Mahmoud Ghaznavi: Conqueror of India

 

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Today, we will discuss about Mahmoud Ghaznavi, Turkish King at Afghanistan from Ghaznavid Dynasty  , one Turkish Dynasty that separated from Samanid Caliphate, who became conqueror of India. And, also his controvertial action. Why he destroy many Hindu Temples at India?. Please read this article until end and subscribe my blog for more informations about Islamic History and Civilizations. It is easy verb for you, but have big role for help our blog s development that focuss at Islamic History and Civilization. And, dont forget for read this article until end for get complete informations about this topic.

Ghaznavid Dynasty , originated from Alp Tigin,  one Turkish Slave who became slave from became guardian  from Samanid Dynasty, one Persian Dynasty at Central Asia. Alp Tigin, at 961 AD, became Samanid Governor at Khorasan ( East Iran).  One time,  Samanid Ruler doesnt love him. It is make Alp  Tigin went to east boundaries from Samanid Dynasty. At 962 AD, Alp Tigin seized Ghazna, Afghanistan. And, from Ghazna, he founded indepedent kingdom that named by Ghaznavid Dynasty. Alp Tigin s son in law, Subuktigin , who also became his successor , Subuktigin ( ruled from 976-997 AD), considered by Philip.K.Hitti, as real founder from Ghaznavid Dynasty.

And, golden age from Ghaznavid Dynasty, happened at era of Subuktigin s son, Mahmoud Ghaznavi., who born at 971 AD. Mahmoud,  who started his rule from became Samanid Commander at Khorasan with titled Sayf ad-Dawla., ruled from 999-1030 AD. And, Mahmoud used Ghazna s position for conquer India. Ghazna, located at mount that from this mount, he can seeing India. At 1001-1024 AD, Mahmoud Ghaznavi attack  India for 17 times. According Philip.K.Hitti, he can occupied Punjab, Lahore, and Sindh ( now Pakistan).  And, according Philip.K.Hitti, at this time, Mahmoud rob many Hindu s Temples. According National Geographic,  main enemy from Mahmoud is Rajput s kings at India.

And, Mahmoud s expansions targets not only India.  Mahmoud also conquer many territories from Buyid Dynasty, one Persian Dynasty that can control Abbasid Dynasty at this age. Mahmoud, can conquer Jabal, Rayy, and Qazvin from Buyid Dynasty. And, Mahmoud also ended Samanid Dynasty s existency. Mahmoud, also kill many followers from Sect of Assasin, one killer sect that exist at Abbasid Dynasty s era. At Mahmoud s era, many territoroes at India, can conquered by Ghaznavid Dynasty.

Mahmoud s expansion, not run without controvertion. Syrian Historian Ibn Kathir, recorded, at 418 Hijriyya, Mahmoud entered India and destroy their biggest statue, Sumanat. At this year, Mahmoud also kill many Indians. That according Ibn Kathir, achieve 50.000 mens. Hindus Peoples , give Mahmoud s many assets for prevent Mahmoud destroy this statue. But, Mahmoud destroy this statue and he can rob gold, diamond, and gemstone.  Ibn Kathir recorded that at this time, this statue has 1000 guardians, 300 harircutters who cut hair from people that pilgrims to this statue, and 350 singers. India, at this time, can annexed by Mahmoud. According National Geographic, Ghaznavid Dynasty at era of Mahmoud s goverment, depend on cavalry archers army, one main tactic from Central Asia. And, from Ibn Kathir s explained, we can know, Mahmoud destroyed temples and statues for rob assets. Such as written by Philip.K.Hitti.

At this era, Abbasid Dynasty that have capital at Baghdad, Iraq, was weakened. According Marshal Hodgson, at this time, many Abbasid Provinces separated from caliphate. And, Byzantine Empire can re annexed Sicily, Highland of Anatolia, and several territories at Syria. Abbasid Caliph, al Qadir ( ruled 991-1031 AD) give Mahmoud title as Yamin ad-Dawla ( right hand of state). According Hitti, Mahmoud s territories achieved North India, Iraq, Khorasan, Takharistan,  Central Asia, and Sijjitan.  At 1030 Mahmoud die and his kingdom destroyed at 1186 AD, after long battle againt Seljuq, Khan, and Ghurid Dynasty. And, appear many small Muslims dynasty at India.

Refrences:
Hitti, Philip.K: History Of The Arabs: Rujukan Induk dan Paling Otoritatif Tentang Sejarah Peradaban Islam, Penerbit Serambi, 2006 M.

Tim Riset dan Studi Islam Mesir: Ensiklopedi Sejarah Islam, Pustaka Al-Kautsar, 2019 M.

Imam Ibnu Katsir: Al-Bidayah Wa an-Nihayah, Penerbit Insan Kamil, 2020 M.

Hodgson, Marshall: The Venture Of Islam: Imandan Sejarah dalam Peradaban Dunia: Masa Klasik Islam. Buku Kedua: Peradaban Khalifah Agung, Penerbit Paramadina, 2002 M.

Fuaddah, Muflika Nur: Islam Dinasti Ghaznawiyah Gilang Gemilang di Bawah Mahmud Ghazni - National Geographic, accesed 12 September 2025, 10: 31 AM.