Monarchs From India

"The queen who was the central protagonist of Awadh’s uprising against British rule hailed from extremely humble origins. Scattered details are all that are extant about her early life. She was born as Muhammadi Khanum to an African slave in Faizabad who was the bonded labourer of one Ghulam Ali Khan."

"Since then Rani Karnavati came to be known as Naak Katne Wali Rani and later Naak Kati Rani . The Mughals including contemporary rulers of neighboring kingdoms and people started knowing her by her nickname and not her original name."

"Just as he abruptly evanesced from the scene of Kashmir’s history after such an iconic and illustrious reign, Lalitaditya, hailed as the ‘Alexander of India’ and the second Samudragupta, slowly disappeared from popular consciousness and historiography of India. The Karkota dynasty could not produce another emperor as glorious and brave as Lalitaditya and it collapsed under the weight of its own contradictions a century later, by 855 CE. Like the gigantic edifices he established have defied time and survived till date as magnificent ruins, the stories of Lalitaditya’s chivalry, his victories and his charitable works have survived, too, in local folklore and public memory. Lalitaditya Muktapida thus created a permanent niche for himself not only in the history of India, but that of Central and South Asia, positing the primacy of Kashmir as a political, spiritual, intellectual and cultural focal point that was integral to the subcontinent."

"Chand Bibi was held up as role model for Muslim girls, at a time when Muslim women had just begun to attend colleges in larger numbers."

"Kalyan Singh Gurjar has been described by the British author as a “gallant, athletic and gigantic pehelwan ’….who was perfectly naked, with the exception of a middle cloth…he was gaily and fantastically painted, ‘for this, his last battle’. He was armed with a sword and a shield…”"

"Kapaya Nayaka! His name is familiar only amongst a few in South India. He was the leader of a confederation of Telugu nobles who united to liberate the South Indian kingdom of Warangal from the Delhi Sultanate. Delhi was then under the Tughlaqs. He drove the Tughlaqs out of the Warangal (then Telangana) territory in 1336. He ruled the region for the next 30 years."

"Chennamma started learning the art of warfare after she became the queen of Keladi. In no time she became an expert in the use of weapons. Raja Somashekhara Nayaka gave her complete support. Soon she became well versed in politics and statecraft. She also started learning music and literature and mastered both the subjects. She established a colony and facilitated settlement of scholars from near and far off states to spread knowledge of ancient wisdom in her kingdom."

"What happened to the prisoners of war in Kamrupa? Hundreds of Khilji’s soldiers were captured by Prithu in battle. The imprisoned soldiers sought pardon and shelter. The kind king Prithu pardoned them, set them free, and made arrangements for their settlement. This was part of the rule of Dharma that Hindu kings followed in warfare and while dealing with prisoners of war. He gave them all essential commodities for a living. As they came from Gauda (Bengal), the king christened them as Gaudia. This marked the beginning of Islamic settlements in Assam."

"Rani Karnavati or Naak Kati Rani of Garhwal as she is called! She was more popular as the Naak Katne Wali Rani and invaders dreaded waging war against her."

"The Rani who is our mother, strikes repeatedly at the British. She is the chief of the jungles. She sent letters and bangles to other (rulers, chieftains) and aligned them to the cause. She vanquished and pushed the Britishers out, in every street she made them panic, so that they ran away wherever they could find their way. Whenever she entered the battleground on horseback,she fought bravely and swords and spears ruled the day. O, she was our Rani mother."

"It is no exaggeration to say that the death of Mirza Raja Jai Singh of Amber, on 28th August 1667 removed from his path an effective restraint on his hostile attitude towards the Hindus clothed till then in several layers of pretence but which exposed itself in all its nakedness in the coming years."

"Though the news of the death of Raja Jai Singh (28th August 1667), whose services to Aurangzeb and his kingdom were known to the whole country, caused sorrow to everybody, the ungrateful Aurangzeb rejoiced, and rid of a Rajah whose influence might have been dangerous to his kingdom, declared that very hour an open war against Hinduism. He sent orders at once for the destruction of the fine temple called ‘Yalta’, in the neighourhood of Delhi. He also ordered every viceroy and governor to destroy all the temples within their jurisdiction. Among others was destroyed the great temple of Mathura."

