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Mahmud Ghazni's failure to loot the treasure of Somnath and Stratagem of

Gujarat's Jain minister Vimal Shah

Article · August 2020

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Mahmud Ghazni’s failure to loot the treasure of Somnath and Stratagem of
Gujarat’s Jain minister Vimal Shah

Bipin Shah 2/20/2013 Rev 8/21/20

Abstract
Institutional Destruction under Islam and its plunder everywhere
Muslim invaders and rulers destroyed over ten thousands churches, schools of learning and
thousands of temples of various religious worship throughout the world over several
centuries during the Middle Age as a part of its religious campaign against “idolaters” and
“non-believers”, While thousands of worshipper at Mecca visit the giant boulder of Black
stone where the Muslim believe Mohmmed ascended to the heaven. Should not the black
stone be considered an idol ? As various Muslim historians documented various campaigns,
they burned the library of Alexandria-Egypt, where ancient knowledge that was inscribed in
scrolls from antiquity from Greco-Romans, Egyptians, Jewish, Syrians, Sumerians, Elamites,
and Indians sources were stored over the millennium. They had accounts of Ptolemy, Strabo,
Megasthenes, scholars of Persia and India, Buddhist scrolls from Nalanda and Taxshila
brought over by Greeks. After destruction of Hagias Sophia by Ottoman Turks in
Constantinople, the churches and temples of Jews , Christians and Hindus were leveled to the
ground and mosques were built over the destroyed structure using their rubble.

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

The least understood phenomenon in these types of campaign and aggression has many
other purposes that are political in nature. The loot, plunder, domination, and enslavement

1
of other people of faith are primary goal for seeking obedience to Islamic rulers, where there
was no justice or regard for human values. It is male dominated culture designed to exploit
women and child as slaves that Islamist Arabs and Turkmen practiced in Asia and Eastern
Europe.

India has been invaded several times by various invaders from outside the subcontinent – the
Persians, the Sakas, the Kushans, the Huns and even the pre-Islamic Turks. However, in most
instances, they adopted India’s religions and culture and melted with the community. There
was no resentment and people were treated equally. Some of them became good rulers
better than native rulers. These group of outsiders assimilated themselves by adopting local
language, customs and culture of India and were embraced by the natives, while the Islamic
invaders did not follow the same practice due to their rigid following of religious doctrines
spelled out in Korans, Hadith, and other texts. This lack of assimilation along with the
intolerance towards Non-Muslims built the resentment. The Muslim clergies distorted the
original teaching of prophets and created unacceptable orthodoxy to subjugate women,
children, and non-followers. This has led to their own isolation, rejection, and removals. This
will continue until through reforms are made to their ideology, preaching and religious
doctrines. The modern world will not accept them.

Mohammed’s story as a prophet of Islam is equally perplexing. It appeared that he told Arbs
to fight defensive wars against oppressive Sassanians and Easter Roman empires. Then his
follower switched the technique after victory over Zoroastrian Persian and Christian
Byzantine empires. The Arabs who had seldom invaded any other land during Prophet’s life,
suddenly went out to conquer lands of others such as Palestine, Syria, Egypt, Central Asia,
and Persia in the years following Mohammed’s death. At First Rashidun caliphate was
formed, with Abu-Bakr, the father-in-law of Muhammad, as the first caliph. According to
Islamic traditions, Zayd bin Thabit was the personal scribe of the Islamic prophet

2
Mohammed. He had memorized part of the utterances of Prophet and his lectures. While
other followers memorized other parts of his thoughts and utterances. After the battles of Ridda
and the Yamamah in particular, in which a large number of followers of Mohammed were
perished in the battle. Abu’-Bakr was rumored to enroll Zayd to assemble and write down
Prophet’s word and utterances under his guidance and watchful eyes. Abu’-Bakr was of
jihadi mindset. We will never know the alteration that were made in composing Quran but
many Islamic scholar have found many verses of Qurans that are contradictory to each
other’s. Zayd was ordered to collect the Quran into a single volume from various written and
oral sources. He was a noted expert on the Quran and spent much time reciting it. However,
the final form it developed was not what prophet would have like to see or sanctioned.

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

Islamization of Turks and Central Asian nomads

East of the Altai mountain and high plateau of Mongolia resided several nomadic tribes
according to ancient Chinese classic, called Bamboo annals. Mongolia is the original
homeland of both Turks and Mongols, two groups much intermingled with each other in
history and closely related in their culture and religious worship in the ancient history. The
emergence of the Turks in central Asia was gradual and became uncharted nomadic migration
due to pressure exerted by Chinese and Hunic tribes for pastoral lands. Each successive
migration waves made their first appearance in history, when Turkish tribes or warriors
acquired power in some new regions in the west, whether they were called Khazar, Göktürks,
Seljuks, Oghuz or Ottoman or many other tribal groups of Asian steppe. The first historical

3
mention of the Turks is in Bamboo and Grand historian chronicles that referred them as
confederation of nomads in the 9th century BCE that Stretched from north of the Great Wall
in the east to the Black Sea in the west. The confederacy was called Xiongnu and Turkish
tribes who were subordinate to Mongolians tribes were called “Tu Küe” by Chinese and to
Turk themselves were “Gök Türk”, meaning “Sky Turk”. ( since they worshipped sky). Turks
known from the history were as fierce as Mongols in military skills and followed shamanism
of some sort along with sky worship. Those residing in Samarkand and Bukhara west of
ancient Bactria were either Persianized by following Zoroastrianism and those tribes living
north of Afghanistan and Khorasan were Hinduised and also followed Buddhism. How these
fierce nomads gave up their ancestor’s religion and embrace Islam so quickly remain a
mystery, but obvious conclusion is the combination of “material inducement with coercion”
applied simultaneously. They did put up some degree of the resistance initially but then
under the threat of sword succumbed to Islam. Arabs of Middle East were really sandwiched
between two mighty and ruthless empires of the world and their grievances against
Sassanian Persian and Byzantine Roman was justified. The Baghdad caliphate that rose from
Prophet Mohammed’s movement in a revolt against two mighty empires , not only subdued
and converted them but in a sense copied the worst military methods of Romans and
Persians to burn, loot, pillage and capture slaves from vanquished sedentary civilizations. The
nomadic Turkish tribes initially resisted but failed to prevail and quickly adopted Islam and
their status as subservient to caliphate similar to what their ancestors had done with Mongol
emperors of the east.

Subuktigin and Mohamod of Ghazni: (10th century AD-Short chronology)

According to Ghaznavid historians, Mohamod’s father , Subuk was born near Lake Issyk-Kul
region (Kyrgyzstan). In my earlier article , I had indicated that “Tegin” is the title for the chief
of the Turkish tribe. (see WIKI on Tegin) . We had Khingila, Toramana and Mihirkula in our
earlier history who were called “Tegin” , prior to their acquisition of Indian and Persian title
of “Raja” or “Shah-en-Shah” . All Turki shahi kings of Afghanistan had Turkish origin and
descended from Barhatkin or Barhat Tegin who was part Tibetan or Uighur in origin, however
his father was Kushan Shahi and he ruled from Kamboj capital of Kabul. They were mixed and
intermarried with various neighborhood tribes as part of royal matrimonial alliance to
cement the allies and vassalage.

