Prithviraja III (reigning approximately from 1168 to 1192) is best known as a ruler of which dynasty in early medieval northern India?

Introduction / Context:
Prithviraja III, commonly known as Prithviraj Chauhan, is a prominent figure in the history of early medieval North India. He is remembered for his conflicts with Muhammad Ghori and for being one of the last major Hindu kings to rule over parts of the Delhi and Ajmer region before the expansion of Turkish power. This question asks which dynasty he belonged to.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- The ruler is Prithviraja III, with dates around 1168 to 1192. - The options list Chahamana, Gahadavala, Chalukya, and Brahmana. - We assume the standard identification of Prithviraj Chauhan with a particular Rajput lineage.

Concept / Approach:
The dynasty of Prithviraj Chauhan is generally described in Sanskrit and inscriptional sources as the Chahamana dynasty, often referred to in later narratives and popular memory as the Chauhans. The Chahamanas ruled over parts of Rajasthan and the Delhi Ajmer region. The Gahadavalas ruled mainly around Kannauj and Varanasi, while the Chalukyas were a major dynasty in the Deccan and western India. Brahmana is a social category, not a ruling dynasty in this context. Therefore, the correct answer is the Chahamana dynasty.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Prithviraj Chauhan is identified with the Chahamana or Chauhan dynasty. Step 2: Recognise that this dynasty had its stronghold in Ajmer and extended power towards Delhi. Step 3: Note that the Gahadavala dynasty is associated with rulers such as Govindachandra and Jayachandra, not Prithviraj. Step 4: The Chalukyas are best known from the Deccan region, for example in Badami or later in Gujarat, and are not linked to Prithviraj. Step 5: Brahmana is not the name of a political dynasty and can be rejected as an option. Step 6: Thus, the only historically correct choice is Chahamana.

Verification / Alternative check:
Historical texts and inscriptions use the name Chahamana for the lineage of Prithviraj. Later literary works such as the Prithviraj Raso also present him as a Chauhan ruler. Standard school and competitive exam books state that he was the last important ruler of the Chahamana dynasty of Ajmer and Delhi. None of the other dynasties listed in the options are associated with his name, which confirms the choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Gahadavala: This dynasty ruled around Kannauj and had rulers like Jayachandra, often portrayed as a rival but not as Prithviraj’s family line.
Chalukya: Refers to powerful ruling houses in the Deccan and western India, unrelated to the Chauhans of Ajmer and Delhi in this period.
Brahmana: A varna category describing priests and scholars, not the name of an early medieval ruling dynasty associated with Prithviraj.

Common Pitfalls:
Because many dynasties coexisted in northern India during the twelfth century, some learners confuse Gahadavala and Chahamana. Remembering the simple pairing of Prithviraj Chauhan with the Chahamana or Chauhan dynasty helps avoid this. Another common error is to pick Chalukya because it is a familiar name, even though it does not fit the regional and chronological context of North Indian politics in 1168 to 1192.

Final Answer:
Prithviraja III is best known as a ruler of the Chahamana dynasty.