Reclaiming Hindu Temples: Episodes From An Oppressive Era

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Dr. Chandni Sengupta is a historian, political commentator, and writer. Former Assistant Professor, Amity University, Haryana, she holds a PhD in History from IGNOU, New Delhi. Her area of specialization is Medieval Indian History. In her professional career spanning over a decade, she has worked with two leading non-governmental organizations in New Delhi.

Dr. Sengupta holds a Master's degree in History from the University of Delhi and Bachelor's in History from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, New Delhi. She also holds a PG Diploma in Folklore and Culture Studies from IGNOU, New Delhi, for which she received the University Gold Medal. In her quest for knowledge, she has also completed two online certificate courses-Oriental Beliefs: Between Reason and Traditions, University of Louvain, Belgium; and Hinduism Through its Scriptures, Harvard University, USA.

She has a number of academic publications in national and international journals to her credit in the field of history, Indian philosophy, religious institutions, culture, heritage, and gender studies. Dr. Chandni Sengupta is also a fiction writer.

Historical writing on the medieval period has largely been confined to the political, economic, cultural, and socio-religious developments that took place during the period of Islamic occupation. While the political institutions and buildings established by the Turks have been glorified in books, there have been very few attempts to look at the true nature of the Turkish rule in Bharat. The history of the Delhi Sultanate is a history of violence and bloodshed, but in order to present a positive image of the Muslim Sultans, historians have purposely focussed on institutions, buildings, economic measures, while completely ignoring the actual nature of the Sultanate rule.

The history of the Delhi Sultanate is replete with instances of temple desecration, forced conversions, and slaughter of Hindus. Unfortunately, most of the historical works have not focussed on the manner in which Hindus were humiliated during this period. After the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate, Bharat, which was called "Sone ki Chidiya" or "Golden Bird" was plunged into the Dark Age during which many excesses were committed against the Hindus.

The iconoclasm inherent in Islam dictated the actions of the Sultans who destroyed temples wherever they went.

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