What your textbooks never taught you. A comprehensive, source-backed chronicle of the 17 devastating raids, temple destructions, mass plunder, and cultural annihilation inflicted by Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni (997–1030 CE) — and how India still bears its scars today.
Documented by medieval historians, archaeological surveys, and primary chronicles — the staggering scale of Mahmud of Ghazni's systematic plunder of India.
Navigate through each chapter to uncover the layers of truth that have been systematically hidden, whitewashed, or overlooked in mainstream education.
How Indian textbooks have portrayed Mahmud of Ghazni as a "great military commander" while systematically omitting his documented plunder and destruction. See the truth they hide.
Uncover the truth →An interactive, chronological walk through every major raid during Mahmud of Ghazni's campaigns — from 997 CE to his death in 1030 CE.
Walk through time →Detailed accounts of specific raids — the destruction of Somnath, the sacking of Mathura, Kannauj, Thanesar, Nagarkot, and dozens more. With sources.
See the evidence →Forced conversions. Mass enslavements. Idol-breaking as state policy. The execution of Brahmin priests. Jizya imposition. The full documented horror.
Read the accounts →Beyond temples — how Mahmud's raids destroyed libraries, universities, artistic traditions, sculptures, and centuries of accumulated knowledge and heritage.
Understand the loss →Numbers, statistics, and data that put the scale of destruction into perspective — wealth looted, temples destroyed, populations enslaved.
See the numbers →How the destruction of that era echoes today — in the Somnath reconstruction, in lost economic wealth, and in the identity crisis of a civilization.
Connect past to present →Every claim on this site is backed by primary sources — Tarikh-i-Yamini, Kitab-ul-Hind, Ferishta, ASI reports. Explore the complete bibliography.
Verify the sources →Why this website exists, our methodology for historical research, our commitment to accuracy, and how you can contribute to this educational initiative.
Learn more →The Somnath Temple — destroyed by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1025 CE — was rebuilt multiple times and remains one of India's most sacred sites today. The very fact that it had to be rebuilt six times after repeated Islamic invasions is a testament to the resilience of Hindu civilization — and a reminder of the scale of destruction it endured. The current Somnath temple, rebuilt under Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's initiative in 1951, stands as both a symbol of resistance and a living memorial to what was lost. Understanding this history is essential for every Indian.
One version lives in textbooks. The other is documented in primary historical sources written by medieval chroniclers — many of them court poets of Mahmud himself.
This website exists because every Indian has the right to know their true history. Every claim is backed by primary historical sources. Every fact is verifiable. Begin your journey through the chapters that textbooks left out.