Ghaznavi's Brutal Somnath Plunder: 30,000 Cavalry Unleashed Massacre, Temple Rebuilt

• In 1026, Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi, with 30,000 cavalry, attacked the Somnath Temple in Gujarat, a symbol of India's wealth and faith.
• Driven by reports of immense treasure, Ghaznavi, known as 'Butshikan' (idol-breaker), set out from Ghazni, Afghanistan, conquering forts en route.
• After a fierce two-day battle, Ghaznavi's forces breached the fort, massacred defenders, and personally broke the sacred Shivlinga.
• The temple was plundered of gold, jewels, and property worth crores, with parts of the Shivlinga taken to Ghazni.
• Despite the destruction, Somnath Temple was rebuilt multiple times, with its modern reconstruction inaugurated by Dr. Rajendra Prasad in 1951, symbolizing cultural resilience.

Why It Matters: Ghaznavi's 1026 Somnath plunder was brutal, but the temple's spirit and cultural resilience endured.