The Cruel Islamic Invasion and Plunder in India — Mahmud of Ghazn
The world-renowned historian Will Durant wrote in his famous work The Story of Civilization:
“The Islamic invasion of India is probably the bloodiest story in history.”
Before the arrival of Islamic imperialism, India might not have been entirely peaceful, but wars among Hindu kings followed certain codes of honor and religious restraint.
Rules of War in Ancient India:
- Brahmins and monks were never harmed.
- The killing of cows was strictly prohibited.
- Temples and monasteries were never desecrated.
- Women’s honor was always protected.
- The general public was neither killed nor enslaved.
- Their homes were not attacked or looted.
- There was no concept of “Maal-e-Ghanimat” (spoils of war — division of women, wealth, goods, and children).
- Wars were declared in advance, and fighting ceased at night so that both armies could rest.
The Mindset of the Islamic Invaders
The Islamic invaders came with the Sunnah (teachings, sayings, and actions) of the Prophet as the basis of their warfare.
Their ideology dictated that after the enemy was defeated or fled:
- Villages and towns should be plundered,
- Women should be raped,
- Children and women should be enslaved,
- Homes should be burned down,
- And non-believers (Kafirs) should be killed.
Cows, Brahmins, and monks were their prime targets.
Temples and monasteries were their main objectives for looting and destruction.
Those who survived the massacre were captured, enslaved, and sold in markets.
For them, the measure of military success was —
“How many corpses were left behind and how much wealth was looted.”
All of this was done in the belief that by serving “Allah and the Prophet,” they would become Mujahids and Ghazis and earn the pleasures of Jannah (paradise).
The First Experience of Terror for Indians
For Indians, such brutality was something completely new and terrifying.
The historical text Kanhadade Prabandha records:
“The victorious army burned villages, destroyed fields, looted people’s property,
captured Brahmins, women, and children,
whipped them, and marched them in chains like a moving prison.
They were forced to embrace Islam.”
Rise of Mahmud of Ghazni
After the death of Subuktigin, his son Mahmud of Ghazni (born 971 CE) came to power.
He had received an excellent education in warfare, politics, and administration.
Subuktigin had appointed his younger son Ismail as successor, which Mahmud resented.
He defeated Ismail in battle, imprisoned him, and ascended the throne of Ghazni.
The Abbasid Caliph Al-Qadir Billah honored him with titles:
- Amin-ul-Millat (Protector of the Faith)
- Yamin-ud-Daula (Right Arm of the Empire)
Mahmud took an oath before the Caliph that:
“He would launch a military campaign against India every year.”
According to British historian Sir Henry Elliot,
Mahmud invaded India seventeen times.
Major Invasions of Mahmud of Ghazni
First Invasion (1000 CE)
He attacked the frontier towns and forts of India, plundered them, and returned to Ghazni.
Second Invasion
He returned with 10,000 cavalrymen with the declared aim of:
“Spreading Islam and destroying idols and temples.”
King Jaipal fought bravely but was defeated in the Battle of Peshawar.
15,000 Hindu soldiers were slain, and their corpses lay scattered across the battlefield.
Jaipal, along with his sons and grandsons, was captured.
Historian Utbi writes:
“They were brought before the Sultan bound with ropes as though criminals destined for hell.”
Jaipal secured his release by paying 250,000 dinars and 50 elephants,
but unable to bear the humiliation, he self-immolated.
Third Invasion
The king of Bhera, who had not aided Mahmud, was defeated and compelled to commit suicide.
Countless Hindus were massacred. Only those who embraced Islam were spared.
Fourth Invasion (1006 CE)
Mahmud attacked Multan, ruled by Abdul Fatah Daud, a follower of the Carmathian sect of Islam, whom Mahmud considered heretical.
The war lasted seven days. King Anandpal fought valiantly but was defeated.
Mahmud spared the population upon payment of 20,000 dirhams as fine.
He appointed Sukhpal, Jaipal’s grandson, as ruler and returned to Ghazni.
Fifth Invasion
When Sukhpal renounced Islam and rebelled, Mahmud attacked again, captured him, and imprisoned him.
Sixth Invasion (1008 CE)
This time against Anandpal.
Anandpal united the kings of Ajmer, Delhi, Ujjain, Gwalior, Kalinjar, and Kannauj into a confederation.
Women sold their jewelry, and the poor contributed their savings for the war effort.
The battle was ferocious.
30,000 Khokhar warriors fought bareheaded and barefoot, slaying thousands of Muslims.
Mahmud began to retreat in fear, but tragically, Anandpal’s elephant panicked and fled, causing chaos.
The Hindu army broke ranks, and the Muslims launched a devastating slaughter.
Attack on Nagarkot (Kangra)
The fort of Nagarkot held immense treasure.
After a long siege, it fell into Mahmud’s hands.
Historian Firishta records:
“Mahmud returned with 700,000 gold coins,
100 man of silver utensils,
200 man of gold,
2,000 man of silver,
and 20 man of precious gems.”
Historian Qutubi adds:
“As many camels as possible were loaded with loot,
and the rest was distributed among his soldiers.”
According to Dr. Ishwari Prasad:
“Having acquired enormous wealth, Mahmud’s greed only grew stronger,
which explains the astonishing frequency of his invasions.”
The saga of Mahmud of Ghazni’s plunder, brutality, and destruction cannot be confined to a single chapter.
Each of his campaigns etched a tale of blood and fire in the pages of Indian history.
(To be continued – in the next chapter…)
