Kamal Ghorui
The temple of Somnath in Gujarat has become a centre of attraction in the whole country, the reason behind this attraction is that the temple is celebrating the Amrit Mahotsav of its reconstruction. Although Somnath is one of the revered 12 jyotirlinga located in India but its importance lies in its historicity which is different from other jyotirlingas. Razing of Hindu temples by Islamic invaders is a common phenomenon in Indian history but the cruelty with Somnath is one of its kind as it was razed multiple times.
This cruelty with Somnath is not a fantasy but is based on archaeological and historical facts. On the basis of excavation reports of Archaeological Survey of India, the town of Somnath was in existence during 1st century CE and the reports talks about the existence of a temple dedicated to Shiva. This temple was probably built before 5th century CE by Vallabhi rulers. The temple of Somnath was renovated time to time by various rulers and local persons.
The grandeur of the temple and wealth of the town attracted the Sultan of Ghazni to Somnath in the 11th century. According to the historical documents, a local Fakir of the area sent a message to Sultan inviting him to plunder Somnath. The Mahmood of Ghazni along with his army travelled for 42 days to reach Somnath. He entered the town of Somnath in January 1026 CE. When he attacked the town and the temple, local Hindus retaliated. Around 50,000 Hindus were killed by the army of Mahmood.
Islamic traveller Al Biruni wrote that when Mahmood entered the temple he saw the massive Siva Linga and ordered his soldiers to destroy it. Some of the fragments of the Siva Linga were sent to Ghazni and were placed on the entrance of the masque so that people can rub their feet on the remnants of the Siva Linga. One more Islamic traveller Farishta also wrote about the incident and according to him the Siva Linga was destroyed by the army of Mahmood on his order and its parts were sent to Ghazni and Mecca-Medina. Mahmood and his army not only destroyed the temple but they also looted great amount of wealth.
According to reports 200 lakhs dinars were looted at Somnath. It is shocking that even Muslim travelers document the plundering of temple but few historians are of the opinion that Somnath was not destroyed by Mahmood. After destroying the temple when Mahmood was returning, he was attacked by a Hindu ruler named Paramdev, but he avoided the conflict and ran away to Ghazni through Sindh. According to the reports of ASI, the temple was fully destroyed by Mitha Khan who was appointed as a Governor by Mahmood while returning to Ghazni. In an inscription of 1100 C.E. it is stated that a ruler named Siddhraj visited the temple and paid homage here.
This points towards the possibility that the temple was rebuilt and was in good conditions during this time. It is important to note that a Hindu ruler named Bhimdeva reconstructed the temple after the destruction done by Mahmood of Gazni in 11th century. The temple didn’t remain safe for much time as it was again attacked and destroyed by Alaf Khan during 1292 CE. He was a commander of the Khaljis. Hindu rulers again rebuilt this temple in the very beginning of 13th century. Inscriptional evidences tells that it was a Hindu ruler Khangar who renovated the temple this time.
The attack on Somnath continued, in the later phase of 13th century an army commander Mujaffar Khan again destroyed the Somnath temple. Even during the times of Mughal the barbaric ruler Aurangzeb issued an order to destroy the temple at Somnath. The long struggle of Somnath finally came to an end when Queen Ahilyabai Holkar in 18th century renovated the Somnath temple and later on after Independence of India the temple was rebuilt. The year 2026 has couple of importance in history of Somnath as it marks 1000 years of destruction of the sacred place and 75th years of its reconstruction.
The temple of Somnath is an example of unbreakable faith of Hindus since centuries. Today after 1000 years the fort of Mahmood is in ruins but the temple of Somnath still stands with glory.
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