Story of First “Jyotirlinga” of India- Shrine of Shiva at Somnath and Mahmud

Ghazni’s failure to loot the treasure of Somnath and stratagem of Gujarat’s Jain
minister of Bhim Deva-Vimal Shah

By: Bipin Shah

Institutional Destruction under Islam and its plunder in the sub-continent:

Muslim invaders and rulers destroyed over ten thousands churches, school of learning and temples of
worship throughout the world over several centuries during the middle Ages as a part of its religious
campaign against “non-believers”. As various Muslim historians documented it as a glorious acts, they
burned the library in Alexandria-Egypt where ancient knowledge of Romans, Egyptians, Jews, Syrians,
Sumerians, Elamite, Indians and Greeks over the millennium was collected and housed. Taxila and
Nalanda Buddhist School of learning were destroyed in India. After destruction of Hagias Sophia by
Muslim Turks in Constantinople, the churches and temples of Jews and Christians in Spain and
Jerusalem were leveled to the ground and mosques were built over the destroyed structure. After this
assaults on the culture of the world, Islam turned its attention towards east after subduing Northern
Africa and Spain and advanced toward Persia. Once mighty Persian Empire could not stop the
onslaught of Islam and the followers of Zoroaster had to flee to find a shelter in India. In today’s world
the destruction of places of worship of any religion is considered a non- humanitarian act.

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 Ancient knowledge stored at Library in Alexandria destroyed originally built by Ptolemy

Strabo and Megasthenes work of Ancient India was stored over here along with roman historians

The least understood phenomenon in these types of aggression has many other purposes that are
political in nature. The loot, plunder, domination and enslavement of other people are primary goal
for seeking obedience to rules and rulers where there are no rules. It is male dominated culture
designed to exploit women and child as slaves that Turkomen practiced in Eastern Europe. We can be
very dismissive and argue as some bloggers have done in the past and continue to do so that there
were others who were committing similar acts so why blame us. There is no excuse for anyone to
conduct such dastardly acts under the name of religion. Today, we only criticized who are involved.
We don’t blame those that are not involved are condemning these acts.

When an organized religion conducts this type acts that is sanctioned by religious authority is a big
issue. This surpasses individual acts of violence and therefore it is a heinous act and deserves the
worldwide condemnation and such dismissive attitudes and generalization of the problem are never
acceptable. This kind of attitudes brings endless reprisals and this kind of “hate ideology” imbedded in
to child’s mind through madrassas’s teaching at very early age works against their own society’s
progress.

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 Hagias Sophia- Church of Byzantine Empire was turned in to Mosque

When you ask the Blogger to explain the wanton destruction of Banyan Buddha in recent time that
stood their ground unmolested for centuries, they cannot find the words for explanation that
convinces anybody of their logics.

God sent two messengers of peace for universal brotherhood after Zoroaster, Mahavira and Budhhas,
they were no strangers to this world. There were Jesus Christ and Prophet Mohamed. These were the
founders of new religions of the world: Christianity and Islam. Their message was of peace and
brotherhood. None of them claimed any superiority of their teachings over others but complemented
it and when studied in details it carried the same message that God had sent them to deliver to the
mankind.

Since Indians got indoctrinated with religions several centuries earlier with various choices of faiths
and philosophical discourses by various teachers along with prevailing ancient traditions going back to
Indus-valley civilization, they had almost become oblivion of their surroundings. They could not see
the lurking danger to their way of life and worship, when Hindu Shahi Kings of Kabul fell to Islam.
After several years of active resistance without receipt of any support from their fellow Hindu

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brothers in the south, they collapsed. This resulted into displacement of number of Hindus who were
born and raised in their homeland in Northern India. The great Panini who constructed the Sanskrit
grammars was born and raised in Afghanistan.

The feudal and predestined mentality (Nyati) of Indian people is so rooted in their psyche due to their
deep religious beliefs. They believe that everything in cosmos is predestined so why bother taking any
action? Unfortunately, the rest of the world does not accept this philosophical outlook. They believe
that the destiny can be shaped and molded with human efforts. The Indians in general vest their faith
and trust on the judgment of their rulers and makes no intelligent inquiries, seeks no answers and
leaves everything to their destiny. Some of us think that by being passive, they are avoiding “karmic”
action. The responsibility and abdication of their own right of self preservation , their own faith and
culture and while leaving everything to pre-determined destiny has become a major disadvantage in
international relation of the past and present. The other religions acts exactly in opposite way where
by being “proactive” they tried to change the course of their own destiny and way of life. This outlook
and beliefs in the past have brought series of misfortunes to Indian people. The poor decision making
and outright neglect by rulers for their own people and the endless migration and violation of their
dignity and faith have gone unchallenged. If the history is any guide, this needs to be changed in a
peaceful way.

Al-Hind after Arab’s departure from Sindh

Arabs were soundly trounced by Royal Pratihara clans of Gurjara at the beginning of the 9th century
AD but Hindu Shahi kingdom of Kapisa And Balkh struggled for almost 100 years and India’s last
defense at Hindukush crumbled. This again reopened the gate to India again for invasion. Plunder and
loot. Arabs had learned some valuable lessons from their expedition to Sindh and previous caliphate
had abandoned their plans to spread Islam into Al-Hind temporarily but renewed again after several
hundred years with the conquest of Spain in Europe and Constantinople in Turkey.

Nath Worshipping of India has its origin in Megalith worshipping

Nath and Jyotirlinga worship in India probably began during Megalithic and Indus-saraswati’s earliest
phase and had continued through millennium in a similar way with other cultures of the world where
icons were worshipped, In India, it had evolved into Nath worshipping represented by Linga stone.
Nath worshipping meant to be understood as “Adinath”. “Adi” means first. The word Adinath means
first and supreme God Shiva in iconic form, the God of all just like Shiva to Hindu and Rishabha to
Jaina as depicted in Yogic seal. Hindu called him Pashupati seal and Jaina called him Rishabha seal.
Rishabha another name is also Adinath.

As I stated earlier in my other article, the Shramanic culture originated and was evolved
simultaneously and perhaps renamed differently from Nath worshipping. Shiva lingam at Somnath
was probably the first of its kind and Brahmin attest that it existed during Krishna’s time. All kinds of
legend are associated with the Somnath lingam. The name Somnath may have come either with

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drinking of “soma” while Nath worshipping or it may have come with “moon” god worshipping since
“soma” means moon. Some Hindu folklore has associated it with ancient king named “Soma Deva” of
unknown time of prehistory who built the first temple of God. The lingam shaped stone, once half
submerged in water around the shores of Dwarka was originally “active giant volcanic stone with
magnetic properties” and glowed as per the legend. This belief was rooted with ancient people who
used megalith for worshipping as well as for other purposes. The people can easily associate this kind
of tale with bible’s tale of “burning bushes” that prophet Mosses witnessed. There are 12 major
Jyotirlinga sites in India as shown below:

Twelve Jyotirlinga of India

Examples of some Jyotirlinga (images from posting by Shanmuga Priya)

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The Temple in Saurashtra region was known in the history with various names such as Prabhas,
Dwarka and Jyotirlinga of Indus-saraswati region. All in one- God like figure, Shiva-Pashupati-
Rishabha, practicing Shramanic tradition of Yoga and early form of Proto-Jainism, Proto-Yogism or
proto-Shramanic tradition. This concept reemerged in Hinduism at a later date in the form of the
trinity concept of Gods of Hinduism where Shiva responsibility as one of the Gods who destroy the
cosmos for recreation by Brahma.

