Hindu Temples What Happened to Them- Vol. 1 Preliminary Survey

Hindu Temples: What Happened to Them

by Sita Ram Goel

Contributed articles.

Genres: History, India, Nonfiction, Politics, Hinduism, Islam

296 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1990

About the author

Sita Ram Goel (16 October 1921 – 3 December 2003) was an Indian religious and political activist, writer and publisher in the late twentieth century. He had Marxist leanings during the 1940s, but later became an outspoken anti-communist and also wrote extensively on the damage to Indian culture and heritage wrought by expansionist Islam and missionary activities of Christianity. In his later career he emerged as a commentator on Indian politics, and adhered to Hindu nationalism.

Reviews

[Aditya आदित्य]

The first thought that hit my head is how in the world did the Indian Express publish these articles in the first place. If you read newspapers, you can tell that there is no chance that such views can be published in today's day and age. It is now impossible to advocate these ideas in this terminology in any of the leading national dailies. Even back then, as Sita Ramji mentions, the Times of India refused to print their side of the story. But still, the 90s was a different era. What this goes on to show, in my humble opinion, is that a lot of ground has been lost.

The most crucial segment of this collection of writings, edited by Sita Ram Goel, is the assiduously put together list of around two-and-a-half thousand "Muslim monuments which stand on the sites and/or have been built with the materials of Hindu temples": 145 in Andhra & Telangana, 2 in Assam, 101 in Bengal (including Bangladesh), 79 in Bihar, 72 in Delhi, 1 in Diu, 169 in Gujarat, 77 in Haryana, 1 in Himachal, 190 in Karnataka, 47 in Kashmir, 2 in Kerala, 2 in Lakshadweep, 140 in Madhya Pradesh, 138 in Maharashtra, 12 in Orrisa, 14 in Punjab, 170 in Rajasthan, 175 in Tamil Nadu and 302 in Uttar Pradesh. This list is an outcome of - as the title suggests - a preliminary survey. Just by looking at the structures counted above one can see that what was once a temple is now has been destroyed and reused in another 'structure'.

To tell you the truth: I have had this book in my shelf since 2017. I had attempted to read it multiple times over these years. I could never bring my self to finish it as reading it is extremely painful to me. I feel dejected by the fact that most people do not know what is mentioned in these pages, and the few who do, don't care enough about it. But this time was different. This time I finally finished it.

[Bharath Chava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iconoclasm at industrial scale

This book is of 270 pages. out of which there is a 83 page list of pure anarchic and barbaric destruction of Temples by Muslim invaders. Followed by how the Marxist historians have time & time again tried to distort the history based on evidence to suit their narratives. Indian express published many pro hindu articles during the ram janmabhoomi movement is a biggest shock next only to the iconoclasm list. One proud thing to take away from this book is Hindus are definitely the greatest temple builders the world has ever seen. Every time they razed we raised them back again. Ram mandir in ayodha is nothing but a continuation of raise , reclaim and restore tradition of Hindus.

What Sita Ram Goel & Ram Swarup done to this civilization through their publishing group Voice of India can only be compared with Gita press ghorakpur. Though the paths they choose is different. The end goal is always the same. To awaken the Hindu society which is in deep slumber after two waves of colonialism (Middle eastern & European).

[Preetam Chatterjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why did Islamic invaders continue to obliterate Hindu temples and vandalize the idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses all the way through the period of their domination?

Why did they raise mosques on sites occupied earlier by Hindu places of worship?

These questions were asked by Hindu scholars in modern times after the terror of Islam had ceased and could no more seal their lips.

In India - and in India alone - two explanations have come forth. One is provided by the theology of Islam based on the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet.

The other has been proposed by Marxist professors and lapped up by apologists of Islam.

The book takes up both the explanations and deconstructs a story written in blood.

[Aashutosh Mehra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read For Every Pseudo-Secular/Secular/Liberal Person , emphasizes on not hating the other side but learn from the history and atleast give some importance and support to those who are trying their hearts out to recollect our relics and remains. Preliminary Survey:- which deals with all the conditions/issues in the modern State of India with all the details of the Islamic monuments and places of worship lie upon the relics of Jain and Hindu temples in North India and some in South India. Shocking conversation about the gist of tolerance shown by the Indics towards the other communities and how it was used only against them and all Indics got is harrasment.

[Vivek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the most important book to have ever been written on the subject largely ignored by the mainstream media. It is mainly a collection of essays by different authors highlighting the pillaging of Islamic invaders. This book is a slap on the face of pseudo-intellectuals who have always denied the iconoclastic theology of Islam but have always tried to debase anything remotely connected to Hinduism. This book with ample evidence refutes the theory of Marxist historians that Muslim rule in India was benevolent to its all subjects even for kafirs. This book is a must read for anyone who likes to know about the ugly truth of Islamic rule in India.

[Vishal Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a saying, you cannot shape your future better without knowing your history.

This book is a humble attempt to put forth the irony, agony, brutality, wrath of invaders our temples and culture faced in past.

[Mayank Pandya · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is This Book..?

A book collection of Information what Muslim Invaders has done to Hindu temples from Afganistan,to Tamilnadu, Bangladeds.

This divided in 2 parts

The "volume I" is Excellent collection of Hindu temple. The biggest proof it gives about Ramjama Bhoomi.The French Traveller Account, Chinese Traveller etc etc Account even account of Auranzeb grand Daugthers about Babri masjid.

