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75-531: The Sun Temple of Multan was a temple dedicated to Surya , the Hindu Sun God, in the city of Multan in modern Pakistan . The location of the temple was demolised for building a mosque inside the fort; it is distinct from the Prahladpuri Temple . The temple commanded significant fame in the subcontinent — as a place of pilgrimage and wealth — under Hindu as well as Islamic rule before being destroyed in

150-538: A Surya artwork along with many other gods and goddesses at its doorway. The 8th and 9th century goddess (Shaktism) temples of central India, similarly engrave Surya along with other Hindu gods within the temple. The six century Shiva temple at Gangadhar in Rajasthan includes Surya. Similar mentions are found in stone inscriptions found near Hindu temples, such as the 5th century Mandasor inscription. These temples, states Michael Meister, do not glorify one god or goddess over

225-477: A crown. It specifically describes his dress to be Northern (i.e. Central Asian, with boots). In contrast, the Vishnudharmottara, another Hindu text on architecture, states Surya iconography should show him with four hands, with flowers in two hands, a staff in third, and in fourth he should be shown to be holding writing equipment (Kundi palm leaf and pen symbolizing knowledge). His chariot driver in both books

300-571: A deity is also found in the arts and literature of Buddhism and Jainism . Surya is also regarded as the father of Sugriva and Karna , who play important roles in the two Hindu epic—the Ramayana and the Mahabharata , respectively. Surya was a primary deity in veneration by the characters of the Mahabharata and Ramayana. Surya is depicted with a Chakra, also interpreted as Dharmachakra . Surya

375-543: A detail—perhaps from his own travels— about all revenue being forfeited to the Amir; however, the Amir was noted to have ensured that the priests had sufficient means. Rustah, yet another contemporary, found the temple to be a significant source of revenue especially with rich people dedicating their property to it. The idol was made of gold and 20 yards (18 m) in length; it was offered with rice, vegetables, and fish. In contrast, Al-Nadim's encyclopedic entry in al-Fihrist , noted

450-477: A grand chariot with twelve wheels pulled by seven horses. The temple features Surya in three representations, with the main large Surya destroyed and the temple damaged over the course of repeated Muslim invasions. Besides Konark, there are two other sun temples in Orissa called Biranchi Narayan Sun Temple . There are sun temples in many parts of India, such as Modhera , Gujarat. It was sponsored by King Bhimdev of

525-501: A leper, Samba urged Krishna to restore his youth who expressed his inability and deferred to the Sun-God. So, acting upon the advice of Narada , Samba left for the forests of Mitravan on the banks of Chandrabhaga , the sacred abode of Surya . There, he propitiated Surya into appearing before himself and secured a cure but, in return, had to accept setting up a solar temple. The next day, Samba received an icon of Surya while bathing in

600-772: A mosque atop the site, abandoning the Sunni congregational mosque in Multan. This Ismaili Shia mosque atop the Sun Temple's ruins was then destroyed by the Sunni ruler Mahmud of Ghazni , the Surya temple was not rebuilt and an empty space left in place, actions that helped re-establish the importance of the Sunni mosque in Multan. While Shiva and Vishnu are more common in 1st millennium southeast Asian artwork such as those found in Cambodia and Thailand , archaeological evidence suggest god Surya were among

675-477: A pre-history of the temple; it was supposedly constructed by Jibawin, a devout Brahmin ruler who went on to bury enviable treasure underneath it. During Xuanzang's visit in 641 C.E., it was the only solar temple in Sindh; for a comparison, he had noted 299 Brahminical temples, a majority of which were of Saivite sect. Xuanzang described the temple to have a gem-studded golden idol; attracting pilgrims from far and wide, it

750-606: A primary deity in Hinduism longer than any most of the original Vedic deities, the worship of Surya declined greatly around the 13th century, perhaps as a result of the Muslim destruction of Sun temples in North India. New Sun temples virtually ceased to be built, and some were later repurposed to a different deity. A number of important Surya temples remain, but most are no longer in worship. In certain aspects, Surya has tended to be merged with

825-435: A semi-circular enclosure. The most important finds were two marble statues of Surya, the first example found during the original excavations (1934, Delegation Archaeologique Française Afghanistan), the second example found by accident in 1980. In Nepal, many Surya temples and artworks trace to the medieval era, such as the 11th-century Thapahiti and Saugal-tol, and 12th century Naksal stone sculptures. Artifacts discovered at

