During the
medieval period, many parts of
India and modern-day
Pakistan were being ruled by various dynasties of ruling warrior class: the
Rajput. Following is the list of those ruling Rajput dynasties of the Indian subcontinent:
- Chauhan dynasty of Ajmer and Delhi: The Chauhans, ruled between 956 and 1301 AD, earlier over the eastern parts of the present day’s Rajasthan with their capital at Ajmer and later extended their territory up to parts of modern-day Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. This Rajput dynasty was founded by Vatsraj who had the title of Agniraj. The Chauhan dynasty claims descendance from Fire God Agni. The first great ruler was Ajairaj who is famously known as the founder of the city of Ajmer. Prithviraj Chauhan was considered greatest of all Chauhan rulers. During his reign, the kingdom extended over Delhi, Ajmer, modern-day Rohilkhand, Kalinjar, Hansi, Kalpi, Mahoba, etc. He conquered Bhatinda (in Punjab) from Ghaznavid ruler of Punjab and defeated Muhammad of Ghor in the 1st Battle of Tarain. However, he was defeated in the 2nd battle of Tarain, 1192. Ranthambhore branch of Chauhans ruled from 1192 to 1301 till the invasion of Ala-ud-din Khilji.