In this digital age, a new word is getting popular. A word which does not have an iota of positivity and a sensible mind may dread to associate it. The word is ‘Anti-nationalism’. Some people proudly call themselves anti-national either to vent out their dissatisfaction towards a political party and its ideology or just to appear progressive and cool. However, given their naivety, they do not understand what the word means and what the fate holds in its sleeves for an anti-nationalist. There are various reason why people turn anti-national, mostly these people are hijacked by selfish motives which are further infuriated by a lack of morality and compassion. These anti-nationalists are like a sore cut on the body which allows the disease to enter.
“While seeking revenge, dig two graves – one for yourself.”
-Douglas Horton
People get hurt, People get angry, People seek revenge. Sounds very normal right? But some men are so hijacked by the passion for revenge and vengeance that their intellect is blinded. Their allegiance is only towards their vengeance is such that they forget they cannot differentiate between good and bad, morality and immorality and God and Satan. Revenge is like a forest fire, it consumes, men, family, cities, nations and the vengeful himself.
The fall of Jaichand – 1193 AD
Jaichand was the king of Ayodhya and Varanasi. He belonged to the royal ‘Gaharwal’ clan of Rajputs. However, though bearing ancient royal blood in his veins, Jaichand is remembered today for something else.
Jaichand’s ancestorial neighbours were the Chauhaniid (Chauhan) dynastic rulers, who had a vast kingdom, stretching from Delhi to Lahore. The last great Hindu ruler of this kingdom was Prithviraj Chauhan. He was a legendary husband of Jaichand’s daughter, Samyukta.
This royal love even ended into a clever cum daredevil marriage, when Prithviraj abducted her in favour of her wish, by befooling the army and guards of Jaichand’s land. Both the father-in-law and son-in-law had a silent ancestral feud over each other’s territories. This dramatic end of love and marriage added fuel and fire to this bitter feud. Jaichand never liked to see his enemy’s son as his son-in-law. So, he planned to destroy Prithviraj and annex his kingdom. But, the time and history of India, perhaps had pre-written something else for his fate and that of the country.
On the other hand, Prithviraj was then facing severe attacks from a particular Turkish Safavid dynastic invading clan, who had a regional military base and a capital city, at the Ghur province of Afghanistan. The regional ruler (or, Sultan) Muhammad Ghuri had made a determination to invade India and found a dynasty there to rule. Legend says that Prithviraj defeated him twice in the famous battles of Tarain; but, didn’t take his enemies’ life as a punishment, as he was bound to his ancestral royal morality. However, this gave Jaichand an idea to invade Prithviraj’s land with the help of a foreign invader, that is now also the ‘enemy of his enemy’. This was the ever most foolish act for an ever-alert ruler, as he was blinded by anger, ignorance and vengeance. Finally, he secretly assured Ghuri of his help in War. Ghuri also had heard of this blind rivalry and made his decisive move accordingly; in Jaichand’s total ignorance. He now forged a more formidable army than before and advanced towards Prithviraj’s territory. Prithviraj, oblivious to this arrangement was having a time of his life. When he finally realized the danger, he sought alliance from the neighbouring Rajput kings. These kings refused to help Prithviraj as they were threatened by Jaichand. Prithviraj’s own army was reduced to half as they died protecting Prithviraj and Samyukta from Jaichand’s army during his escape from Kannauj. Sadly, the heroic warrior had to face a tragic defeat on that day, and within no time left, he was captivated immediately. The rest, that followed and happened with Prithviraj, and how he was martyred, is now the part of legend and history.
But What happened to Jaichand?
Did his and Ghouri’s friendship last a lifetime? Did he manage to bring back his daughter? Did his power and fame grow? Has he celebrated a hero? Well, Jaichand’s fate was far from being a glorious one. He met his end soon which was gruesome and painful.
After Prithviraj’s execution, the whole of the female population of Prithviraj’s kingdom, along with his beloved queen and Jaichand’s daughter, Samyukta, committed mass suicides (‘Jauhar’), in order to avoid the approaching doom (Barbaric mass rapes, mass killings, forcibly taken as a prize etc).
Meanwhile, after the capture of his archenemy, Ghuri played his next move. He immediately attacked Jaychand’s kingdom, that was far distant. After his victory at Taraori Muhammad returned to Ghazni, leaving Qutb-ud-din Aibak to rule Delhi, The Muslim army advanced to Kanauj. Muhammad then sent Aibak to attack Jaichand.
The battle was fought at Chandwar (modern Firozabad), on the Jumna River close to Agra. In most accounts the Hindus were close to victory when an arrow hit Jaichand in the eye, killing him.
“He fell off his elephant, was trampled, and after the battle could only be identified by the gold caps on his teeth”.
Excripts from the book Battle of Chandwar – By Rickard. J
With their leader gone the Hindu army broke and fled, taking heavy casualties during the pursuit. The Kanauji army expected Ghori to attack the capital next, but he chose to target the defenceless city of Varanasi, a famous Hindu pilgrim centre. He plundered all the temples and enslaved the populace. One thousand temples were converted into mosques. Immense booty was taken, including several hundred elephants, and the Muslim army took possession of the Asni fort. Kanauj and Varanasi became part of Muhammad Ghauri’s dominions. The usual vandalism and acts of destruction at Varanasi struck terror into the hearts of the people about the cruelty of the Turushkas (Turks).
Jaichand’s defeat gave Muhammad control of much of northern India. Islamic rule was firmly established in the hearts of India. A new age had arrived; which will keep imparting its horror for the next 800 years.
Hence, Today’s India’s destiny was written on the day of the Third battle of Tarain by king Jaichand himself, one of the most ever greatest fool, traitor and an infamous person ever born.
Source –
1- Ancient India – By R. C Majumdar
2- The History of the Gāhaḍavāla Dynasty – By Roma Niyogi
3- Reference from Prithviraj Raso
4- Battle of Chandwar – By Rickard, J
Nimyth 
Leave a comment