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{{Short description|Dynasty that ruled Sapadalaksha}}
{{use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2021}}
{{For|other Chahamana dynasties|Chahamanas (disambiguation){{!}}Chahamanas}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Chahamanas of Shakambhari
| common_name = Chahamanas of Shakambhari
| year_start = 6th century
| image =
| year_end = 1192
|image_coat = Vigraha Raja IV of the Chauhans of Ajmer Circa 1150-1164.jpg
|coa_size = 300px
|symbol_type = Coin of the Chahamana ruler [[Vigraharaja IV]], {{circa|1150|1164}}. ''Obverse:'' [[Rama]] standing left, holding bow; "sri ra ma" in Devanagari. ''Reverse:'' "Srimad vigra/ha raja de/va" in Devanagari; star and moon symbols below.
|image_map =Map of the Cahamanas.png
|map_width = 300px
|map_caption =Approximate territory of the Chahamanas of Shakambhari circa 1150–1192 CE.<ref name="JS">{{cite book |last1=Schwartzberg |first1=Joseph E. |title=A Historical Atlas of South Asia |date=1978 |publisher=Oxford University Press, Digital South Asia Library|author-link=Joseph E. Schwartzberg |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=185|page=147, Map "d"}}</ref>
| event_end = [[Second Battle of Tarain]]
| capital = {{ubl|Shakambhari (modern [[Sambhar Lake Town|Sambhar]])|later Ajayameru (Modern [[Ajmer]])}}
| government_type = Monarchy
|leader1 = [[Vasudeva (Chahamana dynasty)|Vasudeva]] (first)
|year_leader1 = 6th century
|leader2 = [[Hariraja]] (last)
|year_leader2 =
c. 1193-1194 CE
| p1 = Gurjara-Pratihara
| flag_p1 = Map_of_the_Gurjara-Pratiharas_(circa_800-950_CE).png
| p2 = Tomara dynasty
| flag_p2 = Haryana_in_India_(claims_hatched).svg
| s1 = Ghurid dynasty
| flag_s1 = Ghurid_Empire_according_to_Schwartzberg_Atlas,_p.147.png
| s2 = Chahamanas of Ranastambhapura
| religion = [[Hinduism]]
| today = [[India]]
*[[Rajasthan]]
}}
The '''Chahamanas of Shakambhari''' ([[IAST]]: Cāhamāna), colloquially known as the '''Chauhans of Sambhar''' or '''Chauhans of Ajmer''', were an Indian dynasty that ruled parts of the present-day [[Rajasthan]] and neighbouring areas in India, between the 6th and 12th centuries. The territory ruled by them was known as Sapadalaksha. They were the most prominent ruling family of the Chahamana ([[Chauhan]]) [[Rajput]] clan.<ref>
* {{Cite book|author1=[[Hermann Kulke]]|author2=[[Dietmar Rothermund]]|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TPVq3ykHyH4C|title=A History of India|date=2004|publisher=Psychology Press|isbn=978-0-415-32919-4|language=en|page=117|quote="When Gurjara Pratiharas power declined after the sacking of Kannauj by the Rashtrakutkas in the early tenth century many Rajput princes declared their independence and founded their own kingdoms, some of which grew to importance in the subsequent two centuries. The better known among these dynasties were the Chaulukyas or Solankis of Kathiawar and Gujarat, the Chahamanas (i.e. Chauhan) of eastern Rajasthan (Ajmer and Jodhpur), and the Tomaras who had founded Delhi (Dhillika) in 736 but had then been displaced by the Chauhans in the twelfth century."}}
*{{Cite book|author=Brajadulal Chattopadhyaya
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=21SgAAAAMAAJ|title=Studying Early India: Archaeology, Texts and Historical Issues|date=2006|publisher=Anthem|isbn=978-1-84331-132-4|language=en|page=116|quote=The period between the seventh and the twelfth century witnessed gradual rise of a number of new royal-lineages in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, which came to constitute a social-political category known as 'Rajput'. Some of the major lineages were the Pratiharas of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and adjacent areas, the Guhilas and Chahamanas of Rajasthan, the Caulukyas or Solankis of Gujarat and Rajasthan and the Paramaras of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.}}
