Mahmud Ghaznavi was the first prominent Turkic ruler to invade India in 1000 AD. His repeated attacks targeted wealthy temples and prosperous cities, enabling him to amass huge riches. Although he did not attempt permanent conquest, his invasions exposed India’s vulnerabilities and encouraged further Turkish expansion, ultimately leading to the establishment of Muslim rule. ANSWER: (A) Mahmud Ghaznavi
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Mahmud Ghaznavi’s invasion of India in 1000 AD marked the beginning of large-scale Turkish incursions into the subcontinent. He attacked frontier regions ruled by the Hindu Shahi kingdom, weakening their control over Punjab. His raids focused on plundering wealthy temples and cities such as Mathura, Kanauj, and Somnath. These invasions revealed India’s internal political fragmentation, encouraging later invaders like Muhammad Ghori. Although Mahmud never aimed to rule India permanently, the massive wealth he extracted strengthened his empire in Central Asia. His repeated attacks exposed vulnerabilities in Indian defenses and played a major role in shaping future political developments.
ANSWER:
(A) Mahmud Ghaznavi