Utkarsh Rai

Prithviraj Chauhan, the king of Delhi (Pithoragarh) was famous for his fearlessness, courage and romance. Jaichand Rathod, the king of the neighbouring Kannauj, was envious of Chauhan’s meteoric rise and quick expansion of his kingdom. Chauhan fell in love with Sanyogita, Jaichand’s daughter, and married her against his wish. This was followed by multiple clashes and battles for a few years between the two kingdoms. These skirmishes caused heavy casualties on both sides and estranged their relationship further.

In the meantime, Mohammad, the king of Gauri, captured Ghazni in Afghanistan. This brought Mohammad Gauri’s border close to Prithviraj Chauhan’s kingdom. To expand his kingdom, Mohammad Gauri attacked Bhatinda and captured the fort. This was the frontier of Chauhan’s kingdom. Chauhan asked Jaichand, his father-in-law, for help, but to no avail. History is replete with instances where marriages provided the much-required peace and cooperation between the two kingdoms. Why has this not happened here?

Lesson: Any agreement is possible if it’s mutually beneficial and instills a feeling of a “win win” agreement, even if two parties are not at the same footing. The agreement will not sustain if one exploits one’s superior status and forces it on the other. Sometimes, the superior party needs to yield more to reach an honorable agreement. If Jaichand had seen the advantage in helping Prithviraj Chauhan in defeating Gauri and keeping Chauhan’s kingdom to act as a buffer state between his and Mohammad Gauri’s, this would provide independence for long time to Jaichand too. Eventually even his kingdom was annexed by Gauri.

Chauhan marched to Bhatinda and met Gauri in Tarain. Chauhan forces did a superb job in the battlefield. Their attacks made Gauri forces to flee the battlefield. Gauri was captured and chained. He was brought to Pithoragarh. Gauri pleaded for mercy and freedom. Chauhan’s advisors were against it, but Chauhan went against their advice and released him. In the coming years, Gauri did not reciprocate the same gesture.

Lesson: Humanitarian help should be extended only if the recipient is not likely to become a “Bhasmasur” (who, on getting blessings from Lord Shiva, went back to destroy Shiva himself). While making an important decision of far-reaching impact, Leaders have to keep organization and team goal in mind rather than force personal preferences.

Gauri came back to the battlefield in the following year. He was better prepared and met Chauhan forces again in Tarain. Gauri broke the then conduct of war by attacking Chauhan army before sunrise. Chauhan forces were caught off-guard, tried their best, but lost eventually.

Lesson: The code of conduct, which is followed in the past, could not be assumed to be followed the same way unless there is a common understanding or a proper vigil to ensure its adherence. These common understandings happen in the case of collaboration and not amongst enemies. Organizations should not make the plan based on one-sided assumptions.

Prithivraj Chauhan was captured. Jaichand did not support Chauhan in this battle either and some stories suggested that he passed on some secrets to Gauri which led to Chauhan’s defeat. Prithviraj was transferred to Afghanistan. He was chained and blinded by Gauri. Guari used to bring him every day to the court and humiliate him. Chauhan’s close advisor and biographer Chand Bardai was also imprisoned along with him. There are multiple versions on how Gauri died. One story goes thus: Chand Bardai provoked Chauhan to take revenge of Gauri’s daily insults in the court. One day Gauri announced an archery competition. Bardari knew Chauhan had great skills in archery and could shoot in the direction of sound. He prevailed upon Chauhan to participate in this competition.

Lesson: A key distinction between a good manager from a not-so-good one is that a good manager will help his employees to realize their strength and suggest various options to overcome the disadvantages.

Chauhan showed his interest in the competition. Gauri first laughed at blind Prithviraj but then became suspicious. Intelligent Bardari removed the suspicion by stating a king could take order only from another. On the eventful day, Chand Bardai, through his poem, provided the distance and height between Chauhan and Gauri’s seat. As soon Gauri gave the order, Chauhan shot him dead. Before Gauri’s courtiers could avenge this death, Chauhan and Bardai stabbed each other to death.

Lesson: If a person is determined, he can convert his weakness into strength in spite of his handicap. One can find many great companies in recent history that struggled initially as a startup but overcame the hurdles. This was due to their innovation and determination to take a dominant position in the market. The winning desire and attitude helps in overcoming a bad patch and building a dominant successful organization.