How many Hindu and Jain temples were destroyed to build the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque?
The Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque in Delhi was constructed by Qutubuddin Aibak to mark the victory of Muhammad Ghori over Prithviraj Chauhan in 1192. An inscription of Qutubuddin Aibak clearly stated that materials of 27 pre-existing Hindu and Jain temples at that site were used for its construction.
The Hindus of Hindustan by Dr. Meenakshi Jain - Book Review
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Coming up: Materials from how many Hindu and Jain temples were used to build the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque?
Namaste Friends. My name is 'Shinil Subramanian Payamal' and you are listening to the Historylogy podcast.
The Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque in Delhi was constructed by Qutubuddin Aibak to mark the victory of Muhammad Ghori over Prithviraj Chauhan in 1192. An inscription of Qutubuddin Aibak clearly stated that materials of 27 pre-existing Hindu and Jain temples at that site were used for its construction.
Let me quote what Hasan Nizami, Qutubuddin’s chronicler, has mentioned in the Taj-ul-Maasir:
'The conqueror entered the city and its vicinity was freed from idols and idol-worship; and in the sanctuaries of the images of the gods, mosques were raised by the worshippers of the one God.'
Source: Qutab Minar & Adjoining Monuments. Archaeological Survey of India. 2002. p. 34
Nearly all the pillars used in the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque had carved motifs, which had been intentionally disfigured. Some lintels depicted scenes from the life of Jain tirthankaras. According to Jain tradition, a temple dedicated to Parsvanatha existed at the site. The poet, Sridhara in his Parshva Purana, also stated the same. The existence of Jain sculptures and pillars lent credibility to that belief. Among other sculptures was a portrayal of the birth of Krishna, on one of the lintels. A four-armed Vishnu, dated 1147 CE, retrieved from the site, was on display at the National Museum. The ASI also obtained a square pillar with the figure of a seated Tirthankara on each of the three sides, and a Ganesh on the fourth side.
Source: Qutb Minar and its Monuments by B. M. Pande published in 2006.
You can also learn more about such things in Dr. Meenakshi Jain’s latest book ‘The Hindus of Hindustan: A Civilizational Journey’ which has been reviewed by me. Please feel free to check it out.
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