In 963, Alaptigin, a Turkic slave, captured Ghazni and created an independent kingdom in eastern Afghanistan. However, he perished shortly when Mahmud Ghazni succeeded the thrown by defeating Ismail .
The Arab Invasions
There are varied perspectives on this matter :
1. The Arab expansionist program prioritized the spread of Islam.
2. Sindhi pirates faced severe challenges. The Arabs sought to monopolize the spice trade with India, which was crucial to their economy. When Sindhi pirates obstructed ships and the ruler refused cooperation, the governor of Iraq attempted to sanction the rulers implicated.
Source of this event
Two important books as sources:
1. First is Chachnama (Arabic text) by Abu Bakr Kufi.
2. The second important source is Futuh al Baldan, by Al Baladhuri.
Conquest
In 712 AD, the governor of Iraq, Al Hajjaj, sent Mohammad bin Qasim to cross the Indus River to fight Dahir’s vast army.
During the Battle of Rawar, Dahir was defeated and killed near Brahmanabad.
Mohammad bin Qasim conquered Sindh’s capital, Alor, in 712 AD. In 713 AD, he pushed towards Multan and captured the city. However, his journey was cut short when he was repatriated following these conquests.
Impact
View 1 : The seizure of Sindh had limited impact on the country as a whole. According to Lane Pool, the Arab conquest of Sindh was a “triumph without results,” affecting only a peripheral region. W. Haig refers to this incident as ‘simply an episode,’ as the region experienced a three-century hiatus from invasions following Qasim’s mission.
View 2 : As India and the Islamic world grew closer, they shared cultural influences and expertise. Arabic translations of Indian scriptures, including Brahma Siddhanta and Panchatantra, are known as Kalila and Dimna. Cultural exchange promoted trade and business. This conversation marked the beginning of Islam’s influence. As a result, Islamic control gradually spread throughout the region.
Mahmud Ghazni
- After three failed heirs, the nobles enthroned Subuktagin.
- Subuktigin launched the southerly spread into the Indian subcontinent.
- After defeating Afghanistan’s Shahi ruler, Jayapal, he appointed his eldest son, Mahmud, as administrator of the region.
- When Subuktagin died in 997, Mahmud was in Khursan. His younger son, Ismail, was named his successor.
- After defeating Ismail in a battle, Mahmud, at the age of 27, succeeded to the kingdom. The Caliph recognized his accession by sending him a robe of investiture and awarding the title Yamini-ud-Daulah (‘Right-hand of the Empire’).
Motives of Mahmud Ghazni :
Mahmud of Ghazni, also recognized as Mahmud Ghaznavi, held several motivations during
his rule in the 11th century, as outlined below :
Wealth and loot : Mahmud Ghazni invaded the Indian subcontinent, especially northern India, to loot temples and cities. The new wealth was crucial for consolidating his kingdom and funding future military attempts.
Political Power and Expansion : Mahmud Ghazni aimed to expand his dominion and establish supremacy in the region. Conquests in northern India allowed for geographical expansion and enhanced political influence, fitting with his ambition of constructing a powerful empire to rival other major powers.
Spreading Islam : Mahmud Ghazni, a Muslim, expressed a desire to expand Islam, although his motivation was not solely religious. Nevertheless, he promoted Islam by targeting Hindu and Buddhist temples and replaced them with mosques. His approach was driven by both religious and political motivations.
Differing Views on Religious Zeal : Historians such as Professor Habib argue that Mahmud Ghazni lacked religious enthusiasm and was not a fanatic. Professor Jafar argued that Mahmud’s motivation for assaulting Hindu temples was not primarily religious. Historians suggest that the temples’ wealth may have been a motivating factor.
Military Glory and Legacy : Mahmud Ghazni was renowned for his military prowess
and harbored a desire to leave behind a powerful and enduring legacy. His victories
and conquests in battle aimed to secure a lasting reputation as a great conqueror and
ruler, contributing to his pursuit of military glory and a lasting historical imprint.
Mahmud Ghazni invasion
- According to historians, Mahmud Ghazni launched 17 invasions, including the Battle of Peshawar in 1001 AD, which led to the defeat of Hindu Shahi monarch Jaipal. In 1004-05 AD, Mahmud successfully conquered Multan despite opposition from Hindu Shahi ruler Anand Pal, who was eventually succeeded by Trilochan Pal.
- In 1011 AD, Mahmud pillaged Thaneshwar in Haryana. During the year 1018, he assaulted Bulandshahar, Mathura, and Kannoj.
- Mahmud defeated Chandela ruler Vidyadhar in 1020 AD. In 1025 AD, he invaded Somnath, a temple with a rich history. In 1027 AD, Mahmud again attacked the Jats.
- Mahmud Ghazni passed away in 1030 AD, marking the end of a series of invasions that left a significant impact on the history of the region.
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