the accession of Kumarapala to the Chalukya
kingdom in different directions. He conquered Delhi from the Tomaras and
took possession of Hansi in the Hissar district in the Punjab. In the south he
plundered the Chalukya dominion of Kumarapala and thus avenged the
defeat inflicted upon his father by the Chalukyas. His kingdom included
perhaps a, substantial portion of the Punjab lying between the Sutlej and the
Yamuna. In the north-east, a portion of north Gangetic plain formed a part of
his empire. Vigraharaja was an author of repute. He composed the celebrated
drama, Harikeli Nataka. Among the many temples built by him at Ajmer the
Sarasvati Mandira is undoubtedly the best.
Prithviraja II and Somesvara During the rule of Prithviraja II, a grandson
of Amoraja the age-long conflict with the Muslims was renewed. Prithviraja
II was succeeded by his uncle Somesvara, son of Arnoraja. While staying at
Kumarapala’s court, he married a Kalachuri princess Karpuradevi, who gave
birth to two sons, Prithviraja III and Hariraja.
Prithviraja III One of the early exploits of Prithviraja III was to suppress
the revolt of his cousin, Nagarjuna. He then invaded the Chandella kingdom
and defeated its king Paramardi. Thereafter, he invaded the Chalukya
kingdom of Gujarat and forced Chalukya Bhima II to conclude a treaty.
Prithviraja III also entered into hostility with Jayachandra, Gahadvala ruler of
Kanauj. It is related that Jayachandra organised a svayamvara ceremony for
the marriage of his beautiful daughter Samyukta. Prithviraja was not invited.
Prithviraja succeeded in carrying off the Gahadvala princess by force.
    It was not till the capture of the strong fort of Tabarhindah, identified
with Sirhind, by Shihab-ud-din that Prithviraja became conscious of the
gravity of the situation. Prithviraja met the enemy at the fateful field of
Tarain in 1190–91. The first battle of Tarain was disastrous for the Sultan.
Despite this victory, Prithviraja III did not take adequate steps to guard the
north-western frontier of his empire and allowed himself to dissipate his
energy in fighting the Gahadvala king Jayachandra.
    Meanwhile, Shihab-ud-din came to Tarain in 1192 practically unopposed
by passing through Multan and Lahore. One lakh soldiers were killed in the
battle, including Govindaraja, chief of Delhi. Prithviraja himself was taken
prisoner and executed thereafter.
  Many a distinguished scholar