According to “Asaru-l Bilad of Zakariya Al Kazwini”, Subuk was captured as a boy by a rival
Turkish tribe and sold as a slave in Bukhara. There he was first sold to a merchant and then he
was sold to Alp-Tigin, who was a Turkish Ghazi officer serving in the Persian army. The
Turkish officer is later put in command of the district around Ghazni as a “satrap” for
Sassanians. Upon the downfall of Sassanian empire, he sets himself up as a semi-independent
ruler. Alp-Tegin, was a Turkic slave commander of the Samanid Empire of Persia, who would

4
later become the semi-independent governor of Ghazni. He was rumored to be 5th or 6th
descendant of last Sassanian ruler Yazdegerd III’s son Kara Yazdegerd III, through his Turkish
wife. His ancestor Kara embraced Islam after the collapse of Sassanian empire and changed
his name from Persian to Turkish. Alp-Tigin betrayed Samanid Governor appointed by Abu-
Bakr by proclaiming himself as a ruler of the Khorasan region that he controlled. Obviously,
this did not please caliphate or Samanid and expecting military confrontation, he crossed the
Hindu Kush mountains southward and captured Ghazni with his Turkish slave soldiers often
referred as Gazi soldiers. Ghazni is located strategically between Kabul and Kandahar in
present-day Afghanistan, and thereby establishing his own principality. Samanid Governor
under Caliph still considered Ghazni under his authority. In the past this area was called
Zabulisthan where Hindu Turki Shahi ruler ruled with sizeable Zoroastrian, Buddhist, and
Hindu population. After Alptigin’s death, he was succeeded by his son, Abu Ishaq Ibrahim.
There is not much we know about how Abu Ishak died but he barely ruled for three years and
his Turkish slave soldiers choose one among themselves, Alp’s favorite fighter-soldier Abu
Mansur Subuk-Tigin, Mohamud’s father.

Alp-Tigin Map of Central Asia under first caliphate

Subuktigin was very popular with the Turkish troops, he inherited the same position of Tegin
and even further extended his control over an increasingly large district - all in the name of
his overlord, a Samanid ruler under Caliph. But by the time Subuktigin is succeeded by his son
Mahmud, in 997 AD, the military district of Ghazni has acquired almost the status of a
kingdom. Subuktigin served Alp-Tigin, and his two sons and successors Ishaq and Balka-Tigin.
At the same time, Caliphate and Samanid were embroiled in internal power struggle delaying
action on how to respond to this emerging threat from Ghaznavid. Mahmud was determined
to expand and preserve his kingdom.

Hindustan (Al-Hind) after Arab’s departure from Sindh

Arabs were soundly trounced by Royal Pratihara confederacy of Hindu kings at the beginning
of the 9th century AD, after Kasim’s intrusion into Sindh, almost over a century ago as

5
described in chach nama. However, Hindu Shahi kingdom of Kapisa(Kabul) and Zabulisthan
(Balkh) struggled for almost 100 years due to treachery and weakness of Sassanian rulers and
India’s last strategic defense of buffer states at Hindukush and Afghanistan crumbled. This
again reopened the gate to India for Islamic hordes to plunder, and loot. Sindh was lost to
Islamic influence and conversion of Soomro Rajput, a key figure in maintaining Hindu power
and his ministerial clans of Lohanas quickly followed and embraced Islam. However, Arabs
had learned some valuable lessons from their expedition beyond Sindh with fierce resistance
from Hindu and Jat tribes and previous caliphates had abandoned their plans to spread Islam
into Al-Hind, until Turks emerged as an allies and that tempted them to renew their agenda
again.

Nath Worshipping of India has its origin in Megalith Period that is Shiva
Nath and Jyotirlinga worship in India probably began during Megalithic and Indus-Sarasvati’s
phase of Indian history and had continued through millennium in a similar way with other
cultures of the world, where totem/icons, sun and moon were worshipped, In India, it had
evolved into “Nath” worshipping manifested by Linga stone. Nath worshipping meant to be
understood as the worship of “Adinatha”. “Adi” means first. The word Adinatha means first
and supreme God Shiva represented in iconic form, the God of all to early Indians just like
Reseph to early Mesopotamian and as supreme yogi as depicted in “Yogic seal” of Indus-
Sarasvati civilization. Hindu labelled as “Pashupati seal of Shiva” and Jaina called him
“Rishabha-Adinatha” seal. However, both are same.

18-foot Siva linga has been discovered in 3600BCE, Next picture is 5000 plus years old Lingam at Harrapan site

6
Ancient Worshipping of Moon and Bull

As I stated earlier in my other article, the Shramanic culture originated and was evolved
simultaneously and perhaps renamed differently from Nath worshipping of ancient India.
Shiva lingam at Somnath was probably the first of its kind and Brahmins attest that it existed
during Krishna’s time of Mahabharata period and that implied its pre-Vedic origin. All kinds of
legend are associated with the Somnath lingam. The name Somnath may have come either
with drinking of “soma” during Nath worshipping. Some Hindu folklore has associated it with
ancient king named “Soma Deva” of unknown time of prehistory, who built the first temple
of God. Soma and Chandra are also other name for the moon. The moon deity was
worshipped throughout the ancient world with different names. Mesopotamian called it
“Nana”, while modern Indians called him Shiva. We do not know what people of Indus-
Sarasvati age would have called him. The above pictures serves as testimonials to the
presence of early Shaivism in India. The picture on right was discovered on mountain top in
south India in Andhra, Pradesh while the picture on the right was discovered at Harrapan site
in North india. Both of them dated to Neolithic age.

The folklores and legend associated with lingam shaped stone near Somnath was half
submerged in sea around the south west shores of ancient city of Dwarka from an ancient
“giant volcanic stone with unknown magnetic properties and it glowed due to volcanic
activity”. This types of belief were rooted with ancient people, who used megalith for
worshipping as well as for other purposes. The people can easily associate similar tales from
bible’s tale of “burning bushes” that prophet Mosses witnessed, that modern age scientist
may regard as a “brush fire”. There are 12 major Jyotirlinga sites in India as shown below in
the map. The region even today is classified as tectonic with the history of several
earthquakes. In Mesopotamia, Moon worshipping labelled as “Nanna” along with “Bull”
worshipping were very common. The two chief seats of Nanna's/Sin’s worship were Ur in the
south of Mesopotamia and Harran in the north. The bull was to become a symbol of divinity
rather than just an object of cult veneration. For the early cuneiform civilizations, the bull
symbolized divinity and power. Since Indus-Sarasvati civilization enjoined them
contemporary to Mesopotamian civilizations due to trade and cultural links, the relationship
becomes obvious regardless where it originated first. Cathegians and Phoenician also
worshipped bull. Minotaur, Greek “Minotauros” (“Minos's Bull”), in Greek mythology, a
fabulous monster of Crete that had the body of a man and the head of a bull. A snow-white
bull sent to Minos by the god Poseidon for the sacrifice. All these folklores suggests some
kind of cross-cultural links of early religions. Shiva of India embodies them all , an ascetic yogi
depicts himself as Mesopotamian Reseph, who controlled famines and death, Shiva riding his
bulls(Nandi) and crescent moon on his head is a composite deity of fertility, agriculture,
creation , preserver, and destruction, all in one.

