Prithviraj Chauhan and Jayachandra’s mothers were indeed sisters. According to historical records, Anangpal Tomer was the maternal grandfather of both Prithviraj Chauhan and Jayachandra, which makes them cousins ¹. This familial connection adds another layer to the complex and often contentious relationship between Prithviraj Chauhan and Jayachandra, who were also rivals and enemies.
Here are the details:
Prithviraj Chauhan:
- Prithviraj Chauhan was a king of the Chauhan dynasty, which ruled parts of northern India, including Delhi and Ajmer.
- His father was Someshvara Chauhan, and his mother was Karpuri Devi.
- Karpuri Devi was the sister of Jayachandra’s mother.
Jayachandra:
- Jayachandra was a king of the Gahadavala dynasty, which ruled parts of northern India, including Kannauj and Varanasi.
- His father was Vijayachandra, and his mother was not explicitly named in historical records, but she was the sister of Karpuri Devi (Prithviraj Chauhan’s mother).
Family Connection:
- Since Karpuri Devi (Prithviraj Chauhan’s mother) and Jayachandra’s mother were sisters, Prithviraj Chauhan and Jayachandra were cousins (maternal cousins, to be specific).
This familial connection adds an interesting dimension to the historical accounts of Prithviraj Chauhan and Jayachandra, who were also rivals and enemies.
Another interesting aspect of history!
The fact that Ghiyath al-Din Muhammad, the brother of Muhammad Ghori, was initially a supporter and friend of Prithviraj Chauhan.
Here’s what happened:
- Muhammad Ghori, also known as Muhammad of Ghor, was a ruler of the Ghurid Empire, which was a powerful empire in Central Asia and the Middle East.
- Ghiyath al-Din Muhammad, his brother, was also a prominent military leader and administrator in the Ghurid Empire.
- Initially, Ghiyath al-Din Muhammad was an ally of Prithviraj Chauhan, and he even helped Prithviraj Chauhan in his battles against other Indian kingdoms.
- However, Muhammad Ghori was not pleased with his brother’s alliance with Prithviraj Chauhan, and he eventually convinced Ghiyath al-Din Muhammad to switch sides and support the Ghurid Empire’s expansion into India.
This shift in allegiance ultimately led to the First Battle of Tarain in 1191, where Muhammad Ghori defeated Prithviraj Chauhan. The Second Battle of Tarain in 1192 further solidified Ghori’s control over northern India.
It’s fascinating to see how alliances and rivalries played out in medieval Indian history!