Prologue
PROLOGUE: THE SONS OF KINGS
Terror reigned across the battlefield as the Ghorid cavalry flanked around and smashed into the infantry of Prithviraj, almost breaking through each time. Four such assaults had taken place and the Ghorid soldiers had been repulsed every single time, despite their inherent superior quality. Armed to the teeth with Damascus steel swords and ornate helmets, Ghori had gone out of his way to provide his forces with the best possible equipment a ghazi could have. He had emptied out his treasury to make sure he got as many men in the best quality as he could and everything rode on this one campaign succeeding, everything rode on Prithviraj being crushed out here on the field.
So when the enemy refused to buckle under such pressure he was surprised. Eh Allah, why do you bless the infidel and idolator with such luck? I have armed my men with the best I can afford, I have made sure that he will get no support from his fellow countrymen and vassals and I have brought the Turk much glory. Yet still victory is not within my grasp? I shall have to use other methods for a victory. These Rajputra have spine, I'll give them that. But I'll make sure they know the price for defying Mu'izz ad-Din Muhammad Ghori, Sultan-e-Hindustan, ghazi and loyal servant of the Prophet.
"Taj al-Din, how many units have we lost trying to flank the enemy's infantry?" he asked authoritatively. The young ghulam was like a son to him and thus was there at all times beside him to give him advice, from a young man's point of view. He's grown up so quickly. One day Ikhtiyar, Qutb and Iltutimish will all become men just as Taj has.
"My lord, we have lost two khefals of the five we fielded at the beginning of the battle. I would suggest we commit the rest of the cavalry to the battle by hitting them in the left flank, rather than trying to encircle them. These folk fight harder when they know that death is guaranteed."
Ghori closed his eyes and gave the young man a smirk. The boy had become a man yet he still had no idea of the realities of warfare. Mu'izz ad-Din made a mental note to give Taj al-Din lessons on how to truly understand one's opponent once they returned to Ghor.
"My dear boy, what you don't understand is that these foes we fight today are not only worshipers of false demons, but also reckless, erratic and stupid. They call themselves Rajputra; 'Sons of Kings', in the crude tongue that they speak. They consider themselves above all other men despite lacking the culture of a Persian, finesse of a Turk or the bravery of an Afghan." he spoke, looking at the young man. Then he turned back to view the battlefield from his horse upon the hill. From his vantage point he could clearly see the enemy infantry locking horns with the infantry he had got from his local allies, especially the lord of Kannauj, Jayachanda. Off behind that one could vaguely make out his enemy's depleted cavalry contingent rallying around their king.
"You know Taj, the last time I faced this infidel upon this field I lost. In one brash move I had tried to capture his lands and I had thought that the will of Allah alone would carry me. But I was young and what I didn't realise was that God favours those who plan and calculate their steps."
"What happened once you lost my lord?" the young man asked, looking at Mu'izz inquisitively.
"A fate worse than death fell upon me. I was captured by Prithviraj and I thought he was going to execute me. If only that had happened, I would have still died with the words of Jihad upon my lips. No. He released me and sent me back to Ghazni with a paltry sum as a token of 'good will'. He had defaced and dishonoured me and from that day have I been waiting for this moment."
"But my lord, the battle remains in stalemate at the moment. This is no victory."
"Oh but it is. The 'failed' cavalry flanks were never going to succeed, their infantry is simply too good and well defended at this point. They were simply to give the enemy false hope, make them think that they can win this battle. I know Prithviraj, I have studied his character from afar. If we start routing he will give chase.
Taj, I want you to light a fire arrow. Jahngdar Nasruddin has already been given orders to feign a retreat should I give the singal. Once I tell you to, fire the arrow directly towards the center of the hill where the enemy cavalry is. Our forces will start breaking off and the enemy will give chase. When their formation is broken you will order the remaining three khefals of horsemen to cut down the enemy. Prithviraj however is to be bought to me alive. I have plans to make sure he pays for the disgrace he bought upon me."
