History of Mediaeval Hindu India (being a History of India from 600 to 1200 A.D.) v1.c23.10

v1.c23.10

Though this ends the history of Multan we may relate the history of the sun temple in Multan, a little further. Multan was also called Sāmbapur and the temple of the sun there was said to have been built by Sāmba a son of Shri Krishna when he was afflicted by skin disease. The sun is the god who is supposed to cure all skin diseases including leprosy and the temple of the sun at Multan was visited by Hindus chiefly from Sind and the Panjab but also from other parts of India. The temple was very rich. It is described by Hiuen Tsang as also by the Chachanama; by Biladauri again who writing about 815 A. D. says "The people circumambulated it and shaved their heads and beards". "The temple" says Istakheri in 975 A. D. "is situated in the most populous part of the city in the market of Multan between the bazaar of ivory dealers and coppersmiths. The idol has a human shape and is seated with its legs bent in a quandrangular posture on a throne made of bricks and mortar. Its whole body is covered with a red skin like morocco leather and nothing but its eyes are visible. Some say that the body is made of wood. The eyes of the idol are precious gems and the head is covered with a crown of gold." Some time after 976 A. D. Multan was captured by a Karmatian chief of Zelem, son of Shaiban, when the priests of the temple were massacred, the statue of the sun god was broken to pieces and the temple itself was converted into a mosque.