Expension of Islamic Empire under Ghaznavi Reign (998 - 1030 AD)
The most remarkable event in the history of medieval India was the rise of the Ghaznavid Empire. Islamic influence had gone moribund in the conquered areas by the 10th century AD as indigenous dynasties were replacing the Caliphate. While the rulers of these dynasties were mostly Muslim, the subjects followed an altered form of Islam by incorporating many elements of indigenized worship into Islam. It was even more worser in the borderlands of Afghanistan and India. Arab rule had almost completely disappeared from Sindh while Kabul and Gandhara achieved complete independence under the Buddhist and Hindu Shahis whose rule was regarded as a sort of golden age.
The eminent Indian historian Dr. R.C. Majumdar wrote that history should express the truth, without fear, envy, malice, passion or prejudice and irrespective of all extraneous considerations. This comment precisely sums up what is expected of a historian when he writes down a narration or a report or a book. He further emphasizes that the "sole aim" of the history "is to find out the truth by following the canons commonly accepted as sound by all historians".
Whether the past history glorifies anyone or is full of ugly incidents, the future generations must be told. There is no shame in telling the truth.
Mehmood Ghaznavi Mahmud Ghaznavi is a pivotal figure in Indian history who invaded India 17 times, laid the groundwork for future Muslim rule in India, and forever changed the course of its history. He is regarded as a champion of Islam by the Muslims; but he is no hero to Indians. No other Muslim invader invokes as much negative emotions, even bordering on hatred, as Mahmud. Interestingly, he has left much historical evidence for future scholars to research and analyze
Early Life:
Mahmud was the son of Sabuktigin, a Turko-Persian slave of the Yamini tribe who served Alptigin, the Turkish adventurer. Alptigin was earlier awarded the province of Ghazni is eastern Afghanistan by the Caliph of Baghdad in return for his military assistance. On Alptigin's death, Sabuktigin seized control of the kingdom and along with his son Mahmud brought the most of Afghnaitsna, Khorasan and eastern Iran under his sway. Sabuktigin's expansionist designs often brought him into conflict with Jayapala, the Hindu Shahi ruler of Kabul. A number of wars were fought without any significant results. Sabuktigin died in 997 and was succeeded by his son, Mahmud Ghaznav (b.c.971) who made himself the independent ruler of Ghazni in Afghanistan (r.977–97). Mahmud became ruler of Ghazni (r.999–1030) after defeating his brother in battle in 998.Invasion in India
Mahmud began a series of raids into northwestern India at the end of the 10th century. He raided as far as the present state of Uttar Pradesh in north central India. Mahmud did not attempt to rule Indian Territory except for the Punjab. He invaded India for seventeen times. Here is the list of his main invasions: -1000 AD: Indian Frontier Towns
War against Jaypal, Peshawar (1001-03 AD):
Jaypal was the king of Hindushahi Kingdom. Mahmud had already fought against him, when Subuktagin was the king of Ghazni. When Mahmud became the king, he decided to attack on Hindushahi Kingdom, as its king, Jaipal, was his old enemy. In 1001, Mahmud attacked on Hindushahi Kingdom. 15,000 Hindu army men were killed. Jaypal was defeated and captured. He was presented before Mahmud with his 15 other relatives. Mahmud looted all his wealth. He got 2,50,000 Dinar (a currency) to free Jaypal. About 5,00,000 Indians were taken to Ghazni as slaves. Though Jaipal was freed, but he refused to survive and he cast himself upon a funeral pyre and died. ·War against Anandpal
Anandapala was the son of Jaypal, who was defeated by Mahmud. Now Anandpal became the king of Hindushahi Kingdom. In 1008, Mahmud attacked on Anandpal. Anandpal called other Hindu kings to help him. The kings of Ujjain, Gwalior, Kalinjar, Kannauj, Delhi, Ajmer etc. came to help him with their armies. In the battlefield of Peshawar, both the armies remained standing before each other, but no one attacked each other. Meanwhile the Khokhars (a race) also came there to help Hindus. Mahmud deployed 6, 000 archers to attack. Khokhars attacked on Muslims and started to kill them. Approximately 5,000 Muslims were killed. Unfortunately, Jaipal’s elephant got mad and took him out of the battlefield. As soon as Jaypal left the battlefield, the Hindu army got confused and ran away. Muslims chased them and killed 20,000 Hindus. Thus, the best organized national efforts ever made by medieval Hindu India against the foreigners ended.Invasion of Nagarkot [Kangra]
Nagarkot was very famous for its wealth kept in its temples. So, Mahmud decided to invade Nagarkot. Like a swarm of locusts, his army destroyed everything in its path. Paralyzed with fear, the defenders opened the city’s gate and fell on the ground in submission. Mahmud got so much jewelry, gold and silver, that when he returned to his capital, his people congregated to see the incredible wealth of India It was the year of 1009.It was the year of 1009.
