In 1174 A.D. the queen of Ajmer Karpoori Devi came home to her father, king Anangapala of Delhi with her child who had been christened ‘Prithviraj Chauhan’. It was a very sentimental union between the father and his only child Karpoori Devi who was now a mother. Anangapala doted on his grandson naturally as he was his only grand child. He would fuss over the kid all the time to the great amusement and delight of his daughter. He no more sorrowed for having no male child of his own. His daughter had given him one that consoled Anangapala emotionally.
The boy Prithviraj too had become very fond of his maternal grandfather who treated him like his own child. Playing pranks for the benefit of his grand parent delighted the kid. In no time Anangapala and little Prithvi had become an item.
Now Anangapala was having new thoughts coming. He could not even think of separation from little Prithvi. How he would like to keep the boy in Delhi forever! He could make him heir to the throne of Delhi. The boy was smart, intelligent, brave and a fast learner. He would make a great king.
The king knew his daughter would be too glad to let him have her son as the heir to his throne. In his observing desire for Prithvi as his successor he was forgetting the other factors.
He wanted to have the idea off his chest which felt too heavy like a restless load. He must share it with some one else. Who better than his old confident minister Chandrasena. The king called him for a private consultation. The minister presented himself immediately.
“An important matter I want to confide in you, my Chandra,” the king spoke mysteriously.
“I am all ears my king” responded the minister and added. “I am thankful to you for your trust in me.”
“You are absolutely trustworthy, minister. Your loyalty is above question. Now, have you seen our little Prithvi? What do you think about him?”
“He is a very clever young fellow, my king. Extraordinary in intelligence, bravery and skills. I am told he talks like a war veteran.”
“He does, he does” informed King Anangapala very excitedly. Glee was oozing out of skin. “You know, battleworthiness is in his blood. And so is bravery. It does not surprise me. What amazes me his old head like thoughts of battle plans and strategies. He is just a kid yet. I wonder from where he picked up those smart ideas to fill his little head with.”
Chandrasena knew Prithvi was indeed a promising boy any kingdom would dream of having as a heir. But here was an over indulgent grandparent who would see a divine act even in a small prank of the youngster. Chandrasena understood it. King Anangapala whispered. “So, our heir to the throne of Delhi is solved.”
“How come, my king?” Chandrasena asked in surprise.
“We shall declare Prithviraj Chauhan to be the crown Prince of Delhi!” the king said proudly.
“Prithviraj and crown prince of Delhi! Nothing more better could happen to Delhi than Prithviraj becoming its ruler. But my king, how could you fix it so easily?”
“Fix it? What do you mean?” Anangapala asked.
“My king! Naturally you must have talked to Queen Karpoori Devi about it and received her consent. I know she would never disappoint her beloved father but the formality has to be carried out as she has her duties and obligations to Ajmer royal family and her husband. Prince Prithviraj belongs to them, sir,” the minister explain hesitatingly.
“Oh!” Angngapala moaned. He admitted, “My good minister. I have become a little warped up or, bit befuddled in mind due to fondness for Prithviraj and worries for the heir to my throne. Obviously I am thinking straight. It is good that I consulted you before making a fool of myself. Very foolish is an emotionally overtaken man! Instead of building castles in the air I should have atleast sounded my darling daughter Karpoori first of all. I will do it today itself.”
Chandrasena spoke, “My king! The biggest challenge will be to make king Someshwaraji Chauhan agree to the proposal. His consent is must. Will he agree to spare Prince Prithviraj to us? Then, what happens to the throne of Ajmer?”
“I think we can work that out. We don’t want him Prithviraj exclusively for Delhi. He may rule Ajmer as well but he shall station himself at Delhi as it is more important and strategically situated. I will impress upon Someshwaraji about it. He knows well how vulnerable Ajmer has been to invasions,” King Anangapala seemed to be thinking with a clear head now and was ready to face the realities. Emotional weaknesses were no more making him act in an irrational way.
On that evening King Anangapala went to his palace early to be with his daughter and Prithvi. Like always he fussed over the kid and played games with him as Karpoori Devi watched pleased. It was a great fulfilment to her to see her dearest father getting joy from something she had produced. They sang evening prayer together with Prithvi nested in the cap of his grandfather. After dinner king Anangapala again played with his grandson and when the letter looked heavy lidded he let the boy sleep in his lap. Karpoori Devi tried to take over the sleeping kid to provide relief to her tired father. But Anangapala waved her hand away.
Karpoori Devi protested, “Father dear! That boy has pestered you enough. You are very tired. Sound sleep you badly need. Give that naughty burden.”