7
8
Twelve Jyotirlinga of India and their location

9
Som-Nath was first Jyotirlinga
The Temple in Saurashtra region was known in the history with various names such as
Prabhas, Dwarka and Jyotirlinga of Indus-Sarasvati region. All in one- God like figure, Shiva-
Pashupati- Rishabha, practicing Shramanic tradition of Yoga and representing early form of
Proto-Jainism, Proto-Yogism or Proto-Ajivikas traditions are modern description of the
ancient rituals. This concept reemerged at a later date in the form of the trinity concept of
Hinduism, where Shiva’s responsibility as one of the Gods responsible for destruction of the
cosmos to be recreated by Vedic God Brahma. I have highest respect for Al-Biruni’s account
regarding important events of Indian chronology and major events of Indian history. He was
very analytical with questioning attitudes. He was well versed in mathematics, grammars,
Geometry, Astronomy and just about everything there was to know at his time. He was or at
least try to be more precise and historically accurate. We will take his account first. Here is his
account on Somnath:

“It is flow and ebb to which Somnath owes its name origin of the (i.e. master of the moon) ; for the stone (or
linga) of soma-Somnath was originally erected on the coast, a little less than three miles west of the mouth of
the river Sarsuti, east of the golden fortress Baroi , which had appeared as a dwelling-place for Vasudeva, not far
from the place where he and his family were killed, and where they were burned. Each time when the moon
rises and sets, the water of the ocean rises in the flood, so as to cover the place in question. When then, the
moon reaches the meridian of noon and midnight, the water recedes in the ebb, and the place becomes again
visible. Thus, the moon was perpetually occupied in serving the idol and bathing it. Therefore, the place
was considered as sacred to the moon. The fortress which contained the idol and its treasures was not
ancient, but was built only about a hundred years ago. The Vishnu-Purana says : " The greatest height of
Quotation the water of the flow is 1500 digits." This statement of Vishnu Purana seems rather exaggerated; for
if the waves and the 1500 cubic height of the ocean rose to between sixty to seventy yards, the shores and the
bays would be more overflown than has ever been witnessed. Still this is not entirely improbable, as it is not in
itself impossible account of some law of nature. The fact that the just-mentioned fortress is said to have
appeared out of the ocean is not astonishing for that particular part of the ocean; for the Dibajat (Diu) islands
(Maldives and Laccadives) originate in a similar manner, rising out of the ocean as sand-dunes.
They increase, and rise, and extend themselves, and remain in this condition for a certain time. Then they
become decrepit as if from old age; the single parts become dissolved, no longer keep together, and disappear
in the water as if melting away. The inhabitants of the islands quit that one which apparently dies away and
migrate to a young and fresh one which is about to rise above the ocean. They take their cocoanut palms along
with them, colonize the new island, and dwell on it. That the fortress in question is called golden may
only be a conventional epithet. Possibly, however, this object is to be taken literally, for the islands of
the Zabaj are called the Gold Country {Serendeep). because you obtain much gold as deposit if you wash only a
little of the earth of that country.”

What we observe from Al-Biruni’s account that includes folklores that he obtained from the
locals , the origin, meaning of Soma and its antiquity going back to Krishna and the hints of
tectonic activities that I mentioned earlier of the entire region. When River Sarasvati was
alive in Rajasthan, the mighty rivers flowed nearby Krishna’s Dwarka to meet the ocean,
south of Saurashtra. Now, there are two truncated river’s wetted by the mountain streams
without dried up Sarasvati. The western branch is called “Bhader” and eastern branch is

10
“Shtrunjaya”. They are not as mighty and deep as they were in ancient time, but they still
flows in river channel carved out in antiquity. The islands in the oceans were formed and
submerged, where Arabian plate collides with the Indian subcontinent plate as per Geologist,
registering many earthquakes of the history that altered the flow of the mighty Rivers Sindhu
(Indus) and Sarasvati several times. The tectonic shift had created Tsunami, creating and
submerging of Islands. Krishna’s original Dwarka (Dwarvati) was sunk somewhere in the
vicinity. Rann of Kuccha was also formed due to change in river flows.

Asaru-l Bilad of Zakari’ya Al Kazwini who was a Persian historian also wrote on Somnath and
attack by Ghazni. Asaru-l Bilad narrative on Somnath was gathered by him through various
Ghaznavid historians. His account from his book on page 134 is reproduced here.
“ Somnath was a celebrated city of India, situated on the shore of the sea, and washed by its waves. Among the
wonders of that place was the temple in which was placed the idol called Somnath. This idol was in the middle
of the temple without anything to support it from below, or to suspend it from above. It was held in the highest
honor among the Hindus, and whoever beheld it floating in the air was struck with amazement, whether he was
a Musulmans or an infidel. The Hindus used to go on pilgrimage to it, whenever there was an eclipse of the
moon and would then assemble there to the number of more than a hundred thousand. They believed that the
souls of men used to meet there after separation from the body, and that the idol used to incorporate them at
its pleasure in other bodies in accordance with their doctrine of transmigration. The ebb and flow of the tide
was considered to be the worship paid to the idol by the sea. Everything of the most precious was brought
there as offerings, and the temple was endowed with more than 10,000 villages. There is a river (the Ganges)
which is held sacred, between which and Somnath the distance is 200 parasangs (800 miles). They used to bring
the water of this river to Somnath every day and wash the temple with it. A thousand brahmans were
employed in worshipping the idol and attending on the visitors, and 500 damsels sung and danced at the door-
all these were maintained upon the endowments of the temple. The edifice was built upon fifty-six pillars of
teak, covered with lead. The shrine of the idol was dark but was lighted by jeweled chandeliers of great value.
Near it was a chain of gold weighing 200 mans. When a portion (watch) of the night closed, this chain used to be
shaken like bells to rouse a fresh lot of brahmans to perform worship.”

“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, one will see glowing rock in active
volcano. 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 prehistoric
Somnath stone that was half submerged in water. The science had no reach to our ancestor’s
belief and what they saw. However, at some point in history as th stone cooled and was
easily retrieved and worshipped like megalith. This eventually housed in a temple. There was
no electricity there , so the wood fire probably was lighted and the reflection through glass
chandelier produced the similar effects. On the other hand, the account about talk about a
chandelier that used the lighted candle that produced the glow.

