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University of Karachi: Mahmud Ghaznavi
University of Karachi: Mahmud Ghaznavi
University of Karachi: Mahmud Ghaznavi
Department of History
(EVENING)
Mahmud Ghaznavi
(971 A.D-1030 A.D)
Seat No : EH1960043.
INTRODUCTION:
Mahmud Ghaznavi, one of the most controversial figures in South Asian history, is
known as one of the greatest invaders the world has ever seen. He was one of the few
leaders who were undefeated on the battlefield. Born in 979, Mahmud became Sultan of
Ghazni in 998. He inherited the small state of Ghazni from his father, Sobktejin, and built
it into an empire that lasted for nearly a century. He was a brave man and took part in all
the battles of his troops. Despite his interest in expanding his empire into Central Asia,
the maneuvers of Hindu Punjab rulers forced him to conquer South Asia. He came to
South Asia seventeen times and returned to Ghazni each time with a great victory. He
fought against the powerful forces of Jaibal, Annabal, Trunnochalpal, Kramta and the
combined forces of Hindu Rajas and Maharajas, but they all had to flee the battlefield due
to Mahmud's war strategy as a general. After conquest of Multan and Lahore, Mahmud
made Punjab part of his empire in 1021.
Unlike other great conquerors such as Alexander and Chingiz Khan, Mahmud did not
leave the occupied territories at the mercy of his soldiers. After becoming the first
Muslim ruler to conquer northern Punjab, he consolidated his rule in the region and
established his regional headquarters in Lahore. He established law and order in the areas
he ruled, paying special attention to the people he ruled. The police department and post
office were efficient. Its judicial system was very good because everyone was equal
before the law and justice was the system that prevailed today.
Mahmud was also a great patron of learning. His court was filled with scholars, among
them giants such as the poet Ferdowsi, the historian Bahqi, and Al-Biruni the multi-
talented scholar. It is said that he spent four hundred thousand dinars on scholars. He
invited scholars from all over the world and thus he was known as the Scientist's
Kidnapper. During the reign of Mahmud, Ghazni became one of the most important and
most beautiful cities in the Islamic world. It was a city of mosques, schools and libraries.
He also established a museum in Ghazni. During his reign, Lahore also became a major
center of learning and culture. Lahore was called "Little Ghazni". Saad Salman, the poet
of those times, wrote about the academic and cultural life of Lahore.
Mahmoud was also a very religious man. He himself wrote a book on jurisprudence. He
respected other religions. A large number of Hindus lived in Ghazni and enjoyed
religious freedom. One of their leaders was a Hindu Tilak. Many of the soldiers in his
army were Hindus as well. Mahmud attacked Hindu temples in India for political, not
religious, reasons.
PERSONILITY OF MAHMOOD:
Sultan Mahmud considered himself "God's shadow on earth", an absolute force whose
will is the law. He paid great attention to detail in almost everything, personally
supervising the work of every department of his diwan (administration).
Mahmud appointed all his ministers himself without notifying his minister (chief advisor)
or his diwan, although he sometimes had to do so, as his religion dictated that Muslims
consult with each other on all matters. Most of the time, he was suspicious of his
ministers, especially the vizier, and the following words are believed to be his: “Viziers
are enemies of kings...” Sultan Mahmud had many spies (called supervisors) in all of his
empire overseen by the special department in his court.
Mahmud was a patron of literature, especially poetry, and was sometimes found
accompanied by talented poets in his palace or in the royal garden. He was often
generous with them, paying large sums for their works according to their talent and value.
ATTACK ON SOMNATH
About a thousand years ago today, Mahmud Ghaznavid invaded Somnath, destroyed the
temple there, and returned to his homeland with the loot found there. This attack has left
countless impressions on the history of the Indian subcontinent.
Although this was not his first invasion of India, nor was the Somnath temple the only
one toppled by a ruler. Muslims weren't the only ruling class to attack the Hindu temple
in this way, either. Before attacking Somnath, Mahmud Ghaznavi had invaded Thanesar,
Mathura and many other areas and put an end to the Hindu dynasty in the region.