*{{Cite book|author=Romila Thapar|author-link=Romila Thapar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dyFuAAAAMAAJ&q=Rajput|title=Cultural Pasts: Essays in Early Indian History|date=2000|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-564050-2|page=792|language=en|quote=This is curious statement for the Chahamanas who were known to be one of the eminent Rajput family of early medieval period}}
*{{cite book|author=Burton Stein|author-link=Burton Stein|editor-last=Arnold|editor-first=D.|year=2010|title=A History of India|edition=2nd|publisher=Wiley-Blackwell|place=Oxford|page=110|quote="From the process of migration and metamorphosis of lowly groups into Rajputs new Rajput clans were formed some of these clans The Pratiharas, Guhilas and Chahamanas|isbn=978-1-4051-9509-6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QY4zdTDwMAQC}}
*{{cite book|author=David Ludden|title=India and South Asia: A Short History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pBq9DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT79|year=2013|publisher=Oneworld Publications|isbn=978-1-78074-108-6|pages=64|quote=By contrast in Rajasthan a single warrior group evolved called Rajput (from Rajaputra-sons of kings): they rarely engaged in farming, even to supervise farm labour as farming was literally beneath them, farming was for their peasant subjects. In the ninth century separate clans of Rajputs Cahamanas (Chauhans), Paramaras (Pawars), Guhilas (Sisodias) and Caulukyas were splitting off from sprawling Gurjara Pratihara clans...}}
*{{Cite book|author=Peter Robb|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GQ-2VH1LO_EC|title=A History of India|date=2011|publisher=Macmillan International Higher Education|isbn=978-0-230-34549-2|page=59|quote=Muhammad of Ghor was another Afghan Turk invader. He established a much wider control in North India. The Rajputs were unable to resist him, following his defeat of Prithviraja III, king of Chauhans, a Rajput clan based southeast of Delhi|language=en}}
*{{cite book|author=Satish Chandra|author-link=Satish Chandra (historian)|title=History of Medieval India:800-1700|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qHnHHwAACAAJ|year=2007|publisher=Orient Longman|isbn=978-81-250-3226-7|page=62|quote=The rise of a new section called the Rajputs and the controversy about their origins have already been mentioned. With the break-up of the Pratihara empire, a number of Rajput states camne into existence in north India. The most important of these were the Gahadavalas of Kanauj, the Paramaras of Malwa, and the Chauhans of Ajmer|language=en}}
* {{Cite book |author=[[Richard M. Eaton|Richard Eaton]]|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tLXXAAAAMAAJ&q=Rajputs |title=Essays on Islam and Indian History |date=2000 |publisher=Oxford University Press|page=108|quote=From Ajmer in Rajasthan, the former capital of the defeated Cahamana Rajputs – also, significantly, the wellspring of Chishti piety the post-1192 pattern of temple desecration moved swiftly down the Gangetic Plain as Turkish military forces sought to extirpate local ruling houses in the late twelfth and early thirteenth century|isbn=978-0-19-565114-0|language=en}}
* {{Cite book |author=Upinder Singh|author-link=Upinder Singh
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZjFuAAAAMAAJ |title=Ancient Delhi |date=1999 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-564919-2 |page=97|quote=The Tomaras ultimately met their destruction at the hand of another Rajput clan, the Chauhans or Chahamanas. Delhi was captured from the Tomaras by the Chauhan king Vigraharaja IV (the Visala Deva of the traditional bardic histories) in the middle of twelfth century|language=en}}
* {{Cite book|author=Shail Mayaram|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/52203150 |title=Against history, against state : counterperspectives from the margins |date=2003|page=22|quote=The Chauhans (Cahamanas) Rajputs had emerged in the later tenth century and established themselves as a paramount power, overthrowing the Tomar Rajputs. In 1151 the Tomar Rajput rulers (and original builders) of Delhi were overthrown by Visal Dev, the Chauhan ruler of Ajmer|isbn=0-231-12730-8|location=New York|publisher=Columbia University Press|oclc=52203150 }} </ref>

