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  • Category: Miscellaneous
    Points:5

    Vellayi Gopuram (white Temple Tower) of Srirangam

    1323 CE.

    During the Tamil month of Vaikasi, the armies of the Delhi Sultanate assaulted Srirangam. Approximately 12,000 people who lived on Srirangam island gave their lives in defense of the temple. The gems belonging to Lord Ranganatha and the Temple's wealth were plundered during the soldiers' onslaught on the premises. The barbarian troops also desired to take possession of Lord Vishnu's murti. While they looked for the murti (deity), they discovered that Pillailokacharya, a Vaishnavite acharya, had taken it and fled to Madurai. (The Namperumal murti of Lord Vishnu, which departed Srirangam in 1323 during the Delhi Sultanate invasion, did not return until 1371).

    The Sultanate forces executed the Temple officials after failing to find the deity and then began a major search for the Namperumal deity and Pillailokacharya.

    A temple dancer named Vellayi staged a dance in front of the military commander, because of fear that the Acharya and the idol would fall in the hands of these barbarians. This gave Pillailokacharya more time to flee with the deity. After hours of continuous dancing, she led the commander to the eastern Gopuram and shoved him down. After killing him, Vellayi chanted the name of Ranganathar as she leaped to her death from the tower of the eastern gateway.

    The tower was named after Vellayi by Kempanna, the Chief of the Vijayanagara Army, who drove away the soldiers of the Sultanate much later, in honour of her sacrifice. She is still remembered at Srirangam. The Gopuram is white in remembrance of her sacrifice , and it is now known as Vellayi Gopuram.
  • #780484

    Points:0
    May be deleted as the attached image is not opening. Posting the image in the next response.
    Billo Rani kahon to abhi jaan de doon: Oh dear Billo, if you ask, I will give my life

    Gopuram.jfif

    Delete Attachment

  • #780485

    Points:0
    Image of Vellayi Gopuram:
    Billo Rani kahon to abhi jaan de doon: Oh dear Billo, if you ask, I will give my life

    Delete Attachment

  • #780488

    Points:5
    History is a subject which tells us everything about the past as well as the cruelties done by invaders and offenders on us in our very land.
    This particular account tells us the story of bravery of Vellayi who fought with the Sultanate at that time.
    India was a prosperous country and never believed in fighting but when invaders attacked it and captured it then it had to defend and protect itself. Unfortunately, we never had an aggressive army because we never believed in confrontation. Further we were divided in small kingdoms so we lost our freedom to the invaders and they started ruling us.
    Northern India was fully captured by the invaders but they could not extend to southern parts due to various reasons and that is why our culture and traditions are well preserved in the southern part of the country.
    Many youngsters are not aware of these things because either they do not study history or even if they read they do not get such accounts in the text books.
    Knowledge is power.

  • #780489

    Points:5
    I visited this place and had the fortune of seeing this (Vellai Gopuram (white Temple Tower). I discussed this with some of the employees there and I heard about this history through them. Unfortunately, many of the Hindu temples in our country were looted by some of the rulers belonging to other religions. Such temples we find in many places in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Many temples were spoiled by these invaders.
    Some people sacrificed their lives to save the temple properties and deities. Vellayi is one such lady we sacrificed her life for the sake of protecting the temples. We should salute such persons. The government of India should make some attempts to publish history books and keep them in all the libraries so that people of future generations will know the actual history and the greatness of the people of those days and how they fought with invaders. It need not be in the text books for students but can be kept as Indian history books.
    drrao
    always confident

  • #780492

    Points:3
    It was a tough way of life during medievel times. Indian temples were the prime target because of the gold ornaments. Nomadic tribes were mainly the people who conducted such loots because they were savages who were only interested in looting and capturing. During medievel times when there was no law and order such loots were common all over the world. Even England got looted by the Nordic tribes just because the country had enormous wealth.
    Thanks and regards.

