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Ecclesiastical: Mahmud

In one of his expeditions into Hindostan, Mahmud the Gaznevide, one of the greatest of the Turkish princes, levelled many hundred temples or pagodas to the ground. The pagoda of Sumnat, situated on the promontory of Guzzarat, contained an idol which the Brahmins who attended on it declared would overwhelm the impious stranger who should approach the holy precincts. Mahmud derided this superstition; fifty thousand worshippers of the idol were killed by the Moslems, the sanctuary was profaned, and the conqueror aimed a blow of his iron mace at the head of the false god. The trembling Brahmins are said to have offered ten millions sterling for its ransom, but Mahmud repeated his blows, and a treasure of pearls and rubies concealed in the statue fell out, and explained the devout prodigality of the Brahmins. At the International Exhibition of 1872, in the Indian annexe, was shown the Guicowar's chudder, an Indian ornament intended for the decoration of the tomb of Mahomet. It consists of a mass of seedpearls and precious stones, countless in number, at least as far as the pearls are concerned. Of these latter, forming the groundwork, there are many thousands.