The Chahamanas originally had their capital at [[Sambhar Lake Town|Shakambhari]] (present-day [[Sambhar Lake Town]]). Until the 10th century, they ruled as [[Pratihara]] vassals. When the Pratihara power declined after the [[Tripartite Struggle]], the Chahamana ruler [[Simharaja]] assumed the title [[Maharajadhiraja]]. In the early 12th century, [[Ajayaraja II]] moved the kingdom's capital to Ajayameru (modern [[Ajmer]]). For this reason, the Chahamana rulers are also known as the "Chauhans of Ajmer".

The Chahamanas fought several wars with their neighbours, including the [[Chaulukya]]s of Gujarat, the [[Tomara dynasty|Tomaras]] of Delhi, the [[Paramara dynasty|Paramara]]s of Malwa and the [[Chandelas of Jejakabhukti|Chandela]]s of Bundelkhand. From 11th century onwards, they started facing Muslim invasions, first by the [[Ghaznavid]]s, and then by the [[Ghurid]]s. The Chahamana kingdom reached its zenith under [[Vigraharaja IV]] in the mid-12th century. The dynasty's power effectively ended in 1192 CE, when the [[Ghurid]] invader [[Muhammad of Ghor]] [[Second Battle of Tarain|defeated and executed]] Vigraharaja IV's nephew [[Prithviraj Chauhan]].

== Origin ==
According to the 1170 CE [[Bijolia]] rock inscription of [[Someshvara (Chahamana dynasty)|Someshvara]], the early Chahamana king [[Samantaraja]] was born at Ahichchhatrapura in the [[gotra]] of [[rishi|sage]] Vatsa.{{sfn|R. B. Singh|1964|p=11}} Historian R. B. Singh theorizes that the Chahamanas probably started out as petty rulers of Ahichchhatrapura (identified with [[Nagaur]]), and moved their capital to Shakambhari (Sambhar) as their kingdom grew. Later, they became the vassals of the [[Gurjara-Pratiharas|Imperial Pratiharas]].{{sfn|R. B. Singh|1964|p=89}}

Several mythical accounts of the dynasty's origin also exist. The earliest of the dynasty's inscriptions and literary works state that the dynasty's progenitor was a legendary hero named Chahamana. They variously state that this hero was born from [[Indra]]'s eye, in the lineage of the sage Vatsa, in the [[solar dynasty]] and/or during a ritual sacrifice performed by [[Brahma]].{{sfn|R. B. Singh|1964|pp=10-12}} A popular medieval account classifies the dynasty among the four [[Agnivanshi]] Rajput clans, whose ancestors are said to have come out of [[homa (ritual)|sacrificial fire pit]]. The earliest sources to mention this legend are the 16th century recensions of ''[[Prithviraj Raso]]''. Some [[Colonial India|colonial-era]] historians interpreted this myth to suggest a foreign origin of the dynasty, speculating that the foreign warriors were initiated into the Hindu society through a fire ritual.{{sfn|R. B. Singh|1964|p=25-26}} However, the earliest extant copy of ''Prithviraj Raso'' does not mention this legend at all. Instead, it states that the first ruler of the dynasty was [[Manik Rai|Manikya Rai]], who is said to have been born from Brahma's sacrifice.{{sfn|Hiltebeitel|1999|p=447}}

== Territory ==
The core territory of the Chahamanas was located in present-day [[Rajasthan]]. It was known as '''Sapadalaksha''' ([[IAST]]: Sapādalakṣa) or [[Jangladesh|Jangala-desha]] ([[IAST]]: Jangaladeśa).{{sfn|Har Bilas Sarda|1935|pp=220-221}}<ref>For a theorized map of the Chahamana territory: {{cite book |last1=Schwartzberg |first1=Joseph E. |title=A Historical atlas of South Asia |date=1978 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago |page=147, map XIV.3 (d)|isbn=0226742210 |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=185}}</ref>

