Chauhan, ruler of Ranathambore
• Kanhad Dev Sonigara, ruler of Jalor

See also

• Dhami

References

Notes

Citations