Mahmud Ghazni's Invasions in India
Introduction:
After the Arab penetration into Sindh, Turks made inroads into India in the 11th Century, and the credit of establishing Muslim rule in India goes to them.
I. Ghaznivid Dynasty
A. Alptigin founds Ghaznivid dynasty in 963.
B. Subuktigin succeeds Alptigin.
C. Mahmud overthrows Ismail in 998 and becomes famous as Mahmud Ghazni.
II. Condition of India on the Eve of Mahmud Ghazni's Invasion
A. North India was divided into independent states.
B. Hindushahi kingdom existed on the frontier of India.
C. Independent kingdoms existed in Bengal, Gujarat, Malwa, Bundhelkhand, and South India.
III. Mahmud Ghazni's Invasions
A. Mahmud's invasion was purely religious and economic, not political.
B. He invaded India 17 times between 1000 and 1027 CE.
C. The initial raids were against the Hindu Shahi kingdom.
D. He attacked Nagarkot in the Punjab hills, Thaneshwar near Delhi, Kanuaj, and the Gangetic valley.
E. In 1025, he attacked Somanath and plundered the temple, destroying the sacred idol, Linga.
IV. Estimate
A. Mahmud built a wide empire from the Punjab to the Caspian Sea and from Samarkand to Gujarat.
B. His conquest of Punjab and Multan changed the political situation in India.
C. He is considered a hero of Islam by medieval historians.
D. He patronized art and literature, including Firdausi and Alberuni.
Conclusion:
Mahmud Ghazni successfully invaded Indian territories 17 times, changing the political situation in India and paving the way for further conquests by Turks and Afghans. Despite his controversial actions, he is considered a hero of Islam and left a legacy of patronizing art and literature.
