Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-07-21
An Interesting Sketch.

From the Portland Advertiser
The return of tie British forces from their second and
successful invasion Of Ahghauistun, after they had captured
and destroyed tie chief cities and fOTtresses II that region,
IN vengeance for the disasters Of the former campaign, was
signaiized by 4 proceeding that has caused much discussion
In India and in Europe. The nam Of Lord EIelborough,
the Governor General Of British India, has been much mix
ed up with tins affair, and his proclamdIons and dJiugs res
pectng The Ggfes Of S0HiRdth, have been the subject Of
severe criticism, not generally understood here, for want Of
statement ci s-Th annexed account from an Indian
newspaper, gives Us the details, wh!ch are Of peculiar ind
varied interest
"Ab,uta hundred and eighty miles to The norhwestward
Of Bombay there stands upon the seacoasi, nearly ut the
southern extremity Of the peninsula Of Guzcrat, a Hini1o
temple, dedicated 10 SJmnath, or The LOri ot The Moon,
one Of the names Of Siva, the Destroyer.
Ia ancient times this was O. place Of considerable resort
Tor pilgrims from all parts If India, the HindoJs believing
that the IDOL was one VI tNCiy, images OF silva, which ac-
cording to the BrahminicaI legends, had come down from
heaven.
Attracted partly by the ambition Of distinguishing himself
by the destruction IT 80 renowned a stronghold OF idDlary.
and partly by the fame Of the great riches IL was reported u
possess, SOO!an Mainood Of Ghuzuoe made il the special
object oil twelfth and faa! expedition into India.
lie attacked the town OF SImnath, which was fortified
and Desperately defended, 30 the year 1924, and after o fierce
conflict obtained possession %. the temple. lie Instantly or.
dcTed the imagc o. be destroyed, Iu spite Of the earnest en-.
treaties Of the Bmhmi1s, who OF. red on enormous sum for
its ransom. M1Lmaod himself struck the first blow with
bis mace, declaring that De- would Doe known to postority as
the breaker, aud not the seller OF idols, when the image,
which was hollow, burst, and poured forth @ quantity ofdi.
Almonds aud other Jewels, whlrh had been concealed with.
IN u. that amply repaid the SoJitan for his rejection Of the
Brahnin's offer
Having thus asserted bis claim 10 ihe envied title Of N,
GhDsss, " Champion Of the Faith, SoJlinn Nahmood re
turned 10 AfgbauIsinu, carrying with him The sandal wood
doors Of The temple, which were afterwards attached ~ ht
tomb % Ghuzncc.
More than four hundred yrnr subsequently to this period
when the Mahomcdana had established tl-sulslyes pcma
nenly in Que government of tc province Ut Guzorai, o.,
iempIeo OF somnnih was raz"d 90 tie ground. The place d.
self, however, continued % bc regarded by the UiudJss 90
Sacred ground; and towards the end of the Ism century.
when bu3rut h1l brCuiYr many y,arI under iIindyo gov
cWntni- @ now temple was erected by tc celebrated Nah
m'ce pincc--, AbIyl BHyc, which i-atI r.1ri,d CO. by pl
gum- from different pIr-of western lluia, io great ob.oc
oi ndYf.Iun g%DlngnUv, us iorucry, dc common iut dcprri
ing symbpi which usually distinguishes the worship uf silva
IL b. 900 honor Of tris r,stured temple, aud in support o
the obscene superstition 10 which % b. devoted, that the feel
ings OF ihe whole Muhuucdau population Of IDdia h,y.
been outraged, aud ihnt the gates IT Somnaih have been I'd.
moved, and are nov being conveyed, with the most puiu,
demonstrations 10 respect aud reverence, under an escnr
commanded by British officers 10 confer fresh honor on tn
idol shuuoi
Che Goyonot General OF India bias published the followin
order end proclamation, Transitions Of which, in the mn
i've lauguatrs. hove ut the same time been circulate
through i' country oH1 tuck up in Persian ON the YER
gftos0i Delhi"
Hero follow the order IT lord E"cnboroupb. detailing 4,
EnEi-h military iTsr Co accompany and euard these idol.
irous m1nDuonts og ii'IT return 60 their ancient srfc. nn
10 b. ff1rIln1uou o. ai to Puncc., Chiefs and People
India, announcing with great p,npDuencss this re-t1ruo
2 OF their lost honor
Q The spiuted wnirr by whom the above account d. rive,
o. proceeds 90 attack LoId El.HlurYug,'s conduct in tie %
% TAR, in iWc scSerCst terms Of ccnsufc. lie shows that eve
10 on historical und political grounds, the restoration b. alt0a,
J. thcr Oh advised aud hur'ul-tiui the carrying away OF m
Ehte7 ui 9'mn'ih Voc The work ul % MahomcrHn cOnqur
J. or and inst now, a very large proportion Of tho people
% India arc Mahumcdnns, WIN rec Fui-e the rlu1es Of tho
u ancient chief, aud by whom the restoration will be regard,
D. a. an insult andtcandal ~ their religion aud themselves