Raja Jaichand (Jayachandra) was a powerful Rajput ruler of the Gahadavala Dynasty who ruled Kannauj. He is known for his rivalry with Prithviraj Chauhan and his defeat in the Battle of Chandawar (1194 CE) against Muhammad Ghori.
Basic Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Raja Jaichand (Jayachandra) |
| Dynasty | Gahadavala Dynasty |
| Capital | Kannauj |
| Ruled During | Late 12th century (around 1170-1194 CE) |
| Major Rival | Prithviraj Chauhan |
| Famous Battle | Battle of Chandawar (1194 CE) |
| Defeated by | Muhammad Ghori |
| Death | 1194 CE (killed in battle) |
Early Life & Rule
- Raja Jaichand was a Rajput ruler of the Gahadavala Dynasty and controlled Kannauj and parts of the Ganga valley.
- He was a powerful ruler in North India and maintained a strong administration.
Conflict with Prithviraj Chauhan
- Jaichand and Prithviraj Chauhan were rival Rajput rulers.
- According to Prithviraj Raso, Jaichand did not support Prithviraj Chauhan against Muhammad Ghori.
- Prithviraj Raso (a legendary text) claims that Jaichand’s daughter, Sanyogita, eloped with Prithviraj Chauhan, which worsened their rivalry.
- However, historians believe that this story is a later addition and may not be historically accurate.
Battle of Chandawar (1194 CE)
- Opponent: Muhammad Ghori (Ghurid Empire).
- Location: Chandawar (near Etawah, Uttar Pradesh).
- Cause: Muhammad Ghori wanted to expand his rule after defeating Prithviraj Chauhan in 1192 CE (Second Battle of Tarain).
- Result:
- Jaichand was defeated and killed by Muhammad Ghori.
- Kannauj fell under Ghurid rule.
- This battle marked the end of Rajput resistance in the Ganga valley.
Significance of Raja Jaichand
- One of the last major Rajput rulers before the Muslim conquest of North India.
- His defeat allowed Muhammad Ghori to expand his empire in the Ganga valley.
- Kannauj, a major cultural and trade center, came under Muslim rule.
Key Facts for Quick Revision
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Dynasty | Gahadavala Dynasty |
| Ruled from | Kannauj |
| Major Battle | Battle of Chandawar (1194 CE) |
| Defeated by | Muhammad Ghori |
| Rivalry with | Prithviraj Chauhan |
| Death | 1194 CE (killed in battle) |
| Famous Story | Elopement of Sanyogita with Prithviraj Chauhan (in Prithviraj Raso) |
MCQs on Raja Jaichand
1. Raja Jaichand belonged to which dynasty?
A) Chauhan
B) Gahadavala
C) Parmar
D) Rashtrakuta
Answer: B) Gahadavala
2. What was the capital of Raja Jaichand?
A) Ajmer
B) Delhi
C) Kannauj
D) Ujjain
Answer: C) Kannauj
3. In which battle was Raja Jaichand defeated by Muhammad Ghori?
A) First Battle of Tarain
B) Second Battle of Tarain
C) Battle of Chandawar
D) Battle of Khanwa
Answer: C) Battle of Chandawar
4. In which year did the Battle of Chandawar take place?
A) 1191 CE
B) 1192 CE
C) 1194 CE
D) 1206 CE
Answer: C) 1194 CE
5. Who was the main rival of Raja Jaichand?
A) Mahmud of Ghazni
B) Prithviraj Chauhan
C) Rana Sanga
D) Babur
Answer: B) Prithviraj Chauhan
6. What happened to Kannauj after the death of Raja Jaichand?
A) It remained independent
B) It was taken over by Muhammad Ghori
C) It was ruled by the Rajputs
D) It was captured by the Mughals
Answer: B) It was taken over by Muhammad Ghori
Subjective Questions on Raja Jaichand
Short Answer Questions (2-5 Marks)
- Who was Raja Jaichand, and which dynasty did he belong to?
- What was the result of the Battle of Chandawar (1194 CE)?
- What was the significance of Kannauj in medieval India?
- Why is Raja Jaichand sometimes blamed for the defeat of Rajputs against Muhammad Ghori?
- Who were the main enemies of Raja Jaichand?
Long Answer Questions (8-15 Marks)
- Discuss the political and military achievements of Raja Jaichand.
- Explain the Battle of Chandawar (1194 CE) and its impact on Indian history.
- Compare the rule of Prithviraj Chauhan and Raja Jaichand.
- How did the defeat of Raja Jaichand help Muhammad Ghori in expanding his empire?
- Discuss the historical accuracy of the rivalry between Prithviraj Chauhan and Raja Jaichand.
These notes are useful for UPSC, SSC, State PSCs, NDA, CDS, and other competitive exams covering Medieval Indian History.