भारतीय इतिहास के ६ स्वर्णिम पृष्ठ (वीर सावरकर - विदेशी आक्रान्ताओं पर विजय गाथा)

of Delhi. Not a Fruitless Martyrdom! 817. Thus were the two valiant associates of the Hindu Emperor, Dharmarakshak (Nasir-ud-din) forced to court martyrdom! But their martyrdom lent a wonderful strength to the morale of the Hindu Nation. For, the fact that in Delhi itself, was established a Hindu Empire, which could powerfully and effectively govern the Muslim States, Nawabs, and Muslim populace throughout India for nearly a year, helped the Hindu kings and the Hindu people to shake off the dominant influence of the Muslim political superiority, which had for centuries overawed the Hindu mind. The myth of this Muslim political superiority as at once exploded and a rare confidence was inspired amongst the Hindus that, were they but to run a little risk, they would also be able to crush the Muslim political hold on them. Shree Dharmarakshak courted martyrdom in 1321; it was soon followed by the risings in Hindu States in the north and south of India. The Muslim provinces round about Delhi, too, began fighting with the Muslim imperial power at Delhi in order to establish their own dynasties in their own provinces. In the end, hardly within fifteen to sixteen years of the martyrdom of Shree Dharmarakshak, the Muslim imperial authority at Delhi became extremely weak, and a powerful Hindu revolt culminated in the establishment of a completely independent Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagar, the detailed account of which must necessarily be deferred to next chapter. ❑