The term Jangladesha ("rough and arid country") appears to be older, as it mentioned in the ''[[Mahabharata]]''.{{sfn|Har Bilas Sarda|1935|p=217}} The text does not mention the exact location of the region. The later Sanskrit texts, such as ''{{ill|Bhava Prakasha|hi|भाव प्रकाश}}'' and ''{{ill|Shabdakalpadruma Kosha|hi|शब्दकल्पद्रुम}}'' suggest that it was a hot, arid region, where trees requiring little water grew. The region is identified with the area around [[Bikaner district|Bikaner]].{{sfn|Har Bilas Sarda|1935|p=214}}

[[File:Visaladeva inscription on Delhi Topra 12th century.jpg|thumb|[[Vigraharaja IV|Visaladeva]] inscription on the [[Delhi-Topra pillar]], 12th century.]]
The term Sapadalaksha (literally "one and a quarter [[lakh]]s" or 125,000) refers to the large number of villages in the area.{{sfn|Cynthia Talbot|2015|p=33}} It became prominent during the Chahamana reign. It appears that the term originally referred to the area around modern [[Nagaur]] near Bikaner. This area was known as ''Savalak'' (vernacular form of Sapadalaksha) in as late as 20th century.{{sfn|Har Bilas Sarda|1935|p=217}} The early Chahamana king [[Samantaraja]] was based in Ahichchhatrapura, which can be identified with modern Nagaur. The ancient name of Nagaur was Nagapura, which means "the city of the serpent". Ahichchhatrapura has a similar meaning: "the city whose ''chhatra'' or protector is serpent".{{sfn|Har Bilas Sarda|1935|p=223}}

As the Chahamana territory expanded, the entire region ruled by them came to be known as Sapadalaksha.{{sfn|Har Bilas Sarda|1935|p=217}} This included the later Chahamana capitals Ajayameru ([[Ajmer]]) and Shakambhari ([[Sambhar, Rajasthan|Sambhar]]).{{sfn|Har Bilas Sarda|1935|p=224}} The term also came to be applied to the larger area captured by the Chahamanas. The early medieval Indian inscriptions and the writings of the contemporary Muslim historians suggest that the following cities were also included in Sapadalaksha: [[Hansi]] (now in [[Haryana]]), [[Mandore]] (now in [[Marwar]] region), and [[Mandalgarh]] (now in [[Mewar]] region).{{sfn|Har Bilas Sarda|1935|p=225}}

== History ==
[[File:Harshnath_Temple_Sikar_outer_view.JPG|thumb|The [[Harshnath]] temple was commissioned by the Chahamana rulers]]
The earliest historical Chahamana king is the 6th century ruler [[Vasudeva (Chahamana dynasty)|Vasudeva]]. According to a mythical account in ''[[Prithviraja Vijaya]]'', he received the [[Sambhar Salt Lake]] as a gift from a [[vidyadhara]] (a supernatural being).{{sfn|Dasharatha Sharma|1959|p=23}} Little is known about his immediate successors. The 8th century Chahamana ruler [[Durlabharaja I]] and his successors are known to have served the [[Gurjara-Pratihara]]s as vassals. In 10th century, [[Vakpatiraja I]] made an attempt to overthrow the Gurjara-Pratihara suzerainty, and assumed the title [[Maharaja]] ("great king").{{sfn|R. B. Singh|1964|p=100}} His younger son [[Lakshmana (Chahamana dynasty)|Lakshmana]] established the [[Chahamanas of Naddula|Naddula Chahamana branch]]. Vakpatiraja's elder son and successor [[Simharaja]] assumed the title [[Maharajadhiraja]] ("king of great kings"), which suggests that he was a sovereign ruler.{{sfn|R. B. Singh|1964|p=103}}

Simharaja's successors consolidated the Chahamana power by engaging in wars with their neighbours, including the [[Chaulukya]]s of Gujarat and the [[Tomara dynasty|Tomaras]] of Delhi. The dynasty's earliest extant inscription (973 CE) is from the reign of [[Vigraharaja II]].{{sfn|Cynthia Talbot|2015|p=33}} During the reign of [[Viryarama]] (r. c. 1040 CE), the [[Paramara dynasty|Paramara]] king [[Bhoja]] invaded the Chahamana kingdom, and probably occupied their capital [[Sambhar, Rajasthan|Shakambhari]] for a brief period.{{sfn|Dasharatha Sharma|1959|pp=34-35}} [[Chamundaraja (Chahamana dynasty)|Chamundaraja]] restored the Chahamana power, possibly with the help of the Naddula Chahamanas.{{sfn|Dasharatha Sharma|1959|pp=34-35}}

