Chahamanas
Also called: Chauhans · Topic: Early Medieval North India: Harsha to the Rajputs · NCERT: Class 7, Ch 4 "Turning Tides: The 11th and 12th Centuries"
Meaning
The Chahamanas (Chauhans) were a Rajput dynasty of Rajasthan, and their capital was Ajayameru (Ajmer). In the 12th century they built a large kingdom across Rajasthan, Delhi (then called Dhillika) and Haryana. Their power ended when Muhammad Ghuri defeated their last great king. That defeat opened north India to the rule of the Delhi Sultanate.
Example
Prithviraja III defeated Muhammad Ghuri at the First Battle of Tarain in 1191. In 1192 Ghuri returned and won the Second Battle of Tarain. He executed Prithviraja and captured Delhi.
Don't confuse with
- Chaulukyas (Solankis): a different Rajput dynasty of Gujarat, ruling from Anahilavada (Patan). They defeated Ghuri at Mount Abu in 1178.
Related concepts
- Agnikula legend
- Paramaras
- Raja Bhoja
- Bhojeshwar temple
- Bhojshala
- Samarangana Sutradhara
- Chandela dynasty
- Khajuraho group of monuments
- Kandariya Mahadeva temple
- Chaulukya dynasty