One can imagine that the planets in our solar system its earliest stage of formation had many active
volcanoes, hot springs, sprouting Geysers and forest fires in abundance. They are still visible evidence
on some different part of the world where volcanic and geological activities takes place routinely. All
these natural forced represented the threat of unknown origin to the early humans and just like any
other wild natural forces that were present brought fears and at some stage it created a form of
worshipping and offering that would appease these various forms of power that became Gods.

“Jyotirlinga” in Sanskrit itself means glowing stone of lingam. This is easily explainable when you visit
the active volcano of main Hawaiian Island or hot spring area near Auckland, New Zealand that the
author himself has witnessed. On mainland of Hawaii, the hot lava and gases flowing over the cliff
into sea water and thereby forming a cylindrical size large stone that can be viewed similarly like pre-
historic Somnath stone, half submerged in water.

The science had no reach to our human ancestors and worship was the only answer to please the God
to ensure their survival. Today, the science and religion are at the cross roads and science is providing
some of the answers in unraveling human history and stages of evolution. Hopefully, at some point in
the future it may converge.

The Pictures of the active volcanoes and formation of volcanic stones in main Island of Hawaii

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The Lord Shiva- Master of Somnath
According to “Joking legend”, Shiva always had a “DO NOT DISTURB” sign posted outside his “Kailas
cave” .He meditated endlessly and it was never a good idea to awaken or bother Shiva from his
tantric-yogic position because you never know what the world will look like after he is awakened!

Somnath is believed to be the first known Jyotirlinga of India and its aniconic form of Lingam
commanded a special status with Indian people and devotees all across India, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
They all came to pay respect and redeem themselves. The Kings, its officers and commoners
considered this visit to Somnath as a lifelong ambition and their ultimate salvation and paid the
homage to this shrine.

We do have the precise date when first temple was built but it has been around for thousands of
years of antiquity. The worship of Shiva has become a pan-Hindu tradition. Some historians believe
that the figure of Shiva was built up over time, with the ideas of many religious sects being
amalgamated into a single figure of worship. Sailen Debnath traces the origin of Shiva to the pre-
Aryan period, and believes that he played an important role in the Indus Valley Civilization. There are
plenty of evidence to conclude that Rudra-Shiva, Krishna and Brahma are all in one composite
supreme beings and are considered the lord of cosmos and Universe. How the persona of Shiva
converged as a composite deity is not well documented or understood by historians. Axel Michaels
explains the composite nature of Shaivism as follows:

“Like Vishnu (Krishna), Shiva is also a high god, who gives his name to a collection of theistic trends
and sects: Shaivism. Like Vaişņavism, the term also implies a unity which cannot be clearly found
either in religious practice or in philosophical and esoteric doctrine. Furthermore, practice and
doctrine must be kept separate.”

It is suffice to say that Shaivism may go back to the days when primitive men worshiped megaliths
and therefore Shiva in my opinion is the oldest worshipped Lord of India. This explains the importance
of Somnath to India as its first megalithic worshipping site from prehistoric time. How megalith
worship of ancient turned into shaivism is an interesting chapter for someone else to write but it
cannot be considered as original pantheon for proto Indo-European people. He is very specific to India
and Indian people. Shiva is more popular in Tamil land but no one should quickly conclude that Elam-
Tamil brought him to India. This is not that simpler thing to explain as the presence of Shiva can be
found outside of India because another form of Shiva “Rudra” (Red stone) also existed In Afghanistan
at Herat (ancient Harirud). The compendium of the concept of trinity to accommodate various
tradition and cultures that arrived in India must be the answer.

Development of shivalinga from Megalith

Paleolithic people made stone tools out of many materials. One of the most valued among materials
was obsidian, a glassy volcanic rock that is usually black but that can be dark brown or reddish brown.
The large boulder cylindrical shapes were used for worshipping, building the temple perimeters or
shelter. In fact, obsidian was so treasured that the Paleolithic people went to great lengths to obtain
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their obsidian. Today, every Spa treatment includes Lava stone for heat treatment. From as early as
20,000 years ago, obsidian was being traded over distances. Much of that trade took place over water
so it’s a safe bet they were using watercraft back then. The use of Megalith has continued from Stone
Age to Bronze Age either as a shelter, burial place, social gathering place and worshipping. Jyotirlinga
or shivalinga was turned into a temple of ritual at the time of Indus -saraswati period. The first
Jyotirlinga site was established at Somnath near Prabhas Patan on the shore of Indian Ocean for
worshipping. Shiva lings evolved from this megalithic tradition. How and when process took place is
can be understood but it is not well documented.

The map below shows similar sites of “Jyotirlinga”. When super imposed with Paleolithic maps of
India, it starts to produce some relevance. Shiva worship (Black stone) of Indus region was integrated
over period of many centuries with “Rudra” (Red Stone) from Harirud (Herat-Afghanistan). Shiva then
became synonymous with Rudra worship. The credit should be then given to the tolerance,
farsightedness to the Vedic compendium of religion.

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 Jyotirlinga map of Shiva lingam- from the Unknown age of the History

Somnath Temple:

The folk lore suggests that Shiva lingam at Somnath was so huge that part of it remained submerged
under water and platform was built over it. Somnath was given full taxation rights of surrounding
villages by Vallabhi kings in recorded history and this revenue privilege existed perhaps as early as
pre-Mauryan period. Somnath Temple had accumulated significant treasures form devotes. There was
not a single Hindu kings who did not make the pilgrimage once in his life time to pay homage to
Shiva’s shrine at Somnath and offered valuable gifts. The revenue generated in excess of expenses

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was stored in nearby island where a special treasury was built by Temple authority with the 24 hours
protection by devotee guards who were willing to die to protect the Shiva’s holdings.

Mahmud of Ghazni and his success as described by Ghaznivad’s Historians:

Some bloggers are correct in stating that Mohamed Ghazni was not the first one to vandalize the
temple of Somnath. They use the word “vandalize” that simply meant breaking windows or uprooting
shrubs in your back yards. What Ghazni did do to Somnath was more barbaric that find no parallel in
the human history.

My research on this subject is very different than what most of the people may believe. Romila
Thapar’s some years ago suggested that Mahmud did not get much out of the invasion. I do agree
with her on her conclusion however, my research suggests that her claim that Moslem worshipped
there is not accurate. There was Muslim trader’s presence at some large trading ports of Bhriggu-
Kuchha and nearby Diu but if they did make the offering is to please their hosts but not due to any
religious compulsion or needs. Most of the writing done by Gazanivad historians for expedition of
Amir of Ghazni was done by “paid historian” except one case whose name was Ferishta or (Firishta in
Farsi). He arrived in India few centuries later. He was a writer, scholar and objective Muslim historians
of Persian origin who was more interested in finding the truth. Due to various contradictory accounts
that existed then, His extracted narrative of Mahmud’s Somnath expedition is quite different than
prepared by appointed Gazanivad paid historians but these difference can be bridged by obscure
publication from Jaina sources called “Vimal Charita”. This is a sort of an autobiography of Vimal
Shah-Jain minister of Bhim Deva Solanki, the ruler of Gujarat during Mahmud’s time. The Gazanivad
historians who were specifically recruited by Mahmud to write Somnath expedition was meant for
caliphate and it was just an inflated and one sided story of claims. K.M. Munsi tried to expose that but
was not very successful as he had a habit of mixing the fiction with the history. Mohamed was writing
his own imagined success to please the caliphate that he had insulted by overthrowing his appointed
Governor. The evidence presented here shows that the actual results were rather disappointing.