The subsequent Chahamana kings faced several [[Ghaznavid]] raids. [[Ajayaraja II]] (r. c. 1110-1135 CE) repulsed a Ghaznavid attack, and also defeated the Paramara king [[Naravarman]]. He moved the kingdom's capital from Shakambhari to Ajayameru ([[Ajmer]]), a city that he either established or greatly expanded.{{sfn|R. B. Singh|1964|pp=131-132}}{{sfn|Dasharatha Sharma|1959|p=40}} His successor [[Arnoraja]] raided the Tomara territory, and also repulsed a Ghaznavid invasion. However, he suffered setbacks against the Gujarat Chaulukya kings [[Jayasimha Siddharaja]] and [[Kumarapala (Chaulukya dynasty)|Kumarapala]], and was killed by his own son [[Jagaddeva (Chahamana dynasty)|Jagaddeva]].{{sfn|R. B. Singh|1964|p=140-141}}

[[File:Bisaldeo_temple.jpg|thumb|left|[[Bisaldeo temple]] commissioned by [[Vigraharaja IV]]]]
Arnoraja's younger son [[Vigraharaja IV]] greatly expanded the Chahamana territories, and captured [[Delhi]] from the [[Tomara dynasty|Tomaras]]. His kingdom included parts of the present-day Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi. It probably also included a part of [[Punjab]] (to the south-east of [[Sutlej river]]) and a portion of the northern [[Ganges|Gangetic plain]] (to the west of [[Yamuna River|Yamuna]]).{{sfn|R. B. Singh|1964|p=150}} His 1164 CE Delhi-Shivalik pillar inscription claims that he conquered the region between the [[Himalayas]] and the [[Vindhyas]], and thus restored the rule of [[Indo-Aryan people|Aryans]] in [[Aryavarta]]. While this is an exaggeration, it is not completely baseless. The inscription was originally found in Topra village, near the [[Shivalik Hills]] (Himalayan foothills). Also, the exiled ruler of [[Malwa]] (Vindhyan region) possibly acknowledged his suzerainty. Thus Vigraharaja's influence extended from the Himalayas to the Vindhyas, at least in name.{{sfn|Dasharatha Sharma|1959|p=62}}

[[File:The last stan of Rajputs against Muhammadans.jpg|thumb|271px|''[[Rajput resistance to Muslim conquests|The last stand of the Rajputs]]'', depicting the [[Second Battle of Tarain]] in 1192, against the forces of the [[Ghurid Empire]].]]
Vigraharaja was succeeded by his son [[Amaragangeya]], and then his nephew [[Prithviraja II]]. Subsequently, his younger brother [[Someshvara (Chahamana dynasty)|Someshvara]] ascended the throne.{{sfn|R. B. Singh|1964|p=156}}

The most celebrated ruler of the dynasty was Someshvara's son Prithviraja III, better known as [[Prithviraj Chauhan]]. He defeated several neighbouring kings, including the [[Chandela]] ruler [[Paramardi]] in 1182–83, although he could not annex the Chandela territory to his kingdom.{{sfn|Cynthia Talbot|2015|pp=39}} In 1191, he defeated the [[Ghurid Empire]] king [[Muhammad of Ghor]] at the [[first Battle of Tarain]]. However, the next year, he was defeated at the [[second Battle of Tarain]] by Muhammad of Ghor, and subsequently killed.{{sfn|Iqtidar Alam Khan|2008|p=xvii}}

Muhammad of Ghor appointed Prithviraja's son [[Govindaraja IV]] as a vassal. Prithviraja's brother [[Hariraja]] dethroned him, and regained control of a part of his ancestral kingdom. Hariraja was defeated by the Ghurids in 1194 CE. Govindaraja was granted the fief of [[Ranthambore Fort|Ranthambore]] by the Ghurids. There, he established a [[Chahamanas of Ranastambhapura|new branch]] of the dynasty.{{sfn|R. B. Singh|1964|p=221}}

