The Legacy of Muslim Rule in India c7.s2.12

c7.s2.12

Mahmuds *jihad*, or the *jihad* of any invader or ruler for that matter, was accompanied by extreme cruelty. The description of the attack on Thanesar (Kurukshetra) is detailed. The chief of Thanesar was obstinate in his infidelity and denial of Allah, so the Sultan marched against him with his valiant warriors, for the purpose of planting the standards of Islam and extirpating idolatry The blood of the infidels flowed so copiously that the stream was discoloured, and people were unable to drink it Praise be to Allah for the honour he bestows upon Islam and Musalmans.⁵⁵ Similarly, in the slaughter at Sirsawa near Saharanpur, The Sultan summoned the most religiously disposed of his followers, and ordered them to attack the enemy immediately. Many infidels were consequently slain or taken prisoners in this sudden attack, and the Musalmans paid no regard to the booty till they had satiated themselves with the slaughter of the infidels The friends of Allah searched the bodies of the slain for three whole days, in order to obtain booty⁵⁶ With such achievements to his credit, there is little wonder that Mahmud of Ghazni has remained the ideal, the model, of Muslims-medieval and modern.