Ghaznavid Empire

The Ghaznavid Empire (977-1186 CE) was a powerful Turkish-Persian dynasty ruling Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and parts of India. Founded by Sebük-Tegin and reaching its zenith under Mahmud of Ghazni, it became renowned for military prowess, cultural patronage, and spreading Islam to India.

Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni (361-421 AH / 971-1030 CE) was the most powerful Ghaznavid ruler, campaigning into the Indian subcontinent for nearly thirty years and making Ghazni a centre of Persian culture and Islamic learning. He was the first sovereign of Islam styled Sultan by the caliphs of Baghdad.