Slaughter of Turushkas near Ajmer

Battle of Ajmer
Date circa 1135-1150 CE Location Ajmer, Rajasthan 26°28′41″N74°37′22″E / 26.4781°N 74.6228°E / 26.4781; 74.6228 Result Chauhan victory
Beligerents
Chauhan Dynasty	Ghazanavid Empire
Commanders and leaders
Arnoraja Chauhan	Bahram Shah of Ghazni
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
class=notpageimage| Location of the Battle of Anasagara

The Battle of Ajmer took place somewhere between 1135 and 1150 CE between the invading forces of the Ghaznavid King Bahram Shah and the forces of the Chauhan Dynasty under Arnoraja Chauhan. The battle took place near Ajmer, Rajasthan which led to a devastating defeat for the Muslim commander overwhelmed by the Rajput assault, forcing the Muslims to flee the battleground. In the harsh desert conditions, the Muslims faced exhaustion and thirst, resorting to extreme measures like drinking horse blood, while the weight of heavy armor exacerbated the toll, resulting in significant casualties and transforming the battleground into a crimson landscape due to the bloodshed of Muslim soldiers on the battlefield.

The conflict compelled the Muslim intruders to abstain from Rajput Territories for over two decades. The aftermath of the conflict depicted a somber scene, highlighting the impact of the harsh desert conditions. Local villagers, averse to the unpleasant odor emanating from the deceased Muslim invaders, found it necessary to burn their remains, which lay in considerable numbers along the path.

Following this significant triumph, King Arnoraja seeking to cleanse the crimson landscape resulting from the Muslim soldiers slaughter, initiated the construction of the Anasagara lake to purify the battleground and memorialize the victory. Filled with waters from the river Chandra, sourced in the Pushkara forest, the lake symbolized the Chahamana triumph and played a role in purifying the contested land.

Background

In the early years of Arnoraja's rule, the Turushkas, identified as Turkish Muslims and led by Bahram Shah of Ghazni, were perceived to have solidified their presence in the region, extending their reach to the outskirts of Ajmer with the intention to plunder the sacred Pushkar Tirtha. ^{[1] [2]}

This incursion of the Turushkas into the heartland of Arnoraja's realm posed a clear and immediate threat to the stability and sovereignty of the Chahamana kingdom. Arnoraja, viewing the presence of the Turushkas in his territory as a direct affront to the sovereignty of his realm, regarded it as a formidable challenge that warranted a decisive and resolute response. ^{[1] [2]}

The battle

The unfolding conflict happened just beyond the city confines of Ajmer, on an expansive plain that would subsequently become imbued with historical significance as the revered site of the Anasagara lake.In the throes of battle, the Ghaznavid commander found himself at the center of a ferocious onslaught, ultimately suffering a resounding and devastating defeat. The intensity of the Chahamana assault, proved overwhelming for Muslims. Faced with the relentless pursuit of the Chahamana soldiers, Bahram Shah hastily fled the battlefield, seeking refuge from the imminent onslaught. ^{[1] [2]}

The historical account provided in the Prithviraja Vijaya vividly narrates the brutal toll exacted on the Muslim soldiers during the decisive battle. Led by the resolute King Arnoraja, the heroes of Ajmer undertook a relentless assault, unleashing their formidable might upon the Muslim forces. The intensity of the confrontation led to a substantial and devastating loss, with a significant number of Muslim soldiers meeting their demise on the battlefield. The confrontation resulted in a large number of Muslim soldiers being practically slaughtered by the Rajputs on the unforgiving desert terrain. ^{[2] [1]}

A Muslim soldier in full armour

Thar Desert of Rajasthan

The inhospitable conditions of the desert played a pivotal role in the unfolding slaughter. The scorching sun and arid landscape created an environment where exhaustion and thirst became formidable adversaries for the Muslim invaders. Faced with the harsh reality of a waterless desert, the soldiers were compelled to resort to desperate measures to quench their thirst. The passage vividly describes how, in their dire need for hydration, they were forced to drink the blood of their horses, striking their shoulders with weapons, highlighting the extreme measures taken to survive in the absence of water. ^{[1] [2]}

The weight of their heavy armor further exacerbated the challenges they faced. In the sweltering heat of the desert sun, encumbered by their protective gear, many succumbed to the oppressive conditions. The formidable combination of exhaustion, dehydration, and the burden of armor contributed to the demise of a significant number of Muslim soldiers.The harsh reality of the battlefield is poignantly reflected in the fate of the dead soldiers. Some found their final resting places amid the shifting sands of Rajasthan, their bodies becoming part of the unforgiving landscape. Others lay strewn along the path leading away from Ajmer, a stark testament to the intensity of the conflict and the toll it took on the invading forces. ^{[1] [2]}

Aftermath

The aftermath of the battle painted a grim picture of the toll exacted by the harsh desert environment. In a testament to the severity of the conditions, the bodies of the dead Muslim Invaders, lying in significant numbers along the path, faced a fate deemed necessary by the local villagers. Unwilling to endure the stench emanating from the decaying bodies, the villagers resorted to burning the remains. ^[2]

The Ana Sagar Lake commissioned by King Arnoraja after defeating the Ghaznavite Muslims

Following the victory over the Ghaznavids,which kept the Muslim invaders away from the Chauhan territory for more than twenty years, a seminal event in the reign of King Arnoraja, the monarch undertook a transformative initiative to sanctify the battleground where the very soil had been stained red, resembling a 'Kusumbha-colored robe,' symbolic of Muslim blood and to commemorate the victory achieved by the Chahamana forces. ^{[3] [1] [4]}

King Arnoraja issued a directive for the construction of the Anasagara lake. The waters that filled the Anasagara lake were sourced from the river Chandra, originating in the lush forest of Pushkara, also known as Pushkararanya. This intentional selection of water from a pristine and revered source added a spiritual and sacred dimension to the lake, elevating it beyond a mere reservoir to a symbol of purity and divine connection.The Anasagara lake, became a visual testament to the resilience and strategic prowess of the Chauhans. The lake, situated on the very plain where the conflict had unfolded, stood as a tangible and enduring marker of the Chauhan victory. ^{[1] [2]}

Legacy

The Slaughter of Turushkas near ajmer left a lasting impact on the Chauhan kingdom, symbolizing their resilience against external invasions. Jayanaka, in the Prithviraj Vijaya, emphasizes that King Arnoraja gained immense religious merit by constructing present and future temples, asserting that had he not thwarted the Muslims, they would have faced obliteration. This underlines the pivotal role of the battle in preserving the Chauhan kingdom and its cultural heritage. ^[3]

The successful defense of Ajmer demonstrated the kingdom's ability to withstand external threats, solidifying its reputation as a stronghold capable of repelling invasions. The construction of the Anasagara lake served as a visual reminder of the victory and the purification of the contested lands. The lake likely served as a focal point for communal reflection and remembrance, drawing inhabitants from Ajmer and beyond. ^{[1] [5]}

See also

• Vigraharaja IV's first war against the Muslims

References

1. Singh 1964, p. 138-140.
2. Dasharatha Sharma 1959, p. 44.
3. Dasharatha Sharma 1959, p. 55.
4. Rima Hooja 2006, p. 240-260.
5. Dasharatha Sharma 1959, p. 44,55.

Sources

• Dasharatha Sharma (1959). Early Chauhān Dynasties. S. Chand / Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN   9780842606189.
• Rima Hooja (2006). A History of Rajasthan. Rajasthan. ISBN   9788129115010.
• Singh, R. B. (1964). History of the Chāhamānas. Varanasi: N. Kishore.