"When Maharaja Jaswant Singh of Jodhpur was informed about the death of Mirza Raja Jai Singh, he is said to have expressed his feeling through the following couplet: GhanÔa na bÁje DevarÁn, sank na mÁne SÁh, Ye karsÁn phir Ávjyo, MÁhÚrÁ JaisÁh. As Raja Maha Ringh’s son Wai Ringh is no more, Aurangzeb has no fear – he has stopped arti, puja and blowing of conch in the temples. Had he been alive today, he would not have allowed such a thing to happen.‛"

"... In conclusion, I appeal to the Honourable Members of this Council, more especially to the Muhammadan Members, to support in unambiguous and unequivocal terms any action seeking to give the innocent victims adequate relief for all the losses they have sustained through no fault of their own, irrespective of any consideration other than the extent of their losses and the demands of justice."

"... With Koran in one hand and the sword in the other these lawless bands marched through rich villages forcing conversion or death on the unwilling Hindu population of the locality. The houses of those Hindus and other non-Muslims have been broken into and properties, valued at several lakhs of rupees, have been looted and carried away. Inmates of houses were tortured. Men, women and children were murdered in cold blood. Age and sex mattered not to then. Hindu temples were destroyed; the images were broken; the temple jewels were carried away. The landed aristocracy of the place were subjected to a most cruel treatment. People in large numbers have been forced to leave off their belongings and flee for life to the town of Calicut where they have now taken refuge. The European community also have suffered much at the hands of the rioters, and it is miraculous that some of them have been able to make good their escape across the troubled area into Calicut. Such is the nature of the tragedy enacted in Malabar."

"Mr. Yakub Hasan, the President of the Madras Provincial Conference, who says that he knows these Moplahs rather intimately has some fine things to say of them. In his Presidential address at Tanjore, he says, ‘Once the blood of the Moplah is up, there is no knowing what it will lead to. Leaders of the community who have influence with the Moplahs, alone can pacify them.’ The blood of the Moplah is up, Sir, and we know to our cost what it has led to. While events are thus moving so rapidly in Malabar, it is a matter for very great regret that responsible Muslim leaders in different parts of the country have not yet come forward with their condemnation of this dastardly rising. It may be suggested that an immediate expression of their opinion will not carry weight with the Moplahs now that they are in the full swing of their fury. It is my humble opinion, however, that such an expression of their opinion will go far to pacify the rioters, to allay public feeling and restore peace which we all so much desire."

"It may not be out of place here to refer to the attempts made in recent years by the leaders of the two great communities, the Hindu and the Muhammadan, for the promotion of good feeling and for the establishment of a Hindu Moslem unity. That, Sir, is a consummation devoutly to be wished. I for one am a firm believer in the growth of such a feeling. But, for the unity to be harmonious, it must be spontaneous and when such a unity does establish itself, we shall have no more of these regrettable occurrences. I appeal to you, Sir, whether actions of this kind, such as the wholesale destruction of life, the looting of property, the desecration of sacred temples, the cold- blooded murders of men, women and children and the trampling under foot of the cherished sentiments of the Hindus, whether there are calculated to secure that unity which we have so much at heart. I am sure a decided ‘no’ will be the answer from the responsible leaders of the Muhammadan community. Having regard to the present outbreak it is imperative therefore that responsible Muslim leaders should come forward boldly to denounce and condemn the action of these unruly Moplahs, take the initiative in the matter of giving relief to the sufferers and thus pave the way for a real unity among the two great communities ..."

"Shashanka, for instance, the wicked king of Karna- suvarna in eastern India in the early seventh century, a precursor of the Palas, is described by Hiuen Tsang as a persecutor of Buddhism.53 Among other things, Shashanka is said to have attempted to remove the Buddha's footprints from a stone located near Pataliputra, but he failed to do so and then had the stone thrown into the Ganges, from where however it miraculously returned to its original place. Shashanka also cut down the Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya, destroyed its roots down to the water, and burned the remainder; but the tree was resuscitated by Purnavarman, 'the last descendant of Ashoka', and in one night the tree became above three meters high again. Shashanka also attempted to replace the image of Buddha in the Mahabodhi temple-but only to replace it by one of Shiva."

"Hsuen Tsang's contention, from hearsay, that the Shaiva king Shashank had persecuted Buddhists and felled the Bodhi tree, also goes unquestioned. Yet, his story is just visibly untrustworthy : he claims that a replanted sapling of the Bodhi tree (which, from his story, must have been felled only a few years before his own arrival) miraculously grew overnight into a mature tree. Remember that secularist historians reject myths and irrational beliefs? What Hsuen Tsang got to see with his own eyes was a tree far bigger than a recently replanted sapling could have been: an indication that the tree had never been felled in the first place. Yet, so many secularist history books go on declaring that "fanatical Shashank felled the Bodhi tree", in defiance of proper historical criticism."

