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Jaichand, The Traitor > Page2
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Muslim accounts say that Mohammed Ghori was whisked away by a young Khilji. But Hindu accounts, which seem to be more reliable, assert that Ghori was brought a captive before Prithvi Raj. With characteristic treachery and faithlessness of his tribe, Ghori shed crocodile tears over is folly and craved for pardon promising never again to violate India's borders. Prithvi Raj was a fool to believe in the Muslim's promises. He should have been well aware of the depredations and treason since the time of Mohammed Qasem.
In order that such lessons of history may not be lost on the reigning monarch, according to ancient traditions, a monarch's routine enjoined upon him to spend some time every day listening to the history of his ancestors and country.
Either that thoughtful provision had not been continued during Prithvi Raj's time or he failed to derive any benefit from it, and he ordered Mohammed Ghori's unconditional release.
In this Prithvi Raj should have taken a lesson from the Muslims themselves. In Muslim internecine warfare, brother used to murder a brother for the father's throne or at least scoop out the eyes of his fraternal adversary. Had Prithvi Raj dealt the same punishment and meted out justice to the aggressor, he would have saved generations of Indians untold misery and humiliation. Instead, he committed the folly of allowing an injured snake to slither away only to come back with more venom. All that Mohammed Ghori was asked to remit by way of reparations was 8,000 horses which the gangster gladly did.
The success seems to have gone to Prithvi Raj's head. He became progressively unmindful of his royal duties. His wife Sanyogita appears to have exercised an unwholesome influence upon him. They perhaps preferred to live in a romantic isolation!
Prtihvi Raj made himself unapproachable even to his counselors and erstwhile colleagues. He neglected the cultivation of good and friendly alliances with his fellow princes. On the other hand, he alienated the sympathies of many because of his haughty isolation. Chaos and dissatisfaction followed Prithvi Raj's despotic and whimsical behavior. An honest and faithful nobleman, Chamundrai, was put in prison on some flimsy and trumped up charges. The vigilant chief minister, Kalmas, was done to death. This alienated the sympathies of some of Prithvi Raj's courtiers. They plotted against him and secretly extended their help to Ghori. Among the contemporary rulers Bheemdeo was not interested in helping Prithvi Raj because of their old antagonism. Jaichand, though a near cousin, was a sworn enemy of Prithvi Raj. Jaichand invited Ghori once again to attack Prithvi Raj.
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