He did not get any measurable significant economic benefits that he had planned to harvest due to
timely and shrewd move by Jain minister of Chalukya kings Bhimdeva of Gujarat. The story that is
given here is known in Jaina folk lore and has been a well guarded secrets of Jainas : who and how the
construction of sun temple of Modhera and nearby Bhim Sagar( a lake) the first white marble Jain
temple of Dilwara at Mount Abu were financed right after Ghazni’s departure, if Gujarat was stripped
of all his wealth by Ghazni?. The Jain Temple at Mount Abu is named after Vimal as “Vimal Vasi”.

Vimal Shah
Vimal Shah (no relation to me) was a Master Geo-Politician of his time. He did make a fundamental
error in his judgment. He did not anticipate the capacity of Amir of Ghazni’s long march of over 1000
miles to the shores of Dwarka peninsula. He was also betrayed by soomra of Sindh who guided
Ghazni either out of fear of him or in act of revenge against Solanki with whom they feuded over the
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control of Kuchha region since the days of Lakho Fulani. Vimal Shah became victim of bad intelligence
from his own spies that did not detect the treachery of soomra who had adopted Islam from days of
Mohamed Kassim. He therefore incorrectly assumed that Mahmud of Ghazni will make many cross
border raids like he had done before several times and take his loots and plunders and go away. He
never anticipated a deep strike into the heart of India due to long supply line of logistics and difficult
terrain of dessert. However, Vimal Shah quickly learned his miscalculation and adopted stratagems
that avoided slaughter of people and the capture of Gujarat’s treasure. He was also serving as a
military commander of Gujarat in addition to being a minister and councilor to king so he carried the
complete responsibility of statecraft. At this time, Bhimdeva was young king who also lacked the
experience but not the courage.

When the facts presented here from Ferishta’s account and then reconciled with Jaina record a
different picture is emerging. Vimal not only saved majority of the Somnath’s treasure but deployed
it in a way that further expedition by others will not be necessary by erecting world renowned marble
temples and other monuments named after Bhimdeva that will remove any incentives to pluck the
low hanging fruits. Bhimdeva Solanki, his sovereign King, on his side, he managed to move the
treasure to remote places unreachable to Mahmud at the highest point at Mount Abu –the fortified
castle of Achal Gadh. He did this by sea routes via Bhadreshwar and then land route to Kanthkot at
Kuchha and then to Mount Abu through ancient pancheshwar route. After Mahmud’s departure, the
surya (Sun) temple at Modhera sprang up and world famous UNESCO heritage Jaina temples of
Dilwara was built, all financed through the use of rescued treasure of Somnath. I have spent
considerable time researching the timing of these structures and how it could have been financed
when Gujarat was stripped of all his wealth as recorded by Gazanivad historians with an exaggerated
claim. Ferishta account clarifies that when analyzed carefully. No one can deny that along his route,
he attacked weaker towns and forts and looted whatever he can but that represented a small amount
in relation to vast fortune of temple accumulated over centuries.

There are many other secondary question comes up. As some of the bloggers would have it, if
Mahmud was so smart that he thought that it was worthwhile to haul the Somnath’s wooden door
and cut the Linga in two pieces sent over thousands of miles over the Hindu Kush Mountain! It
becomes a big joke, however it is colored, and it becomes a worthless exercise and defies the logics.
So, obvious conclusion was to offer this as proof to caliphate and other people that he was there.

After a thorough review, it will become apparent that the losses were not as sizable and in that
magnitude Mahmud had claimed. Vimal Shah after his distinguished career as a minister , commander
and councilor to young Bhim Dev takes early retirement at early age after Ghazni’s departure and
spent his entire life building and supervising these world’s finest sun temple and an exquisite Jain
temple of white marble on a hill almost 4000 feet high . The financing of these structures mentioned
above were all accomplished after Ghazni’s departure that represents more as a circumstantial
evidence of financing than just a coincidence? All of the texts are silent on these monuments except
giving credit to Vimal Shah and his supervision of getting it done. As stated earlier, the temple
treasury had a sizeable collection and contribution of all Hindu kings that fell into the hands of
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Gujarat. Gujarati certainly will not announce to the rest of the Hindu kings of India, should someone
get wrong idea and decide to claim it on pretext of rescue. Since Mahmud knew where it was stored,
it is more likely that small offshore island of Gundavi was gutted. The monumental cost of
transporting and carving of marble stones of Dilwara’s Vimal vasi temple, sun temple of Bhimdeva
and Bhimsagar, a giant water tank of lake size carved out of red stone is simply astounding.

Vimal Shah’s Strategy:

Sensing that frontier kingdoms had fallen like a dominos and knowing full well the superior military
advantage of Ghazni forces and successive failure of defensive action by local “brave hearts”, the
defense of India’s frontier had collapsed. Vimal still thought that Ghazni’s aim was toward weaker
states of Sindh and Punjab that had been raided before. It was his most logical expectation that Amir
of Ghazni will not attack without being challenged by Chauhan of Ajmer who was similarly counting
on Gujarat as a challenger and hoping the Ghazni will bypass him. Both turned out to be false hope
and were a wrong judgment for all of them. Mahmud was well motivated for many reasons as you
will see from Ferishta record.

The Somnath temple is located on farther end of western Peninsula, so it never expected an attack
like that from someone far away as far as thousands of miles. They expected that there would be
fierce resistance and Amir of Ghazni will be driven out like many before them. So, no preparations
were made for the defense of the Somnath or even capital city Patan in northern Gujarat. Mohamed
recruited Sindhis guides who showed them the way from southern Sindh to Patan and then to the
shrine of Shiva-the majestic temple of Somnath.

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Patan-Sidhraja in northern Gujarat then was 10th largest city of the world (in 1000 AD) when the
population peaked at 100,000 people. The Shrine of Somnath is located at southern end of Saurashtra
Peninsula of India in a very small community.

Unexpected Surprise for Mohamed Ghazni

Unknown to Ghazni, the temple’s major fortune was not stored at the temple complex but on an
offshore island where mini “Fort Knox” was built by the temple authority with full protection of
Rajput Guards. The donated gold, silver and precious stones of values by Hindu kings and rich
merchants were stored on this nearby Island of Gun Devi. It had a in a fortified vault and was by deep
water of the sea. The access was limited by boat

One of the chief motivating factors was to offer something to caliph that he failed to accomplish. He
wanted to make sure that his expedition is recorded correctly for caliph. So, Gazanivad historians
always wrote a glorious account of the loot.

The hardest evidence in favor of the presentation here are the monuments that are still standing
today and no one ever bother to ask the basic question. If Mohamed was so successful in looting the
Gujarat with gold, silvers and Diamonds, the economy of Gujarat would have collapsed and there will
not be any monies left to finance these monuments? The follow-up question is why he bothered to
carry the wooden piece of Junk door all the way to Ghazni? Only thing he succeeded in doing was to
capture and probably convert many Hindus to Islam by force and others were enslaved, killed and
captured and some of them who survived ended up being the Gypsy population of Europe.