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900-510: A trace of the temple when Ranjit Singh had occupied the town in 1818, converted a venerated tomb to a Gurdwara . That the fort-complex had a Dé gate and Dé drain which led directly to the recently-destructed Jami Masjid, he reasoned the site to be the original spot of the temple. ; he claims of coming across coins of local rulers, from around the site, inscribed with the Sun God. [V]ery magnificent and profusely decorated. The image of

975-479: Is Saranyu , daughter of Tvashtar . His sons include the Ashvins , Yama , and Manu . Through Manu, Vivasvat is considered an ancestor of humanity. Vivasvat is affiliated with Agni and Matarishvan , with Agni being stated to have been first revealed to those two. Vivasvat is also variously related to Indra , Soma , and Varuna . Vivasvant is also used as an adjective of Agni and Ushas to mean "brilliant". Already by

1050-577: Is mentioned as her son or her husband. Surya's origin differs heavily in the Rigveda, with him being stated to have been born, risen, or established by a number of deities, including the Ādityas , Aditi , Dyaush , Mitra - Varuna , Agni , Indra , Soma , Indra-Soma, Indra-Varuna, Indra- Vishnu , Purusha , Dhatri , the Angirases, and the gods in general. The Atharvaveda also mentions that Surya originated from Vritra . The Vedas assert Sun (Surya) to be

1125-413: Is often depicted riding a chariot harnessed by horses, often seven in number which represent the seven colours of visible light, and the seven days of the week. During the medieval period, Surya was worshipped in tandem with Brahma during the day, Shiva at noon, and Vishnu in the evening. In some ancient texts and art, Surya is presented syncretically with Indra , Ganesha , and others. Surya as

1200-676: Is one among the Navagraha temples and it is dedicated to Surya. Here lord Surya is called as Sivasurya Perumal. It is the first among the Navagraha temples of Tamil Nadu. The most famous Surya temple is the Konark Sun Temple , a World Heritage Site in Orissa . Constructed in the 13th century by the Eastern Ganga dynasty, on a pre-existing pilgrimage site for Surya god, the temple architecture mimics

1275-517: Is reverentially aligned the direction of the rising Surya. This alignment towards the sunrise is also found in most Buddhist and Jaina temples in and outside of India. A prominent temple dedicated to Surya can be found in Arasavalli , which is in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh , India. The coastal district temple is peculiar with its latitude aligned to the minor lunar standstill . Also

1350-636: Is spread in the present day south east Asia at historical Kalinga (province) , Kalingga Kingdom etc. Other most worshiped Surya temple is the Deo Surya Mandir . Sun Temple of Deo is one of the most remarkable, major crowd-puller and notable temple and religious place in Deo, Bihar , India for chhath puja. Deo Sun Temple Built in during the 8th century. In Tamil Nadu , Navagraha temples are world famous. Suryanar kovil situated in Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu

1425-430: Is stated to be Aruṇa who is seated. Two females typically flank him, who represent the dawn goddesses named Usha and Pratyusha. The goddesses are shown to be shooting arrows, a symbolism for their initiative to challenge darkness. In other representations, these goddesses are Surya's two wives, Samjna and Chhaya . He had two other wives according to some texts, Rajni and Prabha. Aniconic symbols of Surya include

1500-724: Is the lord of Simha (Leo), one of the twelve constellations in the zodiac system of Hindu astrology . Surya or Ravi is the basis of Ravivara , or Sunday , in the Hindu calendar. Major festivals and pilgrimages in reverence for Surya include Makar Sankranti , Pongal , Samba Dashami , Ratha Saptami , Chath puja , and Kumbha Mela . He is particularly venerated in the Saura and Smarta traditions found in Indian states such as Rajasthan , Gujarat , Madhya Pradesh , Bihar , Maharashtra , Uttar Pradesh , Jharkhand , and Odisha . Having survived as

1575-508: Is traditionally one of the major five deities in the Smarta tradition, all of whom are considered as equivalent deities in the Panchayatana puja and a means to realise Brahman . Other names of Surya in ancient Indian literature include Aditya , Arka , Bhanu , Savitr , Pushan , Ravi , Martanda , Mitra , Bhaskara , Prabhakara , Kathiravan , and Vivasvan . The iconography of Surya

