Prithviraj Chauhan
~1166–1192 · Indian (Rajput, Ajmer-Delhi) · Medieval India
Known for: Last major Hindu king of Delhi—defeated Muhammad of Ghor at Tarain, then fatally spared him
Prithviraj III Chauhan was the last great Hindu king of northern India, a legendary warrior whose chivalry proved his undoing. He defeated Muhammad of Ghor at the First Battle of Tarain in 1191 and magnanimously released his captured enemy—a decision that would prove catastrophic.
Muhammad of Ghor returned the following year with a larger army and defeated Prithviraj at the Second Battle of Tarain in 1192. His love story with Princess Samyukta is one of India's great romances—she chose him at her father's swayamvara (bride-choosing ceremony) despite her father's opposition.
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