Who should we believe?

Out of many historian of the time, Mohamed Kassim Shah Astrabadi, a Persian Muslim, surnamed
Ferishta, visited India in 1589 AD to compile the history of conquest of Islam in Asia. His patron,
Ibrahim Adil Shah, spared no expense to procure the most ample materials that was available. But of
the thirty-four standard books mentioned as the sources from where he drew his information, besides
twenty others alluded to in his history, very few are now existent. His account on Mohamed Ghazni’s
conquest to Gujarat is produced here as translated by British experts without any alteration and
changes. I have marked the name of old places with current names in “Blue” for geographical
understanding.

Mahmud’s childhood:
It is said that Mahmud in his childhood fell victim to small pox that scarred his face. To hide his scars
from small pox, he always kept the beards, so no suitable ladies would faint out from his harem. It
was unfortunate but this reality of life propelled him to harbor such grievances and bitterness
towards fellow human beings. He also harbors much bigger ambition over his brother’s possible
succession after his father’s death. His first attack on the man the Caliph appointed as Governor did
upset the caliph and he knew that. His father was not pleased with him and favored his other brother
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and Mohamed felt a natural impetus to prove that he is the man that should be paid attention to and
he made Islam his cause.

Real Picture of (M.G.) Paid Artist’s rendering

Attackers on March towards Somnath Sketch of homeward march with slaves, loots & worthless doors

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Account of Ferishta (Condensed Extract): (Mahmud, Mohamed or similar spelled
name means the same person in this document)
“Hizra 414 or 1024 AD of common era: Mahmud, in the year 415, having mustered all his
forces, found them to consist of 54,000 chosen horse, and 1300 elephants, disposable for
Foreign Service. With this army he marched to Bulkh (Balkh), to expel Allytuggeen (Governor
of caliphate & sultan of Turkmenistan) from the government of Mawur-ool-Nehr
(TRANSOXIANA), for oppressing the people, who complained of his tyranny to the King. When
the chiefs of Mawur-ool-Nehr heard that the King had crossed the Jyhoon, (old Pyramus) near
Amu Darya, they came with presents to meet him. Kuddur Khan, of Khootun (KHOTAN), also
paid him the compliment of a visit, and was honorably received. Mahmud prepared a great
feast upon this occasion, and concluded a treaty, after which the monarchs took leave of each
other, making an exchange of princely presents. Allytuggeen, seizing this opportunity, betook
himself to flight, but the King of Ghazni sent a party of horse after him; after a long search he
was discovered and brought to the camp, after which he was confined for life in one of the
forts of India. This establishes his first motives to escape caliph’s anger.

Shaban (SOMNATH), A. H. 415. Sept. A. D. 1024.

The celebrated temple of Somnath, situated in the province of Gujarat, near the island of
Div, was in those times said to abound in riches, and was greatly frequented by devotees
from all parts of Hindoostan(India). These infidels not only believed that souls after death
went before Somnath(reincarnation), who transposed them into other bodies according to
their merits in their former state, but also pretended that the ebb and flow of the tides
represented the obeisance paid by the ocean to this shrine. Mahmud marched from Ghazni in
the month of Sahban with his army, accompanied by 30,000 of the youths of Toorkistan
(Turkistan) and the neighboring countries (Khorasani), who followed him without pay, for the
purpose of attacking this temple Somnath, which gives its name to the city, is situated on the
sea-shore, and is to be seen in the district of Div, now in the hands of Europeans (Portuguese-
during Ferishta time-15th century AD). Some historians affirm that the idol was brought from
Mecca, where it stood before the time of the Prophet, but the Brahmins deny it, and say that
it stood near the harbor of Div, since the time of Krishna, who was concealed in that place
about 4000 years ago.

Rumzan, 415, Oct. 1024 AD –Attack on Sidhraja Patan and Ajmer but found them evacuated
and empty.

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In the middle of the month of Rumzan, the Mahomedan army reached the city of Multan; and
as a great desert lay before them, the Amir gave orders for the troops to provide themselves
with several days' water and provisions, as also with provender for their horses, besides
which, 20,000 camels were laden with supplies. Having passed the desert, the army reached
the city of Ajmer. Here, finding the Raja (Chauhan) and inhabitants had abandoned the place,
rather than submit to him, Mahmud ordered it to be sacked, and the adjacent country to be
laid waste. Conceiving the reduction of the fort of Ajmer would occupy too much time, he left
it unmolested; and proceeding on his expedition took by assault some smaller forts on the
road, till at length he arrived at Nehrwala (Patan-then capital city of Gujarat with population
of approximately 100,000, now called sidhpur Patan) a frontier city of Gujarat, which was
evacuated (The residents were dispersed in nearby vicinities to avoid the slaughter as
ordered by Vimal and Bhimdeva under the protection of their soldiers), On his approach to
Patan, Mahmud, taking the same precautions as before, by rapid marches reached Somnath
without opposition.

Attack on Somnath:
Day-1

Here he saw a fortification on a narrow peninsula, washed on three sides by the sea, on the
battlements of which appeared a vast host of people in arms, who, making a signal for a
herald to approach, they proclaimed to him that their great idol, Somnath, had drawn the
Mahomedan and to blast them in a moment, and to avenge the destruction of the gods of
India. In the morning, the Mahomedan troops advancing to the walls began the assault. The
battlements were in a short time cleared by the archers, and the Hindus, astonished and
dispirited, crowded into the temple, and, prostrating themselves in tears before the idol,
prayed for assistance. The Mahomedan, having seized this opportunity, applied their scaling
ladders and mounted the walls, shouting aloud, “Allah Oh Akbar!” (Meaning God is great) The
Hindus, urged by despair, returned to the defense of the works, and made so spirited a
resistance, that the Mahomedan, unable to retain their footing, and wearied with fatigue, fell
back on all sides, and were at length obliged to retire.

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Rajput Lancers on mounted cavalry

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 Rajput Archers on Elephants

Ghazni’s Forces from Afghanistan-Khorasani-Circassian

18
Next morning the action was renewed, but as fast as the besiegers scaled the walls, so fast
were they hurled down headlong by the besieged, which now seemed resolved to defend the
place to the last. Thus the labors of the second day proved even more unsuccessful than
those of the first. On the third day an army of idolaters having arrived to reinforce the
garrison, presented itself in order of battle in sight of the Ghazni camp. Mahmud determined
to prevent this attempt to raise the siege, and having ordered a party to keep the garrison in
check, himself engaged the enemy in the field.

The battle raged with great fury: victory was long doubtful, till two Indian princes, Brahma
Dew (Bhim Dev) and Dabishleem (Durlabhsen-2, his cousin prince), with other
reinforcements, joined their countrymen during the action, and inspired them with fresh
courage. Mahmud at this moment perceiving his troops to waver, leaped from his horse, and,
prostrating himself before God implored his assistance. Then mounting again, he took Abdul
Hussein, (One of the General) the Circassian (mountainous country near Caspian Sea), by the
hand, by way of encouragement, and advanced on the enemy. At the same time he cheered
his troops with such energy, that, ashamed to abandon their King, with whom they had so
often fought and bled, they, with one accord, gave a loud shout and rushed forwards. In this
charge the Moslems broke through the enemy's line, and laid 5000 Hindus dead at their feet.
The rout became general. The garrison of Somnath, beholding this defeat, abandoned the
defense of the place, and issuing out at a gate towards the sea, to the number of 4000,
embarked in boats,(Bhimdeva and Vimal Shah causing diversion but headed to move the
temple treasure) intending to proceed to the island of Serendeep(now called Diu) . This
maneuver did not escape the King, who secured some boats left in a neighboring creek,
manned them with rowers, and some of his best troops, and pursued the enemy; on which
occasion he took and sunk some of their flotilla, while a part only escaped. Having now
placed guards round the walls and at the gates, Mahmud entered Somnath accompanied by
his sons and a few of his nobles and principal attendants. On approaching the temple, he saw
superb edifice built of hewn stone.

