The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v2.c31.160

v2.c31.160

Neither the *Zain ul-Akhbār* nor the *Kāmil* gives details of the route taken by Maḥmūd from Multan to reach Somnath. The latter only tells us that he came by way of Anhilvada. The accounts of Niẓam ud-Dīn and Khond Amīr,² though interesting in other matters, throw no additional light on the question. The former tells us that Maḥmūd after passing the winter of the year 415 A.H. (1024 A.D.) at Ghazni, advanced towards Somnath. "When the Sulṭān reached the city of Naharwāla Patan,³ he found it empty. He ordered that grain might be collected, and then he took the way to Sūmnāt. When he reached Sūmnāt, the inhabitants shut the gate on his face. After much fighting and great struggles the fort was taken, and the methods of plunder and destruction were carried into effect, and vast multitudes were killed and taken prisoner. The temples were pulled down and destroyed from their very foundations. The idol Sūmnāt was broken to pieces, and one piece was sent to Ghaznin, and was placed at the gate of the Jāme' Masjid, and for years it remained there. The Sulṭān raised his standard with the intention of returning, but as Param Deo¹ one of the most powerful of the Rājas of Hindūstān, had to be met on the way, he did not consider it advisable to fight with him at that time, under all the circumstances, he turned towards Multān by way of Sindh. His troops suffered great privations *en route*, in some places, on account of scarcity of water, and in others, for want of fodder, but at last, after suffering great distress and hardship he reached Ghaznin in the year 417 A.H. (1026 A.D.)'²