  • #780493

    Points:3
    Babu Sir: Are you sure that when the Nordic tribes invaded England, the country possessed 'enormous wealth'? As far as I know, even during the eighteenth century, England was terribly poor. We get glimpses of the poverty of the society of England in the Dickensian literature.

    England gained prosperity when its businessmen and rulers started looting undivided India, other countries of South Asia and after the industrial revolution.
    Billo Rani kahon to abhi jaan de doon: Oh dear Billo, if you ask, I will give my life

  • #780494

    Points:3
    Mr. Partha, England was rich or poor I don't know but the looting occurred especially in churches. The common thing between India and England is the religious places that got looted by the savages. Women and children were captured as slaves in both the cases. There is not much difference between savages and animals. You can't expect good things from savages, that's why we have a Army these days or people from other side of the border especially talibanis will flood our bordering states.
    Thanks and regards.

  • #780495

    Points:4
    Babu Sir:

    (a) In your previous response, you stated: "Even England got looted by the Nordic tribes just because the country had enormous wealth". Now, you have said: " England was rich or poor I don't know ........" These two responses are contradictory in nature.

    (b) As far as I know, the churches in England was never used to keep wealth. The churches never functioned like the temples in India.

    (c) But, what you have said about the savages who entered India from the western frontier, is fully correct. In modern days, we must treat those savages in a proper manner, just like Israel is doing in Gaza. That would be our tribute to the countless noble souls like Vellayi.
    Billo Rani kahon to abhi jaan de doon: Oh dear Billo, if you ask, I will give my life

  • #780496

    Points:4
    There are numerous incidences of loot by the invaders. Unfortunately, such happenings are not indicated in the history texts and hence the root cause of the destruction is not known to many people including the students.
    Invaders left no stone unturned to disfigure many temples in India. Though we get some accounts of destruction written on the walls of the Temples, the same is not indicative always.
    Since all these temples are reminiscent of our glorious past, the students have every right to know the source of such destruction to make the students aware of the atrocities by the intruders.

  • #780497

    Points:4
    Mr. Partha, invaders usually target places where they will get something. History tells us that invaders always targetted places where there was Gold or Silver. Even the current United States of America is built on the graves of native Americans just because the land had precious Silver metal. During medievel times such tribes may have got some information about the wealth at the churches and acted according to it. So, we can conclude that if we keep Gold and Silver at Temples or any religious places or even in banks, robbers will always look to find a way to steal them. Modern day robbers are stealing our money from bank accounts with the help of internet. Wealth attracts criminals. Nobody robs a poor man.
    Thanks and regards.

  • #780498

    Points:7
    Many tribes which were living in areas of low natural resources across the globe were always in search of better places and occupied them while wandering from one place to another. That was the most common thing in ancient times and whoever captured the virgin areas made it their kingdom. Time to time these people had to fight with others whenever there were disputed claims for a prosperous and fertile land or other natural things.

    Some societies were fortunate enough to have much natural resources and they flourished but when the invaders came from other places and wanted to loot them, then only they realized that for getting protection one has to have good army or a group of strong people who could defend their land and people.

    Indian peninsula was a fertile and naturally blessed place and was known as 'Sone ki chirya' (a prosperous place) and always attracted the invaders from West Asia, central Asia, and other places.
    Some kingdoms as well as some individuals fought them bravely as narrated in the present post, but the invaders had more weapons with them and they were very cruel and ruthless in handling their enemies. Their aim was to loot and return but when they found that it was possible to even rule here, they permanently started living here.

    That is the sad part, but history has kept those details alive for the coming generations to understand why we were ruled by others for such a long time.
    Thoughts exchanged is knowledge gained.

  • #780499

    Points:5
    Babu Sir:

    That the temples were destroyed by the barbarians to loot wealth is the justification given by the marxist (with small 'm') non-historians. Let us all try to go beyond this excuse. If looting of wealth was the only purpose, then how do these rootless marxists justify wanton killing of unarmed civilians, rape of thousands and lakhs of women and selling them in the open market? We must remember that very recently we have noticed similar activities by the ISIS and Boko Haram savages.

