How many wars were fought between Prithviraj Chauhan and Ghauri?

How many wars were fought between Prithviraj Chauhan and Ghauri?  The answer to this question is still controversial. Talking of legends, Prithviraj fought 17 wars against Ghauri and PrithviRaj won 16 out of these 17 wars and forgave Ghauri.

Based on the facts that present historians and historic facts, two wars were fought between Prithviraj Chauhan and Ghauri. The first war was fought in 1191 followed by another in 1192. Both of these wars were fought in Tarrain Battlefield. Muslim historians only glorified and proved one war, which was won by Ghauri. However, few Muslim historians like Farishta, Minhaz, As Siraj Janul Masri, Tabqat-e-Nasiri and Hasan Nizami etc believed that there were two wars fought. This falsifies the other historian who believed that only one war was fought. Ojha distinctly said, these historians either disguise or twist the story of Ghauri’s defeat. Hindu and Jain Epic textbooks described many wars fought between these two. Prithviraj Raso and Archeological compilation describes 8 wars being fought between Prithviraj Chauhan and Ghauri. Chintamani management believed that there were many wars fought. However, Epic Hammir describes 7 wars being fought. Dasharatha Sharma also describes frequent and continuous conflicts between these two in 1186.

Chauhan and Ghauri lead their own army themselves during the wars in Tarrain Battlefield. Meanwhile many small and big wars were fought amongst feudal lords and their army. Ghauri’s constant invasion was defeated by Chauhan’s feudal lords.  There has been description of two attacks through Khaiber pass. These were primarily small encounters which were handled by Pajwan Rai, who was Chauhan’s general. These attacks by Ghauri were to assess the army strength of Chauhan. He always knew, he wouldn’t be able to rule India unless he defeats PrithviRaj. Ghauri was already defeated by Solankis of Gujrat in 1178. That’s why he was even more careful about powerful rulers like Prithviraj Chauhan. After few small and big attacks, in the year 1191, Ghauri attacked in once again with extravagant war preparation. 

Historically, Prithviraj and Ghauri have only encountered each other twice in the battlefield of Tarrain. There were definitely some fights between the two armies from 1180 to 1190 in which Ghauri was defeted by Prithviraj Chauhan’s general. The historical evidence of Prithviraj’s presence in those fights is not found.