• Period: 6th century–1192 AD
• Capitals: Shakambhari (modern Sambhar, Rajasthan) and Ajayameru (modern Ajmer, Rajasthan)
• Founder: Vasudeva
• Territory: They ruled over the present region of Rajasthan, known as Sapadalaksha or Jangala-desha.
• The Chauhan clan of the Rajputs ruled over Sambhar and Ajmer. Vigranraja of Visaldeva the Chauhan chief conquered Delhi from the Toamara chief.
• He was succeeded by his nephew Prithviraj Chauhan who played a very important part in the history of India at the time of the conquest by the Muslims. He overran many small states in Rajasthan, invaded the Bundelkhand area and defeated the Chandella rulers in a battle near Mahoba.
• Following his unsuccessful attempt to annex Gujarat, Prithviraj Chauhan redirected his focus towards the Punjab and the Ganga Valley, leading to a conflict with Muhammad Ghori. In the battlefield of Tarain in 1191 CE, Prithviraj Chauhan emerged victorious, establishing his supremacy over Punjab. However, Ghori launched a second attack the following year, resulting in Prithviraj’s defeat in the Second Battle of Tarain in 1192 CE. Prithviraj was subsequently captured and executed, marking the end of the Chauhan dynasty.

Expansion and Military Engagements

• Ajayaraja II: Repulsed a Ghaznavid attack and defeated the Paramara king Naravarman.
• Vigraharaja IV: Captured Delhi from the Tomaras.
• Prithviraj Chauhan: Defeated the Chandela ruler Paramardi and Muhammad Ghori in the First Battle of Tarain but was defeated in the Second Battle of Tarain.

Religion

• The Chauhans were primarily followers of Hinduism but also patronized Jainism. Prithviraja I donated golden kalashas for Jain temples at Ranthambore, and Someshvara granted the Revna village a Parshvanatha temple.

Contributions to Architecture and Literature

• Architecture: The Chahamana rulers commissioned many temples. The Harshnath Temple, a Shiva temple, was built during the reign of Vigraharaja I. Ranthambore Fort was built by King Sapaldaksha in 944 AD. Prithviraja I established a food distribution center on the road to the Somnath temple for pilgrims.
• Literature: Vigraharaja IV composed the play “Harikeli Nataka”.

• Constant fighting weakened the Rajputs. Also, they never united against a common enemy. Their lack of political foresight and constant rivalries prevented any combined opposition to the Muslim invaders.