Prithviraj III - 2nd Last Hindu Ruler of Delhi
Background
Prithvi Raj Chauhan was a king of the Hindu Kshatriya Chauhan (Chauhamana) dynasty, who ruled the kingdom of Ajmer and Delhi in northern India during the latter half of the 12th century. He was the second last Hindu king to sit upon the throne of Delhi (the last Hindu king being Hemu).
He belonged to the Agnikula clan of Rajput Kshatriyas. He succeeded to the throne in 1169 A.D. at the age of 20, and ruled from the twin capitals of Ajmer and Delhi which he received from his maternal grand-father Ballal Sen of the Sen Dynasty in Bengal. He controlled much of present-day Rajasthan and Haryana, and unified the Rajputs against Muslim invasions.
His love affair with Samyukta (Sanyogita), the daughter of Jai Chandra, the Gahadvala king of Kannauj, is a popular romantic story in India. Tales of Prithviraj can be found in Prithviraj Raso, an epic poem by his court poet, Chand Bardai.
Prithvi Raj was known to be brave, powerful, and was the essence of Rajput chivalry.
Defeat
Prithvi Raj defeated the Afghan ruler Muhammad Ghori in the First Battle of Tarain in 1191 CE. Ghori attacked for a second time next year, and Prithvi Raj was defeated and slain at the Second Battle of Tarain in 1192 CE. After his defeat Delhi came under the control of Muslim rulers.
Qila Rai Pithora in Delhi, also known as Pithoragarh, is named after him.