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1650-501: Is typically shown as a resplendent standing person holding a lotus flower in both hands, riding a chariot pulled by one or more horses typically seven. The seven horses are named after the seven meters of Sanskrit prosody : Gayatri, Brihati, Ushnih, Jagati, Trishtubha, Anushtubha and Pankti. The Brihat Samhita of Varaha Mihira ( c.  505–587 ), a Hindu text that describes architecture, iconography and design guidelines, states that Surya should be shown with two hands and wearing

1725-721: The Chaulukya dynasty . Other major Surya temples are found in Kanakaditya Temple in Kasheli (Dist ratnagiri) – Maharashtra , near the famous Galtaji 's temple in Jaipur, Rajasthan and Assam . Adithyapuram Sun Temple is a Hindu temple located in Iravimangalam near Kaduthuruthy in Kottayam district in the Indian state of Kerala dedicated to Surya. It is noted as the only Surya shrine in

1800-511: The Devas win over Asuras who use darkness. Arka, Mitra, Vivasvat, Aditya, Tapan, Ravi and Surya have different characteristics in early mythologies, but by the time of the epics they are synonymous. The term "Arka" is found more commonly in temple names of north India and in the eastern parts of India. The 11th century Konark Temple in Odisha is named after a composite word "Kona and Arka", or "Arka in

1875-520: The Hindu temples related to Shiva, Vishnu, Ganesha, and Shakti. Reliefs on temple walls, forts and artwork above doorways of many Hindu monasteries feature Surya. Many of the temples that contain Surya icons and artwork are dated to the second half of the 1st millennium BCE and early centuries of the 2nd millennium. The 11th-century Vaishnava temple at Kadwaha in Madhya Pradesh, for example, features

1950-571: The Kerala state. The Martand Sun Temple in Jammu and Kashmir was destroyed by Islamic armies. A surviving Surya temple in northern India is Kattarmal Surya mandir in Almora District , Uttarakhand created by King Kattarmal in the 12th century. The Gurjars were essentially sun worshipers and some of the sun temples were erected by them during the medieval period. The sun temple known as Jayaditya

2025-510: The Ramayana 's Yuddha Kanda, Rama was taught the Ādityahṛdayam stotra before his war against Ravana , the king of the rakshasas . The stotra was composed in Anushtup Chanda in praise of Surya, who is described as the embodiment of all gods and the origin of everything in the universe. The Mahabharata epic opens its chapter on Surya that reverentially calls him as the "eye of the universe, soul of all existence, origin of all life, goal of

2100-464: The Samkhyas and Yogis , and symbolism for freedom and spiritual emancipation. In the Mahabharata , Karna is the son of Surya and unmarried princess Kunti . The epic describes Kunti's trauma as an unmarried mother, then abandonment of Karna, followed by her lifelong grief. Baby Karna is found and adopted by a charioteer but he grows up to become the greatest warrior and one of the central heroes of

2175-483: The Sanxingdui culture founded c.  1600 BCE , about 40 km from present day Chengdu , capital city of Sichuan province China reveal an ancient worship of sun-deity, similar to Surya. The artifacts include a gold sheet with design of four birds flying around the sun deity, and a bronze sculpture of the surya-chakra. Istakhri Istakhri's account of windmills is the earliest known. Istakhri met

2250-766: The Shaka era with the Saka , or Scythian, people. Additionally the contributions by the Saka people would be the basis of the Indian national calendar , which is also called the Saka calendar. The Hindu calendar is a Lunisolar calendar which records both lunar and solar cycles. Like the Navagraha, it was developed with the successive contributions of various works. Surya temples are found in many parts of India. More common than Surya temples are artwork related to Surya, which are found in all types of temples of various traditions within Hinduism, such as

2325-415: The "Frontiers of gold" by Arab geographers, well into the fourteenth century. Al-Baladhuri 's Futuh al-Buldan (c. mid-9th century C.E.) remains the earliest narrative-history to cover the history of the temple under Umayyad rule; he noted that all wealth—amounting to thirteen thousand and two hundred maunds of gold—were confiscated from what was the "preeminent site of pilgrimage" for local Sindhis. It

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2400-424: The "rising sun" and its symbolism as dispeller of darkness, one who empowers knowledge, the good and all life. However, the usage is context specific. In some hymns, the word Surya simply means Sun as an inanimate object, a stone or a gem in the sky (Rigvedic hymns 5.47, 6.51 and 7.63); while in others it refers to a personified deity. Surya is prominently associated with the dawn goddess Ushas and sometimes, he

