The Sack of Somnath in 1026 was a military campaign orchestrated by Mahmud of Ghazni, a ruler of the Ghaznavid Empire, directed against the Chaulukya dynasty of Gujarat.

This is considered Mahmud's fifteenth invasion of India, which saw strategic captures and decisive battles and culminated in the destruction of the revered Somnath Temple.

This event remains a historical symbol of cultural clash and religious desecration during Mahmud's military campaigns in medieval India.

By the end of December, he entered the Chalukya territories, prompting its ruler, Bhima I, to flee to Kachchh upon hearing of the Ghaznavid approach, fearing for his life.

[4] Conducting a naval attack near the Indus River, Mahmud of Ghazni inflicted a severe defeat on the Jats, compelling them to retreat with substantial losses.