== Cultural activities ==
[[File:Late Medieval Indian Art- Statue of Neminatha (Jainism), Chahamanas Dynasty, Narhar, Rajasthan, 11th C. AD.jpg|thumb|upright|Statue of [[Neminatha]] (Jainism), Chahamanas Dynasty, [[Narhar]], [[Rajasthan]], 11th century CE. [[National Museum, New Delhi]].]]
The Chahamanas commissioned a number of Hindu temples, several of which were destroyed by the [[Ghurid]] invaders after the defeat of [[Prithviraja III]].{{sfn|Dasharatha Sharma|1959|p=87}}

Multiple Chahamana rulers contributed to the construction of the [[Harshnath|Harshanatha]] temple, which was probably commissioned by [[Govindaraja I]].{{sfn|Dasharatha Sharma|1959|p=26}} According to ''[[Prithviraja Vijaya]]'':

* [[Simharaja]] commissioned a large Shiva temple at [[Pushkar]]{{sfn|R. B. Singh|1964|p=104}}
* [[Chamundaraja (Chahamana dynasty)|Chamundaraja]] commissioned a [[Vishnu]] temple at Narapura (modern Narwar in [[Ajmer district]]){{sfn|R. B. Singh|1964|p=124}}
* [[Prithviraja I]] built a food distribution centre (''anna-satra'') on the road to [[Somnath temple]] for pilgrims.{{sfn|R. B. Singh|1964|p=128}}
* [[Someshvara (Chahamana dynasty)|Someshvara]] commissioned a number of temples, including five temples in Ajmer.{{sfn|Dasharatha Sharma|1959|pp=69-70}}{{sfn|R. B. Singh|1964|p=159}}

[[Vigraharaja IV]] was known for his patronage to arts and literature, and himself composed the play ''[[Harikeli Nataka]]''. The structure that was later converted into the [[Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra]] mosque was constructed during his reign.{{sfn|Cynthia Talbot|2015|pp=37-38}}

The Chahamana rulers also patronized [[Jainism]]. Vijayasimha Suri's ''Upadeśāmālavritti'' (1134 CE) and Chandra Suri's ''Munisuvrata-Charita'' (1136 CE) state that Prithviraja I donated golden [[kalasha]]s (cupolas) for the Jain temples at Ranthambore.{{sfn|Dasharatha Sharma|1959|p=38}} The ''[[Kharatara Gaccha|Kharatara-Gachchha]]-[[Pattavali]]'' states that [[Ajayaraja II]] allowed the Jains to build their temples in his capital Ajayameru ([[Ajmer]]), and also donated a golden kalasha to a [[Parshvanatha]] temple.{{sfn|Dasharatha Sharma|1959|p=41}} Someshvara granted the Revna village to a Parshvanatha temple.{{sfn|Dasharatha Sharma|1959|pp=69-70}}

[[File:Late Medieval Indian Art- Victory Scene, Chahamanas Dynasty, Sikar, Rajasthan, 10th C. AD.jpg|thumb|center|upright=3|Victory scene, Chahamanas Dynasty, [[Sikar]], [[Rajasthan]], 10th century CE. [[National Museum, New Delhi]].]]

