The Last Hindu Emperor: Prithviraj Chauhan and the Indian Past, 1200–2000

by Cynthia Talbot

This fascinating new study traces traditions and memories relating to the twelfth-century Indian ruler Prithviraj Chauhan; a Hindu king who was defeated and overthrown during the conquest of Northern India by Muslim armies from Afghanistan. Surveying a wealth of narratives that span more than 800 years, Cynthia Talbot explores the reasons why he is remembered, and by whom. In modern times, the Chauhan king has been referred to as 'the last Hindu emperor', because Muslim rule prevailed for centuries following his defeat. Despite being overthrown, however, his name and story have evolved over time into a historical symbol of India's martial valor. The Last Hindu Emperor sheds new light on the enduring importance of heroic histories in Indian culture and the extraordinary ability of historical memory to transform the hero of a clan into the hero of a community, and finally a nation.

Genres: History, India

325 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 2015

Reviews

[Maria Uzma Ansari · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is a priceless read - it is equivalent to striking gold.

[Revanth Ukkalam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Talbot examines mostly the famous Hindi epic Prithvirāj Raso by Chand Bardai and demonstrates that in line with the preoccupations of the time, much of the epic in fact was about the last Chahamana king Prithviraja’s encounters with the last ruler of Kanauj Jaychand (before they were both defeated by Ghurid ruler Muizuddin bin Sam) and the king’s love affair with Samyogita the Kanauj princess. In fact, Talbot admits that it was this love affair that distracted him from the impending terror that was the ruler (to us it matters that this is not considered an issue that obfuscate is key). However distant from both earlier interpretations of Prithviraj’s life like Abul Fazl’s description of him as a thorough Delhi man, a preceptor for the centring of Delhi in South Asian polities and Raso’s own contemporary position, later recensions dramatically alter Raso. For Talbot Mewar ruler Amar Singh Sisodia’s 18th century court in Udaipur was centre for this. Even to them, Prithviraja was not a warrior against Turks but he was essential for this epic’s inclusion of different Rajput clans all of whom had been given role in the military routing (and eventual debacle) of Muhammad Ghori, like Prithviraja’s uncle Kanha, his minister Kaymas, or a sāmant lord such as Jait Pramar (Paramar), Pahar Ray Tanwar (Tomar), the son of Pajjun Kachhwaha, and Chamund Ray of the Dahima clan. Thus, the contemporary view of Prithviraja as the last Hindu bastion before Hindustan fell to the tyranny of the Islamic Dark Ages, was nearly a modern invention.

[Jay Vardhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Upto Chapter -6 the book is a delight to read. After that, the last two chapters are not worth the trouble. Feels like you're reading a boring Academic article.

[Dvtgff · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is spreading wrong knowledge about hindu rulers and their history.

If chauhan was the last ruler than what about shivaji maharaj , shambha ji maharaj & maharana pratap