    Neeru Bhatt Madam:

    In this post, I have tried to describe how a pious lady prevented the barbarians to destroy the sacred idol and killed the the leader of the savages. Later, she sacrificed her own life because she had danced before the savages (she was only supposed to dance in front of God).
    Billo Rani kahon to abhi jaan de doon: Oh dear Billo, if you ask, I will give my life

  • #780500

      

    Points:3
    Partha, please clarify whether the 'pious lady' danced before the Sultan on her own, due to the reason stated by you, or was she forced to dance, as implied in your response above? I feel the effect of both would be different.

    The response by Neeru at # 780498 appears to be logical. History, as we understand, is all about which point we want to highlight because not everything has always been put on record- not then, and not now.
    'Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all'.
    -Aristotle

  • #780501

    Points:2
    Saji Sir:

    Before I respond to your comment (which is expectedly illogical), kindly clarify whether you are writing in the capacity of a member or as an editor. If you are commenting as a member, I would request the ME to monitor the discussion herself or by another editor.

    You cannot don both the hats (of a member and of an editor) at the same time.

    Thank you.
    Billo Rani kahon to abhi jaan de doon: Oh dear Billo, if you ask, I will give my life

  • #780503

    Points:3
    When I think about why invaders destroyed famous temples in India, I have two reasons. One is that Indian temples have rich properties and the invaders want to take away the available riches in the temples. The second reason is the hatred they have towards Hinduism. By destroying these temples they want to bring down the morale of Hindus. I may be wrong in my thoughts. If any other reasons are there I request learned members to mention them here.
    drrao
    always confident

  • #780504

    Points:4
    As mentioned by Saji Sir, history is not recorded so we can't exactly know what happened during that time. We can only speculate according to the stories told by the elderly people or books written by eminent historians. It is a futile argument to discuss things that we haven't seen through naked eyes or don't have any solid evidences to prove.

    What I have seen is people from different religions in India have existed for centuries and they have fought the independence war against Britishers together. If invaders had the motive of hatred, then India would have become an Islamic state by now.
    Thanks and regards.

  • #780505

    Points:5
    Dr. Rao Sir: You have mentioned two reasons for destruction of temples by the barbarians. Both the reasons are appropriate. However, in addition to these two, there are some other reasons, which I am trying to mention.

    (a) There is one term, 'boot-shiquan'. The word 'boot' means idol. The term 'shiquan' means destroyer. Aurangzeb used to mint a coin in his name, where this term was inscribed. This term was used by many other rulers of the dark period. This destruction of idols has a religious sanction, the fact which those marxist non-historians try to keep under the carpet.

    (b) These barbarians had and still have a deep-rooted inferiority complex. If a person has an inferiority complex, either he will try to emulate the examples set by the superior person, or, the inferior person will try to destroy the creations of the superior person. The barbarians chose the second path.
    Billo Rani kahon to abhi jaan de doon: Oh dear Billo, if you ask, I will give my life

  • #780507

    Points:5
    Babu Sir:

    In your latest response, you have stated "...... history is not recorded so we can't exactly know what happened during that time". This is not fully true. For example, the incident which I have mentioned here has been recorded, but the so called marxist liberals have chosen to put it under the carpet.

    You have also stated: "If invaders had the motive of hatred, then India would have become an Islamic state by now". Sir, you have made me laugh loudly! Just now, I have come to know about an incident which took place at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra on the day before yesterday. A burkha-clad young woman was talking (only talking) with a boy. Suddenly, a mob consisting of fifty men emerged from the adjoining ghetto and asked the boy his name. When the boy replied his name was Akash, he was beaten mercilessly by those fifty people. The burkha-clad girl also received some hard slaps on the road.