2475-648: The 1870s. An edition of Istakhri's MS text was produced for the first volume under the Latin title Viae Regnorum descriptio ditionis Moslemicae - "Description of Roads of the Kingdoms in Muslim territories". In 1927, the editor Theodore Noldeke produced a second edition. In 1845, the German orientalist A. D. Mordtmann published a translation in Hamburg with the title Das Buch der Länder von Schech Ebu Ishak el Farsi el Isztachri , with

2550-419: The 5th century Aryabhatiya by Aryabhata , the 6th century Romaka by Latadeva and Panca Siddhantika by Varahamihira, the 7th century Khandakhadyaka by Brahmagupta and the 8th century Sisyadhivrddida by Lalla. These texts present Surya and various planets and estimate the characteristics of the respective planetary motion. Other texts such as Surya Siddhanta dated to have been complete sometime between

2625-411: The 5th century and 10th century present their chapters on various planets with deity mythologies. The manuscripts of these texts exist in slightly different versions, present Surya- and planets-based calculation and its relative motion to earth. These vary in their data, suggesting that the text were open and revised over their lives. For example, the 10th century BCE Hindu scholars had estimated

2700-762: The Atman (soul, self) within, in texts such as the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad , Chandogya Upanishad , Kaushitaki Upanishad and others. Surya in Indian literature is referred to by various names, which typically represent different aspects or phenomenological characteristics of the Sun. The figure of Surya as we know him today is an amalgamation of various different Rigvedic deities. Thus, Savitr refers to one that rises and sets, Aditya means one with splendor, Mitra refers to Sun as "the great luminous friend of all mankind", while Pushan refers to Sun as illuminator that helped

2775-459: The Hindus in Sindh were apparently only concentrated around the temple. However, al-Idrisi had never visited Multan and probably did not have access to Al-Biruni's work; the novel additions were likely to have been from older non-extant travelogues. Ibn al-Athir , a contemporary who probably did not visit Multan either, held the idol to be of Job . A century later, Zakariya al-Qazwini 's Āthār noted

2850-517: The Sun Temple, esp. in light of Al-Biruni explicitly holding Jalam responsible for the event and assassination of all priests, writing only a few decades hence. However, Maqdisi —a pro-Fatimid geographer— who had visited Multan c. 985 C.E. and recorded a host of novel information about the Shi'ite inhabitants, reiterated Istakhri's observations about the Sun-Temple, including locational specifics. The Sun Temple

2925-619: The Sun. Surya is a part of the Navagraha in Hindu zodiac system. The role and importance of the Navagraha developed over time with various influences. Deifying the sun and its astrological significance occurred as early as the Vedic period and was recorded in the Vedas . The earliest work of astrology recorded in India is the Vedanga Jyotisha which began to be compiled in the 14th century BCE. It

3000-572: The Surya-deva is cast in yellow gold and ornamented with rare gems. Women play their music, light their torches, offer their flowers and perfumes to it. [..] The kings and high families of the five Indies never fail to make their offerings of gems and precious stones. They have founded a house of mercy, in which they provide food and drink, and medicines for the poor and sick, affording succor and sustenance. Men from all countries come here to offer up their prayers; there are always some thousands doing so. On

3075-625: The Swastika and the ring-stone. In various texts including Mahabharata , Suryasataka , or Prasasti of Vatsabhatti, Surya is depicted as being worshipped by a host of semi-divine beings. These beings, namely Siddhas , Charanas , Gandharvas , Yaksas , Guhyakas , and the Nagas , desirous of obtaining boons, follow the course of Surya's chariot through the sky. Surya as an important heavenly body appears in various Indian astronomical texts in Sanskrit , such as

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3150-469: The celebrated traveller-geographer Ibn Hawqal , while travelling, and Ibn Hawqal incorporated the work of Istakhri in his book Kitab al-Surat al-Ard . Istakhri's two surviving works are: An 8-volume edition of works by medieval Arab geographers, edited by the Dutch orientalist Michael Jan de Goeje in a series titled Bibliotheca geographorum Arabicorum was published by Brill, Lugduni-Batavora (Leiden) in

3225-502: The coinage of Greco-Bactrian kings, such as Plato I . The iconography of Surya has varied over time. In some ancient arts, particularly from the early centuries of the common era, his iconography is similar to those found in Persia and Greece suggesting likely adoption of Greek, Iranian and Scythian influences. After the Greek and Kushan influences arrived in ancient India, some Surya icons of