19
 An Example of Hewn stones and Design of Lingam

Its lofty roof was supported by fifty-six pillars curiously carved and set with precious stones.
In the centre of the hall was Somnath, a stone idol, five yards in height, two of which were
sunk in the ground. The King, approaching the image, raised his mace and struck of its nose.
He ordered two pieces of the idol to be broken off and sent to Ghazni, that one might be
thrown at the threshold of the public mosque, and the other at the court door of his own
palace. These identical fragments are to this day (now 600 years ago) to be seen at Ghazni.
Two more fragments were reserved to be sent to Mecca and Medina. It is a well
authenticated fact, that when Manhood was thus employed in destroying this idol, a crowd
of Brahmins petitioned his attendants, and offered a quantity of gold if the King would desist
from further mutilation. His officers endeavored to persuade him to accept of the money; for
they said that breaking one idol would not do away with idolatry altogether; that, therefore,
it could serve no purpose to destroy the image entirely; but that such a sum of money given
in charity among true believers would be a meritorious act. The King acknowledged there
might be reason in what they said, but replied, that if he should consent to such a measure,
his name would be handed down to posterity as “Mahmud the idol-seller,” whereas he was
desirous of being known as “Mahmud the “destroyer:” he therefore directed the troops to
proceed in their work. The next blow broke open the belly of Somnath, which was hollow,
and discovered a quantity of diamonds, rubies, and pearls, of much greater value than the
amount which the Brahmins had offered.

The author of the Hubeeboos-Seer relates, from other authorities, that Somnath was the
name of the idol; but he is contradicted by Sheikh Fureedood-Deen Attar, who observes, that
“the army of “Mahmud found in Somnath the idol whose name “was Nat.” I have, however,
enquired on this subject, and learn, that Soma was the name of the prince after which the

20
idol Nat was called. Nat signifies, among the Hindus, lord or chief, and is rendered applicable
to idols. Thus we have Jugnat (JUGNATH), signifying the lord of the creation, to who divine
honors is offered up. In the time of eclipses we are told that from 200,000 to 300,000
worshippers used to frequent this temple, and that the different princes of Hindoostan had
bestowed in all 2000 villages, the revenues of which were applied to maintain its priests. This
revenue was independent of other costly presents received from all parts of the empire. It
was customary, also, for those idolaters to wash Somnath twice daily with fresh water from
the Ganges, though that river is above 1000 miles distant.

Among the spoils of the temple was a chain of gold, weighing 200 “muns” (equals 105 lbs.),
which hung from the top of the building by a ring; it supported a great bell, which called the
people to worship. Besides 2000 Brahmins, who officiated as priests, their belonged to the
temple 500 dancing women, 300 musicians, and 300 barbers to shave the devotees before
being admitted to the sanctum; and it was even usual for the princes of Hindoostan some-
times to devote their daughters to the service of the temple. The King of Ghazni found in this
temple a greater quantity of jewels and gold than it is thought any royal treasury ever
contained before. In the Zeinool-Maasir, it is related that there were no lights in the temple,
except one pendent lamp, which, being reflected from the jewels, spread a bright gleam over
the whole edifice. Besides the great idol above mentioned, there were in the temple some
thousands of small images, wrought in gold and silver, of various shapes and dimensions.

Mahmud, having secured the wealth of Somnath, prepared to chastise the Indian prince
Brahma Dew, (Bhimdeva) the Raja of Nehrwala (Sidhraja Patan), who had assisted his
countrymen during the siege, and who had cut off above 3000 of the faithful(Muslim).
Brahma Dew, after the taking of Somnath, instead of proceeding to Nehrwala, shut himself
up in the fort of Gundaba (an island of Gundavi that housed the treasures), distant 40
fursungs (Furlong equals one eight of mile-approximately 3 to 4 miles) from Somnath. The
Amir having arrived before this fort, perceived it was surrounded on all sides by water, which,
on account of its extent and depth, appeared impossible to approach; sending, however, to
sound it, he understood that at one place it was fordable, though not easily to be passed by
an army. Mahmud having ordered public prayers, and having cast his fortune .On the Koran,
entered the water at the head of his troops, and reaching in safety the opposite side,
immediately made an assault upon the place. Brahma Dew fled at the approach of the
Mahomedan; and the Hindus who defended the fort, seeing themselves deserted, quitted
their posts on the walls. The assailants, having obtained easy possession, made dreadful
havoc among the men, reserving the women and children as captives. The wealth of Brahma
Dew (Bhim Deva) was lodged in the King's treasury.(Bhim Deva with Vimal Shah had already
left for Bhadreshwar-Kuchha in opposite direction by boats loaded with treasures- one day
21
earlier, while Ghazni was thinking that they were headed to Serendeep or shri-Lanka. As seen
from Ajmer and Patan, the evacuation was the alternatives they took to save people from
slaughter until they muster their forces that forced Ghazni to take desert route that perished
his people as King of Ajmer, Paramara kings of Abu and Bhimdeva were allied with their
forced to engage Ghazni up on his return path through Patan.-see below).

Mahmud, thus felt victorious, marched to Nehrwala, the capital of Gujarat. He found the soil
of that place so fertile, the air so pure and salubrious, and the country so well cultivated and
pleasant, that, it is said, he proposed to take up his residence there for some years, and to
make it his capital, conferring the government of Ghazni upon his son, the Prince Musood.
Some historians relate, that in that age there were gold mines in Gujarat, which induced
Mahmud to wish to reside at Nehrwala (Patan); but there are now no traces of these mines,
although in that time there might have been, since there are instances of the disappearance
of mines, such as that in Seestan, (Seistan) which was swallowed up by an earthquake in the
following reign. The King having heard of gold mines on the island of Ceylon, and in the
country of Pegu, * it is said, seriously intended to fit out a fleet for the conquest of those
regions, but he was diverted from this scheme, and prevailed on by his officers not to
abandon his native kingdom.

Mahmud, yielding to their advice, consented to return to Ghazni, at the same time requesting
some of his ministers to recommend a fit person to leave in the government of Gujarat. After
some consultation, they told the King, that on account of the great distance of this country
from his other dominions, and the number of troops necessarily requisite for its defense, they
thought it advisable that one of the natives should be made governor. The King, on further
enquiry, being informed that the family of Dabishleem( Durlabh sen) was the noblest in those
parts, and that one of that race was in the vicinity of the camp, living as a hermit, he resolved
to place him on the throne.