“Don’t call him burden, dear Karpoori. He is a bundle of joy. I can carry it for ever if you let me. I want to see if Prithvi ever succeeds in tiring me out. And for that he must stay here in Delhi to try. Have you any objection, my child Karpoori?”
Karpoori looked at her loving father indulgently. To her king Anangapala appeared dramatic or was he trying to say something by sentimental gestures? At last she said, “Why should I have any objection to your being lovingly possessive of my child who happens to be your grandson? You have every right over him, father. Or are you trying to convey something?”
“I am, my dear,” the father admitted and said with some reluctance, “I don’t know how you would feel about it. I want to make Prithvi heir to the throne of Delhi.”
“The idea is delightful to me. For long I have been suspecting it at seeing your excessive fondness for my child. He is your grandson, father. You may do whatever you like with Prithvi.”
“But my dear Karpoori! What about your family? They may not like the idea. Prithvi is after all their child. I am sure they are as possessive of Prithvi as I am. Our Prithvi is that kind of precious thing.”
Karpoori nodded her head. “Ofcourse, they all love him like you do. My master Raja Someshwaraji won’t object anyway. He loves you like I do an holds you in high esteem. He knows you will not do anything to hurt you or put our kingdom of Ajmer at disadvantage. I am sure I realises you will do the best thing for our two royal families.”
“Have you reason to believe in that?”
“Father! You forget I am your only child and you brought me up like a son. I am interested in the affairs of the state. We talk a lot about the situations and political future. Raja Someshwaraji confides in me and trusts me. Ajmer is always under constant threat of Chalukyas of Gujarat. They keep poaching into our territories relentlessly which makes us feel very insecure. He often talks of our vulnerability and the unsafe future of our darling, Prithvi. I think having Prithvi in Delhi safely away from Ajmer will prove a great relief to Raja Someshwaraji.”
“Really, my Karpoori?” Anangapala asked greatly pleased. Karpoori spoke like a statesman, “Father, let me tell you a secret. We have been so much under unbearable pressure of Chalukya onslaughts that many a time we thought of seeking your help but the royal pride of my marital family came in our way. I stood by it. Now Ajmer as part of Delhi empire shall feel more secure because any misadventure against Ajmer will mean confrontation with Delhi. Father, invite my master to Delhi and see how willingly he would accept your proposal that would make the future of our Prithvi safe and all the people will feel protected.”
Anangapala looked at his daughter proudly. Infact she was talking like a seasoned strategist. Now he knew his plan will face no road block.
He at once asked the minister Chandrasena to despatch an express messenger to Ajmer to invite Raja Someshwara Chauhan to visit Delhi to discuss a matter of utmost importance to both their kingdoms.
Raja Someshwara duly arrived in response to the invitation. He had no idea about the subject of the matter. The very next day Anangapala broached the subject he had in mind and asked if the ruler of Ajmer thought making Prithviraj Chauhan heir to the throne of Delhi through a royal declaration would in any way be detrimental to the interests of Ajmer. The throne of Ajmer Prithvi inherit naturally and he would rule both the states. Raja Someshwara displayed no displeasure. Infact he liked the idea as it was best for the future of his son Prithvi. Delhi and Ajmer becoming sister states under one ruler would make them a strong combined force. His Chalukya enemies would think twice before making trouble for Ajmer.
As Queen Karpoori Devi had predicted her husband Raja Someshwara gladly accepted the proposal of his father-in-law to make Prithviraj heir to her throne of Delhi as well. As ruler of Delhi Prithviraj would station himself at Delhi and look after the affairs of Ajmer through a confident administrator after the death of Raja Someshwara.
Having worked out the arrangements within the family, on the nearest auspicious day a grand function was organised at Delhi Court attended by kings of Delhi and Ajmer. Through a royal proclamation Prince Prithviraj Chauhan was declared the crown prince of Delhi, the legal heir to the throne who would inherit Ajmer crown by natural succession. Both the kingdoms celebrated the occasion with great pomp and show. The two kingdoms had become sister states under one ruler when he would succeed in near future.
At that point of time Prithviraj was yet an 8 year old kid but physically he was well built an much older for his age. He looked like a 14 year old youngman which delighted his father and maternal grandpa. They had reasons to expect great things from the youngman.
Prithviraj stayed in Delhi and received his education from carefully chosen men of letters, learnt use of weapons and battle skills from veterans and learnt state craft remaining by the side of king Anangapala and his able minister Chandrasena Prithviraj had his own thinking mind and he could workout his own strategies and political game plans.