"In the neighbourhood of his territory was an infidel sovereign named Belal Deo (Ballala Deva), who was one of the principal Hindu Kings. His army exceeded hundred thousand men, and he had besides, twenty thousand Mussalmans formed of criminals and slaves. This monarch thought it expedient to go against the Coromandel Coast where the Mussalman army numbered but six thousand soldiers, the half of whom were excellent troops and the remainder were worth absolutely nothing. The Muhammadans fought a battle with him near the town of Cobban (Koppam) ; he routed them, and they retired to Moutrah (Madura) the capital of the country. The infidel sovereign encamped near Cobban (Koppam) which is one of the grandest and strongest places that the Mussalmans possess. He laid siege to it for ten months, and at the end of this time, the garrison had provisions only for fourteen days. Belal Ddo (Ballala Dava) sent a proposal to the besieged to retire with safe-conduct, and to abandon the town to him ; but they replied, ' we must refer this question to our Sultan. ' He then promised them a truce, which was to last for fourteen days, and they wrote to Sultan Ghiyath-eddin (Ghiyazu-d-din) telling him how they weie situated. The prince read their letter to the people the following Friday. The faithful wept and said : ' We will sacrifice our lives to God. If the idolater takes that town, he will next lay siege to us : we prefer to die by the sword.' They then undertook to expose themselves to death, and set out marching the next day, placing their turbans on the neck of their horses, which showed that they were seeking death. The bravest and most courageous of them, 300 in number were posted to the vanguard ; the right wing was under Seif-eddin Behadur (Seifu-d-din Bahadur), the hero, who was a pious and brave lawyer ; and the left wing was under, Almelic Mohamed 1 assilahdar ' (armiger). The Sultan remained in the centre with three thousand men, and the rear-guard was formed by the remaining 3,000 under the command of Assad-eddin Keikhosrew Alfaricy. In this order the Mussalmans set out, at the siesta hour, towards the infidel camp. Their horses were sent out to graze. They fell upon the encampment ; the infidels, imagining the assailants were but robbers, went in disorder to meet them and fought with them. In the midst of all this, the Sultan Ghiyath- eddin arrived, and the Hindus sustained the worst of all defeats. Their king tried to mount his horse although he was eighty years of age. Nasir-eddin (Nasiru-d-din) nephew and successor of the Sultan overtook the old man and wanted to kill him, for he did not know who he was. But one of his slaves said : ' He is the Hindu King. ' He then took him a prisoner to his uncle who treated him with apparent consideration and promised to release him. But when he had extorted from him his wealth, elephants and horses and all his property, he had him killed and flayed ; his skin was stuffed with straw and hung up on the wall of Moutrah (Madura) where I saw it suspended."

"The next morning, the Hindu prisoners were divided into four sections and taken to each of the four gates ... There, on the stakes they had carried, the prisoners were impaled, afterwards their wives were killed and tied by their hair to these pales. Little children were massacred on the bosoms of their mothers and their corpses left there. Then, the camp was raised, and they started cutting down the trees of another forest. In the same manner did they treat their later Hindu prisoners. This is shameful conduct such as I have not known any other sovereign guilty of. It is for this that God hastened the death of Ghiyath-eddin (Ghiyazu-d-din)."

"One day whilst the Kadhi (Kazi) and I were having our food with (Ghiyazu-d-din), the Kazi to his right and I to his left, an infidel was brought before him accompanied by his wife and son aged seven years. The Sultan made a sign with his hand to the executioners to cut off the head of this man ; then he said to them in Arabic : ' and the son and the wife. ' They cut off their heads and I turned my eyes away. When I looked again, I saw their heads lying on the ground."

"I was another time with the Sultan Ghiyath-eddin (Ghiyazu- d-din) when a Hindu was brought into his presence. He uttered words I did not understand, and immediately several of his followers drew their daggers. I rose hurriedly, and he said to me ; ' Where are you going ' ? I replied : ' I am going to say my afternoon (4 o'clock) prayers. ' He understood my reason, smiled, and ordered the hands and feet of the idolater to be cut off. On my return I found the unfortunate swimming in his blood."