Some authors, in opposition to this story, have informed us, that the hermit Dabishleem
(Durlabhsen) was a cruel and ambitious prince, who had made several attempts to wrest the
government from his brothers, who had been compelled at length to seek an asylum within
the sanctuary of a temple. The Dabishleem, however, alluded to in the first instance, was
another person of the same family, celebrated for his wisdom and learning, and, although the
ruler of a province only, the whole of the Brahmins of that part of the country highly
respected him for the soundness of his judgment and good qualities. The King accordingly
sent a friendly message, inviting Dabishleem to his presence, and, having fixed an annual
tribute, created him governor of Gujarat.(This story is deliberate plant by Vimal Shah to make
Ghazni believe to install his father who had voluntarily given up the kingdom. They wanted

22
Ghazni to be out near Mount Abu where combined forces of Rajput warriors were waiting for
them. Just listen to the story that is unbelievable so it has to be a plan by Vimal.)

That Prince, petitioned him to leave some troops for his protection; asserting, that the other
Dabish-leem, as soon as Mahmud should vacate the country, would, undoubtedly, attack
him, before his authority should be thoroughly established, the consequences of which might
be easily foreseen; but if the King would afford him his protection, he would remit, annually,
double the revenue of Kabulistan and Zabulistan. These considerations prevailed with
Mahmud to form a design to reduce the Prince Dabishleem before he left the country. He
accordingly sent a part of his army to seize him, which, in a short time, brought him prisoner
to Mahmud. He immediately delivered over the unfortunate Raja into the hands of his
kinsman, the new ruler of Gujarat.

The Governor, addressing the King, said, “That “it was contrary to the tenets of his religion to
“put a king to death, but that it was customary “when one king got possession of another (his
“enemy), to make a dark pit under his throne, “and there confine him for life, or till the death
“of his conqueror. That, for his own part, he “deemed such usage too cruel, while, on the
“other hand (he said), if the Raja be confined in “another prison, his adherents will, on the
King's “departure, attempt to release him.” The new Raja, therefore, proposed, that the King
should carry the former Raja to Ghazni. Mahmud complied, and after two years and six
months, absence from his capital, directed his steps homewards. Intelligence being now
received, that Brahma Dew and the Raja of Ajmer, with others, had collected a great army in
the desert to oppose his return, Mahmud determined to march direct by the route of Sind to
Multan. Here, also, he encountered deserts on his march, wherein his army suffered greatly
for want of water, and his

A. H. 417, A. D. 1026. (Planted Hindu guides that sent Mehmud’s soldiers to

death)
Cavalry for want of forage; but in the year 417 he reached Ghazni, though not without much
difficulty and loss. During his journey through the country of Sind (Sindh), the army was
misled for three days and nights by one of the Hindu guides, in a sandy desert; so that many
of the troops died raving mad from the intolerable heat and thirst. Mahmud suspecting his
guide, commanded him to be put to the torture, when he confessed, that he was one of the
priests of Somnath, who, to revenge the injuries done to the temple, had thus endeavored to
bring about the ruin of the Gazanivad army. The King ordered him to be executed; and, it
being towards evening, he fell prostrate before God, imploring a speedy deliverance. A
meteor was suddenly seen in the north, to which direction he shaped his course, and, before
morning, found himself on the border of a lake.*
23
Dabishleem the Wise, being established on the throne of Gujarat, remitted tribute punctually
to the King, and having sent a splendid embassy, he requested that the imprisoned Raja
might be made over to him. That prince had by this time gained the regard of Mahmud, who
was now unwilling to part with him. He was, however, over-persuaded by his counselors,
who were envious of the favor which the unfortunate Raja had acquired, and he was
accordingly delivered into the hands of the person who brought the Gujarat tribute to Ghazni.

When they reached the dominions of Gujarat, Dabishleem the Wise gave orders to construct
a vault under his own throne, in which he intended to confine the unhappy Raja, according to
the custom of the Hindus. In order to display his own power more completely, he advanced
to some distance from his capital to meet his prisoner, and compelled that unfortunate
prince to run before his horse, with a basin and ewer in his hand.

The King of Gujarat, it is said, being overheated on this occasion, lay down to repose under a
shady tree: he drew a red handkerchief over his face, and ordered his attendants to
withdraw. A vulture, which happened to be hovering over the spot, mistaking the red
handkerchief for prey, pounced down on Dabishleem, and fixing its talons in his eyes
rendered him totally blind, and thereby incapable to reign, according to the laws of the
country. When the accident became public, the whole camp and city were filled with
confusion. The imprisoned prince arriving at that instant, was received with acclamations,
and instantly proclaimed king. He put the basin on the head of Dabishleem, and having
placed the ewer in his hand, drove him before him into the dungeon which he himself had
prepared, where he spent the remainder of his life. How wonderful are thy works, O God!
who in the twinkling of an eye converted the punishment awarded by one prince to another
into an instrument of his own destruction; thus fulfilling the Scripture, in which it is written,
“He who digs a pit for his brother, shall “himself fall therein.”

The author of the “Jamaool Hikayat” relates that when Mahmud was in Gujarat he saw a
small black idol under an arch, which to all appearance was suspended in the air without
support. The King, amazed at this phenomenon, consulted the philosophers of his court, who
told him that they believed the image to be iron, and the stone of the arch magnetic. The King
observed that he thought the equilibrium of weight and attraction could not be so exactly
found. He, however, by way of experiment, ordered a stone to be struck out of the arch,
which was no sooner done, than the idol fell to the ground; the stone was therefore pro-
nounced to be a magnet. The Caliph of Bagdad, being informed of the expedition of the King
of Ghazni, wrote him a congratulatory letter, in which he styled him “The Guardian of the
State, and “of the Faith;” * to his son, the Prince Ameer Musaood, he gave the title of “The
Lustre of “Empire, and the Ornament of Religion,” and to his second son, the Ameer Yoosoof,

24
the appellation of “The Strength of the Arm of Fortune, and Establisher of Empires.” He at the
same time assured Mahmud, that to whomsoever he should bequeath the throne at his
death, he himself would confirm and support the same.

In the end of the year Mahmud marched against the Juts residing in the Jood (Jat) mountains,
which had molested his army on its return from Somnath. Having arrived at Multan, and
finding that the country of the Juts was intersected by rivers, he ordered 1400 boats to be
built, each of which was armed with six iron spikes, projecting from the prows and sides, to
prevent their being boarded by the enemy, who were expert in that kind of warfare. In each
boat were twenty archers and five naphtha-men, to attack and set fire to the enemy's flotilla.
The Juts, having intelligence of this armament, sent their wives and children, together with
their most valuable effects, into the neighboring islands, and launching, according to some,
4000, and according to others, 8000 boats, ready manned and armed, they prepared to
receive the Mahomedan. The fleets met, and a desperate conflict ensued, but the projecting
spikes of the Moslem boats did such execution when they ran against the craft of the Juts,
that several of them were overset. The archers, at the same time, plied their arrows with
such effect, that many of the enemy leaped overboard. Some of the Jut boats being in the
mean time set on fire communicated their flames to others; some were sunk, some boarded,
and others endeavored to fly. From this scene of confusion few of the Juts escaped, so that
those who were not killed fell into the hands of Mahmud.

