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by bigotry and rapacity, rushed like a torrent upon their fruitful 

 plains. Although the different rajahs sometimes united in the 

 common cause, and raised immense armies, the fierce moun- 

 taineers found India an easy conquest. Its largest cities and 

 strongest fortresses were alternately subdued, the Hindoo images 

 destroyed, their temples purified, and dedicated to the unity oi 

 Alia. 



These northern invaders continued their depredations for many 

 years against the rajahs of Delhi, Ajmere, and the neighbouring 

 kingdoms, and always overpowered the Hindoo armies by their 

 superior skill and matchless courage. When the Afghans poured 

 down with such irresistible fury, the Hindoo princes promised obe- 

 dience, and submitted to pay a tribute; but becoming impatient 

 of the yoke, they again assisted each other, and united in a gene- 

 ral revolt. This caused their implacable enemies to renew their 

 cruelties; and, to use the emphatical language of the eastern histo- 

 rians, " to drown themselves, and their devoted victims, in the 

 crimson torrent of revenge." 



The gold, jewels, and wealth of every kind, found at Nagra- 

 cote, Somenaut, and other celebrated temples, is beyond calcu- 

 lation. Sultan Mahmood made thirteen cruel and successful ex- 

 peditions from Ghisni, against the Hindoo rajahs. From one of 

 which he carried to his capital a spoil of fifty thousand captives, 

 three hundred and fifty elephants, with gold, diamonds, pearls, 

 and precious effects, to an incredible amount. These riches were 

 generally secreted in the temples: hollow images were filled with 

 jewels; gold and silver, which had been accumulating for ages, were 

 buried under the pavement. At the destruction of the temple of 