Invasion on Thanesar
Mahmud came to know that there was too much gold and diamonds in Hindu temples in the city of Thanesar. So, he ordered his army to attack. In 1014, he invaded Thanesar. Hindus wanted to reach on a compromise, but Mahmud refused. His army destroyed the city and plundered the sacred temples. This carnage was so terrible that the water of the stream became red with the blood of the innocents. Invasion on Mathura and KannaujIn 1018, Mahmud invaded Mathura. He was amazed to see huge and beautiful Hindu-temples in Mathura. No one dared to stop him. Thus, he entered into the city without any resistance. Hindu-temples were looted. Then, he attacked on Kannauj. It was January of 1019. King of Kannauj, Rajpal Pratihar did not dare to stop him and ran away. The invaders looted the sacred temples. Many innocent people were killed. Later, the king of Kannauj, Rajpal Pratihar accepted the superiority of Mahmud Ghaznavi and then Mahmud returned back.
Invasion on Kalinjar
Rajpal Pratihar, the king of Kannauj, accepted the superiority of Mahmud. This made other Rajput kings angry. The Rajput kings of Kalinjar, Gandda Chandel, with the king of Gwalior and others attacked on Kannauj and killed the king Rajpal Pratihar. Mahmud was unhappy with this. To punish the culprits, he attacked on Kalinjar. The king Gandda Chandel accepted the superiority of Mahmud. Mahmud got sufficient money from him and returned. It happened in the year of 1021.The Somnath expedition
Mahmud’s sixteenth invasion on India is very famous. This time, Mahmud attacked on the famous Somnath temple, in Gujrat. The Somnath temple was very famous for its treasures. There were one thousand priests to serve the temple. Hundreds of dancers and singers played before its gate. There was famous Linga, a rude pillar stone, adorned with gems embroidered with precious like stars, which decorated the shrine. In 1025, Mahmud Ghaznavi attacked on the Somnath temple. The brave Hindu Rajputs came forward to defend the temple. Shouting ‘Allah hu Akbar’, the enemy tried to enter into the temple. The Hindus fought very bravely and the invaders could not damage the temple. The battle lasted for three days. After three days, the invaders succeeded and entered into the Somnath temple. 5,000 Brahmans and Rajputs died in the battlefield. Mahmud ordered to destroy the sacred Linga. He looted the treasures of the temple. It is said that he got wealth worth 2, 00, 00, 000 Dinars. Definitely, it was one of his remarkable acts of military adventureThe Last Expedition
After looting the Somnath temple, when Mahmud was going back to Ghazni, the Jats attacked on his army. So, to punish the Jats, he returned and defeated them. It happened in the year of 1026. It was his last invasion on India. On April 30, 1030, he died in Ghazni at the age of 59 years.Online sources:
http://www.amritworld.com/main/?p=107#sthash.o9HTSINV.dpbs. ,
http://defence.pk/threads/mahmud-ghaznawi-loved-by-afghans-and-pakistanis-but-hated-by-indians.277785/page-11.