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{{Short description|Rajput queen}}
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{{Unreferenced|date=December 2009}}
{{Similar names|Samyuktha (disambiguation)}}
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[[File:"Turning point of Indian History.jpg|thumb|"File-Turning point of Indian History]]
{{use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
'''Sanyukta''', also known as '''Sanyogita''', '''Sanjukta''', or '''Samyukta''', was the daughter of Raja [[Jaichand of Kannauj]]. She became the wife of [[Prithiviraj III|Prithviraj Chauhan]], the king of Delhi. Prithiviraj was a Rajput who ruled from his twin capitals of Delhi (Pithoragarh) and Ajmer. He is a popular figure of romance and chivalry from the folklore of medieval India, and also a figure of tragedy.
{{use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
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{{more citations needed|date=December 2009}}
{{Infobox character
| religion = [[Hinduism]]
| based_on = [[Prithviraj Raso]]
| spouse = [[Prithviraj Chauhan]]
| creator = [[Chand Bardai]]
| title = Princess of [[Kannauj district|Kannauj]]
| family = [[Gahadavala]] ''(by birth)''<br>[[Chahamanas of Shakambhari|Chahamanas]] ''(by marriage)''
| relatives = [[Jaichand]] ''(Father)''
| image = Equestrian painting of Prithviraj Chauhan and Samyukta, Rajasthani School, circa 19th century.jpg
| caption = Equestrian painting of Prithviraj Chauhan and Samyukta, Rajasthani School, circa 19th century
| first_date =
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}}
'''Samyukta''', also known as '''Sanyogita''' or '''Sanjukta''', was the daughter of [[Jaichand]], the King of [[Kannauj]], and one of three wives of [[Prithviraj Chauhan]].{{sfn|Cynthia Talbot|2015|p=132}} The love between Prithviraj and Samyukta is one of India's most popular medieval romances, composed by [[Chand Bardai]] in ''[[Prithviraj Raso]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Prithviraja III|url=http://www.britannica.com/biography/Prithviraja-III|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=21 September 2015}}</ref>


==Tradition==
The love between Prithviraj and Sanyukta(Sanyogita) is one of India's most popular medieval romances. At the peak of his reign, Prithviraj had annexed vast regions of India to his kingdom, and his fame had spread all across the subcontinent and to Afghanistan. Many lesser kings were envious and wary of his power, including Raja Jaichand of Kannauj. Jaichand's daughter, Samyukta (Sanyogita), was a headstrong girl who was known for her bewitching beauty.
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[[File:Turning Point of Indian History.jpg|thumb|Abduction of Samyukta]]
At the peak of his reign, Prithviraj had annexed vast regions of India to his kingdom, and his fame had spread all across the subcontinent and to Afghanistan. Many lesser kings were envious and wary of his power, including Raja [[Jayachandra|Jaichand]] of [[Kannauj]]. Jaichand's daughter, Samyukta, was a headstrong girl who was known for her bewitching beauty. She is said to have fallen in love with Prithviraj–like the two other princesses, Shashivrata and Padmavati, before her{{sfn|Cynthia Talbot|2015|p=284}}—as his reputation dazzled her. She desired nobody but him. For his part, Prithviraj had heard of Samyukta's loveliness and fell in love with her as well. However, Jaichand and Prithviraj were rivals.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Everything you must know about Sanyogita {{!}} Prithviraj Chauhan's wife history {{!}}|url=https://mahendrasinghbalot.blogspot.com/2020/12/Sanyogita-Prithviraj-Chauhan-wife-history.html|website=Reality of Indian history}}</ref>


