Who Was Sanyukta? Manushi Chhillar Plays Role Of Princess Of Kannauj

Ahead of Akshay Kumar’s new film Samrat Prithviraj to be released today, he received backlash for his statement on Twitter in which he said that children’s history textbooks have more information on invaders and insufficient information about Prithviraj Chauhan.

He has been keenly promoting his upcoming film and his recent statement gained divided opinions on Twitter. The film also stars Manushi Chhillar who plays Prithviraj Chauhan’s beloved, Samyukta. Here are some lesser-known facts about her character.

Who Was Sanyukta? 

Also known as Sanyogita or Sanjukta, she was the daughter of Jaichand, the king of Kannauj. She was also one of the three wives of Prithviraj Chauhan and their love story is one of India’s most popular medieval romances in Chand Bardai’s Prithviraj Raso.

When Prithviraj had annexed vast regions of India at the peak of his reign, his fame spread all over Afghanistan. Samyukta, a headstrong woman, also known for her beauty, admitted her love for Prithviraj. Prithviraj, hearing about Samyukta’s beauty, fell in love with her as well, although Jaichand and Prithviraj were rivals. 

Finding their love affair, Jaichand was outraged by the romance growing behind his back. Her father arranged a “swayamvara” for his daughter in 1185 CE. Many princes were invited to court Samyukta except Prithviraj. The Rajput’s clay statue was commissioned and served as the figure of a doorman in Jaichand’s court.

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However, the Kannauj princess had already informed Prithviraj of the event in secret and wrote him a letter expressing her desire to marry him. At the onset of the “swayamvara,” she walked away and put up a garland on the clay statue of Prithviraj. Incidentally, Prithviraj was hiding inside the statue and before anyone, he took her on his horse to Delhi.

People believe that both of them fell in love when a painter from Prithviraj’s court, Panna Ray, had shown his picture to the princess. Prithviraj expanded and ruled the kingdoms of Ajmer and Delhi in the 12th century. Their love saga built a connection with the masses in India over centuries. Some say that Sanjukta committed suicide after the death of Prithviraj. She is believed to have committed self-immolation to avoid being captured by invaders and raped by them. Not only is Sanjukta remembered for her beauty but also, she was well-educated and was said to be a good fighter. She is played by Manishi Chillar in the upcoming movie.