The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c20.147

v3.c20.147

Iltutmish had now established his authority throughout the dominions which Aibak had ruled, and in order to fulfil the duty of a Muslim ruler towards misbelieving neighbours and to gratify his personal ambition set himself to extend those dominions by conquest. In 1234 he invaded Mālwa, captured the city of Bhīlsa, and advanced to Ujjain, which he sacked, and, after demolishing the famous temple of Mahākālī and all other temples in the city, carried off to Delhi a famous *lingam*, an image of Vikramāditya, and many idols. The *lingam* is said by some to have been buried at the threshold of the Friday mosque of Old Delhi, and by others to have been buried at the foot of the great column of red sandstone built by Iltutmish.