⚫
On finding out about the affair, Raja Jaichand was outraged that a romance had been budding behind his back. Jaichand decided to insult Prithviraj and arranged a ''[[svayamvara]]'' for his daughter in 1185 CE. He invited royalty from far and wide to the ceremony, every eligible prince and king—except Prithviraj. He then commissioned a clay statue of Prithviraj, which served as a ''[[dvarapala]]'' (or, a figurative "doorman") to Jaichand's court.
Sanyukta(Sanyogita) fell in love with Prithiviraj as his reputation dazzled her. She desired nobody but him. For his part, Prithviraj had heard of Sanyukta's (Sanyogita's) loveliness and fell in love with her as well.
⚫
Prithviraj Chauhan, on hearing about the impending ''svayamvara'', devised a plan to elope with the bride-to-be. On the day of the ceremony, Samyukta walked through the court holding the ceremonial garland, ignoring the gazes of her ardent suitors. She passed through the door and put the garland around the neck of Prithviraj's statue, declaring him her husband. Prithiviraj, who meanwhile was hiding behind the statue, caught Samyukta up in his arms, set her on his horse, and whisked her away to Delhi. Raja Jaichand was enraged.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kumar |first1=Pradeep |title=कैसे बिना आँखों के पृथ्वीराज चौहान ने मुहम्मद गोरी को मार गिराया |url=https://www.newstrend.news/12425/prithviraj-chauhan/ |website=newstrend.news |date=11 October 2016 |publisher=Newstrend |access-date=5 June 2021 |language=Hindi}}</ref> This led to a rift between [[Delhi]] and [[Kannauj]], which was later taken advantage of by [[Mohammad Ghori]] of [[Afghanistan]].


== Historicity ==
However, Jaichand and Prithviraj belonged to rival Rajput clans.


The historicity of Samyukta is a matter of debate. ''[[Prithviraj Raso]]'' contains many exaggerated accounts , much of which may not be useful for the purposes of history, having been embellished under the patronage of the Kshatriya rulers since the 16th century. However, scholars such as [[Dasharatha Sharma]] states that the more reliable ''[[Prithviraja Vijaya]]'', which was composed during the reign of Prithviraj Chauhan, also contains a reference to Samyukta.{{sfn|Cynthia Talbot|2015|p=40}}
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On finding out about the affair, Raja Jaichand was outraged that a romance had been budding behind his back. Jaichand decided to insult Prithiviraj and arranged a [[Swayamvara]] for his daughter. He invited royalty from far and wide to the ceremony, every eligible prince and king - except Prithiviraj. He then commissioned a clay statue of Prithiviraj, which served as doorman (dwarpala) to Jaichand's court.


An unfinished theme in the 11th chapter of ''Prithviraja Vijaya'' refers to Prithviraj's love for an unnamed woman who lived on the banks of the [[Ganges]] river (just like Samyukta). This woman is mentioned as an [[incarnation]] of [[Tilottama]], a legendary [[apsara]] (celestial nymph). However, even if this woman is same as Samyukta, there is no concrete evidence to support the ''Prithviraj Raso'' narrative of Samyuka's abduction and marriage to Prithviraj Chauhan.{{sfn|Cynthia Talbot|2015|p=40}}
Prithviraj, on hearing about the impending swayamvara, devised a plan to elope with the bride to be.


==Modern Indian culture==
⚫
On the day of the ceremony, Sanyukta(Sanyogita) walked through the court holding the ceremonial garland, ignoring the gazes of her ardent suitors. She passed through the door and put the garland around the neck of Prithviraj's statue, declaring him her husband. Prithiviraj, who meanwhile was hiding behind the statue, caught Sanyukta(Sanyogita) up in his arms, set her on his horse, and whisked her away to Delhi. Raja Jaichand was enraged. This led to a rift between [[Delhi]] and [[Kannauj]], which was later taken advantage of by [[Mohammad Ghori]] of [[Afghanistan]].
"Samyukta", which means "united" in [[Sanskrit]], is a popular girl's name in modern India. The life of Prithviraj Chauhan has also been the subject of a television show aired on [[Star Plus]] titled ''[[Dharti Ka Veer Yodha Prithviraj Chauhan]]'', the character of Sanyogita was portrayed by [[Mugdha Chaphekar]] in that series.<ref>{{Cite web |title='My fans want me to do a historical drama', says Mugdha Chaphekar |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/cmcm/i-and-my-fans-want-me-to-work-in-a-historical-drama-says-mugdha-chaphekar-of-satrangi-sasural-fame |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=Free Press Journal |language=en}}</ref> A historical film titled ''[[Raani Samyuktha]]'' was made in 1962 with [[Padmini (actress)|Padmini]] and [[M. G. Ramachandran]] in the lead roles.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rani Samyuktha (1962) |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/tamil-film-rani-samyuktha-1962/article7668441.ece |website=The Hindu |date=19 September 2015 |publisher=THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. |access-date=5 June 2021}}</ref> In the 2022 film ''[[Samrat Prithviraj]]'' by [[Chandraprakash Dwivedi]], the character of Sanyogita is portrayed by [[Manushi Chhillar]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Prithviraj: Akshay Kumar, Manushi Chhilar's historical drama goes on floors; film to release on Diwali 2020|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/prithviraj-akshay-kumar-manushi-chhilars-historical-drama-goes-on-floors-film-to-release-on-diwali-2020-7655721.html/amp|work= The Firstpost|date=16 November 2019|access-date=30 December 2019}}</ref>