== List of rulers ==
{{anchor | Sapadalaksha | Sapādalakṣa | Savalak | Savalakh | Sawalak | Sawalakh | Sawa Lakh |Jangladesh | Jangala-desha | Jangaladeśa }}
{{South Asia in 1175|right|{{center|The Chahamanas of Shakambhari and main South Asian polities in 1175, on the eve of the [[Ghurid Empire]] invasion of the subcontinent.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Schwartzberg |first1=Joseph E. |title=A Historical atlas of South Asia |date=1978 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |location=Chicago |page=37, 147|isbn=0226742210 |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/schwartzberg/pager.html?object=074}}</ref>}}|{{Annotation|92|76|[[File:Long Fine Rectangle (plain).png|51px]]}}}}
<mapframe text="[[Find spot]]s of the inscriptions issued during the Shakambhari Chahamana reign.{{sfn|Anita Sudan|1989|pp=312-316}}" width="280" height="280" zoom="5" latitude="26.45" longitude="74.62">
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"type": "Feature",
"properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "Ladnu", "description": "Also known as Ladnun" },
"geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [74.3880699, 27.6442908] }
},
{
"type": "Feature",
"properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "Lohari", "description": "in Bhilwara district" },
"geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [75.4, 25.65] }
},
{
"type": "Feature",
"properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "Madanpur", "description": "Issued during [[Prithviraja III]]'s raid against the [[Chandela]]s" },
"geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [78.6951795, 24.2510993] }
},
{
"type": "Feature",
"properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "Narhar", "description": "Also known as Narhada or Narhad" },
"geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [75.5960745, 28.2944746] }
},
{
"type": "Feature",
"properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "Phalodi" },
"geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [72.3589284, 27.1312346] }
},
{
"type": "Feature",
"properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "Pushkar" },
"geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [74.5510856, 26.489749] }
},

{
"type": "Feature",
"properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "Rewasa", "description": "Also known as Revasa" },
"geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [76.5191968, 27.0925499] }
},
{
"type": "Feature",
"properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "Sewari", "description": "Also known as Sevadi" },
"geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [73.297175, 25.0944987] }
},
{
"type": "Feature",
"properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "Tantoti" },
"geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [74.8170822, 26.1405014] }
},
{
"type": "Feature",
"properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "Thanwala", "description": "Thanvala" },
"geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [74.4649512, 26.557162] }
},
{
"type": "Feature",
"properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "Topra", "description": "Issued during [[Vigraharaja IV]]'s northern campaign. Now at Delhi." },
"geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [77.1623852, 30.1252841] }
},
{
"type": "Feature",
"properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "Udaipur" },
"geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [73.712479, 24.585445] }
},
{
"type": "Feature",
"properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "Jeenmata temple", "comment": "Source: Har Bilas Sarda (1941). ''Ajmer: historical and descriptive'', p. 451" },
"geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [75.194225, 27.4442969] }
}
]
}
</mapframe>
[[File:Prithvi Raj Chauhan (Edited).jpg|thumb|280px|right|[[Prithviraj Chauhan|Prithviraja III]], the most celebrated ruler of the dynasty]]

Following is a list of Chahamana rulers of Shakambhari and Ajmer, with approximate period of reign, as estimated by R. B. Singh:{{sfn|R. B. Singh|1964|pp=51-70}}

