At the time of Muhammad Ghori's invasion against Prithviraj Chauhan, who ruled Kannauj?
VerifiedAnswer: The Gahadwalas
Explanation:
During the late 12th century, when Muhammad Ghori launched his invasions into northern India, the political landscape was dominated by several powerful Rajput kingdoms. Among these, Kannauj held immense strategic importance as it controlled vital trade routes and was considered a symbol of imperial authority in northern India.
The Gahadwala dynasty, also known as the Gaharwars, had established their rule over Kannauj and the surrounding Doab region during this critical period. This dynasty rose to prominence in the 11th century and continued to maintain control over their territories well into the 12th century. The most notable ruler of this dynasty during Ghori's time was Jayachandra, who ruled from approximately 1170 to 1194 CE.
Jayachandra of the Gahadwala dynasty was a contemporary of Prithviraj Chauhan and ruled over a vast territory that included modern-day eastern Uttar Pradesh and parts of Bihar. Unfortunately, there was significant rivalry and enmity between Jayachandra and Prithviraj Chauhan, which proved detrimental when facing the common threat of foreign invasion.
The political situation became more complex due to personal animosity between these two powerful rulers. According to historical accounts, Jayachandra harbored deep resentment against Prithviraj Chauhan, particularly after the incident of Sanyogita's swayamvara, where Prithviraj's daughter chose Prithviraj over other suitors, including representatives of Jayachandra.
This internal conflict among Indian rulers significantly weakened their collective resistance against Muhammad Ghori's invasions. When Ghori faced Prithviraj Chauhan at the Second Battle of Tarain in 1192, Jayachandra notably did not provide any military support to his fellow Indian ruler, despite the grave threat posed by the foreign invader.
The Gahadwala rule over Kannauj ultimately came to an end when Muhammad Ghori, after defeating Prithviraj Chauhan, turned his attention toward other Indian kingdoms. Jayachandra himself was killed in 1194 CE while defending his territory against Ghori's forces, marking the end of Gahadwala dominance in the region and paving the way for the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate under Ghori's general, Qutb-ud-din Aibak.
