Chauhans

The Chauhans, also known as the Chahamana, are a Rajput clan of northern India, primarily associated with Rajasthan. They trace their lineage to the Solar dynasty (Suryavanshi) and became a prominent medieval power in the region, with their ancestral seat at Shakambhari (near present-day Sambhar Lake). From Shakambhari the Chahamanas established and expanded their rule to Ajmer, and their influence later extended to Delhi and Ranthambore, creating a significant Rajput confederacy during the 9th to 12th centuries. The dynasty split into several branches, including the Chahamanas of Shakambhari, of Ajmer, and of Ranthambore.

Notable rulers include Arnoraja, Vigraharaja IV, and Prithviraj Chauhan (Prithviraj III). They sponsored architecture and fortifications, and their realm was marked by both military campaigns and alliances. The most widely known episode involves their resistance to Muhammad Ghori, culminating in the battles of Tarain. After Ghori’s victories, the Chauhan power declined and the Delhi region came under Muslim rule, though some branches, such as those at Ranthambore, continued for a time before also yielding to external powers. The dynasty’s influence waned, but it remains a central element of late classical Rajput history in Rajasthan.

In historiography, the Chauhans are recognized for contributing to regional politics, fort-building, and cultural patronage, while genealogies and dates vary across sources. The name is also encountered in folklore and literary works, where Prithviraj Chauhan is a central figure.