Age of Invasions
712 CE – Mohamed Bin Qasim, an Arab invaded Sind which was ruled by Dahir.
1025 CE – Mahmud of Ghazni invaded the subcontinent
- Mahmud of Ghazni was the first independent ruler of the Ghaznavid dynasty, reigning from 998 to 1030.
- He is known for his numerous invasions of the Indian subcontinent, conducted primarily to plunder wealth and spread Islam.
- Mahmud conducted seventeen expeditions into India, targeting wealthy temples and cities, including the famous Somnath temple in 1025.
- His raids were marked by systematic looting, destruction of temples, and accumulation of immense wealth, which he used to consolidate his power in Central Asia.
- His invasions paved the way for subsequent Muslim rule in India, leading to the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate.
- Al Beruni (from Uzbekistan) who later wrote ‘Kitab-ul-Hind’ came to India with him.
1191 – 1192 CE – Battle of Tarain
- First Battle of Tarain (1191): Fought between Prithviraj Chauhan, the Rajput king of Delhi and Ajmer, and Muhammad Ghori. Prithviraj emerged victorious.
- Second Battle of Tarain (1192): Muhammad Ghori returned with a larger army and defeated Prithviraj Chauhan. This battle marked the beginning of Muslim dominance in Northern India.
- The Battle of Tarain significantly shifted the power dynamics in Northern India, facilitating the expansion of Islamic rule in the region.