Naraina, Karnal

Located 11 km from the city of Karnal and 5 km from Taroari, its satellite town, Naraina holds an important place in the history of India. It was at Taraori that Shahab-ud-din Muhammad Ghuri, also known as Mohd Bin Sam was defeated by Prithvi Raj Chauhan, the ruler of Delhi in 1191 A.D. He, however, returned the next year.

First, he lured the Rajput with a promise of truce so that they became complacent. Then he took advantage of their normal battle routine. The Rajput soldiers rose at 3 am in the morning, performed the ablutions, took bath and had breakfast. They then took up their weapons and appeared for battle with the Muslim forces before sunrise.

Mohammad Ghuri knew this practice and, therefore, he launched an attack right when the Rajput army was occupied with the morning ablutions. They had empty stomachs and no arms. Rest, as they say, is history.