Mughals, alternatively spelled as Mogul, is the Turkic-Mongol origin Muslim dynasty that ruled swathes of northern India from the early 16^th to mid-18^th century. It ruled over North India successfully for more than two centuries and its rulers proved their mettle with the administrative acumen. Mughals attempted to integrate Hindus and Muslims into a United Indian State.

How was Mughal dynasty founded?

The Mughal dynasty was founded by the Turkic prince named Babur who reigned from 1526-30. Babur was the descendant of Turkic conqueror Timur or Tamarlane on his father’s side and second son of the Mongol ruler Gengis Khan, on his mother’s side.

Muslims in India:

Muslims were there in India long before the Mughals. Muslims set foot in India for the first time in 8^th century. In the first half of 10^th century, a Muslim ruler of Afghanistan invaded Punjab 11 times but secured no significant political success. However, they plundered India with all their might. Followed by this, a more successful invasion came at the end of the 12^th century which eventually led to the formation of Delhi Sultanate. A later invasion, which took place in 1398, devastated the city of Delhi. The descendants of the Mongol empire established the Mughal empire in India. Previously, they were living in Turkestan who assimilated the culture of Middle East coupled with the elements of their far-eastern roots while ruling India. Mughals have inherited their great military skills from their Mongol ancestors and were the first Western Military leaders to use guns.

What are reasons of Babus looking to establish his territory in India?

Babur was ousted from Central Asia from his ancestral domain and looked east to conquer India to satisfy his wrath. Babur was unsuccessful to annex Samarkhand and after such three unsuccessful attempts, had lost all his hopes that he will ever be able to fulfil his wish. In 1526, he successfully gained control over the Punjab region by routing the forces of the Delhi Sultan Ibrahim Lodi at the first battle of Panipat. There is one more reason why Babur could not ignore India because it was replete with wealth. Also, the dysfunctional political system in India made a leeway for Babur to legitimise his claim with the support of local rulers.

After the year 1505, to meet the expectation of the followers expecting rewards after he became the ruler, he levied heavy taxes on people. It attracted revolts but Babur again made an attempt to overtake Samarkhand, this time successfully but a brief period from later 1512 to 1513.

The Mughal empire fell in shambles because Humayun was disastrous as a ruler . He, however, channelled his love for poetry and culture into his son Akbar which helped to make the Mughal empire rise in artistic power.

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Somnath Temple is one of the ancient temples of India. This temple is thronged by numbers of devotees across the year. Not only for the architectural brilliance, Somnath temple outshines others because of the spiritual significance. Somnath temple is home to one of the 12 Jyotirlings of India, the Somnath temple is located in the state of Gujarat near Arabian sea. Best season to visit this temple is around October when the temperature drops.

The brief history of Somnath temple:

The original Somnath temple was built by the Moon god, it is said. It was made of gold when it was erected. However, it was reduced to debris due to an unknown reason and rebuilt again with silver by Ravana. The silver temple was knocked down again and was rebuilt in wood by Krishna. An edifice of stone was raised when it was destroyed again.

What are the other religious significances of Somnath temple?

The first among the twelve Jyotirlings were situated at the Somnath temple. Since time immemorial, Prabhas Patan was a pilgrimage center because it was the confluence of Sravasti, Hiranya and Kapila. It is also said that Lord Shiva’s Kaal Bhairav Linga is also located at the Prabhas Patan. This was associated with moon and it is said that the Moon god worshipped this Linga which is still done with utmost respect. According to what the foreign visitors had written in anthologies, this place was a colony of the Aryans in the ancient times. Built somewhere around 4 AD, this place had a lot of historical significance.

This temple is also considered holy because there is ‘Triveni Sangam’ or the convergence of three rivers namely Kapila, Hiran and Sravasti. The temple was made by Moon god and the name Somnath means the Moon god himself. It is said that the Moon God came here to take a holy plunge in the confluence of these three rivers because he was cursed and lost his shine. He was desperate to regain his beam so he came here to take a dip. The towns name is originated from that instance only because Prabhas means glow.

How was the Somnath temple destroyed?

The Somnath temple was looted, sabotaged many a times resulting in complete destruction. It is said that in 1026 AD, Mahmud Ghajini plundered this temple. Then came Afzal Khan, the commander of Ala-Ud-Din Khilji and then Aurangzeb. This temple, as per the history, was destructed as many as 17 times.

Mahmud Ghazini invaded the temple, broke the Shivling and stole 20 million dinars which brought the temple’s situation in a sorry-state. The temple, however, was again built in the year 1169 with excellent stone studded jewels until Alauddin Khilji wreaked havoc. There after, it was again rebuilt by Mahipala Deva, the Chudasama king of Saurashtra in 1308. Sadly, it was again destroyed by Zafar Khan, the last governor of Delhi Sultanate in 1935.

Surprisingly, Somnath temple still stands tall even after a number of others Muslim rulers Mahmud Begada plundering it again. It was even attacked by the Portugese later but in today’s time, it is towering over other temples in India.

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