Medieval History notes · Chapter 2 of 15 · Arab and Turkish invasions · 998–1030
Mahmud of Ghazni
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At a glance
- The Ghaznavids, a Turkish dynasty based at Ghazni in Afghanistan, raided north India repeatedly under Mahmud (998–1030). His aim was plunder, not rule — Punjab was the only Indian region he kept.
Timeline
- c. 962 Alptigin, a Turkish slave commander of the Samanids, establishes himself at Ghazni
- 977 Sebuktigin, Alptigin’s slave and son-in-law, founds the dynasty proper and clashes with the Hindushahi king Jayapala
- 998 Mahmud becomes ruler of Ghazni
- 1000–01 Raids begin; Hindushahi king Jayapala defeated near Peshawar
- 1008–09 Anandapala (Jayapala’s son) defeated; Nagarkot (Kangra) temple plundered
- 1014 Thanesar raided
- 1018 Mathura and Kannauj plundered; the Pratihara ruler Rajyapala flees
- 1025–26 Somnath temple in Gujarat sacked; Chaulukya king Bhima I flees
- 1030 Mahmud dies at Ghazni
Check yourself
Who established Ghaznavid power at Ghazni?
Alptigin (c. 962); the dynasty was consolidated by his slave and son-in-law Sebuktigin.
What were Mahmud of Ghazni’s regnal years?
998–1030.
How many times did Mahmud raid India?
17 times (1000–1027).
Which Hindushahi king did Mahmud defeat near Peshawar?
Jayapala (1000–01).
When did Mahmud sack Somnath?
1025–26. The temple was in Gujarat, then ruled by the Chaulukya king Bhima I.
Which two cities did Mahmud plunder in 1018?
Mathura and Kannauj.
Where was the Nagarkot temple that Mahmud plundered?
Kangra (Himachal Pradesh), 1008–09.
Rise of the Ghaznavids
- The 10th century saw the rise of the Ghaznavids — Turkish slave officers who had served the Samanid rulers of Central Asia.
- Founder: Alptigin (at Ghazni, c. 962), followed by Sebuktigin (977–97), who first fought the Hindushahi king Jayapala.
- Consolidation came under Mahmud of Ghazni (998–1030).
Mahmud: titles and aims
- Contemporaries called him Sultan; he is often described as the first ruler to carry that title.
- The Abbasid Caliph al-Qadir recognised him and gave him the title Yamin-ud-Daula (“right hand of the state”) — hence the name of Utbi’s history, Tarikh-i-Yamini.
- Made 17 incursions into India between 1000 and 1027 (the count comes from Sir Henry Elliot).
- Aim:
- not to occupy and govern Indian territory
- loot the rich temples and cities to finance his wars in Central Asia
- incorporate Punjab (with Lahore) — his only permanent annexation
- Temples were targeted because they held large stores of gold, jewels and donations.
Check yourself
What was Mahmud’s main aim in India?
Plundering rich temples and cities, not conquest — he annexed only Punjab.
Which title did the Abbasid Caliph give Mahmud?
Yamin-ud-Daula (“right hand of the state”).
Which Indian region did Mahmud permanently annex?
Punjab, with Lahore.
Why Mahmud succeeded
- North India was politically divided after the decline of the Pratiharas, and the Rajput kingdoms did not combine against him.
- His fast-moving cavalry and mounted archers outclassed slower Indian armies built around elephants.
Impact
- Drained wealth from north India and broke the Hindushahi and Pratihara powers.
- Ghaznavid control of Punjab opened the door for the later Ghurid invasions.
- Scholars and poets at his court made Ghazni a major cultural centre.
Sources and writers
| Writer | Work | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Al-Biruni | Kitab-ul-Hind (Tahqiq-i-Hind) | In Arabic. Came to India with Mahmud, learnt Sanskrit, and described Indian science, religion and society |
| Firdausi (Ferdowsi) | Shahnama | Persian epic of the kings of Iran, presented to Mahmud |
| Al-Utbi | Tarikh-i-Yamini | In Arabic; history of Sebuktigin and Mahmud |
| Abul Fazl Bayhaqi | Tarikh-i-Bayhaqi | In Persian; detailed history of the Ghaznavid court |
Check yourself
Who wrote Kitab-ul-Hind, and in which language?
Al-Biruni, in Arabic. He came to India with Mahmud.
Who wrote the Shahnama?
Firdausi (Ferdowsi).
Who wrote Tarikh-i-Yamini?
Al-Utbi.
Who wrote Tarikh-i-Bayhaqi?
Abul Fazl Bayhaqi.
Source check
- Where the mindmap differs from standard textbooks. Use the standard version in the exam.
Mindmap says: Jayapala defeated in 1000 CE
Standard texts: The raids began in 1000, but the decisive battle with Jayapala near Peshawar is usually dated 1001.
Standard texts: The raids began in 1000, but the decisive battle with Jayapala near Peshawar is usually dated 1001.
All 15 chapters of Medieval History notes
- Arab conquest of Sindh8 sections
- Mahmud of Ghazni7 sections
- Muhammad Ghori9 sections
- Mamluk (Slave) dynasty10 sections
- Khalji dynasty13 sections
- Tughlaq dynasty7 sections
- Sayyid dynasty4 sections
- Lodi dynasty5 sections
- Bahmani kingdom10 sections
- Vijayanagara empire11 sections
- Karnata dynasty5 sections
- Oinwar dynasty5 sections
- Mughal empire15 sections
- Sur dynasty7 sections
- Marathas7 sections