Meanwhile, Chalukyas of Gujarat were keeping a watch on the goings on between Ajmer and Delhi kingdoms. The alliance irritated them. They decided to strike before the relations of Ajmer and Delhi firmed up throwing up a two kingdom empire. The Chalukyas attacked and in the fierce battle Raja Someshwara Chauhan got killed. It anguished Karpoori Devi who was staying at Delhi with her son Prithviraj, the heir to the Delhi throne. The decision of king Anangapala to make Prithvi heir to the throne of Delhi had perhaps saved the lives of the queen and the prince of Ajmer. Chaulkyas could have killed them as well to gain control over Ajmer but they were away safely in Delhi to settle the score in some future confrontation.
Having lost his father, young Prithviraj got seriously involved in grooming himself into a worthy warrior and able ruler to survive in the cut-throat world of royal rivalries, ambitions and revengefulness. He was getting deeper into the affairs of the states as king Anangpala was growing too old to bear the responsibilities. The adverse circumstances had forced young boy to leap beyond his years to become a ruler beset with challenges of huge proportions.
In 1177 A.D. king Anangapala died and Prithviraj of 11 years descended on the throne of Delhi when he was already running his home state of Ajmer through remote control. Now the entire responsibility of running the states of Delhi and Ajmer had fallen on his eleven year old shoulders. Luckily he enjoyed the services of efficient ministers, able advisors, loyal courtiers and faithful military commanders in both states. They were guiding him along in true spirit and he himself was maturing fast.
Naturally an eleven year old ruler would face rogue elements and jealous rivals who shall try to browbeat the kid. The first challenge came from a ambitious young man called Nagarjuna, the son of one Vigraharaja, a close relative of king Anangapala. He thought he was the real natural heir to the throne of Delhi and an outsider Prithviraj was an impostor forced on the state by an emotionally warped up king. He drew up a rebellion plan to forcibly seize the throne of Delhi by searing away the eleven year old boy king. He raised a small army and raised the flag of rebellion. The rebel Nagarjuna thought the very prospect of war would make the boy king cry and run to his mother for cover. He saw no problem in capturing the power. To his soldiers he sold the same idea of easy victory and very handsome rewards for their effort.
But the assessment of the rebel Nagarjuna was wrong. Prithviraj had matured much beyond his years. He had learnt to handle the affairs of the state and battle situations from his grandfather, late Anangapala. His mother Karpoori Devi was a good politician and a useful advisor. Commander Kamasa of Delhi army was an able strategist, brave warrior and a very loyal soldier. Minister Chandrasena was a good tactician and capable administrator. His experience was a great asset of the ruler of Delhi, Prithviraj Chauhan. This miscalculation would cost Nagarjuna dear.
Delhi Court had received information about Nagarjuna fomenting trouble in the kingdom. An emergency meeting took place attended by Prithviraj Chauhan, queen mother Karpoori Devi, chief minister Chandrasena and commander Kamasa besides confident advisors. The matter under discussion was ways to deal with the rebel, Nagarjuna.
Kamasa briefed, “Queen mother and king! The rebel Nagarjuna is a close relative of our royal family. Naturally many of our officials, detractors, opponents and some courtiers are overtly or covertly supporting him.”
Karpoori Devi nodded her head saying, “We know, commander Kamasa. We can’t afford to be soft and lax or the things will go out of hand. We must act fast and deal with the rebels and their sympathisers firmly. Make them an example of the consequences of creating problems for Dethi throne.”
“So I also think, mother queen,” said the commander and added,” We shall be committing suicide if we at this stage betray any weakness or indicisiveness. All the enemies must be watching us how we react. We must send them a message.”
Young Prithviraj was listening to the views of his mother and commander Kamasa with a very keen interest and seriousness. He asked, “What is your plan to deal with the rebels, commander?”
“The plan is to prepare a large force and move it against Nagarjuna and his rebel force. We will finish them in a straight battle,” revealed the commander.
Surprisingly the boyish ruler of Delhi shook his head in disagreement. He spoke, “I think it is a flawed plan which does not deal with the real problem. Our basic problem is the enemies within. They are in our army, our court, administration and amongst people as well. I am aware that many people here have not been able to reconcile with the fact that the prince of Ajmer, I, descended on the throne of Delhi. They are our real problem. As long as they exist, the rebels will continue to get their covert support and inspiration. This Nagarjuna is merely a symptom of that malady.
In my opinion, therefore we must deal with those enemies within first. Identify them and eliminate those elements before moving against Nagarjuna.”
Queen Karpoori Devi looked at Kamasa and then fixed her adoring gaze on her mentally matured up son.