3300-686: The corner". Other Surya temples named after Arka include Devarka (Deva teertha) and Ularka (Ulaar) in Bihar, Uttararka and Lolarka in Uttar Pradesh , and Balarka in Rajasthan . Another 10th-century sun temple ruin is in Bahraich , Uttar Pradesh named Balarka Surya Mandir, which was destroyed in the 14th century during the Turkish invasions. Vivasvat, also known as Vivasvant, is also one such of these deities. His wife

3375-505: The creator of the material universe ( Prakriti ). In the layers of Vedic texts, Surya is one of the several trinities along with Agni and either Vayu or Indra , which are presented as an equivalent icon and aspect of the Hindu metaphysical concept called the Brahman . In the Brahmanas layer of Vedic literature, Surya appears with Agni (fire god) in the same hymns. Surya is revered for

3450-422: The cult of Mithra/Surya. Sambapura has been since identified with Multan and the temple with the eponymous institution; Chach Nama —which purports to be the translation by `Ali Kufi (13th century) of an early eighth century Arabic text—does refer to the temple as Mistravi and Minravi, both of which are derived from Mitravan. The antecedents of the temple remain unknown to historical certainty. Chach Nama offers

3525-693: The day, while Agni for its role during the night. The idea evolves, states Kapila Vatsyayan, where Surya is stated to be Agni as the first principle and the seed of the universe. It is in the Brahmanas layer of the Vedas, and the Upanishads that Surya is explicitly linked to the power of sight, to visual perception and knowledge. He is then interiorized to be the eye as ancient Hindu sages suggested abandonment of external rituals to gods in favor of internal reflections and meditation of gods within, in one's journey to realize

3600-494: The days immediately after the conquest, the temple continued to maintain its prominence under Muslim Governors, in what Finbarr B. Flood , an art-historian, dubs as a regime of "mercantile cosmopolitanism". With the increasing influence of Fatimid Caliphate in the frontiers of Persia, arrived Jalam (var. Halam) in 959 C.E., to replace the old Da'ai who had not only exhibited "reprehensible syncretism" by allowing neo-converts to maintain their traditional practices but also disputed

3675-464: The fort and city. It was evident too that within that dark mass were certain solid bodies, whether the debris of building or human beings it was impossible to say, hurled some hundreds of feet upwards and looking like specks in the air... Surya Traditional Surya ( / ˈ s uː r j ə / ; Sanskrit : सूर्य , IAST : Sūrya ) is the Sun as well as the solar deity in Hinduism . He

3750-403: The four sides of the temple are tanks with flowering groves where one can wander about without restraint. I saw an extraordinary dense mass, black as ink, with a clearly defined outline, rising slowly out of the fort. Gradually as it rose the upper part spread out assuming the form of a gigantic tree, but losing its sharp outline in upper air till it became a dark brown cloud hanging as a pall over

3825-709: The great war of Kurukshetra . Earliest representations of Surya riding a chariot occur in the Buddhist railings of the Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya (2nd century BCE), in the Bhaja Caves (1st century BCE), and the Jain cave of Ananta Gumpha in Khandagiri (1st century CE). They follow similar depiction of the chariot-riding god Helios of Hellenistic mythology, as appearing for example on

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3900-442: The idol to be merely 7 yards (6.4 m) tall. whereas Abu Dulaf al-Yanbu’i not only assigned it a height of a hundred cubits but also asserted it to levitate mid-way between the floor and ceiling of the temple. Yohanan Friedmann, a scholar of Islamic History, interprets the evidence to attest to the accordance of Hindus with the status of dhimmi . While there appears to have been a total loss of financial autonomy when compared to

3975-409: The idol. The temple commanded pan-sectarian reverence and was located in the most populous part of Multan between the city's ivory and copper-smith bazaars. Wholly draped in red leather except for the eyes and studded with gems, the idol adorned a crown of gold and sat in a "quadrangular position" on a brick throne under the cupola with fists in the gyan mudra , rested on its knees. He also described how

4050-610: The late tenth century. It appears to have been reconstructed, before being purportedly obliterated by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb at some point after 1666. The earliest extant Hindu text to mention of a solar cult is Samba Purana (c. 7th–8th century CE) — the legend on the origins of the cult made its way into the Bhavishya Purana and even a twelfth century inscription in Eastern India. After being cursed into

