Page 74 - English Class 08

What is the capital of Punjab?

subsequently defeated the Ghaznavid governor of Punjab. Muhammad Ghori’s expansion

touched upon the kingdom of Prithviraj Chauhan. A clash was inevitable .
First battle of Tarain took place when Muhammad Ghori invaded Prithviraj’s domain and

sieged the fortress of Bhatinda in Punjab, which was at the frontier between the kingdoms.
Prithviraj marched to Bhatinda and a battle took place at Tarain (Taraori). In the face of the
Rajput onslaught , the invading Muslim army broke ranks and the Rajput army held
Muhammad Ghori as a prisoner of war. Muhammad Ghori was brought in chains to

Pithoragarh, Prithviraj’s capital. Ghori was a shrewd king. He begged for mercy. Prithviraj’s
ministers advised him against pardoning the aggressor. However, the merciful and valiant
Prithviraj thought otherwise and respectfully released the invader. This was one of his
greatest mistakes.
inevitable : unavoidable
The very next year, Muhammad Ghori again invaded onslaught : fierce attack
Prithviraj Chauhan’s kingdom with a stronger army. He scornfully : contemptuously

invaded the Rajput army before the day break which was heinous : serious crime
against the rules and emerged victorious. The defeated Prithviraj was made a prisoner and
taken to Ghori’s capital. Sanyogita committed suicide by self immolation than to face the
prospect of personal dishonour at the hand of barbaric invader.

As a prisoner in Ghor, Prithviraj was brought in chains before Muhammad. He looked
straight into the eyes of Ghori. Ghori ordered him to lower his eyes. Then defiant Prithviraj

scornfully reminded him of how he had treated the begging Ghori and declared that the
eyelids of a Rajput are lowered only infront of the Almighty. On hearing this, Ghori flew into
a rage and ordered that Prithviraj’s eyes be burnt with hot iron rods. This heinous deed was
committed. Blind Prithviraj was then brought before the barbaric warlord to be taunted by

Ghori and his courtiers.

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