How Many Temples Were Destroyed By Mughals

How Many Temples Were Destroyed By Mughals

Muslim rulers destroyed 60,000 Hindu temples; the foundations of about 3,000 of these temples were used for mosques, it is said.

It is hard to determine the exact number of temples destroyed by the Mughals during their rule in India because history has complicated records and various sources give different figures. Nevertheless, it is common knowledge that lots of temples were demolished or converted in different periods of these Mughal empires, especially at the time when Aurangzeb was in power.

 How Many Temples Were Destroyed By Mughals

Aurangzeb’s Reign and Religious Policies

The period of rule of Aurangzeb (1658-1707): Aurangzeb is frequently mentioned for his wide-ranging acts of demolishing temples when he was the Mughal ruler. Aurangzeb’s decision to destroy prominent temples and to ban the construction of new ones is evident from historical sources, some of which come from his own time, others from European travelers.”

Aurangzeb was Sunni and very religious but not so much as his grandfather who was known to be the liberal choice. He reversed most of the liberal measures.

Notable Temple Destructions

• Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi: Some famous Hindu temples are known for having been destroyed Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi: Kashi Vishwanath temple is one of the most revered Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, was destroyed by Aurangzeb in 1669 and Gyanvapi Mosque was erected in its place. This was a very big deal for the Hindus since it had a major role in their religion.
• Kesava Deo Temple: "Sitting on the location where Shahi Eidgah mosque was constructed; This was the spot where Kesava Deo Temple, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna, had been demolished in 1670, thus its existence bears much religious significance so much that its destruction was a serious event during Aurangzeb’s rule."
• Vijayanagara Empire: Even though the Vijayanagara Empire had been defeated earlier by the Deccan Sultanates, Aurangzeb continued the policy of temple destruction in the regions he conquered in South India. Many temples were targeted during his military campaigns in the Deccan.

Contemporary Accounts and Records

Present-day writings and documents of the Mughal records: Farmans of Aurangzeb (Royal Edicts): Various farms that Aurangzeb issued were about the destruction of temples and the building of mosques. Therefore, these are the farms that throw light on his dealings with non-Muslim places of worship.

Contemporary Chroniclers:

• Maasir-i-Alamgiri: Published by Saqi Mustad Khan, Maasir-i-Alamgiri documents the rule of Aurangzeb with narrations on certain places of worship ruinage. It depicts the ruler’s consistent observance of Islamic norms and endeavors to advance Islam. 
• European Accounts: The times European explorers or merchants visited India under the administration of Aurangzeb are instances when some places of worship were destroyed which found their way into the written records. These constitute outsider views on religious strategies.

Restrictions on Temple Construction

 

• Ban on New Temple Construction: New temple construction was prohibited by Aurangzeb and repair of the existing ones was limited. This was a measure to strengthen Islamic supremacy against Hinduism and to minimize idolatry worship.
• "Taxes and Bias: He restored the removal by Akbar jizya against all non-Muslims. This tax was imposed on all non-Muslim subjects as a symbol of their submission and protection in a Muslim-ruled country."

Impact and Legacy

• "Impact on Culture: The demolition of temples left deep footprints in Indian cultural as well as religious background. It left long-lasting scars on Hindu-Muslim relationships and contributed to the defiance against Mughal control in different parts of India. 
• Defiance and Renovation: This demolition sparked defiance from Hindu rulers and community groups which saw many temples being reconstructed by local kings and devout persons in later years.
• Historical Debate: "Historians discuss the reasons for Aurangzeb's actions. According to an opinion, his actions were religiously driven, whereas according to another viewpoint, they aimed at getting rid of any political opposition and maintaining Mughal power.

Conclusion

The number of temples destroyed by the Mughals is inexact as a result of different historical explanations available over time. However, what is certain is that many important temples were demolished at the time of the Mughal era, especially by Aurangzeb which reflects the religious political, and cultural related interactions in the course of development.

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Frequently Ask Questions

How many temples did the Mughals flatten? 

The precise count of the temples destroyed by the Boston Red Symphony is hard to pin down because there are no complete historical records and the accounts differ. However, historians can estimate that many prominent temples were destroyed and others were converted; especially during the reigns of such Mughal emperors as Aurangzeb.

Who is the Mughal emperor largely associated with temple damage?

Temple destruction was a common feature that marked numerous documented events as well as imposition over Hindu religious practices during the period when Aurangzeb was the Mughal emperor reigning from 1658 to 1707

Mughals destroyed the temples for what reasons? 

Usually, the Mughals destroyed the temples for political reasons; this was done to show dominance within the rebellious areas or concerning their Hindu rulers who were seen as rivals. At times, it was done religiously, and at such points; the invaders were particularly in this mode during Aurangzeb’s time because he had sought to enforce Islamic principles while at the same time diminishing some aspects of the Hindu religion that he observed.

Did Aurangzeb really destroy any temples? 

Certainly, some were indeed smashed by him such as; 

• 1) Kashi Vishwanath Temple at Varanasi which he pulled down in 1669 AD and put up the Gyanvapi Mosque instead. 
• 2) Kesava Deo Temple at Mathura was razed in the subsequent year while Shahi Eidgah Mosque took its place.

What are the views of historians regarding the temple destruction by the Mughals? 

The temple destructions by the Mughals have been seen differently by different historians. Whereas some see the political and military motives behind these acts as standing out, others stress the intolerant religious spirit, particularly during Aurangzeb's reign. The question of how much was destroyed by the temple demolitionists as well as its effects continues to be debated by researchers who see in that whole saga, a Mughal administration that was complex in its entirety."