11
 Prehistoric volcanic area of India

Possible Objectives of Mohamud of Ghazni

1. Mahmud had heard about the richness of Indian temples particularly Somnath through
merchants both Arabs, Persians, Sindhi, and Hindus origins operating in the ancient
Afghanistan.
2. Hajjaj, the previous governor of Persia had miserably failed to raid on Somnath during
attack on Vallabhi. Furthermore, he was repulsed from India by Hindu confederacy led by
Gurjara-Pratihara and Bappa Rawal. They had lost more than 50 percent of Arab Gazi troops,
who crossed “Nala” from Sindh and landed at Barda hills during attack on Vallabhi. Hajjaj
troops were eaten bu mosquitos and malaria destroyed many of their force, while crossing
the jungle of Gir on their return journey. Mahmud also did not take that route back. After
Gurjara Pratihara, Andhra dynasty was also becoming powerful and caliphate feared them
most as per merchant Sullivan’s account, who he labelled them as “Balhara” king.
3. Mahmud was hoping to bring some valuable presents to caliph, who were anxious to see
the sack of Somnath and his devotion to Islam and certified him as religious zealot of Islam, If
caliph is pleased with his effort and his produce, he may keep him in power at Ghazni without
any reprisal from Caliph. Initially in the days of Alp-Tigin , the Caliph was anxious to place him
under Samanid rule due to Alp-Tagin’s usurpation and non-payment of tributes. The
identification of the “Somnath idol” as that of “Manat” appearing in many Ghaznavid’s
historian’s narrative has little historical credibility. There is no evidence to suggest that the
temple housed an image of “Manat” condemned by Prophet Mohamed. Nevertheless, this
became the headline story for Mahmud’s ambition and ears of caliph, however, it was
planted. Caliph through Mahmud believed that. Farrukhi Sistani, another Persian noble, who
accompanied Mahmud to Somnath, provides an intriguing and weird explanation for the
breaking of the Somnath idol on the pretext that it was the death wish of prophet of Islam to
break the idol of “Manat”. According to him, the idol was not of a Hindu deity but of a pre-
Islamic “Arabian goddess Manat”. Manat was one of three Semitic goddesses worshiped in
the Arabian Peninsula before the rise Prophet Muhammad. She was among Mecca's three
12
chief goddesses, alongside her sisters, Allat and Al-‘Uzzá. Prophet had destroyed last two
sisters in his lifetime, but he did not finish the “Manat” off. Sistani convinced Mahmud Ghazni
that Somnath meant “Su-Manat”, a place for goddess Manat. The destruction will lead to
immense reward from Allah and caliph.
4. The sequential raids on the border towns were producing diminishing returns as most
people after second raids started migrating deeper into India.
5. He may want to capture slaves and collect booty to pay off the mercenaries, caliph, and
himself, but he had no desire to rule India, as his repeated raid shows that he went back to
Afghanistan. Despite the claims by some Ghaznavid historians that his prime purpose was to
convert Hindus to Islam, he and his advisers thought that it was an overreaching goals due to
fierce resistance offered by Hindus in the past to Arabs and the ultimate finds of what he may
be able to collect from Somnath.

The Lord Shiva- Master of Somnath

According to “Joking legend”, Shiva always had a “DO NOT DISTURB” sign posted outside his
“Kailas cave”. He meditates endlessly and it was never a good idea to awaken or bother Shiva
from his yogic position. One never know, what the world will look like, after he is awakened!

Somnath is believed to be the first known Jyotirlinga of India in its aniconic form of Lingam
and that 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 not have the precise date when first temple was built but it has been around for
thousands of years. 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 many. 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 Vaishnavism, 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.”

13
 It is sufficient 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 awfully specific to India and Indian people. Shiva is more popular
in Tamil land.
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 them. Can some of them will have magnetism ? We do
not have the answer. However, the Asaru-I-Balad observes something remarkable:
“He arrived there in the middle of Zi-l k'ada, 416 A.H. (December 1025 A.D.). The Indians made a desperate
resistance. They would go weeping and crying for help into the temple, and then issue forth to battle and fight
till all were killed. The number of the slain exceeded 50,000. The king looked upon the idol with wonder, and
gave orders for the seizing of the spoil, and the appropriation of the treasures. There were many idols of gold
and silver and vessels set with jewels, all of which had been sent there by the greatest personages in India. The
value of the things found in the temples of the idols [p. 135] exceeded twenty thousand dinars. When the king
asked his companions, what they had to say about the marvel of the idol, and of its staying in the air
without proper support, several maintained that it was upheld by some hidden support. The
king directed a person to go and feel all around and above and below it with a spear, which he did, but met with
no obstacle. One of the attendants then stated his opinion that the canopy was made of loadstone, and the idol
of iron, and that the ingenious builder had skillfully contrived that the magnet should not exercise a greater
force on anyone side-- hence the idol was suspended in the middle. Some coincided, others differed.
Permission was obtained from the Sultan to remove some stones from the top of the canopy to settle the point.
When two stones were removed from the summit the idol swerved on one side, when more were taken away it
inclined still further, until at last it rested on the ground. Tarikh-i Alfi. Maulânâ Ahmad et al., eds.”

Here there are two curious statements. 1. Suspension of idols in equilibrium 2. Removal of
stones that may be magnets jeered the idol breaking the equilibrium. Ferishta Hindu shah
had another account but less focused on suspension issue.

Temple of Shiva-Somnath
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 and subsequent kings of Gujarat 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 lifetime to pay homage to Shiva’s shrine at Somnath
and offered valuable gifts. The revenue generated in excess of expenses was stored in nearby

14
island where a special treasury was built by the Temple authority with the 24 hours
protection by devotee guards, who were willing to die to protect the Shiva’s holdings. This
took place during Vallabhi era and Saka rules. There were many precious attempts by internal
kings as well as external enemies to loot the treasure. The people had learned to keep
everything out of sight that is not attached to the temple or idol. The Somnath Temple had a
fortification like a fort surrounding all side except the deep-water ocean.

My research on this subject suggests that in historic times, the idol was submerged and had
volcanic and magnetic properties of some kind. That gave us the legend. Then at some point
during early historical period, the sea was receded, and mainland extended to cover the idol
and then temple was built around it. This has happened both with Saurashtra and Kuchha.
Saurashtra was almost an island up to 5th century BCE and then connected with mainland
through narrow land bridge. Kuccha was either attached to Saurashtra or was a small Island
and at times remain attached to Sindh. Nor there is land bridge between Saurashtra and
Kuccha passing through little Rann of kuccha. During 10th century AD, the Rann of Kuchha
was not completely desiccated but navigable based on historical records.

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 at Somnath is not very accurate except some Muslim traders
who may have been sent as a spy to size up the treasure and richness of the temple.
Otherwise , why Mahmud will target that ?

