About 20 years ago, most people in India had not even heard, of of a thing called Valentines day.However, today I see advertisements everywhere, ranging from chocolates, diamonds, restaurants to kitchen appliances, computers.. you name it. Each one of them, asking us to celebrate the day of love, by gifting something to someone special. Personally, I find it a very commercial and materialistic way of expressing love. An intense love-story from medieval India, tell us what true love is.
Prithviraj Chauhan, was the last independent Hindu king, before Hemu, to sit upon the throne of Delhi. He succeeded to the throne in 1179 CE at the age of 13, and ruled from the twin capitals of Ajmer and Delhi. Prithviraj Chauhan is a legend, known for his bravery, courage and proficient military skills and also his chivalry. Prithviraj had annexed vast regions of India to his kingdom, and his fame had spread all across the subcontinent and to Afghanistan. He was called as the Samraat,which means emperor.
Sanyukta, was the daughter of Raja Jaichand of Kannauj.She was known to be breathtakingly beautiful.But she also a headstrong girl.She fell in love with Prithviraj as his reputation dazzled her. She desired nobody but him. Prithviraj had heard of Samyukta's beauty and seen her in a painting. He fell in love with her as well.
However, both belonged to rival Rajput clans !
On finding out about the affair, Raja Jaichand was outraged.He decided to insult Prithviraj and arranged a Swayamvara for his daughter. He invited royalty from far and wide to the ceremony, every eligible prince and king except Prithviraj.He then commissioned a clay statue of Prithviraj, which served as doorman (dwarpala) to Jaichand's court. Prithviraj, on hearing about the impending swayamvar, made a plan. On the day of the ceremony, Samyukta walked through the court holding the ceremonial garland, ignoring the gazes of her ardent suitors. She passed through the door and put the garland around the neck of Prithviraj's statue, declaring him her husband. Prithiviraj, who meanwhile was hiding behind the statue, caught Samyukta up in his arms, set her on his horse, and whisked her away to Delhi.
After a few years, Mohammad Ghori, the cruel ruler from Afganisthan, attacked the fortress of Bhatinda in East Punjab, which was on the frontier of Prithiviraj's kingdom. Ghori had a huge army. Prithviraj appealed to Kannauj for help, but was rejected. Undaunted, the brave warrior king of Delhi marched on to Bhatinda and met his enemy at Tarain.Prithiviraj won the battle there, and Mohammad Ghori was made his prisoner.Gohri begged for mercy. Prithviraj, who was renowned for his sense of honor and chivalry, respectfully released Ghori against the advice of his ministers.
Ghori rode to Afghanistan, and then returned to India with a stronger army. He have an ultimatem to Prithviraj to convert to Islam.When Prithviraj refused,Gohri attacked. Again, Kannauj did not come to Prithviraj's aid. In the second battle of Tarain,Prithviraj Chauhan lost and was taken to Afghanistan as a prisoner. Where he was tortured and blinded by Ghori. Maharani Samyukta, along with her ladies, committed Jauhar and ended their lives instead of surrendering the Afghan invader.
Prithviraj Raso, a folkloric poem written by Chand Bardai, says that the death of Ghor was caused by Prithviraj with the help of Chadravardai and that afterwards they both killed each other. Even today Afghans vent their anger by stamping on the grave of Prithiraj Chauhan because he had killed Ghori.
The love-story of Prithviraj and Samyukta is one of India's most popular romantic tales, being told from generation to generation, for its bravery, valor, passion, sacrifice, courage, selfless and undying love. Something that is rare these days !
No comments:
Post a Comment