fate. The Chandellas of Khajuraho and the Rajput rulers of Gwalior
were also defeated and their treasures looted. Mahmud did not
hesitate to mete out the same treatment to the Muslim ruler of Multan,
whose territory blocked his way. The Hindus were particularly
affected by the destruction and looting of their holy places at
Thaneshwar, Mathura and Kanauj.
• The climax of these systematic campaigns was Mahmud’s attack on
the famous Shiva temple at Somnath on the southern coast of
Kathiawar in Gujarat. After a daring expedition across the desert,
Mahmud reached this temple in 1025 AD. Chronicles report that about
50,000 Hindus lost their lives in defending the temple. Mahmud
destroyed the Shiva lingam with his own hands and then, is said to
have returned through the desert with booty of about 20 million gold
dinars (about 6.5 tons of gold). Many of his troops did not survive the
journey.
Purpose and Nature of His Campaigns