== References ==
Mohammad Ghori attacked the fortress of Bhatinda in East Punjab, which was on the frontier of Prithiviraj's vast domain. Prithviraj's appeals to Kannauj for help were rejected. Undaunted, the famous warrior king of Delhi marched on to Bhatinda and met his enemy at Tarain, near the ancient temple town of Thanesar. Prithiviraj won the battle there, and Mohammad Ghori was made his prisoner. He begged for mercy and release. Prithviraj, who was renowned for his sense of honor and chivalry, respectfully released Ghori against the advice of his ministers.
{{Reflist}}


=== Bibliography ===
Ghori rode to Afghanistan, and then returned to India with a stronger army. Kannauj again did not come to Prithviraj's aid. Ghori attacked Prithiviraj and defeated him. Prithiviraj, along with his courtier Chand Bardai, was sent to Afghanistan as a prisoner.
{{refbegin}}

* {{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 UK |year=2015 |isbn=9781107118560 }}
Maharani Sanyukta(Sanyogita), along with her ladies, committed [[Jauhar]] and ended their lives instead of surrendering the Afghan invader.
{{refend}}

The defeat of Prithviraj Chauhan also marked the end of Hindu rule in Delhi until the Marathas in the 1700s.

==Prithiviraj and Sanyukta/Sanyogita in modern Indian popculture==

Sanyukta/Sanyogita is a popular girl's name in modern India. The name Sanyukta/Sanyogita means "united" in Sanskrit.

Indian filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi has expressed interest in making a film on Sanyukta and Prithviraj's story.

The life of [[Prithviraj Chauhan]] has been made into a television show which is aired on [[Star Plus]].

{{Persondata
|NAME= Samyukta
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
|SHORT DESCRIPTION= Queen of Delhi
|DATE OF BIRTH=
|PLACE OF BIRTH=
|DATE OF DEATH= 1192
|PLACE OF DEATH=
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}}


[[Category:Indian female royalty]]
[[Category:Indian female royalty]]
[[Category:Indian Hindus]]
[[Category:Indian Hindus]]
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[[Category:Indian women in war]]
[[Category:1192 deaths]]
[[Category:1192 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Kannauj]]
[[Category:People from Kannauj]]
[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]
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[[Category:12th-century Indian women]]
[[Category:12th-century Indian people]]

Latest revision as of 23:08, 9 January 2025

For other people with similar names, see Samyuktha (disambiguation).

Samyukta
Equestrian painting of Prithviraj Chauhan and Samyukta, Rajasthani School, circa 19th century
Created byChand Bardai
Based onPrithviraj Raso
In-universe information
TitlePrincess of Kannauj
FamilyGahadavala (by birth)
Chahamanas (by marriage)
SpousePrithviraj Chauhan
RelativesJaichand (Father)
ReligionHinduism

Samyukta, also known as Sanyogita or Sanjukta, was the daughter of Jaichand, the King of Kannauj, and one of three wives of Prithviraj Chauhan.[1] The love between Prithviraj and Samyukta is one of India's most popular medieval romances, composed by Chand Bardai in Prithviraj Raso.[2]