Kamasa admitted, “My king, that is a very wise and correct assessment of the situation. I totally agree with you. What you suggest is the correct strategy to follow.”
Karpoori Devi said, “I also agree, commander. As my Prithviraj says, isolate our enemies within and win, them over or eliminate them ruthlessly if needed. Only then we shall deal with the rebel, Nagarjuna. What do you say wise Chandrasenaji?”
The minister spoke, “I am proud of our young king, Prithviraj who has a very wise head on his shoulders. His analysis of the situation was brilliant. We must act according to his suggestions. Infact, what our young Raja said was my reading too but he pre-empted me to my great delight and pleasure. That is why I did not express my opinion.”
Kamasa spoke, “So, we shall first weedout the enemies within from our ranks. The traitors in the army shall be severely deal with. No mercy for them. We must identify the enemy agents and detractors. That task feels in the domain of honourable minister, sir.”
Chandrasena smiled, “Senapatiji (Commander), my people are already at it. Many of the agents of the rebels are already on our hit list. The rest will be identified very soon. You need to be careful, my dear commander. The enemies within our soldier ranks can do a lot of damage.”
“I know, honourable minister. Now I will take leave of queen mother, my king Prithvirajji and you to go to my work, “commander Kamasa said in urgency.
“Please commander! Take this matter in utmost seriousness. Identify the traitors within the army and eliminate them,” queen mother spoke anxiously.
“We will take care of the rest of the detractors,” the young ruler of Delhi, Prithviraj Chauhan declared confidently as Karpoori Devi and Chandrasena looked on admiringly.
At that note the meeting ended and each one of them looked determined to do.
While the Delhi rulers were dealing with the enemy within, namely agents or sympathisers of rebel forces detractors and traitors amongs its soldier ranks, the rebel chief Nagarjuna was making significant moves. His morale was sky high and to him the throne of Delhi appeared only a few steps away. He was rallying his small rebel force of enthusiastic soldiers. Nagarjuna was leading them towards Gudapura fort which fell in the kingdom of Ajmer. Symbolically he wanted to convey message to Prithviraj that the latter was an usurper of Delhi throne and that would cost him his own kingdom of Ajmer. He was sure the move would make the boy king panic into leaving Delhi to save his own burrow of desert land.
The rebel force was brimming with confidence as they knew the Gudapura fort was defended by a small contingent of Ajmer army. With fierce and high pitched battle cries the fort was attacked. The rebels easily overpowered the small contigent of fort defenders who were not more than a score. The fort thus, fell to Nagarjuna who exulted in victory and behaved as if the world was at his feet now. From the parapet of the fort he looked towards east in the direction of Delhi and raised his sword to announce, “Nagarjuna is coming, baby king!”
Meanwhile in Delhi, Prithviraj and his men had been able to deal with their detractors largely at all levels. Atleast the overt trouble makers and rebel supporters had been neutralised or eliminated. But the news of Nagarjuna capturing Gudapura fort came as a shock to Karpoori Devi and Prithviraj. They had not expected the rebel to strike at a fort in Ajmer area. Nagarjuna was trying to emotionally hurt Karpoori Devi and her son to whom the fort belonged directly. May be, he was trying to drive a wedge between them and rest of the Delhi court and army. It was time to act fast and show the solidarity of Ajmer and Delhi.
A large force was sent under commander Kamasa to Gudapura to retake the fort and crush the rebellion of Nagarjuna. Kamasa moved towards the fort dealing ruthlessly with rebel pockets on his way. At Gudapura, Kamasa ordered laying a siege to the fort and threw a challenge to the rebel forces.
Nagarjuna decided to take up the challenge instead of staying put in the fort. He came out of the fort with his rebel army to battle against the force of Kamasa. Nagarjuna and his soldiers put up a spirited fight and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy in the initial charges. But the Delhi force was large and could absorb losses. Delhi army took on the enemy in waves. Nagarjuna and his soldiers could not hold ground against enemy waves of attacks. They were tiring, weakening and diminishing in numbers as the battle continued.
Nagarjuna was a brave fighter but his army was too small to tackle huge force of Kamasa. Soon, the tide of the battle turned against him. The enemy soldiers closed in around him. His horse was tired and fatally injured. It collapsed.
Nagarjuna quickly gathered himself up and tried to defend himself on foot but not for long. The head that dreamt of wearing the Delhi crown rolled down to the ground as commander Kamasa’s sword flashed to behead the rebel.
And with that the Delhi flag again went up on the Gudapura fort of Ajmer. Prithviraj Chauhan had won the battle of wits against those who had underestimated him.
