U.P.P.C.S. Pre 1990

Rajput Resistance to the Ghorids

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Who defeated Muhammad Ghori for the first time?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A

Concept Before his eventual success at Tarain, Muhammad Ghori suffered a major humiliating defeat in Western India, which forced him to change his invasion route into India.

Explanation In 1178 CE, Muhammad Ghori was defeated at the Battle of Kayadara (near Mount Abu) by the Chaulukya (Solanki) forces led by the young King Bhima II and his mother, Queen Naikidevi.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Option A is correct. This was Ghori's first major encounter in India, and the heavy loss compelled him to turn toward the Punjab and Khyber pass route instead.
Logic 2: Prithviraj Chauhan (B) defeated him later in 1191 at the First Battle of Tarain, but the 1178 defeat by Bhima II came much earlier.

Active Recall

Question

Who was the strategist behind Ghori's defeat in 1178?

Answer

Queen Mother Naikidevi played a pivotal role, leading the army into the difficult terrain of the foothills of Mount Abu where Ghori's cavalry was at a disadvantage.

Core Insight

The victory of the Solankis in 1178 provided a temporary shield for Gujarat and delayed the Turko-Afghan conquest of Western India.