There was a large diaspora of foreign traders residing in the areas, Persians, Egyptians, and
Arabs at large trading ports of Bhriggu-Kachha and they were allowed to build mosque during
Sidhraj’s time, who was son and successor of Bhim Dev involved during Somnath attack. The
Muslims were never compelled to visit any temples, nor they made any offerings to please
their hosts. Hindus never imposed such requirements as long as they pay the port charges
and taxes. Most of the writing done by Gazanivad historians for expedition of Amir of Ghazni
was done by “paid historian” except Ferishta , who thrived 15th centuries (five centuries after
Ghazni) but his account is most objective, informative, and analytical. Ferishta was a writer
and scholar of Persian origin who was more interested in finding the truth. Due to various
contradictory accounts that exists regarding Somnath attacks, the extracted narrative of
Mahmud’s Somnath expedition is quite different than those prepared by paid Gazanivad
historians, but some of 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 probably
meant for caliph and it was an inflated and exaggerated account designed for caliph. K.M.
Munshi tried to expose these contradiction but was not successful because he wrote like a
novel by including some fictional characters, that will not pass through the historians.
15
Mohamed wanted 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
accomplishments were quite 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 king of Gujarat, who had
fiduciary responsibility for protection of the kingdom and young Bhimdeva, the king of
Gujarat. The story that is given here is known in Jaina folk lore and has been a well-guarded
secrets. After Ghazni’s raids, two major expensive projects were taken by Gujarati king and
his minister, who dis not have monies to begin the undertaking of this kinds prior to Ghazni’s
raids.
How the construction of sun temple of Modhera and nearby Bhim Sagar( a lake) and 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 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 Soomro of Sindh, who
guided Ghazni either out of fear or in act of revenge against Solanki rulers of Gujarat, with
whom he feuded over the control of Kuchha. Since the days of Lakho Fulani, when Mularaja
Solanki (Bhimdev’s ancestor) cut down Lakho Fulani has become a bard’s song. Vimal Shah
became victim of bad intelligence from his own spies that did not detect the treachery of
Soomro, who had adopted Islam from the days of Mohamed Kassim. He therefore incorrectly
assumed that Mahmud of Ghazni will make many cross-border raids, like he had done several
times before and take his loots and plunders and go back to Ghazni. He never anticipated a
deep strike into the heart of India due to supply of logistics in a hostile Hindu country and
difficult terrains. However, Vimal Shah quickly learned his miscalculation and adopted
stratagems that avoided slaughter of people of Nehrwala Patan and the capture of Somnath’s
treasure. He was also serving as a military commander of Gujarat Military , in addition to
being a chief minister and councilor to king of Gujarat. At this time, Bhimdeva was young
king, who also lacked the experience but not necessarily the courage. When Vimal Shah
learned that Mahmud came through Sindh and crossed Rajputana, he directed Paramara
kings to deflect him for few days, so he can evacuate Nehrwala (Anihilwara) Patan. The
resident of Patan with their valuables with soldiers escorts evacuated to hill shelters or
nearby small towns where Ghazni was not expected. Vimal Shah also knew from his spy that
his ultimate destination was Somnath Temple, so he rushed troops and sent word to chief
priest and Vassal of Somnath that the attack is imminent.

16
When the facts presented here from Ferishta’s account and then reconciled with Jaina record,
a different picture is emerging. Vimal Shah not only saved majority of the Somnath’s
treasure but deployed it in a way that further expedition by other invaders in near future will
not be required by relocating the treasure of temple and reemploying them in new
construction of expensive monuments. Those two monuments were Dilwara (Dilwara)
marble temples of Jainas blessed by king at mount Abu made from white marble and Surya
Temple and Lake built under king’s name at nearby Modhera.

Vimal Shah and young King Bhimdeva Solanki departed from Patan leaving handful soldiers to
complete safe evacuation of Nehrwala citizens and they themselves headed to Somnath with
his army to rescue the treasure for safe relocation. He managed to move the treasure stored
and guarded by local soldier at remote Island near Dui. The aim was to relocate all treasure
stored offshore to a location that would be unreachable to Mahmud. The obvious choice was
a fortified castle of Achal Gadh, situated at 5,000 feet on top of mount Abu. He accomplished
this by sea route to Bhadreshwar and then land route to Kanthkot in Kuchha and then headed
straight to Mount Abu through ancient route of Pancheshwar region. After Mahmud’s
departure and return back to Afghanistan, 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 perhaps with an exaggerated claim. Nehrwala
was (Patan) was of course was looted and sacked and I am absolutely sure that there were
still some valuable items in temples that Mahmud took and that cannot be rescued and left
behind. However, all the destruction in Gujarat was quickly rebuilt and losses were made up
by the state’s treasury. Ferishta account clarifies some point ,when analyzed carefully. No
one can deny that along Ghazni’s march, he also attacked weaker towns and forts and looted
whatever he can but that represented a small amount in relation to vast fortune of Somnath
temple accumulated over centuries.

There are many other secondary questions that arises. Mahmud was smart enough to rise
enough as a Amir and conqueror and he did Impressed Caliph. But why he was hauling the
wooden door of the Somnath Temple on the back of elephant or horse all the way to Ghazni,
Afghanistan ? He also broke the idol of Somnath into four pieces as per Ghaznavid historians.
He sent two of them to Saudi Arabia-one for Mecca and one from Medina and two pieces he
kept for himself, one piece was attached to his tomb and other one attached to his palace as
a trophy. So, obvious conclusion was to offer this as proof to caliphate and other people that
he was there and raided the Somnath Temple and annihilated Arabian Goddess Manat.

Ta’rikh-I-Alfi is another account that was compiled by the committee appointed by Akbar’s
historian Abu-Fazl and his account varied little bit. This was compiled for Akbar in 990 H.,
1582 AD.

17
“We are told by many historians that at every occurrence of this phenomenon there assembled more than two
hundred thousand persons, bringing offerings. It is said in the history of Ibn Asir and in that of Hafiz Abru that
the room in which the idol of Somnath was placed was entirely dark, and that it was illumined by the refulgence
of the jewels that adorned the candelabra. In the treasury of this temple there were also found numberless
small idols of gold and silver. In short, besides what fell into the hands of his army from the plunder of the city,
Mahmud obtained so much wealth in gold jewels, and other [p. 55] valuables from this temple, that no other
king possessed anything equal to it. When Mahmud had concluded his expedition against Somnath, it was
reported to him that Raja Bhim, chief of Nehrwala, who at the time of the late invasion had fled away, had now
taken refuge in the fort of Kandama (Kandama equates to Kanthkot. However, some historian have confused
this to be Gundavi that was a treasure island nearby Diu or Diu itself .Kanthkot in Kutcha was a fortress of
Vaghela Vassal kings ) which was by land forty (150 miles) parasangs distant from Somnath. Mahmud
immediately advanced towards that place, and when his victorious flags drew near the fort, it was found to be
surrounded by much water, and there appeared no way of approaching it. (Here Ferishta is not very clear as
Kanthkot was landlocked region, unless he is talking about the island of Gundavi near Diu that is now
submerged). The Sultan ordered some divers to sound the depth of the water, and they pointed him out a
place, where it was formidable. But at the same time, they said that if the water (the tide) should rise at the
time of their passing it would drown them all. Mahmud, having taken the advice of religious persons, and
depending upon the protection of the Almighty God, proceeded with his army, and plunged with his horse into
the water. He crossed over it in safety, and the chief of the fort having witnessed his intrepidity, fled away. His
whole property, with numerous prisoners, fell into the hands of the army of Islam. All men who were found in
the fort were put to the sword. Bhim and Vimal had already departed long ago. Mahmud is portrayed as a
zealous Muslim eager to destroy “idol temples”, but this was probably justification for pillage, since these
activities contravened the earlier Arab policy of granting Hindus and Buddhists protected dhimmi status. These
raids generally were not conquests resulting in annexation of territory, with the exception of the Punjab, most
of which he did annex. Only to lose after 100 years. ”

During this period there were many ports along western coast of Gujarat that are now
desiccated and “little ran of Kuccha” is formed with a salt marsh. During ancient period, many
rivers of india emptied here merging with Indian ocean. During Solanki period, based on old
tapestry drawn dated to 1000 AD, King of Nehrwala, crossing the Little Rann of Kuccha by
boat. So, it was navigable. This area had experienced many tectonic shifts, including sinking
of ancient Dwarka ( Krishna’ city) and making Kuchha and Saurashtra, the separate Islands in
pre-history. Kuchha once formed a land mass connected with Sindh and now it is connected
with a land bridge near Morbi with saurashtra and Gujarat. During the time Ghazni invaded,
little Rann was active and filled with the water.