"The country we had to traverse was a wood formed of trees and reeds, so overgrown, that nobody could penetrate it. The Sultan ordered every army man, great or small, to carry a hatchet and cut down these obstacles. When the camp had been arranged, he set out on horseback to the forest, accompanied by soldiers. They cut down trees from morning till midday. Then food was served for everybody ; after that they began hewing till evening. Every infidel found in the forest was taken prisoner. They sharpened stakes at both ends and made their captives carry them on their shoulders. Each was accompanied by his wife and children and they were thus led to the camp. It is the custom of these people to surround their camp with a palisade having four gates. They call it catcar round the habitation of the king. Outside the principal boundary, they erected a platform about a half brasse high and lighted a fire on it during the night. Slaves and sentinels spent the night there holding a fagot of very slender reeds in their hands. When infidels approached to attack the camp during the night, they lighted the fagots. The brightness of the flames converted night into day, and the horsemen set out in pursuit of the infidel."

"At the close of the Khalji regime, Ghayasuddin Tughlaq declared himself as a champion of the faith, because the Ulema had been dissatisfied with Alauddin's policies and Ghayasuddin with the activities of Nasiruddin Khusrau. "The slogan of revenge for religion, so common yet so effective in the history of the Muslims, was started." And this to a great degree won Ghayasuddin Tughlaq the throne."

"[Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq issued an ordinance which proclaimed that] “there should be left only so much to the Hindus that neither on the one hand they should become intoxicated on account of their wealth, nor on the other should they become so destitute as to leave their lands and cultivation in despair”."

"Tomb of Ghiyãsu’d-Dîn Tughlaq: Similarly, Sayyid Ahmad notices this tomb in some detail but does not describe its Hindu features.395 Khaleeq Anjum, however, says in his introduction that “corridors inside this tomb have been constructed in the style of Hindu architecture, and the pillars as well as the beams in the corridors are fully of Hindu fashion.” He repeats the same comments in his notes at the end.”"

"Ibn Batuta gives some interesting details of Ghiyathu-d-din's doings which throw a lurid light upon the character of Muhammadan rule in the South. While Ibn Batuta accompanied him, when he moved from the camp towards the capital, he happened to fall in with a number of ' idolaters ' with their women and children in clearing a road through the forest. He made them carry a number of stakes sharpened at both ends, and when morning broke he divided these prisoners into four groups, and led one party to each gate of the four entrances to the camp. The stakes that they carried were then driven into the ground at one end and the unfortunate wretches were impaled alive there- on. Their wives and children had their throats cut and were left fastened to the posts. Ibn Batuta exclaims in horror ' it was for this reason that God hastened the death of Ghiyathu-d-din.' It is hardly necessary to add to this blood-curdling story others from Ibn Batuta."

"Rajendra I ruled jointly with his father for two years, succeeding him in 1014. The policy of expansion continued with the annexation of the southern provinces of the Chalukyas, the rich Raichur doab and Vengi. Campaigns against Sri Lanka and Kerala were also renewed. But Rajendra’s ambitions had turned northwards. An expedition set out, marching through Orissa to reach the banks of the Ganges. From there, it is said, holy water from the river was carried back to the Chola capital. Bringing back the water through conquest symbolized ascendancy over the north. But Rajendra did not hold the northern regions for long, a situation parallel to that of Samudra Gupta’s campaign in the south almost 700 years earlier."

"In the 8th year of the reign of Kopparakesarivanmar sri Rajendra Sola Deva, who, while the goddess of Fortune, having become constant, increased, and while the goddess of the great Earth, the goddess of victory in battle and the matchless goddess of Fame, having become his great queens, rejoiced-that in his extended lifetime, conquered with his great war-like army Idaiturai-nadu, Vanavasi shut in by a fence of continuous forests; Kollipakkai, whose walls were surrounded by sulli trees; Mannaikkadakkam whose fortification was unapproachable."

"When Rajendra Chola completed 1000 years of his rule (in 2014), no one celebrated it. So we are a marginalised history of India."

"“Ahmad Shah Abdali in the year AH 1171 (AD 1757-58), came from the country of Kandahar to Hindastan, and on the 7th of Jumadal awwal of that year, had an interview with the Emperor ‘Ãlamgir II, at the palace of Shah-Jahanabad… After an interval of a month, he set out to coerce Raja Suraj Mal Jat, who from a distant period, had extended his sway over the province of Ãgra, as far as the environs of the city of Delhi. In three days he captured Balamgarh, situated at a distance of fifteen kos from Delhi… After causing a general massacre of the garrison he hastened towards Mathura, and having razed that ancient sanctuary of the Hindus to the ground, made all the idolaters fall a prey to his relentless sword…”"

"What, have I come from the south relying on your strength? I will do what I like. You may stay here or go back to your own place. After overthrowing the Abdali, I shall come to reckoning with you."

