Cause of the success of Muhammad Ghori (Turks) against Rajputs

Cause of the success of Muhammad Ghori (Turks) against Rajputs

Muhammad Ghori

The people of India made intensive efforts to stem the rising power of Islam for a long time in its north-west frontier. The invasion of the Arabs remained confined only to Sindh and Multan but by the time the Turks started invading Indian Territory, the defenses in the north-west had collapsed. Although attempts were made by the Hindus to defend their country, they failed disastrously against the foreign invaders, the Turks. Historians are divided on the issue of the reasons of the defeat of the Rajputs. It is really surprising that the Rajputs, who were brave fighters and competent warriors were defeated by a handful on Muslim foreign invaders. The cause of defeat of the Rajputs can be classified as under : (1) Political Reasons, (2) Military Reasons, (3) Social Reasons (4) Religious Reasons, (5) Economic Reasons, (6) Other Reasons,

Political Reasons : The political condition of India was quite deplorable before the invasion of the Muslims. India was divided into several small principalities after the death of Harsh and various clans of Rajputs ruled over them. There was no unity among them. They had often invited the foreign invader to crush their neighbor and supported him against his Indian antagonist. Thus, the lack of political unity in the country was the main reason for the downfall of the Rajputs. Dr. A.L. Srivastava has written in this context, “Each prince had to fight single-handed and he fought for his own kingdom and territory as it were, and not for his country and people. Even in the moments of our greatest crisis, our rulers did not combine to put up a united defense against the invader.”

There was a lack of national feeling among the Rajput rulers. The Rajputs were very proud of their clan and always thought of its safety. No doubt, they faced the foreign invader with all their might but they did not pay attention to the invasions made on the other parts of India. They never thought of facing the common enemy jointly. Hence lack of strong central power also contributed to their decline.

The Rajputs lacked in diplomatic manipulations. They considered the battlefield a playground and avoided gaining victory through diplomacy or treachery. They were true to their words whereas their opponent’s chief motive was to gain victory by hook or by crook. It harmed the Rajputs greatly. The other reason of the political weakness of India was the feudalistic pattern of the army.

Military Reasons : The Military organization of the Rajputs was very defective. The Rajputs did not maintain a permanent army for the safety of their country. The King had to depend on the armies of the feudal lords. Often they used to send to the battlefield untrained soldiers whom they had recruited hurriedly at the time of war. They were not imbued with a sense of patriotism. The Indian army was a crowd of infantry which lacked in training and equipment. They did not stand before the cavalry of the Muslims. Dr. K. A. Nizam has also pointed out the advantage of the use of cavalry. “Mobility was the keynote of Turkish military organization at this time. It was the ‘age of horse’ and a well-equipped vacalry with tremendous mobility was the great need of the time.” Dr. A.L. Srivastava has written, “Our army organization was based on outworn conception. They were ill-organized and ill-equipped. Our military leaders did not keep themselves in touch with the development of tactics.”

The Rajpurs were ignorant of war tactics. They did not maintain a reserve army whereas Ghori also made use of his reserve army when he found that the Hindu army was tried due to full day’s conflict and attained victory over the exhausted soldiers.

The Rajputs did not have any experienced and capable leader who could unite them at the time of danger. They often made defective plans to fight their enemies and failed to make the best use of their power which was in no less than that of the Muslim soldiers but they had to face defeats die to their own faults.

Social Reasons : The social conditions of India were equally a contributing factor for the defeat of the Rajputs besides political and military reasons. The Hindu society was disintegrating and plagued by several vices. There was a great caste and class struggle in the Hindu society and the caste system had become quite complicated. Inter-caste marriages, inter-dining and change of caste were not possible during this time. The untouchables were treated badly and forced to live outside the confines of the city. Dr. Ishwari Prasad has remarked, “This caste system created artificial barriers which prevented the unification of the various groups even for purposes of common defense and safety.”

Several evils emerged in Indian society due to social complexities. Child marriage, polygamy, sati system, female infanticide, devadasi system and other such evils were acting into the vitals of the society like white ants and Indian society was falling prey to superstitions and narrow fatalistic tendencies. It was not expected of such a society to be able to face the foreign invaders.

Whereas the Muslim society was free from all such vices, they did not have caste or class problems. The feeling of brotherhood was very strong among the Muslims. Even the slaves reached the highest post of Sultan due to their ability. There are various examples in the history of medieval India when the slaves have rendered most wonderful services to their masters and enhanced their glory.

In this context, it can be said that the conflict between the Indus and Muslims was not a struggle between two different religions but it was a tug of war between two civilizations. The Muslim civilization was fresh and faultless whereas the Hindu society was effete and caste-ridden. Hence people of an effete civilization were defeated by a new and resurgent system.

Religious Reasons : The religious system of India also contributed to the downfall of the Rajputs whereas the religious zeal of the Muslims helped them I getting victory against the Rajputs. Comparatively, Islam was a new religion and its followers were fired by enthusiasm. Expansion of Islam, destruction of infidels, their idols and temples was the motto of the Muslims. They declared their wars as ‘Jihad’ against the Hindus. They had firm faith that people got favour of God in expansion of Islam and in waging wars against the ‘infidels’. Even if they died in this battle, they would attain Heaven and in case of victory they would be able to plunder the rich cities of India. Hence they fought against India with a missionary zeal. The theory of non-violence had still not lost ground in Indian society and they were not very eager to wage wars with such vigour as their antagonists used to do. It resulted in the defeat of Rajputs at the hands of the Muslims.

Economic Reasons : The Rajput rulers loved luxuries. They used to spend a lot of money on their requirements and were also involved in mutual conflicts. Owing to this, not only the number of soldiers was decreasing rapidly but the treasury of the king was being emptied day after day. Shortage of wealth also affected the traded and agriculture of the country.

But it does not mean that there was shortage of wealth in the country. Actually, the gold of India was the chief reason of the foreign invasions. It was stored in temples and religious places and was blocked to circulation. The foreigners plundered this wealth and enhanced their resources. It also increased their enthusiasm whereas the emptying of the royal treasuries forced the Rajputs to bow down before the foreign invaders. Thus, economic weakness of the Rajputs was also significant reason of their defeat.

Other Reasons : Dr A.L. Srivastava writes, “Mere physical strength and military weapons do not constitute the total equipment of an army. An inspiring ideology is as essential as military training and equipment.” The Indian society was caste-ridden, fatalist and had firm faith in non-violence. Their narrow-mindedness due to superstitions harmed them greatly. C.V. Vaidya also remarks, “Superstition acted like a double-edged sword towards the fall of Hindu India. While the Muslims believed that victory was bound to came to them, the Hindus believed that they were bound to be conquered by the Muslims in kaliyuga. Such a superstition demoralized and discouraged the Hindus.”

Besides all the reasons referred to above, the rotten political situation of India was chiefly responsible for the defeat of the Rajputs against the Muslims. But Dr. Ishwari Prasad remarks, “It was a devotion to the faith which made them so extraordinarily active, persistent and aggressive in their dealing with non-Muslims.” Thus, the political weaknesses, religious enthusiasm of the enemy, social complexities and economic problems combined with various other reasons and contributed to the defeat of the Rajputs.

Milan Tomic

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