Sunday 28 January 2018

Gujarat First Muslim Ruler Alauddin Khilji (Part 4) - South Gujarat invasion

                     In 1300 when Alauddin army advaced in Saurashtra,Gujarat last king Karnadev was roaming in Saurashtra afraid & fled to Devagiri in Maharashtra.It is amazing fact that Gujarat first Muslim ruler Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji never visited Gujarat himself during his 18 years rule.In old time, it was practice in all world to make subject of defeated king slave by victors.Slaves were selected on their physical condition.In 1300 Alauddin army captured thousands of Hindu men,women & children as slave from Saurashtra.Among them there was a Rabari boy of Veraval.Rabari boy slave was sent to Delhi & converted to Muslim.He was named Hasan who later became favourite of Delhi Sultan Kutubuddin Khilji.14th century Delhi Sultan Kutubuddin awarded title of Khushrukhan to Hasan who was originaly Saurashtra Rabari and made him his army chief.In 1320 after death of Sultan Kutubuddin Khilji his Gujarati Rabari army chief Khushrukhan became Delhi Sultan but he was killed in 3 months.It is fact that a Gujarati Hindu Rabari boy caught as a slave & converted Muslim became Delhi Sultan who ruled north India & Gujarat in 1320 AD.
                            In 1299 AD Alauddin armies 2nd group under command of Nusratkhan marched to Khambhat & south Gujarat.Khambhat was major port with rich traders.Alauddin army looted Khambhat's rich Hindu & Muslim traders,burnt houses & temples & killed thousands of innocent people of all ages.Alauddin army looted large quantity of gold,silver,diamonds,pearls,ruby,jade,silk clothes from rich & prosperous port city Khambhat.In 1299-1300 AD Alauddin army led by Nusratkhan spread reign of terror & destruction in south Gujarat cities.It captured people as slaves.Delhi Sultan Alauddin's army led by Nusratkhan captured 20000 beautiful girls as slaves from south Gujarat.Alauddin's army captured a very beautiful slave named Kafur of a Muslim trader of Khambhat.Later he became powerful Delhi Sultnat Amir (lord) Malek Kafur.In 1299 AD Alauddin's army converted famous ancient Jain temple 'Shakunika Vihar' at Bharuch into Jami Masjid. It is Gujarat's oldest Masjid.
                            In 1300 AD after victory of Gujarat Alauddin army,Ulughhkan & Nusratkhan returned back to Delhi. On way neo Muslim soldiers revolted near Jalor.Alauddin army rebels led by Mohmmedshah disputed distribution of Gujarat loot. They killed Nusratkhan's brother Azazuddin & Sultan Alauddin's nephew.In old time there was practice in Muslim armies that 20% of looted wealth in a invasion was kept by ruler & remaining 80% were given to soldiers.In 1300 AD Ulughkhan & Nusratkhan suppressed soldiers mutiny caused by unjust distribution of Gujarat loot. Rebels fled away.Army reached Delhi.Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji ordered Nesratkhan to punish rebel soldiers families.He arrested women & children who were gang raped & brutaly killed.Sultan Alauddin killed rebel soldiers children by making their pieces on breast of their mothers.Historian Ziaudin Barni noted that it was against Islam religion.

Written by Bipin Thanky
(From our tweets of our twitter handle @GujaratHistory)

Saturday 27 January 2018

Gujarat First Muslim Ruler Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji ( Part 3 ) - Somnath & Saurashtra invasion

                     13th century Gujarat last Hindu king Karnadev Vaghela's Chief Minister was Madhav who was Visnagara Nagar Brahmin of Kutch.He brought Alaudin Khilji.In 1298 AD Gujarat capital Patan was won by Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji army. It remained under Muslim rule for 460 years until Maratha won it from Mughals in 1758 AD.In 1298 AD Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji appointed Sarvarkhan as Gujarat Nazim-Governor at Patan temperately.After victory of capital Patan in 1298, Alauddin army divided into 2 groups One went Saurashtra & other marched to Khambhat & South Gujarat.In 1299 AD Alauddin army under command of Ulughkhan marched in Saurashtra to destroy Somnath & other temples & to capture absconder Karnadev.In 1300 AD Alauddin huge army reached Somnath via Una, Diu & Mangalpur.On way it looted,burnt & destroyed towns & temples.All Saurashtra rulers & people feared.In 1300 AD Sorath's Vala,Vaja & Jethwa Rajput rulers with their armies gathered at Somnath to protect Somnath temple from invading Muslim army of Alauddin Khilji.In 1300 AD a fierce battle was fought between Sorath rulers' armies & Alauddin army at Somnath. As Rajput army was outnumbered they lost the battle.In 1300 AD Alauddin army entered in Sutrapada town near Prabhas-Somnath & damaged famous Sun temple.It looted & burnt houses & killed people.Alauddin soldiers entered in Somnath temple playing drums & shouting slogans & began to break idols in sculptures of temple wall.Alauddin army dug out huge Shivlinga intact from ground & loaded on bullock cart and sent to Delhi as gift to Sultan Alauddin Khilji.274 years after Mahmood Gazani destroyed Somnath temple 1st in 1026 AD,Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji army destroyed Somnath temple 2nd time in 1300 AD.After destroying Somnath temple, Ulughkhan spread reign of terror & torcher,killed Brahmins & innocent people,looted & burnt houses.In 1300 after destroying Somnath temple Ulughkhan army marched on sea coast to famous Shiv temple Bileshwar via Chorwad,Mangrol & Madhavpur.Alaudin army led by Ulughkhan destroyed Shakti temple at Zund-Chorwad,Ranchhodrai temple of Madhavpur & famous Bileshwar Shiv temple.In 1300 after damaging Bileshwar temple Ulughkhan attacked & defeated Sorath Chudasama king Ra'Mandalik at Vanthali. Penalty was inposed on him.In 1300 AD after conquering Saurashtra,Ulughkhan appointed adminisrators at various stratigical places & towns & left Gujarat to return Delhi.
                             As per myth it is believed that when Somnath Shivling being transported by Alauddin army to Delhi it was taken back by people near Jasdan.Brave people built a Shiv temple on Shivling of Somnath around 1300 AD.This temple later became famous as Ghela Somnath.

Written by Bipin Thanky
(From our tweets of our twitter hamdle @GujaratHistory)