The historic Battles of Tarain were fought between the Rajput ruler Prithviraj Chauhan and which invading ruler of north India?

Introduction / Context:
The Battles of Tarain are key events in the history of medieval north India because they mark the turning point from Rajput dominance to Turkish rule in the Delhi region. This question checks whether you can correctly identify which foreign invader confronted Prithviraj Chauhan in these famous battles. Remembering who fought at Tarain helps you connect the end of Rajput political supremacy in that area with the rise of a series of Islamic dynasties that later came to be called the Delhi Sultanate.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The battles took place at Tarain near present day Taraori in Haryana.

Prithviraj Chauhan was a powerful Rajput ruler based in Ajmer and Delhi.

The question asks for the name of the invading ruler who fought against him at Tarain.

Concept / Approach:
To answer correctly, we must recall basic details of early Turkish invasions. Mahmud of Ghazni raided the subcontinent earlier, mainly for plunder, but did not stay to rule from Delhi. Much later, Babur fought the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 and founded the Mughal Empire. Humayun was Babur s son. The Battles of Tarain were earlier than these events and are associated with another Ghurid ruler who aimed to establish control over north India. That ruler was Muhammad Ghori, also known as Muhammad of Ghor, who defeated the Rajputs and paved the way for the Delhi Sultanate.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the First Battle of Tarain was fought in 1191 between Prithviraj Chauhan and Muhammad Ghori. Step 2: In this first encounter, Prithviraj Chauhan defeated Muhammad Ghori. Step 3: The Second Battle of Tarain took place in 1192 at the same location between the same two leaders. Step 4: In the second battle, Muhammad Ghori defeated Prithviraj Chauhan, which led to the decline of Rajput power in that region. Step 5: Therefore, the invader who fought Prithviraj Chauhan at Tarain was Muhammad Ghori.

Verification / Alternative check:
Another way to verify the answer is to place the events on a rough timeline. Mahmud of Ghazni conducted raids roughly between 1000 and 1030. The Battles of Tarain occurred in the 1190s. Babur fought the First Battle of Panipat much later in 1526, and Humayun ruled after Babur. Only Muhammad Ghori fits both the timeline and the political objective of establishing lasting rule that ultimately led to the Delhi Sultanate under his slave and general Qutb ud Din Aibak.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Mahmud of Ghazni: He is known for repeated raids on north Indian temples and cities earlier in the eleventh century. He did not fight the Battles of Tarain and did not attempt permanent rule from Delhi.
Babur: Babur was a Central Asian ruler whose decisive victory came at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 against Ibrahim Lodi. He belongs to a much later period and is associated with the founding of the Mughal Empire, not with Tarain.
Humayun: Humayun was Babur s son and the second Mughal emperor. His conflicts were mainly with Afghans like Sher Shah Suri, not with Prithviraj Chauhan.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse Mahmud of Ghazni and Muhammad Ghori because both names sound similar and both came from regions to the west of India. It is important to separate them by purpose and time. Mahmud of Ghazni is remembered mainly for raids and temple plunder in the early eleventh century, while Muhammad Ghori is linked with the late twelfth century and the permanent establishment of Turkish rule. Keeping a small mental timeline of major invasions helps avoid this confusion in exams.

Final Answer:
The invading ruler who fought Prithviraj Chauhan at the Battles of Tarain was Muhammad Ghori.