Muntakhab al-tawarikh 4.2.4

4.2.4

Once more he led his army against Somnat, which is a large city on the coast of the ocean, a place of worship of the Hindus. ments who worship a large idol. There are many golden idols there. Although certain historians have called this idol Manat, and say that it is the identical idol which the Arab idolators brought to the coasts of Hindustan in the time of the Lord of the Missive (may the blessing and peace of God be upon him), this story has no foundation, because the Brahmans of India firmly believe that this idol has been in that place since the time of Kishan, that is to say four thousand years and a fraction. Its name too, in the Hindi language, is really Sobha Nath, that is to say Lord of Beauty, and not Manat. The reason for this mistake must surely be the resemblance in name, and nothing else. In this expedition, having taken the city of Patan which is known as Naharwala, a city of Gujerat, and having obtained a great supply of provisions from thence, he arrived at Somnat where the garrison closed the gates of the fort against him, and reaped their reward in rapine and plunder. The fort was taken and Mahmud broke the idol in fragments and sent it to Ghaznin, where it was placed at the door of the Jami‘ Masjid and trodden under foot.