Which Turkish invader attacked and raided the temple of Somnath in 1025 AD?

The correct answer is Mahmud Ghazni.

Key Points

• Turkish invader Mahmud Ghazni, attacked and raided the temple of Somnath in 1025 AD.
• The first of India's twelve sacred jyotirlingas is said to have arisen at the elaborately carved honey-colored Somnath temple or Deo Patan, is located in Prabhas Patan, Veraval in Gujarat, India.
  • It is said that Shiva manifested there as a blazing column of light.
  • The temples are situated where the Sarasvati, Hiran, and Kapila rivers converge, and the shoreline where they are built is touched by the ebb and flow of the Arabian Sea.
  • Although the timeline of the ancient temple starts in 649 BC, it is thought to be older.
  • Though it's difficult to see them through the foggy glass, vibrant dioramas depicting the Shiva narrative border the north side of the temple grounds.
  • The temple was reconstructed several times in the past after repeated destruction by multiple Muslim invaders and rulers, notably starting with an attack by Mahmud Ghazni in the 11th century.
    • The Pran-Pratistha at the existing temple was done on 11th May 1951 by then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

Additional Information

• Muhammad Yamin ad-Dawlah In the province of Ghazna, Mahmud ibn Sebuktigin was born on November 2, 971.
  • He founded the Turkic Ghaznavid dynasty, which ruled from 998 to 1030.
  • By the time of his death, his domain had grown into a vast military empire that included Khwarazm in Transoxiana, Punjab in India, Makran, and northwest Iran itself.
  • Famous Poet Patronized by Mahmud Ghazni were Firdausi who wrote Shahnameh and Alberuni who wrote Kitab-i-hind.
  • Mahmud invaded Gujarat in 1025, plundering the Somnath shrine and destroying its jyotirlinga. His loot included 2 million dinars. Somnath was conquered, and Anhilwara was invaded as retaliation.
• Mu'izz ad-Din Muhammad, also called Muhammad of Ghor, ruled the Ghurid Empire as its lone ruler from 1202 to 1206, having served as its sultan from 1173 to 1202.
  • He is credited with bringing about centuries-long Muslim hegemony on the Indian subcontinent.
  • Originating from Persia, Muhammad Ghori reigned over portions of what is now Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
• Muhammad bin Tughluq (MBT) was the son of Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq, also known as Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, who founded the Tughlaq dynasty by subduing the Delhi Sultanate. 
  • Other names for him are Ulugh Khan and Prince Fakhr Malik Jauna Khan.
  • The Deccan region of India, which is now Maharashtra, is home to Daulatabad, also called Devagiri, and it was Tughluq who ordered the relocation of his capital from Delhi.
  • He introduced token money in the form of brass and copper coins with a par value with gold and silver coins.