The advent of Islam in India began with the arrival of Arab armies, who engaged in ba les with small

Hindu
kingdoms for centuries. Muhammad Bin Qasim established Arab rule in Sind in 712 AD, while Arabs also se led
in Malabar and the Coromandel Coast, known as Mappillais. Later, the Ghaznavids, led by Mahmud Ghazni, invaded
India mul ple mes, loo ng temples and expanding their empire. The Ghurids, under Muhammad Ghori, furthered
Islamic rule in India, leading to the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate by Qutubuddin Aibak in 1206.

Advent of Islam in India

 Ba le of Qadisiya: brought the Arab armies to the fron er of al-Hind. They struggled in the north-west and
fought with small Hindu kingdoms for around four centuries.

 Muhammad Bin Qasim Invasion: eventually established Arab rule in Sindh in 712 AD a er defea ng King
Dahir.

 While there were south Indian se lements in the Persian Gulf, Arabs too se led in Malabar and
the Coromandel Coast. Arabs who married Malabar women and se led on the West Coast were
called Mappillais (sons-in-law).

Ghaznavids in India

 Founding of the Ghaznavid Dynasty by Subuk gin: Subuk gin (Turkish slave commander) was
the founder of the Ghaznavid dynasty and led numerous expedi ons against the fron er outpost of the
Hindu Shahi dynasty.

 Mahmud Ghazni’s Invasions of India: Subuk gin’s son, Mahmud Ghazni, invaded India 17 mes.

o As a reward for his service to Islam, he received the tle of ‘Yamin al-Dawla’ from the Abbasid
Caliph.

o Thus, this dynasty was called Yamini.

 Defeat of Jaipal: He defeated Jaipal (Hindushahi ruler) in 1001 A.D.

 Ba le of Waihind: He defeated Anandpal (Jaipal’s son) in the Ba le of Waihind (1008-1009 AD).

 Conquest and Plunder: He a acked the ci es of Nagarkot, Thanesar, Mathura and Kanauj and looted
the Somnath temple in 1025 AD.

 Decline and Overthrow of the Ghaznavid Empire: A er the death of Mahmud, the Ghaznavid empire was
reduced to Ghazni and Punjab which was ul mately overthrown by their vassals, the Ghurids, from the
mountainous region east of Herat.

Ghurids in India

 First Invasion and Conquest of Multan: Muhammad of Ghor or Muhammad Ghori’s first invasion was against
Multan, which ul mately fell in 1175 AD.

 Ba le of Kayadara, 1178-79: He was defeated in Gujarat by Raja Bhimdev II (Chalukya/Solanki dynasty) in

o A er this defeat Ghori changed the course of his expedi on, consolida ng his posi on in Sind and
the Punjab.

 Expansion and Garrison Establishment: Through the 1180s and 1190s Ghori established garrisons in the
modern provinces of Punjab, Sind, and Haryana.

o These centres of military power soon a racted the in-migra on of mercenaries in search of
opportuni es.

 Wars with Prithviraj: He fought two wars with Prithviraj

o Second Ba le of Tarain (1192): It was one of the turning points in Indian history.

o Prithviraj suffered a crushing defeat and was eventually captured. Ghori restored him to his throne
in Ajmer.

o But on charges of treason, he was later executed, and Ghori’s trusted general Qutb-ud-din
Aibak was appointed as his deputy in India.

 Ba le of Chandawar (1194): Mohammad Ghori defeated Jai Chand (Gadhawal king of Kannauj).

o He looted the treasury of Gahadavala, occupied the city of Benaras and desecrated its temples.

o A er 1203, following the death of his brother, he le India.

 Qutubuddin Aibak: ul mately founded the Delhi Sultanate in 1206.

o Early Life and Enslavement: Ini ally a slave, he was raised in Nishapur and came under
the ownership of Ghori.

o Rise from Slavery: He began his career as head of the royal stables but later rose to military
command.

o Tasked with Consolida on: A er Ghori’s conquest of Delhi in 1193, Qutubuddin was tasked with
consolida ng Ghūrid conquests in northwest India.

o Subjuga on of the Ganges-Yamuna Region: He focused on subjuga ng areas between the Ganges
and Yamuna rivers and campaigned against resis ng Rajputs from 1195 to 1203.

o Succession A er Ghori’s Assassina on: Following Ghori’s assassina on in 1206, Qutubuddin

o Legacy and Succession of Qutubuddin Aibak: His son-in-law and successor, Iltutmish, built upon
Qutubuddin’s conquests to establish the independence of the Delhi sultanate.

Conclusion

The period marked by the advent of Islam in India witnessed significant military campaigns and the establishment of
Islamic rule over parts of the subcon nent. From Muhammad Bin Qasim’s conquest of Sind to Qutubuddin
Aibak founding the Delhi Sultanate, these events shaped the course of Indian history. The interac ons
between Islamic and Indian cultures during this me le a las ng impact on the region, influencing
its art, architecture, and society for centuries to come.