{| class="wikitable"
! #
! Ruler
! Reign (CE)
|-
|1
|[[Chauhan#Origin|Chahamana]]
|(mythical)
|-
|2
|[[Vasudeva (Chahamana dynasty)|Vasu-deva]]
|c. 551 CE (disputed)
|-
|3
|[[Samantaraja|Samanta-raja]]
|684–709
|-
|4
|[[Naradeva|Nara-deva]]
|709–721
|-
|5
|[[Ajayaraja I|Ajaya-raja I]]
|721–734
|-
|6
|[[Vigraharaja I|Vigraha-raja I]]
|734–759
|-
|7
|[[Chandraraja I|Chandra-raja I]]
|759–771
|-
|8
|[[Gopendraraja|Gopendra-raja]]
|771–784
|-
|9
|[[Durlabharaja I|Durlabha-raja I]]
|784–809
|-
|10
|[[Govindaraja I|Govinda-raja I]] alias ''Guvaka I''
|809–836
|-
|11
|[[Chandraraja II|Chandra-raja II]]
|836–863
|-
|12
|[[Govindaraja II]] alias ''Guvaka II''
|863–890
|-
|13
|[[Chandanaraja|Chandana-raja]]
|890–917
|-
|14
|[[Vakpatiraja I|Vakpati-raja]]
|917–944
|-
|15
|[[Simharaja|Simha-raja]]
|944–971
|-
|16
|[[Vigraharaja II|Vigraha-raja II]]
|971–998
|-
|17
|[[Durlabharaja II|Durlabha-raja II]]
|998–1012
|-
|18
|[[Govindaraja III|Govinda-raja III]]
|1012–1026
|-
|19
|[[Vakpatiraja II|Vakpati-raja II]]
|1026–1040
|-
|20
|[[Viryarama]]
|1040 (few months)
|-
|21
|[[Chamundaraja (Chahamana dynasty)|Chamunda-raja]]
|1040–1065
|-
|22
|[[Durlabharaja III|Durlabha-raja III]] alias ''Duśala''
|1065–1070
|-
|23
|[[Vigraharaja III|Vigraha-raja III]] alias ''Visala''
|1070–1090
|-
|24
|[[Prithviraja I|Prithvi-raja I]]
|1090–1110
|-
|25
|[[Ajayaraja II|Ajaya-raja II]]
|1110–1135
|-
|26
|[[Arnoraja|Arno-raja]] alias ''Ana''
|1135–1150
|-
|27
|[[Jagaddeva (Chahamana dynasty)|Jagad-deva]]
|1150
|-
|28
|[[Vigraharaja IV|Vigraha-raja IV]] alias ''Visaladeva''
|1150–1164
|-
|29
|[[Aparagangeya|Apara-gangeya]]
|1164–1165
|-
|30
|[[Prithviraja II|Prithvi-raja II]]
|1165–1169
|-
|31
|[[Someshvara (Chahamana dynasty)|Someshvara]]
|1169–1178
|-
|32
|[[Prithviraja III]] (Rai Pithora)
|1177–1192
|-
|33
|[[Govindaraja IV|Govinda-raja IV]]
|1192
|-
|34
|[[Hariraja|Hari-raja]]
|1193–1194
|-
|}
{{Clear}}

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

=== Bibliography ===

{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |author=Alf Hiltebeitel |author-link=Alf Hiltebeitel |title=Rethinking India's Oral and Classical Epics: Draupadi among Rajputs, Muslims, and Dalits |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MMFdosx0PokC&pg=PR1 |year=1999 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-34055-5 }}
* {{cite book |author=Anita Sudan |title=A study of the Cahamana inscriptions of Rajasthan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X7VHAAAAMAAJ |publisher=Research |year=1989 |oclc=20754525 }}
* {{cite book |author=Cynthia Talbot |title=The Last Hindu Emperor: Prithviraj Cauhan and the Indian Past, 1200–2000 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m3DjCgAAQBAJ |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2015 |isbn=9781107118560 }}
* {{cite book |author=Dasharatha Sharma |author-link=Dasharatha Sharma |title=Early Chauhān Dynasties |publisher=S. Chand / Motilal Banarsidass |year=1959 |isbn=9780842606189 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n4gcAAAAMAAJ }}
* {{cite book |author=Har Bilas Sarda |author-link=Har Bilas Sarda |title=Speeches And Writings Har Bilas Sarda |publisher=Vedic Yantralaya |location=Ajmer |year=1935 |url=https://archive.org/stream/speechesandwriti030754mbp#page/n272/mode/1up }}
* {{cite book |author = Iqtidar Alam Khan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iGSKTttoa3IC&pg=PR17 |title=Historical Dictionary of Medieval India |publisher=Scarecrow Press |year=2008 |isbn=9780810864016 }}
* {{cite book |author=R. B. Singh |title=History of the Chāhamānas |publisher=N. Kishore |year=1964 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TKs9AAAAIAAJ |oclc=11038728 }}
* {{cite book |first=Alf |last=Hiltebeitel |author-link=Alf Hiltebeitel |title=Rethinking India's Oral and Classical Epics: Draupadi among Rajputs, Muslims, and Dalits |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MMFdosx0PokC&pg=PR1 |year=1999 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-34055-5 }}
{{refend}}

{{Wikiquote}}

[[Category:Chahamanas of Shakambhari| ]]
[[Category:Dynasties of India]]
[[Category:History of Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Rajput monarchs]]
[[Category:Dynasties of the Rajputs]]
[[Category:7th-century establishments in India]]
[[Category:12th-century disestablishments in India]]

Chahamanas of Shakambhari - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 19:10, 23 July 2023