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Known as his fifteenth invasion of India, Mahmud's
Somnath expedition targeted the temple located in the southernmost part of Kathiawar. By mid-January, Mahmud arrived at Somnath, encountering robust resistance from the Chalukya Rajputs. On the third day of the battle, the Ghaznavid forces found
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Entering
Somnath in mid-January, Mahmud looted and burned the temple, earning him the title 'The Idol Breaker". This event remains a historical symbol of cultural clash and religious desecration during Mahmud's military campaigns in medieval India.
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along the way. Conducting a naval attack near the Indus River, Mahmud of Ghazni inflicted a severe defeat on the Jats, compelling them to retreat with substantial losses. This successful campaign earned Mahmud the title 'The Idol
Breaker'.
373:, bolstering resources for the campaign. A decisive battle unfolded with the Patan army at Mundher, where Mahmud emerged victorious. He then advanced towards Somnath, seizing the Somnath fort from Mandalika, the fort's overseer.
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into pieces. He extensively looted and razed the temple to the ground. Within a month, Mahmud departed
Somnath for Ghazni, facing numerous attacks from the
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themselves surrounded, yet they ultimately triumphed, defeating the
Chalukyas and causing 50,000 casualties among the defending forces.
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Chaulukyas of
Gujarat: A Survey of the History and Culture of Gujarat from the Middle of the Tenth to the End of the Thirteenth Century
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conducted multiple attacks on Indian kingdoms during that era. Mahmud of Ghazni gained renown through campaigns in India,
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and 30,000 camel riders equipped with essential resources like food and water. After a rest in
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and other Hindu chiefs established him as a formidable figure among Indian kings.
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Mahmud of Ghazni, upon entering the temple, plundered the idols and shattered the
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Mahmud initially seized the
Ludrava pass, near Chiklodara Mata, close to
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History of Origin of Some Clans in India, with
Special Reference to Jats
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On
October 18, 1025, Mahmud of Ghazni embarked on a march from
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upon hearing of the
Ghaznavid approach, fearing for his life.
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of Gujarat. This is considered Mahmud's fifteenth invasion of
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This article is about the 1026 attack on Somnath by the
259:in 1026 was a military campaign orchestrated by
515:Advanced Study in the History of Medieval India
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311:. In 1026, Gujarat was under the rule of King
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498:. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. pp. 35–40.
417:. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. pp. 40–60.
325:vassalizing the Gurjara Pratihara dynasty
603:Muslim period in the Indian subcontinent
461:Ancient Indian History and Civilization
431:Cultural History of Kapisa and Gandhara
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369:Mahmud of Ghazni stationed his army at
331:. His successful campaigns against the
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608:Battles involving the Ghaznavid Empire
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545:. Sarup & Sons. pp. 77–78.
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492:Munshi, Kanaiyalal Maneklal (1952).
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56:Ruins of Somnath as viewed in 1869
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578:Battles involving Turkic peoples
518:. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
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31:Ghaznavid invasion on Chalukyas
411:Majumdar, Asoke Kumar (1956).
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573:Battles involving the Rajputs
458:Sen, Sailendra Nath (1999).
44:Ghaznavid campaigns in India
539:Jindal, Mangal Sen (1992).
512:Mehta, Jaswant Lal (1979).
495:Somnath: The Shrine Eternal
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428:Gupta, Nilima Sen (1984).
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598:Military history of India
464:. New Age International.
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37:Attack on Somnath temple
24:Naval raid in 1965, see
267:, directed against the
241:Sack of Somnath (India)
213:Location within Gujarat
99:20.888028°N 70.401389°E
144:Commanders and leaders
613:11th century in India
339:March towards Gujarat
327:and overthrowing the
174:Casualties and losses
210:class=notpageimage|
104:20.888028; 70.401389
329:Hindu Shahi dynasty
216:Show map of Gujarat
95: /
583:History of Gujarat
593:Conflicts in 1026
552:978-81-85431-08-6
525:978-81-207-0617-0
471:978-81-224-1198-0
441:978-81-7574-027-3
347:, leading 30,000
269:Chaulukya dynasty
263:, a ruler of the
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244:Show map of India
138:Chaulukya dynasty
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118:Ghaznavid Victory
26:Operation Somnath
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309:Hindu temple
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127:Belligerents
87:20°53′16.9″N
68:January 1026
434:. Sundeep.
387:Shiva Linga
102: /
90:70°24′5.0″E
567:Categories
398:References
377:At Somnath
287:Background
133:Ghaznavids
20:. For the
333:Chandelas
315:from the
22:Pakistani
360:Palanpur
161:Strength
73:Location
42:Part of
364:Kachchh
349:cavalry
313:Bhima I
301:Gujarat
297:Veraval
179:Unknown
169:Unknown
155:Bhima I
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353:Multan
345:Ghazni
182:50,000
166:60,000
115:Result
371:Patan
305:India
273:India
547:ISBN
520:ISBN
466:ISBN
436:ISBN
391:Jats
291:The
255:The
65:Date
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28:.
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