4125-413: The management of the temple except that a third of revenue did not go to Muslims but to the poor. Multiple Muslim sources—from voyager-historians like Istakhri , Al-Maqdisi , Al-Masudi , Ahmad ibn Rustah and Ibn Hawqal to encyclopedists like Ibn al-Nadim —describe the temple esp. in the late Abbasid phase. Istakhri (early 10th century C.E.) provides the most detailed description of the temple and

4200-605: The noble origins of the Fatimids. Jalam took to preaching Isma'ilism aggressively and obtained success; he would have the ruling dynasty switch their allegiance from the Abbasids to Fatimids soon. C. 965 C.E., a letter from the Fatimid Caliph congratulated Jalam on destroying the SUN temple and constructing a mosque on the site. This has been understood by some to refer to the destruction of

4275-531: The other, but present them independently and with equal emphasis in a complex iconography. Cave temples of India, similarly, dedicated to different gods and goddesses feature Surya. For example, the 6th century carvings in the Ellora Caves in Maharashtra as well as the 8th and 9th century artworks there, such as Cave 25, the Kailasha Temple (Cave 16) and others feature complete iconography of Surya. Hindu temples predominantly have their primary entrance facing east, and their square principle based architecture

4350-479: The pantheon of ideas adopted early in these regions and retained after Buddhism became the dominant tradition. In Kabul Khair Khāna , there is a Hindu temple dedicated to Surya, of two distinct periods. The first period consisted of a mud-brick temple with possible human sacrifice remains dedicating it. This was then superseded by three distinct sanctuaries built of schist slabs, surrounded by subsidiary buildings of diaper masonry construction and an open-air altar in

4425-490: The period that followed show him wearing a cloak and high boots . In some Buddhist artwork, his chariot is shown as being pulled by four horses. The doors of Buddhist monasteries of Nepal show him, along with the Chandra (moon god), symbolically with Surya depicted as a red circle with rays. In Hindu context, the sun-god only appears at a later period, as in the Virūpākṣa temple in Paṭṭadakal (8th century CE). The iconography of Surya in Hinduism varies with its texts. He

4500-441: The prominent deities of Vishnu or Shiva , or seen as subsidiary to them. The Sun and the Earth The Sun causes day and night on the earth, because of revolution, when there is night here, it is day on the other side, the sun does not really rise or sink. — Aitareya Brahmana III.44 (Rigveda) The oldest surviving Vedic hymns, such as the hymn 1.115 of the Rigveda , mention Sūrya with particular reverence for

4575-425: The provincial exchequer; the description of the idol ran similar to Istakhri's though he claimed ignorance about the identity of deity. Thus, it appears that the temple was restored at an unknown time. Alexander Cunningham , visiting Multan in 1853, noted local tradition to blame Aurangzeb for destructing the temple though no inhabitant was able to identify the site; he was also told that the Sikhs , upon not finding

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4650-418: The river, and subsequently, the first solar temple was established in Sambapura. However, no Brahmins fit for worship were found in India and they had to be brought from among the inhabitants of Sakdwipa, a Vedic geography far away from India proper — most scholars deem this legend to reflect the migration of Magis of Persi to India in multiple waves and their's reinventing themselves as Maga Brahmins devoted to

4725-411: The sidereal length of a year as follows, from their astronomical studies, with slightly different results: The oldest of these is likely to be the Surya Siddhanta , while the most accurate is the Siddhanta Shiromani . Surya's synonym Ravi is the root of the word 'Ravivara' or Sunday in the Hindu calendar. In both Indian and Greek-Roman nomenclature for days of the week, the Sunday is dedicated to

4800-552: The temple in lieu of rights to a third of its revenues. Pilgrims were apparently compelled to pay a sum between one hundred and ten thousand dirhams, adjudged according to their financial capacity: a third went to the Muslims per Qasim's agreement, another third went to the maintenance of city facilities, and the rest went to the priests. Notably, inspite of being a ferocious polemicist against heretical practices, al-Jawzi did not record any act of defilation. 'Ali al-Shatibi al-Maghribi's (fl.1465 C.E.) history of Arabia reproduced al-Jawzi on

4875-480: The temple to be the Mecca for Hindus and would reiterate—relying on received knowledge—that the only Hindus in the region were those who lived in the temple. In 1640s, Jean-Baptiste Tavernier travelled across Multan on way to Delhi but did not record any information about the temple. However, Jean de Thévenot visiting Multan in 1666, under Aurzangzeb's rule (1658–1707), mentioned a Hindu temple — attracting pilgrims from far and wide — whose offerings contributed to

