Read the following passage :
Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni was a contemporary of Rajendra I. During his campaigns in the subcontinent, he also attacked the temples of defeated kings and looted their wealth and idols. Sultan Mahmud was not a very important ruler at that time. But by destroying temples – especially the one at Somnath – he tried to win credit as a great hero of Islam. In the political culture of the Middle Ages, most rulers displayed their political might and military success by attacking and looting the places of worship of defeated rulers.
Now answer the following questions.
a. Which Chola ruler was the contemporary of Rajendra I?
b. What is called the Subcontinent?
c. Why did Mahmud of Ghazni destroy temples?
d. What was the prevalent political culture of the middle ages?
e. Who looted the Somanath temple?