A. H. 418. A. D. 1027. The King after this victory returned in triumph to Ghazni, and in the
year 418 removed the governor of Toos (Abool Hurb Arslan†) to the government of the
district of Badwird, in order to chastise the Suljook Toorkmans, who, having crossed the river
Amoo, had invaded that province. The General, however, being defeated in several en-
gagements, wrote to the King, that without his own presence nothing could be done against
the enemy. Mahmud put his army in motion, and having come up with the Suljooks (Turkish
Tribe), gave them a total defeat. At this time, also, his generals having conquered Eerak, he
himself marched in that direction, and secured all the treasure that had been amassed by the
race of Boeia. Having then introduced some new laws‡ * respecting the religion of the
inhabitants who had adopted false tenets, he conferred the government of Rye and Isfahan
on his son, the Prince Musaood, and returned to Ghazni.

Mahmud was soon after affected with the stone (Kidney Stone), which disorder daily
increased. He went in this condition to Balkh (Balkh) and in the beginning of the spring
returned to Ghazni, where, on Friday, Ruibeeoos-sany, A. H. 421, April 29.A. D. 1030, in the
sixty-third year. Of his age, this great conqueror gave up his body to death and his soul to
immortality, amid the tears of his people.

25
Translated By Alexander Kinloch Forbes, John Whaley Watson, Alexander Kyd Nairne states
that the island of Gurbanda” is considered “Gundavi Bet” or island which is no longer there
or laid in waste.”

Ferishta’s account is completed here.

Author’s analysis Reinterpretation of events:

The events described by Ferishta that is largely accurate but never have been reconciled with
Jaina records; Ferishta in spite of his best effort was not well informed. Very few select
people close to Bhimdeva and Vimal Shah knew about the treasure and how it was utilized.
When you are faced with “unexpected events” as they were you had to develop similar
counter measures and deceptions to mislead the enemies? They played their cards carefully
as best they can considering the time of the history when the communication were slow and
surprises were greater but they make sure that enemy’s return home was made very
miserable while avoiding the direct conflict with overwhelming forces. This is how they did it.

1. They first employed the defensive strategy of evacuating the major town and cities, sparing
the population from outright slaughter.

2. Their main purpose was to offer some spirited defense of the temple in a divisionary way
while rescuing the stored treasure on an offsite nearby island to safe harbor.

3. Vimal organized allies to offer a stiff resistance that included Paramara and Chauhan Kings
and their force near Mount Abu where many fierce fighting have taken place in the history.

4. Mohamed realizing this move and possibility so he was lured into taking the short but
difficult route to Multan by crossing desert of Kuchha with the help of a planted, but self-
motivated Brahmin guides who wanted to avenge the murder of his family.

5. Jats were paid monies to take on returning and tired soldiers of Ghazni.

6. It does not make any sense to cut the pieces of idols when you are a non-idolater to ship all
the way to Medina to the land of non-idolaters. Why bother? The political purpose of
appeasing the caliph is very clear and can be accomplished with other offering. This is a mind
boggling idea.

7. Having destroyed the temple and stealing any fixture of any values, what was the reason
behind to haul the wooden antique door as a trophy all the way to Hindu Kush? If you have

26
the treasure, you will not need this as a proof? This wooden door was finally brought to India
by English and is now installed at Agra Fort.

Identity of Dabishleem (Durlabhasen -2)

Another interesting point of the story is to understand who was this Dabishleem (Arabic or
Persian pronunciation of one named Durlabhsen) as described by Ferishta? He was
nominated to rule Patan by Ghazni for a short period of time. Some experts defer on his real
identity. Ferishta mentions that he accompanied Bhim Deva on defense of Somnath. This
suggests that he is related and he may be his cousin from the royal household.

Some of these events can be reconciled from the book by EDALJI DOSABHAI on History of
Gujarat published in 1986. The genealogy of Solanki kings of Gujarat described on page 22-25
of the book sheds some light. K, M. Munsi had done extensive work on Gujarat’s history,
some material is fictional and some material is of great historical values.

Mulraj Solanki started the Solanki dynasty of Gujarat with Patan as a capital city that was
founded by Vanraj Chavda who was her mother’s ancestor. Mulraj abdicated his throne in
favor of Chamunda Raja and went to hermitage. Chamunda came to power at older age ruled
for 10 years and abdicated his throne to Vallabha who died due to sickness and his younger
brother Durlabhsen ( younger brother ) came to power. Durlabhsen came to power and ruled
the kingdom and abdicated to his nephew Bhim Deva who was in charge when Ghazni
attacked. The other Dabishleem (or Durlabhsen-2 described by Ferishta existed and he was a
distant cousin of Bhim Deva probably of related Chavda family with a similar name. He
initially played along with Ghazni on advise of Vimal Shah but then greed took over and he
broke his pledge to Bhim Dev. Durlabhsen Solanki senior, Grandfather, who was still alive in
hermitage came after the younger cousin Durlabhsen (Dabishleem of Ghazni) and he had him
captured and his eyes were gouged on his order for this betrayal after Ghazni’s departure.
Whatever, Ghazni took with him was not enough to pay for his misadventure. He did take
some slaves and many did not survive. Vimal shah prior to the fall of Somnath transferred
most of temple treasury stored in nearby offshore island to Mount Abu via Guelph of Kuchha
and Kanthkot. What Ghazni was able to get that were fixtures attached to the temple such as
golden chain and embedded jewels for glowing lights at night and jewel ornaments of idols.
He may have looted the possession of devotees and priests. He also extorted monies from
Brahmins. His disappointment after 1,000 miles of arduous journey made him very angry and
he decided to take the antique wooden door as a trophy to prove to his countrymen his
inflated claim that finally British recovered for Indian. Mahmud’s tomb lies without the gates.

27
Ruined fort of Somnath British disassemble the door from tomb to bring to India

28
Recovered Somnath temple Doors from Ghazni’s tomb and was reinstalled at Agra Fort by British

29
Construction of Sun Temple at Modhera after Ghazni’s departure:
Up on return of Bhim Devas to Patan, Vimal Shah took an early retirement and moved to
Mount Abu- “Achal Gadh”. He was married to Paramara king’s daughter. He stayed there to
oversee the construction of greatest marvel of Jain temples-“Vimal Shahi Temple”, all carved
out of marble. Bhimdeva similarly built sun temple of Modhera, I assume that both of them
divided the recovered treasure without anyone’s knowledge but the timing of his retirement
looks highly suspicious due to his relatively early age.

Sun Temple Built by Bhim Deva from same marble as Vimal Shahi-Dilwara Temple

30
Sun temple Modhera-Gujarat Bhim Deva-another view

31
Bhim’s Sun temple and Bhim Sagar View-courtesy From Dinesh Modi’s posting.

32
Water Reservoir-Bhimdeva Sagar-Modhera-Gujarat

33
 Ornate marble carving of the Dilwara (Delwada) Jain temple -Vimal Sahi

Carved marble Elephants in row perhaps signifying Vimal Shah as commander of Gujarat forces

Carved entrance to main temple-Vimal Shahi (Vasi)

34
 Other examples of Marble carvings of Jain temples at Mount Abu

Since Photography is prohibited-some selected views of massive Dilwara Jain Temple

Ghazni finally realized his political objective of getting the order of merits from caliph of
Bagdad, so he remains the paramount authority of the region. His main objective was plunder
and loot as Afghanistan went through such a long draught in those years that they could not
grow any food or fodders for animals except opium puppies that obviously would not satisfy
their hunger but produce “high” euphoria. If you read the above description of Ferishta who
is an independent, reliable Muslim writer line by line, then facts can be assembled through
various sources to get the complete picture. We know that Ghazni’s empire collapsed with his
son Musood who was soundly defeated by the alliance of Hindu Kings. My biggest fear is that
what happened to the pieces of Shivalinga Megalith that he broke them into pieces and
dispatched one of them to Medina. The implications are very clear and I will leave it up to the
readers to research this part of Historical reference of medina stone. So far as Ghazni’s tomb
is concerned, it remains door less.

