The decimation of the Indian royal houses, the plunder of the Indian hearths and homes and desecration of temples and images by Mahmud and his army caused deep pain and anguish in Al- Beruni’s mind. Characteristically, he wrote: “Mahmud utterly ruined the prosperity of the country, and performed those wonderful exploits by which the Hindus became like atoms of dust scattered in all directions, and like a tale of old in the mouths of the people.
Their remains cherish, of course, the most inveterate aversion towards all Muslims. This is the reason, too, why Hindu sciences have retired far away from those parts of the country conquered by us, and have fled to places which our hand cannot yet reach-to Kashmir, Benaras and other places.”