"“You profess to be a Hindu; but how is that you have kept this mosque standing so long?” said the Bhao “Maharaj! Of late, the Royal fortune of Hindustan has become fickle in her favour like a courtesan; to-night she is in the arms of one man and next in the embrace of another. If I could be sure that I should remain master of these territories all through my life, I would have leveled this mosque down to the earth. But of what use will it be, if I to-day destroy this mosque, and tomorrow the Musalmans come, and demolish the great temples and build four mosques in place of one? As your Excellency has come to these parts the affair is now in your hands.”"

"The hero of the Jats in the eighteenth century was a rude warrior named Suraj Mai. The exploits of this semi barbarous chieftain resemble those of Shivaji."

"[Suraj Mal concluded a peace treaty with the Mir Bakshi Salabat Jang in 1750, whereby latter promised:] ( a ) not to cut down pipal trees nor hinder the worship of that tree ; ( b ) not to offer any insult or injury to Hindu temples."

"Jai Singh II was perhaps the most cultivated sovereign that ever reigned in India."

"Sawai Jai Singh’s forceful representation to the Emperor seeking abolition of Jizya is very significant and helpful in understanding the feelings of the Hindus regarding this unjust tax. Shiv Das in ShÁhnÁma Munawwar KalÁm has thus described the historic scene. He writes that on account of chaos, famine and high prices of grain in that year (1720 A.D.), the people were experiencing much distress which was further accentuated by the measures taken for realization of Jizya by the Wazir Muhammad Amin Khan. In such a situation, the mahÁjans (bankers), beopÁrÍs (merchants and traders) and businessmen belonging to the Hindu community ‚assembled together of their own accord, and with full agreement of all, lodged complaint and closed their shops in the capital. They thus revealed the injustice and oppression on the part of the Wazir Amin Khan.‛ He further writes that Rajadhiraj Jai Singh Sawai interceded on their behalf. He represented to the Emperor thus: ‚In this land of Hindustan, there are two tÁ’ifat (nations or communities)- Hindus and Musalmans. Hindustan had been formerly inhabited by the Hindus, but afterwards, through jihÁd of the mujtahidÍn, the religion of Islam got currency.‛ The Rajadhiraj further said, ‚Your Majesty is the Sovereign of Hind (India) and the people of both the firqa (communities) equally offer prayers for your Majesty’s welfare, nay the Hindus do it more, for the Musalmans are of same religion and of the same faith as your Majesty, whereas Hindus enjoy repose and tranquility under the shadow of protection of their land, and offer their prayer before the threshold of Him who listens to them and grants the petition of his supplicant for the stability of the Empire and health and safety of the sacred Majesty.‛ He then described how after the assassination of Saiyad Hussain Ali and before the battle with Abdulla Khan, he had summoned all parganas and made Emperor, and that he had given them solemn assurance that after the Emperor’s victory, he would first make supplication and secure Emperor’s orders for ‚exemption and remission of Jizya and then secure (for them) daily allowance and revenue grants (madad-i-ma‘Ásh). Raja Girdhar Bahadur, the NÁzim of Awadh province, made a similar request whereupon Emperor Muhammad Rhah ‚remitted Jizya upon all the Hindus which amounted to four crores of rupees in all the territories under the imperial jurisdiction. Orders were issued that Jizya on this community (Hindus) be deemed to have been abolished till the existence of the Empire and its sense of justice remains.‛ Accordingly, it was ordered that the nobles, the accountants and officers responsible for State affairs ‚shall on no account or the Hindus from villages, towns and them all pray for the victory of the any excuse hinder or meddle with the Hindu community with regard to the realization of Jizya.‛"

"“Ahmud Shah, without waiting to besiege the Hindoo capital, overran the open country; and wherever he went put to death men, women, and children, without mercy, contrary to the compact made between his uncle and predecessor, Mahomed Shah, and the Rays of Beejanuggur. Whenever the number of slain amounted to twenty thousand, he halted three days, and made a festival celebration of the bloody event. He broke down, also, the idolatrous temples, and destroyed the colleges of the bramins. During these operations, a body of five thousand Hindoos, urged by desperation at the destruction of their religious buildings, and at the insults offered to their deities, united in taking an oath to sacrifice their lives in an attempt to kill the King, as the author of all their sufferings…”"

