Hyderabad, March 1 -- All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday cited the works of American historian Richard M Eaton to claim that only 80 temples were destroyed during the "Muslim rule" in medieval India, while thousands of places of worship were demolished under several Hindu emperors.

"They say everywhere in media that temples were demolished 400 years ago. Richard M Eaton (American historian) writes in his book 'Temple Desecration and Muslim States in Medieval India' that 80 temples were destroyed from the 11th century until 1600 - during Muslim rule," Owaisi said while addressing a gathering at the 67th revival anniversary of AIMIM.

He stated that Pushyamitra Shunga, who was the founder of t...