So, all Rajputs guarding the fort were put to death as per this account perhaps referring to
island near Diu where the treasure was stored prior to the chase to capture the King of
Nehrwala party at Bhadreshwar ,where they stopped on the way to Kanthkot. So, something
like that happened, but the location name given to Ferishta by local brahmin were either
changed or Brahmin is confused. We are not sure that if Ghazni crossed the Guelph to reach
Multan via Big Rann of kuccha or he took the land route during the chase. if they had to cross
the Guelph of Kuccha to get to the point. Actual Kanthkot is more inland into Kuccha

18
peninsula, where there was a fort. Bhadreshwar was ancient port with fortification but
poorly defended.

The constructions of surya Temple and Dilwara temple shows, Ghazni was about a week to
several days behind Vimal Shah and party. The treasure was stored near a small island at Diu
but now is submerged or washed away. The island may have been call Gandhbi or Gandiu. It
is not clear which Island they are talking about in various account, but it seems close to the
temple. From various accounts. I have reconstructed Vimal rescue flight and gate away along
with Ghazni’s return by sea as well as land as shown below.

Possible route of escape with treasure and chase by Ghazni either by sea or land

After a thorough review, it will become apparent that the losses were not as sizable as
claimed by court historian of Ghazni. 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 source of financing than just a
coincidence.

19
 Landing at kutcha and Ghazni’s ordeal through Big Rann of Kuchha by Brahmin guides

All of the Hindu texts are silent on these monuments and source of its funding, except giving
credit to Vimal Shah and his supervision of getting it done. As stated earlier, the temple
treasury had a sizeable collections and contributions of all Hindu kings of india that fell into
the hands of Gujarat. Gujarat 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 near Diu was
gutted. The monumental cost of transporting and carving of marble stones of Delawara’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 will be the first online of attack and probably was similarly counting on Gujarat
to challenge but no one knew Ghazni’s main aim was Somnath . Chauhan King of Rajputana
turned out right and Ghazni bypassed Punjab, while entering through Sindh with Soomro’s
help. Mahmud was under pressure from caliph and he was determined to commit act that
will please him and that was “unfulfilled desire for Somnath’s treasure as suggested per
Ferishta record and destruction of Goddess of Mat.

The Somnath temple is located on farther end of western Peninsula of saurashtra, so it never
expected an attack like that from someone far away as much as thousands of miles. They

20
expected that there would be fierce resistance and Amir of Ghazni will be driven out like
many other invaders before them. So, no preparations were made for the defense of the
Somnath or capital city Nehrwala 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.

As evidenced by various records, Somnath was self-governing institution like Vatican of

Rome. It was a “State within a state” with substantial revenue from 10,000 villages and
towns, fees for prayers and visit and sale generated by the temple and then added to it were
the voluntary offering that supported 1,0000 of Brahmins and dancers. The chief Priest
administered the total affairs of the temple. A special fortification surrounded the temple
after rebuilt as described by Ghazni’s historians and fort was fitted with heavy wooden doors.
The excess treasure not needed was guarded at an offshore Island near Somnath and was
well guarded by soldiers 24 o 7 to prevent any pirate attacks or intrusion.

Patan-Sidhraja(Nehrwala or Annilwara) in northern Gujarat was the capital city of Solanki

kings and was 10th largest city of the world in Ghazni’s time. This is when the population of
Patan peaked at 100,000 people. The Shrine of Somnath is located at southern end of
Saurashtra Peninsula of India in a small community as shown in maps above as well as below.
In ancient period the travelers may have called the port as “Surati Mangalore”. Surati in
Sanskrit here means “Great satisfaction and Joy”, after pilgrimage.

Ghazni’s probable march coming in from Patan to Somnath

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 the Guards. The donated gold, silver, and precious stones of values donated by

21
Hindu kings and rich merchants were stored at this obscure island in a specially built vault.
The author believes that Ghazni antagonized Brahmins so much by slaughter, that they are
bound to mislead him. They never gave him the exact details where Vimal and Bhimdeva had
fled and tried to give them as much as head start to tuck the treasure away at safe place. The
access to island was limited by boats.

One of the chief motivating factors was to offer something to caliph that he failed to
accomplish. However, sending two pieces of idols with some precious gold chain and other
loots and slaves probably proved his bonafide as true islamist. He wanted to make sure that
his expedition is recorded correctly for caliph. So, Gazanivad historians always wrote a
glorious account of the loots.

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 were 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 world.

Who should we believe? Ferishta or other Ghaznavid historians ?

Out of many historian of the time, Mohamed Kassim Shah Astarabadi, 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 amplest 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 references, 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. He personally visited
the family of slain Chief Priest family, who supplied the necessary information that he wanted
verified and compared with other accounts he gathered to give us the best possible likely
version of events that took place. He compiled the records as an independent historian
without any exaggeration, nearly 500 years later. The most important thing was he was not
paid for his research.

22
Mahmud’s childhood

It is said that Mahmud in his childhood fell victim to smallpox that scarred his face. To hide
his scars from smallpox, 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. Mohamud felt a natural impetus to prove that
he is the man that should be paid attention to and he made Islam his cause. There were
other reasons also mentioned by the historians like looting and slave capturing.

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

After Mahmud success as conveyed by his own historians to Caliph, Caliph awarded him
enough honor robs to him and his party for the victory, in a message addressed to him, the
caliph called him:

“The right hand of caliphate empire, the defender of orthodoxy, the guardian of
true believers, regulator of faith, a friends of the lords of the faithful”. This was
followed by granting him permanent governorship directly under caliph himself.
He escaped caliph’s wrath for overthrowing his appointed governor and proved his bonafide
as defender of Islam. Now, we are going to review an independent account of Ferishta Hindu
shah, who was a Persian scholar and lover of truth not fiction.

23
Account of Ferishta (Condensed Extract)
“Hijra 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 Services. 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, (Oxus) or 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.

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

Rumzan, 415, Sept. 1024 AD –Attack on Nehrwala Patan and Ajaymeru but
found empty by Ghazni due to evacuation

“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

24
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.”
Shaban (SOMNATH), A. H. 415. Sept. 1024 A.D.
“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. Here he is talking about the myth of Arabian Goddess Manat.“

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.”

Day-2
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.

25
26
 Ghazni’s Forces from Afghanistan-Khorasani-Circassian

The battle raged with great fury: victory was long doubtful, till two Indian princes, Brahma Dew (not Bhim Deva)
and Param Deva,(Paramara Prince from Abu ?) 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, most like Turk), 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, ( Simultaneously the treasure was loaded from remote island in to the boat and Vimal
headed towards Bhadreshwar to Kanthkot to Abu Road) intending to proceed to the island of Serendeep (now
called Diu as a diversion) . 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.”

