The war which Shahábu-d-dín Moham­med Ghorí waged with Prithvi Ráyá, for the monarchy of India, is alike celebrated among the Mohammedans and Rájpúts; but, in the legendary history of the latter, the exploits of this greatest among their heroes are embel­lished with all the poetical exaggeration that could alone render this subject pleasing to a people, whose vanity was gratified to hear their household bards sing the actions of their ances­tors. There is nothing improbable, or highly coloured, in the Mohammedan narrative of this transaction, given on the authority before quoted; and, though it differs considerably from that given by Ferishta, it seems on the whole more consistent and authentic than the account of that author. No doubt exists of this action having been fought at Tiraurí; but, according to some authorities, the troops of Ghor, before they offered battle, had retreated westward of Lahore. With regard to the motives which induced the Ghorian to invade India, we learn, from the Mohammedans, that a desire to support the interests of Islám, and a wish to wipe away the disgrace of former defeat, were the only ones: though the Hindú legends would lead us to suppose that, in a war between the rulers of Kanauj and Ajmír, the former, when the losing party, determined to betray his country, and leagued with the invader. It certainly appears that Prithvi Ráyá was not supported in this war against the Gho­rian by assistance from Jaya Chandra, of Kanauj; but the supineness of the former, on this occa­sion, may be with more reason ascribed to his jealousy, as a rival candidate for the supreme monarchy of India, than to revenge; and there is no good foundation for the belief that his more favoured opponent had carried off his daughter or his mistress. The supreme monarchy of India had become vacant, as we have seen, by the death of Náráyan Pála, of Gaur; and those who set up their pretensions to the paramount title were the Princes of Ajmír and Kanauj. Jaya Chandra, who ruled the latter, was of the Rahtore tribe; and Prithvi Ráyá, though a member of the recently established tribe of Chohan, was more commonly styled a Gohila, after the parent stock. If we may believe the Rájpút legends, and in this particular they are not unworthy of credit, the former resolved to perform the Rájasúya* sacrifice, and seal his supremacy. Prithvi Ráyá, who considered he had a superior claim to the honour, absented himself from the ceremony; though most of the other Rájás paid their homage to the monarch of Kanauj. The former was represented there, in effigy, as the doorkeeper. His subsequent arrival, in disguise, at the court of Kanauj; his conquest of the affections of Jaya Chandra's daughter, her flight from her father's house, his apathy in every thing but love, and indifference to the affairs of his kingdom, even when the invader was at his door, are so many poetical inventions to adorn a tale, but do not suit the gravity of history: notwithstanding they have been adopted by the historian, Abul-Fazl. The manner of his death is also a subject of doubt; but the Mohammedan account, that he was slain by order of the Sultán, after this victory, is agreeable to their usual policy.

Defeat and
death of Jaya
Chandra, Rájá
of Benares and
Kananj.

Though it be related, by Hindú legends, that, in the war between Shahábu-d-dín Mohammed Ghorí, and Prithvi Ráyá, Jaya Chandra had called in the invader, there is no evidence to support the truth of the assertion. Mohammedan authorities are quite silent regarding this matter; and we cannot suppose that the latter, who have been long accustomed to detail the events of their history, could have passed such unnoticed had it taken place. But, though not actively aiding the Mo*-le/>hammedans, Jaya Chandra, by having become a tame spectator to the downfall of his rival, had materially aided them in subduing India; and soon after he had cause to repent of such indifference to his country's cause. Success only serves as a stimulus to ambition, or to render its possessor more daring; and Mohammed Ghorí, who had accomplished the ruin of the Prince of Ajmír, and possessed his country, resolved to destroy the power of his rival. After the defeat of Prithvi Ráyá, the troops of Ghór, who marched for Ghazní, had wintered the following year in Pesháwar; and Kutbu-d-dín Aibuk, Viceroy of India, having in the mean time subdued many of the cities in this country, seized the inhabitants, and sent them as slaves to his master. The Rájá of Kanauj, now the greatest sovereign in Hindústán, pre­pared to revenge this wanton cruelty, and com­menced hostilities against the Mohammedan possessions, with seven hundred war elephants, and one hundred thousand cavalry. On hearing

A.D. 1194.

of this movement, the Sultán imme­diately returned to India, and effected a junction with the troops of the Viceroy. The united armies of Ghór advanced to the banks of the Jumna; where, between Chandwar and Eta­wah, they were met by the Hindús. Here an action was fought, in which the latter were defeated, and Jaya Chandra slain.* The death of the latter was not known till after the battle, when his body was recognized by his followers; who identified it by means of the golden studs with which his teeth, on account of extreme age, had been fixed in their sockets. Of the seven hundred elephants, which had been brought against the Mohammedans, ninety were taken; among which a remarkable white elephant is mentioned, that refused to make obeisance to the Sultán, and had almost killed the rider, who endeavoured to force the animal into compliance. A knowledge that the Rájás of Kanauj, like the monarchs of Siam, retained white elephants in their service, combined with other facts, leads to this opinion, that the for­mer observed the Buddhist religion,* and wor­shipped these animals.

Country sub­dued
to the con­fines
of China.