Editing Ghaznavids (section)

====Indian conquests====
{{Main|Ghaznavid campaigns in India}}
[[File:Mahmud of Ghazni receiving Indian elephants as tribute (Majmu al-Tawarikh, Hafiz i-Abru, Herat, 1425).jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Mahmud of Ghazni receiving Indian elephants as tribute (''Majmu al-Tawarikh'', Hafiz i-Abru, Herat, 1425).<ref>{{cite web |title=An Indian Embassy before Sultan Mahmud of Ghanzna, from the "Majmal al-Tawarikh" of Hafiz-e Abru |url=https://worcester.emuseum.com/objects/11449/an-indian-embassy-before-sultan-mahmud-of-ghanzna-from-the|website=worcester.emuseum.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Flood |first1=Finbarr B. |title=Objects of Translation: Material Culture and Medieval "Hindu-Muslim" Encounter |date=20 March 2018 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0-691-18074-8 |page=80 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8MhJDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA80 |language=en}}</ref>]]
Mahmud of Ghazni led incursions deep into [[India]], as far as [[Mathura]], [[Kannauj]] and [[Somnath]]. In 1001, he defeated the [[Hindu Shahi]] in the [[Battle of Peshawar (1001)|Battle of Peshawar]]. In 1004-5, he invaded the [[Bhera|Principality of Bhatiya]] and in 1006 the neighbouring [[Emirate of Multan]].<ref name="DAA">{{cite book |last1=Ahmad |first1=Dr Aijaz |title=New Dimensions of Indian Historiography : Historical Facts and Hindutva Interpretation |date=6 March 2022 |publisher=K.K. Publications |page=145 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AttiEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA145 |language=en}}</ref> In 1008-9, he again vanquished the [[Hindu Shahis]] at the [[Battle of Chach]], and established Governors in the conquered areas.<ref name="DAA" /> In India, the Ghaznavids were called ''Turushkas'' ("Turks") or ''Hammiras'' (from the Arabic ''Amir'' "Commander").{{sfn|Eaton|2019|p=29}}

In 1018, he laid waste the city of [[Mathura]], which was "ruthlessly sacked, ravaged, desecrated and destroyed".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Grousset |first1=René |title=The Empire of the Steppes: A History of Central Asia |date=1970 |publisher=Rutgers University Press |isbn=978-0-8135-1304-1 |page=146 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CHzGvqRbV_IC&pg=PA146 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Sethi |first1=R. R. |last2=Saran |first2=Parmatma |last3=Bhandari |first3=D. R. |title=The March of Indian History |date=1951 |publisher=Ranjit Printers & Publishers |page=269 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LbNGAAAAMAAJ |language=en}}</ref> According to [[Firishta|Muhammad Qasim Hindu Shah]], writing an "History of Hindustan" in the 16th-17th century, the city of Mathura was the richest in India. When it was attacked by Mahmud of Ghazni, [[Art of Mathura|"all the idols" were burnt and destroyed]] during a period of twenty days, gold and silver was smelted for booty, and the city was burnt down.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Firishtah |first1=Muḥammad Qāsim Hindū Shāh Astarābādī |title=The history of Hindustan. Vol. 1 |date=2003 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publisher |isbn=978-81-208-1994-8 |page=60 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bTyRYXtxMSEC&pg=PA60 |language=en}}</ref> In 1018 Mahmud also captured [[Kanauj]], the capital of the [[Pratihara dynasty|Pratiharas]], and then confronted the [[Chandelas of Jejakabhukti|Chandelas]], from whom he obtained the payment of tribute.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mitra |first1=Sisir Kumar |title=The Early Rulers of Khajur |date=1977 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ. |isbn=978-81-208-1997-9 |pages=81–82 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=irHN2UA_Z7gC&pg=PA81 |language=en|edition=Second Revised }}</ref> In 1026, he raided and plundered the [[Somnath temple]], taking away a booty of 20 million dinars.{{sfn|Yagnik|Sheth|2005|pp=39–40}}{{sfn|Thapar|2004|pp=36–37}}

The wealth brought back from Mahmud's [[India]]n expeditions to Ghazni was enormous, and contemporary historians (''e.g.'', [[Abolfazl Beyhaghi]], [[Ferdowsi]]) give glowing descriptions of the magnificence of the capital and of the conqueror's munificent support of literature.<ref>{{EB1911|inline=y|wstitle=Ghazni|volume=11|pages=917–918}}</ref> Mahmud died in April 1030 and had chosen his son, Mohammed, as his successor.{{sfn|Bosworth|1963|p=228}}