x In northern and central India, the Rajput kingdoms dominated
and frequently fought each other. Rajput warfare emphasized
large masses of conscript infantry coupled with war elephants.
They did use cavalry, but this was a lesser arm of the military
and was hampered by lack of the excellent horses available
across the mountains.x One of the prominent northern Indian Rajput kingdoms was ruled
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controlled a large territory based around the cities of Ajmer and
Delhi. The main invasion route into India from Afghanistan led
directly through Prithvi-raja’s territory; thus, in the late 12th century,
Prithvi-raja and Mohamad of Ghor were on a collision course.The First Battle of Tarain
x In 1191, Mohamad led a large army south into India and seized
the fortress of Bhatinda. Prithvi-raja summoned his conscripts
and moved to intercept Mohamad. The armies met at a site called
Tarain, just north of Delhi.
x The available sources claim that Prithvi-raja’s army numbered
200,000, with 3,000 elephants, and that Mohamad’s was
considerably smaller. The actual numbers are probably less than
half of these, but it does seem that Mohamad’s army was much
smaller, although more professional.x Prithvi-raja’s forces charged enthusiastically forward, seeking to
crush and envelop Mohamad’s army by sheer weight of numbers.
Mohamad was wounded severely enough that he had to leave the
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Tarain ended as a victory for Prithvi-raja, but not a decisive one.x It is interesting to compare how the two leaders responded to
this battle.
o Mohamad organized a new army with a greater emphasis on
mobile horsemen and discipline. He purged his army of any