Dhvamsa Punarnirmana: Destruction and Resurrection
The temple that was rebuilt 17 times
Explore Somnath's tumultuous history of destruction and rebuilding. Learn about Mahmud of Ghazni's raid in 1026 CE, the colonial debates over its reconstruction, and Sardar Patel's role in rebuilding the temple after Independence.
The Undying Flame: Somnath's History of Destruction and Renewal
No temple in India, perhaps no temple in the world, embodies the principle of resilience as powerfully as Somnath. Destroyed repeatedly over two millennia, it has risen again each time, a testament to the principle that what is sacred cannot be unmade by human violence.
This is the story of those destructions and resurrections, a history that shaped not just a temple, but the very idea of cultural continuity.
The Early Temples: Before the Storm
According to tradition, the first temple at Somnath dates to the beginning of time itself, built by Soma (the moon god) in gold after receiving Shiva's blessing. This was followed by temples built by Ravana in silver, Krishna in wood, and finally King Bhimadeva I of the Chalukya dynasty in stone.
Historically, we can trace documented temple structures from the early centuries of the Common Era:
| Period | Temple/Event | Builder/Context |
|---|---|---|
| c. 1st century CE | First historical structure | Unknown; possibly Kshatrapa rulers |
| 649 CE | Stone temple | Maitraka King Vallabhideva |
| 725 CE | Arab raid | Junayad's generals attack |
| 815 CE | Rebuilt | Gurjara-Pratihara patronage |
| 1026 CE | Mahmud's raid | The most famous destruction |
| 1169 CE | Rebuilt | Kumarapala of Chaulukya dynasty |
By the time of the medieval period, Somnath had become one of the wealthiest and most renowned temples in the entire world.
The Raid of 1026 CE: Mahmud of Ghazni
The event that would echo through history for a millennium occurred in the winter of 1026 CE. Mahmud of Ghazni, the powerful sultan based in what is now Afghanistan, led his army across the Thar Desert to attack Somnath.
Mahmud was a complex figure, a patron of poets and scholars who commissioned the great Persian poet Firdausi to write the Shahnameh, yet also a ruthless military commander who conducted seventeen campaigns into India. His motives for attacking Somnath were multiple: