1. Historical Context:
In the early 14th century, the Hoysala kingdom was one of the prominent South Indian kingdoms, with its influence spanning across much of present-day Karnataka and parts of Tamil Nadu.
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2. Capture by Sultan Gius Ud Din:
In 1313, Hoysala king Ballala III found himself ensnared by the forces of Madurai Sultan Gius Ud Din. This marked the beginning of a tragic chapter in the Hoysala dynastyโs history.
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3. Grim Execution:
Following his capture, Ballala III endured a horrifying fate. He was reportedly strangled to death.
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4. Macabre Post-Mortem Treatment:
After his death, the sultan ordered an even more gruesome act. Ballalaโs skin was removed and his body was stuffed with straw, a method meant to serve as a powerful and terrifying message.
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5. Message to His Family:
Adding to the cruelty, Ballalaโs skin was sent to his wife and sons. This act was designed to demoralize and terrify his family and subjects, ensuring no further rebellion or resistance.
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6. Public Display in Madurai:
To further cement his dominance and send a chilling warning to others, the Sultan had Ballalaโs stuffed body hanged on the walls of Madurai. This gruesome display was a stark reminder of the cost of defiance.
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7. Source:
These events were chronicled by the famous traveler and historian, Ibn Battuta, in his work, Travels of Ibn Battuta. His accounts provide a window into the brutal and often shocking realities of ISLAMIC politics and warfare.