4950-468: The temple was leveraged by the Muslim rulers as an indemnity against potential invasion by neighbouring Hindu powers. Al Masudi, a contemporary of Istakhri, reiterates this strategical use of the temple; besides, he notes the ritual offerings—consisting of money, precious stones, perfumes, and especially aloe-wood of Kumar—as the greatest contributor to state revenues. Ibn Hawqal, yet another contemporary, reproduced Istakhri's narrative in toto but supplanted

5025-453: The time of his earliest appearance (the Rigveda), Vivasvat had declined in importance. He was likely a solar deity, but scholars debate his specific role as one. In the Rigveda, Indra drinks Soma alongside Manu Vivasvat and Trita . In post-Vedic literature, Vivasvat further declines in importance, and is merely another name for the sun. He is cognate to the Avestan Vivanhvant, who is the father of Yima (cognate to Yama) and Manu. As per

5100-422: The transition from lunar calendar of north India to solar calendar of south India can be seen in the local culture . This is probably the eastern most coastal sun temple in the peninsular India, where prayers are offered until date. The place, Chicacole , has a significance in the Kalinga (historical region) kingdom with their port at Kalingapatnam , making it to Megasthenes dairy ( Calingae ). The diaspora

5175-548: Was a magnificent structure and was patronaged by the King and the regional elites. Alongside the temple, was a rest house that served to the visitors and the poor. During the conquest of Sindh by the Umayyad Caliphate in 8th century C.E. under the leadership of Muhammad bin Qasim , Multan fell after a long siege and the Brahmin dynasty was replaced. Upon the Umayyad conquest, Qasim obtained thirteen thousand and two hundred mans of gold upon excavation. This gain of treasures—by loot or revenue—would lead to Multan being regarded as

5250-469: Was also recorded about how the Sindhis used to shave their beards and head before circumambulating it and offering riches. Al-Biruni , visiting the site about a century later, would record that the Sun Temple was spared by bin-Qasim only after he came to know about its prominent role in the regional economy; nonetheless, a piece of cow-flesh was mockingly hang around the neck of the idol. Ibn al-Jawzi (c. late 12th century C.E.) noted Qasim to have had spared

5325-442: Was constructed by Gurjar king of Nandipuri , Jayabhatta II. This temple is situated at Kotipura near Kapika in the Bharukachha district. The Surya temple of Bhinmal known as Jagaswami Surya temple was also erected during this period. The Sun Temple of Multan (in modern-day Pakistan) contained a revered statue of Surya. It was one of the focal points of Hindu-Muslim religious conflicts. After 871 BCE, Multan (Panjab)

5400-447: Was demolished only after Maqdisi's visit, perhaps during Mahmud 's brutal conquest of the city c. 1010 C.E. Al-Biruni, visiting the site in early 11th century, came across desolate ruins. Two centuries hence, Muhammad al-Idrisi 's geographical compendium (mid 12th century C.E.) not only reproduced Istakhri's narrative in entirety but also added that the temple dome was gilded and that the idol—of unknown antiquity—had four arms; besides

5475-667: Was furthered by additional contributions from Western Asia , including Zoroastrian and Hellenistic influences. The Yavanajataka , or 'Science of the Yavanas ', was written by the Indo-Greek named " Yavanesvara " ("Lord of the Greeks") under the rule of the Western Kshatrapa king Rudrakarman I . The Yavanajataka written in 120 BCE is often attributed to standardizing Indian astrology. The Navagraha would further develop and culminate in

5550-540: Was possibly based on works from the Indus Valley Civilization as well as various foreign influences. Babylonian astrology was the first to develop astrology and the calendar, and was adopted by multiple civilizations including India. The Navagraha developed from early works of astrology over time. The Sun and various classical planets were referenced in the Atharvaveda around 1000 BCE. The Navagraha

5625-467: Was under the rule by Arab princes, who kept the Surya temple hostage and desecrated it, in order to threaten its destruction if the Hindu Gurjara attacked them. The early Muslim rulers taxed Hindu pilgrims for the privilege to visit the Surya temple, and this provided these rulers an important source of revenue. The Surya temple was destroyed by Ismaili Shia rulers in the late 10th century, who built

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