This Truth exposed our biased media which never discussed this in open air?

Biggest shocker i have got in the Book is "Somanth Rock is Delhi jamia masid where people keep there feet on them and then enter masjid".

many other example with reference and proof which are Rarely Brought in light.

What Made me to read Book?

I just want other side of story.

[Sridhar Tiruchendurai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Know the background of Rama Janmabhoomi, the arguments, the documentary support Hindus have to reclaim our temples. Surprisingly the documentary support is available from Muslim historians! What stops Hindus from reclaiming our temples is the perception created by Stalinist historians about Islam and the invaders. Know their intentions to know our perceptions.

[Prateek GOYAL · Rating 4 out of 5]

PM Narendra Modi laid foundation of Ram Temple at Ayodhya on 5 Aug 2020. This was the best time to start the book which was lying in my wishlist for long.
It's like a report accompanied with articles which present their side of debate. They put forward facts and manage to convince the reader. It is not exaggerated, nor does it fuels some communal hatred by provoking emotions. The serious subject has been dealt with professionalism.
For a leisure reader, it may not kindle interest. It is a piece of journalism that presents truth and the complicated language of philosophies and lists made the reading somewhat tedious. I was enlightened on various aspects. Hauz Khas and Qutub Complex in Delhi where I go occasionally to rejoice were actually beautiful Hindu Temples before. History, sure, is cruel. and what pains me is we can do nothing about it.
But we see a ray of hope.

[Ekita Parmar · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Nonsense we have been fed in tge pretext of Secularism in our History Text Books... A must read book for all of us...

[Mayur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brace yourself to get shocked at the innumerable destruction of holy places of Hindus. One's joy of Ayodhaya will diminish.

[Paras Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brutal, Raw and very well researched.
This is one of the best book I have ever read. It slams you with the hard truth and doesn't try to sugar coat it.
An excellent book to know about the reality of Islamic Invasion.

[Shourya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Under the heading 'Preliminary Survey' there is a 83 page list of all the Islamic buildings that either stand on Hindu Sites or built with their rubble, the sheer torment and suffering these lands and their people have had to suffer is unimaginable.

Every sentence evokes a visceral pain, it gets pretty hard to just keep reading. I don't even know whether it's a bad thing that every instance of absolute barbarism has been glorified to the high heavens or a good thing, that it is done by Muslim authors which means they can't just burn or ban the evidence.

About the book itself, it should be noted that most of it is just composed of editorials published in newspapers and articles of different historians. So the content feels a bit all over the place and jumps between several time periods and locations.

Finally, all of this, just the entirety of human history just reiterates how arbitrary rectitude really is.

[Karuna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The list of mosques/dargahs and other Mohammedan structures at the sights of our glorious ancient temples is devastating. I shared the concerning parts with my friends from different states. Many of them have never thought that those revered dargahs are nothing but crime scenes where our heritage was brutally assaulted. Iconoclasm of islam is very well explained in this collection of essays by Sita Ram Goel. Especially interesting to read in 2024 after pran pratishtha of the temple in Ayodhya. Alas, one temple of thousands.

[Aaradhya Ravi · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are one that swallowed the Marxist propaganda that Muslim invaders of India were "good, not that bad, and were only economically motivated", this book is there to disabuse you of those false notions. The painstaking and thankless work that Sita Ram Goel must have gone through boggles the mind. The most we can do is to consume the fruits of his hard labor in the forms of books like these. Really recommend to read alongside Meenakshi Jain's "Flight of the Deities".

[Aditya Ganjoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of various articles and writings published in the addressed context. Very informative and rational writings, topped with institutionally accepted facts.
If you don't want to read the entire book, just read Section 2, which is dedicated to the Sriramjanmabhoomi matter. The arguments between pro-temple and pro-masjid side, in the form of published articles, provide a lot of context not only about the "what" but also about the "why" of its relevance.

[Munish Handa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great expectations, that fell short
The book was but a collection of articles (published in news papers in the past) by various scholars; and lacked a coherent flow for the theme central to the title of the book
I have read Sita Ram Goel ji's How I became a Hindu and felt the power of his words in there and expected the same punch in this, but alas not so

[Manu Brar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Busts any myth of Ganga-jamuni tehzeeb. Extremely well researched compilation and only the tip of the iceberg.

[Sachin Agarwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Eye Opener

It is a great book. Publised articles from 1989 provide the true picture of our history and how it is manipulated. A must read!

[Aditya Saraff · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most decisive works on the Bharatiya Sanatan culture, without a shadow of doubt- both in its literary capacity as well in a non-literary one where it lists temples that need to be reclaimed. Glad I read this!

[Bhawna Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first volume provides a detailed account of Hindu Temples converted or whose debris was used to build Muslim shrines/monuments across India.It contains a list of over 2000 Muslim monuments built over razed temples with the materials from Hindu temples.Recent excavations by the Archaeological Survey of India at historical sites under Muslim occupation are revealing new information. Despite this, renowned Indian historians have never questioned the mass looting of Hindu temples and the ideology that motivated invaders to kill, loot, convert,rape and enslave Hindus. While Muslim historians glorify these actions of Muslim invaders, citing the Quran and Sunnah to justify violence against Hindus, Indian historians have avoided discussing Muslim theology.

Read this book to uncover the conspiracies plotted against us right before our eyes.

[Shashikanth Agnihotry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good One...
Will understand the basic understanding of Ram Janmabhoomi issue