[Sikander Lodi] maintained a partisanship for Islam to such extent that he went beyond excess. He demolished all the unbelievers’ temples, leaving th… - Nizamuddin Ahmad

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[Sikander Lodi] maintained a partisanship for Islam to such extent that he went beyond excess. He demolished all the unbelievers’ temples, leaving these without name or trace. In Mathura and other places that are centers for the Hindus’ bathing, he built guesthouses and bazaars and mosques and theological schools. He appointed guards, who gave no one permission to bathe. If a Hindu in Mathura city wished to have his beard or head shaved, no barber would put a hand to his beard or head. He suppressed absolutely any public display of custom$ of the unbelievers. He forbade women to go to saints’ tombs. In his youth, his time as prince, he heard there was a tank in Thanesar where Hindus gathered to bathe. He asked the religious scholars: “What is the command of the Sharma in this regard?” They said: “It is not authorized to lay waste ancient temples; and it is not for you to forbid bathing in a tank, which has been customary from ancient times.” The prince put his hand to his dagger, threatened a scholar, and said: “You take the unbelievers’ side!” That great man replied: “I speak what has come down in the Sharma, and I do not fear to speak truly.” The prince calmed down.