Why in the News?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited Somnath Temple marking 75 years of its restoration, reviving discussion on the British claim of bringing back the “Somnath Gates” from Afghanistan in 1842.
Somnath Temple
- Located at Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Gujarat
- One of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva
- Repeatedly attacked and rebuilt through history
- Mahmud of Ghazni attacked Somnath in 1026 CE and looted the temple.
British “Somnath Gates” (1842)
- During the First Anglo Afghan War, British forces captured Ghazni.
- Governor General Lord Ellenborough claimed to have recovered the original Somnath temple gates from Afghanistan.
- He issued a proclamation stating the British had avenged the “insult” suffered by Hindus centuries ago.
Reality
- Later investigations found:
- Gates were made of cheap pinewood, not sandalwood
- Afghan style design, not Indian
- Not connected to Somnath Temple
- Presently kept in Agra Fort.
Importance
- Example of British “divide and rule” politics
- Use of religious symbolism for colonial legitimacy
| [2022] The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new Circuit House near Somanath Temple at Verval. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Somnath Temple? 1. Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines 2. A description of Somnath Temple was given by Al-Biruni. 3. Pran Pratistha of Somnath Temple (installation of the present-day temple) was done by President S. Radhakrishnan. Select the correct answer using the code given below: [A] 1 and 2 only [B] 2 and 3 only [C] 1 and 3 only [D] 1, 2 and 3 |