    These people will lecture Hindus about peaceful co-existence and inter-religious marriage. So much so about peaceful co-existence!
    Billo Rani kahon to abhi jaan de doon: Oh dear Billo, if you ask, I will give my life

  • #780512

      

    Points:3
    Partha, irrespective of my response being as an editor or as a member, why are you shying away from giving a direct answer to my question? I asked a simple question that is very much relevant in the context of your thread and the response at #780499 and I expect you, as a person interested in and having knowledge about history, to clarify my doubt instead of bringing up additional points that are not directly related to the thread.
    'Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all'.
    -Aristotle

  • #780520

    Points:5
    Saji Sir:

    (a) You have developed an unhealthy attitude towards me. You seek some meaningless clarifications, and delete or drastically edit my subsequent reply. You should not don the hat of an editor and the hat of a member at the same time. So, either monitor the thread as an editor, or write responses as a member. Monitoring should be done by any other editor.

    (b) Earlier you asked: "Partha, please clarify whether the 'pious lady' danced before the Sultan on her own, due to the reason stated by you, or was she forced to dance, as implied in your response above? I feel the effect of both would be different."-------------- All other members who have responded read the main post and perfectly understood the situation of Vellayi, except you. So, kindly read the main post twice or thrice, you will find the answer. If not, you will never understand.

    (c) By the way, from where did you import the Sultan? Did I write 'Sultan' anywhere? I am sure you understand the difference between 'Sultan' and 'Sultanate'. Further I have a 'doubt' that you mocked the sacrifice of Vellayi by writing the term (pious lady) within inverted commas.

    (d) You have also stated: ".......clarify my doubt instead of bringing up additional points that are not directly related to the thread."------------------Sir, I did not bring any additional point. Babu Sir made a textbook response stating that in India, people of all communities living in peace many centuries, etc. So, I have given a very recent example of this 'peaceful co-existence'. That was not in the context of your comment.

    (e) Finally, I have noticed that in respect of my posts, you are always in doubt. Yesterday, I was reading my 6- year old post on 'nak-kati rani' of Garhwal and subsequent responses. There also, I have found that you always remained in doubt.

    Good Day, Sir.
    Billo Rani kahon to abhi jaan de doon: Oh dear Billo, if you ask, I will give my life

  • #780537

      

    Points:3
    Partha, I am reiterating and asking you once again to clarify my doubt. I asked a direct question and expected you to give me a logical and conclusive answer. You can or you can't appear to be the situation now.

    Why fetter me as an editor? I am free to express my opinion here.

    My question is clear, and I would like you to be clear too. If you can't answer my query, just leave it instead of going haywire. I do understand the difference between Sultanate and Sultan and hence makes my query more complicated. In front of whom did she dance and how was she able to entice the Sultan (if I am not mistaken) to follow her to to the top of the Gopuram?

    Let your answer be clear so that students of history are benefited.

    And about your mention of unhealthy attitude, Partha, I am guided by laid down policies and be sure that I have nothing personal against you or anyone for that matter.
    'Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all'.
    -Aristotle

  • #780544

    Points:2
    Saji Sir:

    I am also reiterating. Your question is meaningless as no Sultan was involved in this incident.

    Ask correct question to get proper reply.
    Billo Rani kahon to abhi jaan de doon: Oh dear Billo, if you ask, I will give my life

  • #780550

      

    Points:1
    Partha, I will correct myself to be more specific and reword my query to replace Sultan with Commander. Hope you will be able to answer me now.
    'Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all'.
    -Aristotle

  • #780557

    Points:4
    Saji Sir:

    Before writing this post, I read four articles to refresh my memory. I am quoting one of these four articles:

    "Fearing that the forces would capture the Acharya and the idol, Vellayi, performed a dance before the commander of the forces thus gaining time for Pillailokacharya to escape with the idol.

    Her dance lasted for hours together and finally she took the commander to the eastern gopuram and pushed him down. After killing him, Vellayi jumped to her death from the tower chanting the name of Ranganathar."---------- (T.A. Narasimhan; The Hindu)

    I have written almost the same in my Forum post.

    By the way, I have also noted that you have made an attempt to riducule the noble soul by putting the term pious lady within inverted commas. It is expected of you.
    Billo Rani kahon to abhi jaan de doon: Oh dear Billo, if you ask, I will give my life


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