2.2 Turkish Invasions — Mahmud of Ghazni (c. 997–1030 CE)

2.2 Turkish Invasions — Mahmud of Ghazni (c. 997–1030 CE)

• Mahmud of Ghazni — ruler of the Turkish Ghaznavid dynasty (Afghanistan), son of Sabuktigin.
• Ruled Ghazni from 998–1030 CE; led 17 raids/invasions into India (approx., between c. 1000–1027 CE) — primarily for plunder of wealth, not permanent territorial conquest (except Punjab, which he annexed to the Ghaznavid empire).
• Major raids:
  • Defeated Jayapala (Hindu Shahi ruler of Punjab) in 1001 CE at the Battle of Peshawar.
  • Defeated Jayapala's son Anandapala later.
  • Sacked the Somnath Temple (Gujarat, dedicated to Shiva) in 1025 CE — most infamous raid; destroyed the idol and looted immense wealth; the Somnath raid is one of the most frequently asked dates in SSC/RRB exams.
  • Also raided Kannauj, Mathura, Thanesar.
• Annexed Punjab (with capital at Lahore) to the Ghaznavid empire — first permanent Turkish foothold in India.
• His court included the historian/scholar Al-Biruni, who wrote "Tahqiq-i-Hind" (Kitab-ul-Hind), a valuable account of Indian society, science, and culture in the 11th century.
• Also patronised the Persian poet Firdausi, author of the Shahnama.

Key Facts / Quick Revision Points

• Mahmud of Ghazni: ruled 998–1030 CE; made ~17 raids into India.
• Somnath Temple raid: 1025 CE (most important date).
• Al-Biruni — wrote Tahqiq-i-Hind (Kitab-ul-Hind) — accompanied Mahmud.
• Firdausi — wrote Shahnama — court poet of Mahmud.
• Annexed Punjab to Ghaznavid Empire — no permanent Indian empire established beyond that.