Page:A Comprehensive History of India Vol 1.djvu/83

 Chap. II.] SOMNAUTH SACKED. 4.9

advanced, and had nearly effected an entrance, when the defenders returned and ad. 1024. fouglit so furiously, that their enemies, unable to make good a footing, were forced to retire. The next day the attack was repeated, and assumed the form of a general assault, but the result was the same. The third day opened still more propitiously for the defenders, for several native chiefs having vuiited tiieir forces, had advanced to the rescue. Tiie attack could not be continued till this Somnautu new enemy was disposed of The battle which ensued was furiously contested, and seemed at one time about to be decided in favour of the Hindoos by the sudden arrival of the Rajah of Anhulwara with a large body of fresh troops. The Mahometans, who had previously been unable to do more than maintain their ground, now began to waver, and a general route was imminent, when the sultan, recm-ring to a device which had succeeded with him on other occasion.s, prostrated himself in presence of his army, and then, as if confident that his prayer had been heard, leaped to his horse, raised the war cry, and rushed into tlie thickest of the fight. His troops, ashamed not to follow where such a master would lead, followed close upon his track, and bore down all before them. The critical moment was passed, and they had gained a com[)lete victory. No further attempt was made to defend the temple, and the defenders, to the number of 4000, took to their boats. Mahmood, in the comse of his plunderings, had seen the interior of many Hindoo temples, but the magnificence of Somnauth was so surpassing that it filled him with wonder. The interior, its ceiebrat- whose lofty roof was supported by fifty-six pillars curiou.sly carved and glittering with precious stones, received its light, not from the sun, but from a lamp which was suspended in its centre by a golden chain. The real object of worship at Somnauth was simply a cylinder of stone, but Ferishta takes no notice of it, and says that the idol, 15 feet in height, but six of them .sunk beneath the sm-face, stood opposite the entrance. Mahmood at once ordered its destruction, but hesitated when the Brahmins threw themselves at his feet imploring him to spare it, and offering an immense ransom. After a momentary pause, exclaiming that he would rather be known as a breaker than as a seller of idols, he struck the idol with his mace. His followers in.stantly followed up the blow, till the idol broke a.sunder. It was hollow, and disclosed diamonds and other jewels of immense value hidden within it. Mahmood was equally surprised and delighted. The treasure obtained far exceeded •the amount of ransom which the priests had offered, and was regarded by him and his followei-s as a gift from the Prophet in return for the zeal which they had displayed in his cause.

1^ Two pieces of the idol were sent to ]Iecca and Medina, and two to Ghuznee. Tradition as ^r ^ 1 1 1 • 1 tothegatesof

One of the latter was in the palace and another at the grand mosque in the somnauth. sixteenth century, when Ferishta wi'ote his history. It is somewhat remarkable that he says nothing of the gates of the tem})le, which, according to a preva- lent tradition, were also carried to Ghuznee, and ultimately formed one of the Vol. I. ' 7