The sudden swelling of the rivers, and the absence of the King with his army, gave Venkutputty leisure to muster the whole of his forces, which amoun… - Mohammed Qacim Ferichta

[Mahmud of Ghazni] ‘found in this temple, a greater quantity of jewels and gold, than, it is thought, any royal treasury, ever contained before’.

“First question. “From what description of Hindoos is it lawful to exact obedience and tribute?” Answer – It is lawful to exact obedience and tribute from all infields, and they can only be considered as obedient who pay the poll tax and tribute without demur, even should it be obtained by force; for, according to the law of Prophet, it is written, regarding infields “Tax them to the extent that they can pay, or utterly destroy them.’ The learned of the faith have also enjoined the followers of Islam, “To slay them, or to convert them to faith;’ a maxim conveyed in the words of the Prophet himself. The Imam Huneef, however, subsequently considered as poll tax, or as heavy a tribute imposed upon them as they can bear, may be substituted for death, and he has accordingly forbidden that their blood heedlessly spilt. So that it is commanded that the Juzeea (poll-tax) and Khiraj (tribute) should be exacted to the uttermost farthing from them, in order that the punishment may approximate as nearly as possible to death.” (p. 198)

“Mahmud having reached Thanesar before the Hindus had time to assemble for its defence, the city was plundered, the idols broken, and the idol Jagsom was sent to Ghaznin, to be trodden under foot in the street, and decapitated. Immense wealth was found in the temples. According to Haji Muhammad Kandahari, a ruby was found in one of them, weighing 450 miskals, the equal of which no one had ever seen or heard of.