"“In the year AH 829 (AD 1425), Ahmud Shah marched to reduce a rebellious zemindar of Mahoor… During this campaign, the King obtained possession of a diamond mine at Kullum, a place dependent on Gondwana, in which territory he razed many idolatrous temples, and erecting mosques on their sites, appropriated to each some tracts of land to maintain holy men, and to supply lamps and oil for religious purposes…”"

"[Sultan Ahmad Shah Bahmani (1422–36) of the Deccan Sultanate attacked the Vijaynagar kingdom, in which records Ferishtah] ‘wherever he went he put to death men, women and children without mercy, contrary to the compact (not to molest civilians) made between his uncle and predecessor Mahomed Shah and the Rays of Beejanuggar. Whenever the number of slain amounted to twenty thousand, he halted three days and made a festival in celebration of the bloody event. He broke down also the idolatrous temples and destroyed the colleges of the Brahmins.’"

"This successor was Siraj-uddaula a young man of twenty-four or twenty-five, very common in appearance. Before the death of Aliverdi- khan the character of Siraj-uddaula was reputed to be one of the worst ever known. In fact he had distinguished himself not only by all sorts of debaucheries but by a revolting cruelty. The Hindu women are accustomed to bathe on the banks of the Ganges. Siraj-uddaula, who was informed by his spies which of them were beautiful, sent his satellites in disguise in little boats to carry them off. He was often seen, in the season when the river overflows, causing the ferry boats to be upset or sunk, in order to have the cruel pleasure of seeing the confusion of a hundred people at a time, men, women and children, of whom many, not being able to swim were sure to perish. If there was any necessity to get rid of some great lord or Minister, Siraj-uddaula alone appeared in the business, whilst Aliverdikhan retired to one of his houses or gardens outside the town, so as not to hear the cries of the persons whom he was causing to be killed. Every one trembled at the name of Siraj- uddaula. People however flattered themselves that when he became Nawab he would become more humane. One may judge of this by the terrible scene presented to us in the capture of Calcutta."

"By dint of merit, Jai Singh emerged among the most formidable princes of north India."

"Pratapa Rudra’s case is almost a textbook illustration: he failed to learn his lessons despite four attacks from the Delhi Sultanate—twice from Khilji, then Khusrav Khan, and twice from Muhammad Bin Tughluq. Warangal succumbed to the second attack of Muhammad Bin Tughluq and was annexed to the Delhi Sultanate. Pratapa Rudra was himself taken prisoner and died en route to Delhi."

"Amir Khusrau, in his Nuh Sipihr, wrote that Prataprudra made a lengthy speech, in the course of which he said, The relation between Turk and Hindu is that of a lion and antelope, and the Turks whenever they please, can seize, buy, or sell any Hindu."

"Homage to that Great God who has become spoilt through flattery And fond of miracles, by whose will the ocean transforms Into a landmass and the land becomes an ocean as well, A speck of dust becomes a mountain and Meru becomes a clump of earth. Straw becomes as hard as thunderbolt and thunderbolt becomes straw, Fire becomes cold and snowflakes become fiery."

"The rai then ascended the rampart of the fort of Arangal, and turning his face towards the royal pavilion, he bowed to the earth. Thus did he for three days, out of respect to the pale of religion; he turned towards the pavilion, and kissed the earth..."

"…He marched with his army to the fort of Sonipat, and the commandant of that fort, Daniãl Har by name, becoming aware of his approach, fled… the army of Islam, having captured that fort, pulled down all the temples and obtained an enormous quantity of booty."

"In the victorious army the slaves of the household behaved very gallantly, and such a virgin fort was worthy of their valoyr. At last, mines were sprung in five places, and the wall was brought down, and the fort was stormed by the sword on Monday, ten days before the close of Eabfu-1 awwal. The Brahmans and other higher men were slain, and their women and children were carried away captive, and all the treasure which was found was divided amongst the army. The fort was known in Hindustdn as " The Virgin," as no one yet had been able to take it."

"“In the year AH 427 (AD 1036)… he himself marched with an army to India, to reduce the fort of Hansy… Herein he found immense treasure, and having put the fort under the charge of a trusty officer, he marched towards the fort of Sonput. Depal Hurry, the governor of Sonput, abandoned the place, and fled into the woods; but having no time to carry off his treasure, it fell into the conqueror’s hands. Musaood having ordered all the temples to be razed to the ground, and the idols to be broken proceeded in pursuit of Depal Hurry…”"