The boy nodded and both of them continued to watch the battle. The hourglass kept turning as the Ghorid cavalry smashed against the spear wall of Rajputs to no avail, but their Ghulam training prevented them from routing when most other forces would have. A few hours past and the sun which had beat down upon them so harshly had now begun to set, the arc of it starting to return to it's heavenly abode.
Ghori saw that the two khefals of cavalry that had been charging were by now severely depleted and their enemy exhausted from repealing their charges. On the left flank the enemy infantry continued to be locked in combat with his Rajput auxillary units donated by Jayachanda. The time is right. Now will be the moment to strike.
Ghori raised his arm up and faced his sword to the sky. Taj al-Din nodded and procured an arrow from a Ghulam guard standing beside the two mounted men. Taj drew back the arrow which was coated in an incendiary liquid and fired it. The flaming projectile left no glow on the afternoon sky, yet was visible from across the battlefield. Right on queue, the Turkic and auxiliary infantry began to make a cautious retreat under the supervision of Jahngdar Nasruddin. Within fifteen or so minutes the army had retreated further away from the battle line and the hidden three khefals of cavalry had formed up in the brush.
Ghori eagerly awaited it as the enemy sent out their 200 elephants after the retreating spear. The break of formation had begun. As the two hundred magnificent and large beasts trampled of towards his feigned rout he waited for the rest of the army to give chase. And he waited. Followed by some more waiting. Followed by even more waiting. That's when it struck him. They weren't going to break formation.
"My lord the enemy is not giving chase and their elephants are wreaking terror upon us despite taking casualties. What do we do?" asked Taj al-Din, the young man was clearly exasperated and worried as his face turned red and he large beads of sweat rolled down his black hair.
Ghori couldn't even respond as he saw his entire infantry contingent destroyed before his eyes, the great painted behemoths flicking men aside as a man would to a fly. The remaining three khefals charged ahead to engage the enemy and try to save the situation but it was no use. The cavalry got bogged down and that's when the horns sounded and the Rajputs advanced, the enemy cavalry riding ahead and butchering his khefals. Despite their Ghulam status and hardened training a man can only endure so much, causing the Turkic cavalry to break and thus the rest of the army. Those that didn't break immediately were then cut down as the Rajput infantry marched forth.
"Men abandon the banners and camp, Taj, ready your horse we must make for Ghazni in haste. The Rajput wouldn't dare follow us there." he shouted as his guards mounted and he turned his horse towards the west. Taj quickly followed, but as they started galloping towards Ghazni, over the hill cam more sounds of horns and a new army entered the fray. From what it could be seen, the banners before them were of a bright red umbrella shielding an eagle.
"My lord Mu'izz, I recognise those banners! Those are the Bhattis of Laudrava! Perhaps the king Rawal Jaisal has come to our aid?"
But before Ghori could answer or even consider a response an arrow pierced the throats of on of his guards. It seemed as if the king Rawal Jaisal hadn't taken kindly to the threats Jayachanda had sent on his behalf to the man. Mu'izz ad-Din tried to maneuver his horse away, but his steed had panicked when another arrow landed in it and it crashed upon its side. The world slowly darkened and faded as Ghori felt searing pain on his leg, after which he couldn't feel his leg.
Ah... I-I must make it back to Ghazni. I w-won't let the infidel capture me or Taj. I won't let them capture Ikhtiyar, Qutb'uddin or Iltutmish. Wait my boys I am coming.
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As promised, I bring to you After Tarain a TLIAW in which Prithviraj wins the 2nd Battle of Tarain as he doesn't fall into Ghori's trap of a feigned retreat. Despite that being the actual game-changing event, the POD is because Prithviraj snaps out of his lovesickness a bit quicker due to Samyogita pushing him to do so, unlike OTL where he left his mustering till too late. Here he takes a proactive step and allies himself with the Bhattis of Laudrava, who've just had their capital of Laudrava sacked by Ghori, forcing them to relocate to Jaisalmer.
Thus not only does Prithviraj not feel cornered and having to make a quick decisive victory, but also has some sturdy Rajput allies. Next update will either be tomorrow or the day after.
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