1
The city of Kashi epitomizes the unshakeable resilience & unity of Hindus. Devastated multiple times by Islamic invaders, it rose again every time to be rebuilt & renewed by Hindus from all over India, who ensured its perpetual rebirth & existence.

2
Hindu temples of Varanasi were devastated so many times, that almost no ancient temple site could escape modification. The 10th c. Kardameshwar temple of Siva, in Kandura village near BHU is the only temple in its original state dating from the pre-Muslim period.

3
The Islamic invasions began in In 1033 CE when Varanasi was plundered by Mahmud Ghazni’s son Nialtagin. By end of 11th c., Chandradeva, established the Gahadavala dynasty by regaining Kashi & built the Adi Keshava shrine with gold, valuables, 1000 cows & a village.

4
In 1194 CE, Muhammad Ghori’s commander Kutubuddin Aibak attacked & razed Varanasi to the ground. Hindus were massacred & over 1000 ancient temples destroyed. So much booty was taken away that it took 1400 camels to carry it.

5
Hindus recaptured Kashi, so in 1197 CE Kutubuddin attacked again. But he lost control once more by 1212 CE, when Bengal’s Visvarupa Sena erected a Yupa & Vijay Stambh of victory at the center of Varanasi, declaring it the ”Kshetra of Shiva Visveshwara”.