The Age and Historicity of the Prthviraja Raso
Summary
The epic poem ‘Prthviraja Raso’ recounts the exploits of the Chauhan king Prithviraj III, but its numerous recensions raise questions about its age and reliability. This study compares early and late versions of the text and finds that later redactions introduce egregious historical errors: genealogies are misassigned, rulers are placed in incorrect dynasties, and events are chronologically distorted. For example, Somesvara is wrongly called Bhoja’s son, while Prithviraj’s accession and battles are misdated by decades. The author argues that the shorter, older recension—written closer to the events it describes—should be treated as a semi‑historic source, whereas the longer versions represent poetic expansions riddled with local legends. To utilise the Raso responsibly, scholars must identify and collate early manuscripts and prepare critical editions distinguishing authentic material from later interpolations.
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Conclusion
Because of its embellished later recensions, the ‘Prthviraja Raso’ cannot be accepted at face value for historical reconstruction. The article urges that only the oldest, most concise versions be used, and even these must be critically examined against inscriptional and textual evidence. Doing so can yield valuable insights into 12th‑century Rajput history while avoiding the pitfalls of romanticised legend.