Ferishta identifies Paramdeva as a king ruling Nehrwala. The identification of Paramdeva has
become controversial issue among historians. Bhojdev Paramara was ruling Malwa and was a
Shaivite and may have been called “Paramdeva” in some text and he was powerful king and

27
Bhimdeva was in his teens. Bhimdeva and Solanki clans did not enjoy a good relationship
with Bhojdev, so no help was expected. However, a different Paramara clan at Abu were
vassals of Solanki king. The prince of Paramara of Chandravati and Abu had similar name of
Param Dev. The author believes that Vimal Shah had already determined that the headlong
battle with Ghazni was futile and therefore he focused on depriving all the treasures of the
temple to Ghazni and evacuating the city and send nominal Rajput defenders to defend the
Somnath and Nehrwala. This could be also be the local Governor or commander of a
battalion. Dabishleem mentioned by Ferishta was head priest of Somnath who a chief priest
and administrator was “Deva Sarum”, who was spared by Ghazni as he cooperated by giving
him what he wanted from the temple . He might have even told Ghazni where rest of the
treasure was stored. There is no certainty on that detail.

An Example of Hewn stones and Design of Lingam

Somnath temple’s lofty roof was supported by fifty-six pillars curiously carved and set with
precious stones. In the center 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
the sites of Ghazni.
Two more fragments were reserved to be sent to Mecca and Medina. “It is a well authenticated
fact, that when Mahmood was thus employed and busy 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

28
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.” This ties in with the story of Goddess “Manat” and his
desire to present pieces of Manat. Many people knew that this was not Arabian Goddess Manat, but he fooled
Caliph. Ferishta continues

“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 Manat.” I have, however, enquired on this subject, and learn, that Soma
was the name of the prince after which the idol and it was “Nat” not “Manat” as it 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 sometimes 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 (near Diu), distant 40 fursungs (Furlong equals
one eight of mile) 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.(Brahma Deva was not Bhim Deva as mentioned . He was very young for this
venture so Vimal Shah as regent took the lead and they both had already left for Bhadreshwar-Kuchha in
opposite direction by boats loaded with treasures- one day earlier, while Ghazni was thinking that they were
defending the temples) As seen from Ajmer and Patan, the evacuation was the only alternatives available to
save people from unexpected 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 forces to
engage Ghazni up on his return path through Patan.

29
Mahmud, prior to arrival to Somnath had 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 Masood. 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, (Siestan) which was swallowed up by an earthquake. 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. “ The author believes that this was a fairy tale fed to Ferishta by locals.

“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 (Devasarum) Dabishleem 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 (Devasarum) was a
cruel and ambitious priest, who had made several attempts to wrest the government of the temple 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 Temple 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(Devasarum) to his presence, and, having fixed an annual tribute,
created him governor of (Temple, not ) .Gujarat. However, Devasarum was overthrown by his enemies within
the family after Mahmud left ” Here, the account given to Ferishta is confusing as to the identity of
Devasarum. Devasarum was a brahmin ascetic and family member of head priest who
appears to be cooperating then why make a change ?

In any case after listening to advisers, 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 miseries begin to equal his ambitions.

A. H. 417, 1025 A.D. (Planted Hindu guides that sent Mahmud’s soldiers to
death)
The Cavalry for lack of forage in Rann of Kuchha suffered greatly; but in the year 417 he reached Ghazni, with
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
30
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.

“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 pronounced 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;” and to his son, the
Prince Ameer Masood, he gave the title of “The Luster of “Empire, and the Ornament of Religion,” and to his
second son, the Ameer Youssouf, 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.

Encounters with Jats of Punjab (1026 A.D)

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 meantime 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. 1027 A.D.- Return to Ghazni

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 chasZse the Suljook Toorkmans,
(Seljuk Turks) who, having crossed the river Amoo(Amu Daria), had invaded that province. The General,
however, being defeated in several engagements, 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 (Iraq), 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.

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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.
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 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 by priests. It is also
possible that the priests may have forgotten some of the details of the events or dates of
occurrences after 500 years of lapse in time. Similarly, various Persian accounts of Ghaznavid
historian on Somnath attack varies, some say it was September 1024 or some say it was 1025
AD. So, the timings above are approximate. after several generation had elapsed the details
get sketchy. 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 limitations they faced. The intrusions
was sudden, The Hindus were divided family, The communication were slow, and surprises
were greater, but they make sure that enemy’s return home was made as miserable as they
can, while avoiding the direct conflict with overwhelming force that would lead to more
destructions. This is how they did it. It is important to note that Vimal Shah was acting as
regent for the king Bhim Dev, who was then in his twenties. Vimal Shah had an obligation to
protect his master’s kingdom without taking unnecessary risk.

1. Gujarati kings and minister first employed the defensive strategy of evacuating the major
town and cities, sparing the population from outright slaughter and pillage. Many residents
were able to preserve their precious lives and personal fortunes.

2. Their main purpose was to offer some spirited defense of the temple while creating a
diversion to rescue and relocate the temple treasure to a site where Mahmud cannot reach.
Achal gadh Fort was the ideal place and their time in history it was unreachable.

3. Vimal organized allies to offer a stiff resistance that included Paramara and Vaghela and
Chudasama who were responsible to offer military services when required. Paramara of Abu
gathered near Mount Abu where encounter with Ghazni was planned but Ghazni took
different route through desert. Ghazni’s decision to cross ran of kuccha to cross into Sindh
cost him many lives. The Brahmin guides were self-motivated to sacrifice themselves to
destroy Ghazni.

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 4. The equating Arabian idol of Goddess Mat with Hindu Idol Somnath was planned by
Mahmud and his advisors to please Caliph and strengthen Mahmud position of his
independent kingdom. His political motive comes bear naked when he shipped two idols
pieces to Meccan and Medina. This make no sense. The idol pieces were shipped as a proof
for the caliph to see. The historical accounts by various historian varies as to the date of the
actual events and the route he took coming in. The account that says he attacked Nehrwala
Patan on his return from Somnath does not agree with Rann of Kuccha story. He came
through Multan and attacked some fort at Naraina and crossed over unopposed as he
bypassed many forts controlled by Chauhan and headed to Patan. Ghazni knew from Soomro
that since the days of Mularaja Solanki and Lakho Fulani in earlier centuries , the control of
Saurashtra where Somnath was located had passed over to Solanki kings.

5. Having destroyed the temple and stealing the fixture of some values, why bother to haul
the wooden sandalwood door of some antique as a trophy all the way to Hindu Kush? If you
have 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.