Tradition

[edit]
Abduction of Samyukta

At the peak of his reign, Prithviraj had annexed vast regions of India to his kingdom, and his fame had spread all across the subcontinent and to Afghanistan. Many lesser kings were envious and wary of his power, including Raja Jaichand of Kannauj. Jaichand's daughter, Samyukta, was a headstrong girl who was known for her bewitching beauty. She is said to have fallen in love with Prithviraj–like the two other princesses, Shashivrata and Padmavati, before her[3]—as his reputation dazzled her. She desired nobody but him. For his part, Prithviraj had heard of Samyukta's loveliness and fell in love with her as well. However, Jaichand and Prithviraj were rivals.[4]

On finding out about the affair, Raja Jaichand was outraged that a romance had been budding behind his back. Jaichand decided to insult Prithviraj and arranged a svayamvara for his daughter in 1185 CE. He invited royalty from far and wide to the ceremony, every eligible prince and king—except Prithviraj. He then commissioned a clay statue of Prithviraj, which served as a dvarapala (or, a figurative "doorman") to Jaichand's court. Prithviraj Chauhan, on hearing about the impending svayamvara, devised a plan to elope with the bride-to-be. On the day of the ceremony, Samyukta walked through the court holding the ceremonial garland, ignoring the gazes of her ardent suitors. She passed through the door and put the garland around the neck of Prithviraj's statue, declaring him her husband. Prithiviraj, who meanwhile was hiding behind the statue, caught Samyukta up in his arms, set her on his horse, and whisked her away to Delhi. Raja Jaichand was enraged.[5] This led to a rift between Delhi and Kannauj, which was later taken advantage of by Mohammad Ghori of Afghanistan.

Historicity

[edit]

The historicity of Samyukta is a matter of debate. Prithviraj Raso contains many exaggerated accounts , much of which may not be useful for the purposes of history, having been embellished under the patronage of the Kshatriya rulers since the 16th century. However, scholars such as Dasharatha Sharma states that the more reliable Prithviraja Vijaya, which was composed during the reign of Prithviraj Chauhan, also contains a reference to Samyukta.[6]

An unfinished theme in the 11th chapter of Prithviraja Vijaya refers to Prithviraj's love for an unnamed woman who lived on the banks of the Ganges river (just like Samyukta). This woman is mentioned as an incarnation of Tilottama, a legendary apsara (celestial nymph). However, even if this woman is same as Samyukta, there is no concrete evidence to support the Prithviraj Raso narrative of Samyuka's abduction and marriage to Prithviraj Chauhan.[6]

Modern Indian culture

[edit]

"Samyukta", which means "united" in Sanskrit, is a popular girl's name in modern India. The life of Prithviraj Chauhan has also been the subject of a television show aired on Star Plus titled Dharti Ka Veer Yodha Prithviraj Chauhan, the character of Sanyogita was portrayed by Mugdha Chaphekar in that series.[7] A historical film titled Raani Samyuktha was made in 1962 with Padmini and M. G. Ramachandran in the lead roles.[8] In the 2022 film Samrat Prithviraj by Chandraprakash Dwivedi, the character of Sanyogita is portrayed by Manushi Chhillar.[9]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Cynthia Talbot 2015, p. 132.
  2. ^ "Prithviraja III". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  3. ^ Cynthia Talbot 2015, p. 284.
  4. ^ "Everything you must know about Sanyogita | Prithviraj Chauhan's wife history |". Reality of Indian history.
  5. ^ Kumar, Pradeep (11 October 2016). "कैसे बिना आँखों के पृथ्वीराज चौहान ने मुहम्मद गोरी को मार गिराया". newstrend.news (in Hindi). Newstrend. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  6. ^ a b Cynthia Talbot 2015, p. 40.
  7. ^ "'My fans want me to do a historical drama', says Mugdha Chaphekar". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  8. ^ "Rani Samyuktha (1962)". The Hindu. THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. 19 September 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  9. ^ "Prithviraj: Akshay Kumar, Manushi Chhilar's historical drama goes on floors; film to release on Diwali 2020". The Firstpost. 16 November 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2019.

Bibliography

[edit]
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