A Proud Maratha

Alauddin Khilji was the second and the most powerful Sultan of the Khilji dynasty. The Khiljis were a group of Afghan warriors who were in the service of the Mamluk (Slave) dynasty. Jalaluddin Khilji was a commander in the armies of the Mamluks. He planned a coup and toppled his masters, thereby assuming the title of Sultan of Delhi. Alauddin was the nephew and son in law of Sultan Jalaluddin, having married his daughter, Mallika-e-Jahan. Jalaluddin trusted his nephew and appointed him as the Amir-i-Tuzuk or Minister of Ceremonies. Under the rule of Jalal, he crushed a revolt by the governor of Kara. As a reward for his services, he was awarded with the Governorship of Kara. It was in Kara, that Alauddin's thoughts turned towards rebellion. He was supported by the ministers of the previous governor, who considered Jalaluddin to be a weak and inefficient ruler. In order to finance his rebellion, he started raiding neighbouring Hindu kingdoms. His first victory was against the Par...

Prithviraj III, better known as Prithviraj Chauhan was a Rajput king of the Chauhan dynasty which ruled over Delhi, Ajmer and parts of Haryana. His capital was located at the city of Ajaymeru (now Ajmer).  Prithviraj was born to the Chauhan  king  S omeshwar  and Queen Karpuradevi. Prithviraj was well educated. according to some sources, he mastered around 6 languages. he was proficient in archery, philosophy, military strategies, arts, music and politics. In the early days of his reign, he was assisted by two capable ministers, Kadambavasa and Bhuvanaikamalla who were fierce generals as well. The early victories of Prithviraj's reign could be attributed to these two seasoned commanders. Prithviraj assumed complete control of his kingdom around 1180 C.E.  His first military achievement was suppressing a revolt by his cousin Nagarjuna. in this battle, the fort of Gudapura was captured by the Chauhans.  The 1182–83 CE Madanpur inscriptions from Prithvira...