Over the last 1200 years, Islamic barbarians have destroyed thousands of Hindu mandirs in India. Many apologists try to whitewash this brutal destruction of the Hindu religious and cultural symbols. Luckily for us, the invaders and their scribes left behind plenty of contemporary records, enabling scholars to piece together the sordid history of their brutal exploits.
We have launched a series of short articles to daylight this terrible destruction of Hindu mandirs. Each article will contain excerpts from the writings of a well-known Islamic scholar. The entire series is based on an article by Stephen Knapp. (https://www.stephen-knapp.com/islamic_destruction_of_hindu_temples.htm)
Islamic Source: Mifathu’l-Futuh by Amir Khusru
(Amir Khusru was born in Delhi in 1253. His father occupied high positions in the reigns of Sultan Shamsu’d Din Iltutmish (1210-1236 CE) and his successors. Reputed to be the dearest disciple of Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya, he became the lick-spittle of whoever came out victorious in the contest for the throne at Delhi. He became the court poet of Balban’s successor, Sultan Kaiqbad.)
- Islamic ruler: Jalalu’d-Din Khalji (1290-1296 CE)
Jhain (Rajasthan) :- “The Sultan reached Jhain in the afternoon of the third day and stayed in the palace of the Raya he greatly enjoyed his stay for some time. Coming out, he took a round of gardens and temples. The idols he saw amazed him. The next day he got those idols of gold smashed with stones. The pillars of wood were burnt down by his order. A cry rose from the temples as if a second Mahmud has taken birth. Two idols were made of brass, one of which weighed nearly a thousand ‘mans’. He got both of them broken, and the pieces were distributed among his people so that they may throw them at the door of Masjid on their return to Delhi.“
- Islamic ruler: Alaud-Din Khilji (1296-1316 CE)
Vidisha (Madhya Pradesh):- “When he advanced from the capital of Karra, the Hindus, in alarm, descended into the earth like ants. He departed towards the garden of Behar to dye that soil with blood as red as a tulip. He cleared the road to Ujjain of vile wretches and created consternation in Bhilsan. When he affected his conquests in that country, he drew out of the river the idols which had been concealed in it.
Devagiri (Maharshtra):- “But see the mercy with which he regarded the broken-hearted, for, after seizing the rai, he set him free again. He destroyed the temples of the idolaters, and erected pulpits and arches for mosques.
Islamic Source: Nuh Siphir – also by Amir Khusro
This is the fourth historical book that Amir Khusru wrote when he was 67 years old.
- Islamic ruler: Mubarak Shah Khalji (1315-1320 CE)
Warrangal (Andhra Pradesh) :- “They pursued the enemy to the gates and set everything on fire. They burnt down all those gardens and groves. That paradise of idol-worshippers became like hell. The fire-worshippers of ‘Bud’ were in alarm and flocked around their idols…”
