First Battle of Tarain

First Battle of Tarain
	Part of Indian campaigns of Muhammad of Ghor
Date	1191
Location	Taraori (near Karnal)29°47′N 76°56′E / 29.78°N 76.94°E
Result	Rajput victory
Territorial; changes	Prithviraj retakes the fortress of Tabarhindh after a thirteen month siege (possibly present-day Bhatinda)
Belligerents
Ghurid Empire	Rajput Confederation Chahamanas of Shakambhari; Kingdom of Amber;
Commanders and leaders
Muhammad of Ghor (WIA); Qutubuddin Aibak; Bahauddin Tughril; Qazi Zia ud-Din Tulaki	Prithviraj Chauhan; Pajawan Kachhwaha; Govind Rai (WIA); Skanda
Strength
Unknown, outnumbered by Rajputs	100,000 Rajput cavalrymen
	Tarain class=notpageimage\| Location of the First Battle of Tarain

The First Battle of Tarain, also spelt as the First Battle of Taraori, was fought in 1191 between the invading Ghurid army led by Muhammad of Ghor and the Rajput Confederacy led by Prithviraj Chauhan, near Tarain (modern Taraori in Haryana, India). The battle ended in decisive victory for the Rajputs; however, Muhammad of Ghor managed to escape and returned to Ghazni.

After the Ghurid armies were routed, they retreated to the Ghazni and left garrison of 2,000 soldiers under Zia ud-Din Tulaki to secure the fort of Tabarhind (present day Bhatinda)^[3] to delay the Rajput army and was successful in keeping them at bay for thirteen months, while Muhammad of Ghor, during these months, raised a stronger army of 120,000 men, and invaded again, leading to the Second Battle of Tarain.^[4]

^ Paul K.Davis (2001). 100 Decisive Battles: From Ancient Times to the Present. Oxford University Press. p. 133. ISBN 978-0-19-514366-9. Never had Mohmmad's troops faced such a well-trained foe, and in 1191 (no particular date has been recorded) the Rajputs had the upper hand, no numbers have been recorded either, but all account states that the Rajputs outnumbered the Moslem army
^ Kaushik Roy 2004, pp. 38–39: "The age of around 800 AD could be termed as age of steepe horsemens. The Rajputs were about to be outclassed by their outdated methods of War in era of brutuality. In 1191, Ghori fought the Rajput confederacy of one lakh Rajput calvalrymen led by Prithviraj at place called Tarain"
^ "Bhatinda History". Government of Punjab.
^ Kaushik Roy 2004, pp. 40–42: "Cavalry was not suited for laying siege to forts and Rajputs lacked both the siege machines and infantry to storm and destroy fortress walls. Tulaki was able to keep Prithviraj at bay for thirteen months. Within this time, Mahmud Ghori had raised 120,000 cavalry."

[1] Paul K.Davis (2001). 100 Decisive Battles: From Ancient Times to the Present. Oxford University Press. p. 133. ISBN 978-0-19-514366-9. Never had Mohmmad's troops faced such a well-trained foe, and in 1191 (no particular date has been recorded) the Rajputs had the upper hand, no numbers have been recorded either, but all account states that the Rajputs outnumbered the Moslem army

[FOOTNOTEKaushik_Roy200438–39-2] Kaushik Roy 2004, pp. 38–39: "The age of around 800 AD could be termed as age of steepe horsemens. The Rajputs were about to be outclassed by their outdated methods of War in era of brutuality. In 1191, Ghori fought the Rajput confederacy of one lakh Rajput calvalrymen led by Prithviraj at place called Tarain"

[GoP-3] "Bhatinda History". Government of Punjab.

[FOOTNOTEKaushik_Roy200440–42-4] Kaushik Roy 2004, pp. 40–42: "Cavalry was not suited for laying siege to forts and Rajputs lacked both the siege machines and infantry to storm and destroy fortress walls. Tulaki was able to keep Prithviraj at bay for thirteen months. Within this time, Mahmud Ghori had raised 120,000 cavalry."

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]