Ruined fort of Somnath 18th century British disassemble the door from Ghazni’s tomb to bring to India

33
Politics of removal of Somnath Door from Mahmud’s Tomb

In 1842, Lord Ellenborough issued his famous 'Proclamation of the Gates' in which he ordered
the British army in Afghanistan to return the Somnath Sandalwood door attached to Ghazni
Tomb and bring back to India. These were believed to have been looted by Mahmud from
Somnath, an important to Hindus of Hindustan. It was claimed that the intention was to
return that was looted from India, an act which would symbolize the British control over
Afghanistan. The Proclamation raised a storm in the House of Commons and became a major
issue in the crossfire between the Government and the Opposition. The question was asked
whether Ellenborough was catering to religious prejudices by appeasing the Hindus and he
was appealing to national sympathies. It was defended by those who maintained that the
gates were an archeological preserve and a 'national trophy' and not a “religious icon”. In this
connection, the request of Ranjit Singh, the ruler of the Punjab, to the king of Afghanistan,
Shah Shujah, was used as a reason for the return of the gates, as quoted in the media.
The historians referred in proclamation for the removal of the doors were Firdausi, Saadi and
Ferishta. Ferishta was well-known because Alexander Dow had translated his history into
English in the late-18th century and many house of common members read it. The door was
brought over and installed at Agra Fort that was then used by British garrison as a district
headquarter.

Ghazni’s Original tomb with wooden door of Somnath

34
Door from Somnath Temple removed by British Doors mounted on Ghazni’s tomb

Door
Wooden doors at fort surrounding Temple Ghazni’s march back through Ran of Kutch, Sindh, and
Afghanistan

35
Recovered Somnath temple Doors from Ghazni’s tomb and was reinstalled at Agra Fort by British

Construction of Sun Temple at Modhera after Ghazni’s departure

Once Ghazni was out of sight and had left Multan, Vimal shah proposed that the Somnath
treasure is utilized to build monuments for affected communities. Ghazni had desecrated
various Jain and Hindu temples on his ways to Somnath and destroyed the idols. The young
king Bhim Dev granted Vimal Shah the permission needed to rebuild destroyed temples and
build new one. The treasure was stored at Achal Gadh palace at top of the Abu mountain,
nearly 5,000 feet high. Vimal Shah was married to Paramara king’s daughter, who had
adopted Jainism. The Jainism had strong foothold during the Solanki king’s rule over Gujrat.

Vimal Shah took an early retirement and moved to Mount Abu- “Achal Gadh”. He stayed
there to oversee the construction of greatest marvel of Jain temples-“Vimal Shahi Temple”,
constructed from the carved out, white marble of Rajasthan. Bhimdeva similarly built sun
temple of Modhera with Vimal Shah’s help. We can assume that both of them utilized the
portion of the recovered treasure without anyone’s knowledge to rebuilt lost and new
monuments. The timing of Vimal Shah’s retirement at early age was quite unusual.

36
Sun Temple Built by Bhim Deva from same marble as Vimal Shahi-Dilwara Temple

Sun temple Modhera-Gujarat Bhim Deva-another view

37
 Bhima’s Sun temple and Bhim Sagar View

Water Reservoir-Bhimdeva Sagar-Modhera-Gujarat (Courtesy Inditales)

38
 Ornate marble carving of the Dilwara Jain temple -Vimal Sahi Entrance

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

39
 Carved entrance to main temple-Vimal Shahi (Vasi)

Since Photography is prohibited-some selected views of massive Dilwara Jain Temple are
shown here as well as Surya temple. Raja Bhima’s surya Temple and nearby lake was called
“surya Kund” to tarp rainwater. Ghazni finally realized his political objective of getting the
“order of merits” from caliph of Bagdad, so he retained the paramount authority of the
region he controlled. We know that Ghazni’s empire collapsed with his son Masood, who was
soundly defeated by the alliance of Hindu Kings within 100 years of Somnath attack.

After the defeat and collapse of Ghazni’s empire, for nearly 100 years, ever tried to venture
this far, until Ghori emerged and slave dynasty took hold at Delhi. During this passage of
time, there are lots of changes and several generation of Hindu kings with different values
and characters. They failed to perceive any threat or learned from the history. There were no
collective organized defense among Hindu kings. They never did anything to develop the
military capability to deter aggressions.

40
The import of guns and gun powder technology that played decisive role during mogul period
may have altered the history. When they had the tactical military superiority, they never
exploited it and it turned out to be a strategic blunder.

The Prithviraj Chauhan prior to Ghori’s arrival decided to rub it in the eyes of Jaichand Rathod
by kidnapping his daughter and marrying her. This act by Prithviraj infuriated Jaichand
Rathod who decided not to help his son-in-law at the right time. Ghori exploited this rivalry
and took one by one and that changed the history of India for a long time to come. Prithviraj
Chauhan also made a blunder by not killing Ghori when he had the opportunity.

Kumar Pala Solanki during his rule 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 remained 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. Unfortunately, Jawaharlal Nehru opposed the idea of rebuilding
the temple. No surprise there as his Muslim identity is now uncovered.

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 Muzaffar 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 Muzaffar Khan was
removed from the ruined temple shrine prior to the reconstruction.

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 he was more successful elsewhere in north. The well-kept secret
kept by Vimal and Bhim was an act for the benefit of Gujarat and to show disunited Hindu
what can be lost if iconoclast ridden Muslim orthodoxy was allowed to prevail anywhere.

"Next year, in 1395 A.D., Muzaffar 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 A.D., news reached him
that the Hindus were trying to restore the temple of Somnath and revive their customary worship. Muzaffar
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 Muzaffar 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."

That mosque at Somnath was removed by Patel against wishes of Nehru. It took another
congress government decades to stall the removal of Babri mosque built over Ram Temple in

41
Ayodhya. Another Gujarati Prime Minister Narendra Modi becomes successful in relocating
mosque and rebuilding Ram temple. The lessons are to be drawn by the readers.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel- Lion of Gujarat and India

The Government of India owes to its majority of its population that is Hindu, their choice of
worship and reinstatement of lands that was forcibly taken over by the invaders. They need
to rebuild temple that stood on the structures regardless of whose shrine it was. Unless the
people of India hold their government accountable, it is unlikely to happen.

Temple of Somnath built by Republic of India-Red sandstone structure

42
 References

1. Chakravarty, Mahadev (1994), The Concept of Rudra-Shiva Through the Ages (Second
Revised ed.), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidas, 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 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jyotirlinga
5. https://www.holidify.com/pages/jyotirlingas-in-india-1628.html
6. https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm%20Hawaii%20national%20park
7. https://www.megalithindia.in/
8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalith
9. Samantha: Narratives of a History by Romila 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 Paramparas Itihas-Palitana Publication Vol. 1-3
13. A history Of Gujarat by Eduljee Dosabhai, ASIAN EDUCATION SERVICE 1986
14. The First great Civilization-A life in Mesopotamia, Egypt & Indus valley by Jacquetta
Hawkes, N.Y. 1973
15. Ferishta: Account of Somnath Extracts. Elliot, Henry Mires, The History of India as told by
their own historians https://archive.org/details/historyofindiaas01elli
16. Asaru-l Bilad of Zakari’ya Al Kazwini
https://www.infinityfoundation.com/mandala/h_es/h_es_asaru_frameset.htm
17. A-Biruni’s India
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/digital/collections/cul/texts/ldpd_5949073_001/
18.Tarikh-I-Amini by Utabi https://www.wdl.org/en/item/17782/
19. Sultan Mahmud Ghazni by Mohammed Habib https://www.amazon.com/Sultan-Mahmud-
Ghaznin-Mohammad-Habib/dp/B007XPE62I

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