35
Ghazni Tomb was stripped off the Somnath door by British and brought to Agra fort where plaque is installed

This also brings up the issue of Dwarka discovery. ASI now has determined that what they
found through underwater archeology near Dwarka only goes back to Middle Ages. The exact
dating remains uncertain but they feel very confident that the underwater structure they
found near Khambhat (ancient Bhriggu-kachha) might go back to Indus-saraswati period.
Taking this new information into account, is it possible that the remains at Dwarka may be
the remains of the perimeters of Somnath temple or structure that housed the treasury of
temple at the offshore island “Gundavi”. Gundavi today do not exists and seem to have
disappeared. Perhaps, Mohamed in his rage not finding anything of value ordered his troops
to sink all stones in the water. These are merely follow-up questions on what happened to
those old structures and we do not have the answers yet.

For nearly 100 years, neither he nor his son ever tried to venture this far until Ghuri
emerged. During this passage of time, there are lots of changes and several generation Hindu
kings with values and characters in decays have emerged. They never perceived any threat or
learned from the history. There was no collective organized defense among Hindu kings if
Ghazni like figures emerges again. They never did anything to develop the military capability
36
by importing guns and gun powder technology that played decisive role during mogul period.
When they had the tactical military superiority, they never exploited it and it turned out to be
a strategic blunder.

The Prithiviraj Chauhan prior to Ghuri’s arrival decides to rub it in the eyes of Jaichand
Rathod by kidnapping his daughter and marrying her (Arjun style). This act by Prithiviraj
infuriated Jaichand Rathod who decided not to help his son-in-law at the right time. Ghuri
exploited this rivalry and took one by one and that changed the history of India for a long
time to come. Kumarpala Solanki rebuilt the temple of Somnath and subsequently Somnath
was attacked by various Muslim rulers from Delhi and Ahmadabad. The temple was rebuilt
every time but was in disrepair for a long period of time. When India became Independent,
the first Gujarati home minister made his priority to rebuild the Somnath Temple that is
standing now.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, then Home Minister & the first Deputy Prime Minister of India took
a pledge on November 13, 1947 for Somnath's reconstruction for the Twelfth time. A mosque
that was built at that site by Muzzafar Khan was shifted few miles away. The construction
was completed on December 1, 1995 and the then President of India, Dr. Shankar Dayal
Sharma dedicated it in the service of the nation. The present temple is managed by Shri
Somnath Trust which looks after temple complex. The plaque installed by Muzzafar Khan was
removed from the ruined temple shrine prior to the reconstruction.

37
 Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel- Lion of Gujarat and India

The plaque that was removed is restated over here so Hindu can never forget the story of
Somnath that stood its ground for thousands of years since the days of Krishna. I am of the
opinion similar to Romila Thapar’s conclusion that I read few years ago that Ghazni was not
successful at Somnath but may be successful elsewhere. The well kept secret kept by Vimal
and Bhim was an act for Gujarat to get the cooperation from other Hindu kings during later
periods.

38
"Next year, in 1395, Muzzafar Khan invaded Somnath, burnt the temple, and destroyed the idol. He killed many
Hindus, and left the place after arranging for the erection of a mosque. In 1401, news reached him that the
Hindus were trying to restore the temple of Somnath, and revive their customary worship. Muzzafar
immediately proceeded there with an army, and the Hindus were again defeated after a sharp encounter,
retired to the fort of the top. This fort also fell after a few days of fighting, and Muzzafar killed the entire Hindu
Chudasama garrison, and had the men trampled under the feet of elephants. He then demolished the temples
and laid the foundations of a mosque."

The Government of India owes to its majority of its population that is Hindu that they identify
the sites where Hindu temples once stood and mosques were erected and perform the same
acts that Sardar Patel did for India in name of justice. Unless the people of India hold their
government accountable, it is unlikely to happen.

Temple of Somnath built by Republic of India-Red sand stone structure

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References:
1. Chakravarti, Mahadev (1994), The Concept of Rudra-Shiva Through The Ages (Second
Revised ed.), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 81-208-0053-2

2. Chaturvedi, B. K. (2006), Shiva Purana (First ed.), New Delhi: Diamond Pocket Books (P)
Ltd, ISBN 81-7182-721-7

3. Gwynne, Paul (2009), World Religions in Practice: A Comparative Introduction, Oxford:

Blackwell Publication, ISBN 978-1-4051-6702-4.

4 http://www.jyotirlingas.com/ Jyotirlinga-WIKI

5. http://www.12jyotirlinga.com/ 12-Jyotringas of India-WIKI

6. http://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm Hawaii national park

7. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalith megalith

8. http://www.megalithindia.in/ Subhasis Das’s Web Site

9. Samantha: Narratives of a History by Romilla Thapar.

10. Hindu culture during and after Muslim rule: survival and subsequent challenges.
Gopal Ram 1994 M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p. 148. ISBN81-85880-26-3

11. Vimal Charita- A Gujarati manuscript of Jaina Gyan Bhandar

12. Jain Prampara Itihas-Palitana Publication Vol. 1-3

13. A history Of Gujarat by Edalji Dosabhai, ASIAN EDUCATION SERVICE 1986

14. The First great Civilization-A life in Mesopotamia, Egypt 7 Indus valley by Jacquetta
Hawkes, N.Y. 1973

15. Ferishta: Account of Somnath Extracts.. Elliot, Henry Miers, The History of India as told

40
 by its own Historians. Retrieved 2009-02-20.

16. “Jay Somnath”- K.M. Munsi, 1940 Gujarati Publication, Bhartiya vidya Bhavan, New Delhi.

17. Patan Ni Prabhuta, K.M. Munsi, 1916 Gujarati Publication, Bhartiya vidya Bhavan,
New Delhi, India.

18. Gujaratno Nath, K. M. Munsi, 1917 Gujarati Publication, Bhartiya vidya Bhavan,
New Delhi, India.

19. Imperial Gurjara, K. M. Munsi, Bhartiya vidya Bhavan, New Delhi, India.

20. Tod James- Travels to Western India by W.H. Allen, London 1839.

21. Tod, James (1920) [1829] by Crooke, William. Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan.
London: Humphrey Milford / Oxford University Press. 2011-07-27.

22. Flood (1996), p. 17 by Gavin,”The Shiva Traditions”, An Introduction to Hinduism.

Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-43878-0

23 Keay, John (2000). India: A History. New York: Grove Press. ISBN 0-8021-3797-0

24. Sailen Debnath, The Meanings of Hindu Gods, Goddesses and Myths, ISBN
9788129114815, Rupa & Co., New Delhi.

25. For Shiva as a composite deity whose history is not well documented, see: Keay, John

26. Michaels, Axel (2004). Hinduism: Past and Present. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton
University Press. ISBN 0-691-08953-1

25. Tattwananda, Swami (1984). Vaisnava Sects, Saiva Sects, Mother Worship. Calcutta:
Firma KLM, Private Ltd. Revised edition.

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