The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c29.s2.38

v3.c29.s2.38

Vigraharāja’s nephew and successor was Prithvī Rāj, known to Muslim historians as Rāī Pithaurā, the most chivalrous warrior of his time in India: but the most powerful of Indian princes at the end of the twelfth century was Jayachandra, the Gaharwār raja of Kanauj and Ajodhya, styled by the Muhammadans ‘Jaichand, raja of Benares.’ He had a marriageable daughter, in whose honour he held a *swayamvara*, the assembly to which, in accordance with ancient custom, princes prepared to offer themselves as suitors for the lady’s hand were summoned, in order that she might make her choice of a husband. The *swayamvara* was regarded as an assertion of superiority and Prithvī Rāj failed to respond to the invitation and to appear as a formal suitor, but his reputation had reached the princess and he wounded Jayachandra’s honour by carrying off the not unwilling damsel. This romantic exploit bred bitter enmity between the two leading powers of Northern India, and a victory in 1182 over the Chandel raja, Parmāb, and the capture of the important fortress of Mahoba, while they enhanced the reputation of Prithvī Rāj, weakened the Hindu cause by sowing further dissension between the native princes.