Throughout history, many Turkish and Muslim rulers have used the title of sultan, but the first sultan was Mahmud of Ghazni, who made great efforts to spread Islam by organizing many expeditions to India during his time. Let’s get to know the Turkish ruler Mahmut of Gazne, who was the first to use the title of sultan.
When we examine world history, we come across many different titles used by leaders. We can encounter titles such as shah, shah, shah, sultan, king, prince and many more in different states in history, but the title of sultan is a special title for Turkish and Muslim states. The first owner of the title of sultan, which was widely used among Turkish state leaders after accepting Islam On the other hand, Mahmud of Gazne, considered one of the most successful statesmen in history.
Mahmud of Ghazni lived a rather short life compared to many rulers. However, he is considered one of the most important statesmen and commanders in history due to his campaigns during his reign. In particular, his successive expeditions to India until the last years of his life literally engraved his name in history. Bride Who is the Turkish ruler Mahmud of Gazne, who was the first to use the title of sultan? Let’s get to know a little more closely.
Who was the first Turkish ruler to use the title of Sultan? Let’s get to know Mahmud of Ghazni:
Mahmud of Ghazna, also known as Mahmud Ghaznavi and Yemin al-Devlet Abdul Qasim Mahmut ibn Sebuk Tigin, He was born in 971 in the city of Bukhara, which is in today’s Uzbekistan. His father, Sebük Tigin, was a Mamluk commander of Turkish origin, and his mother was a princess from the Persian dynasty. The nickname Mahmud-i Zâbulî comes from his mother.
Mahmud of Ghazni was very keen on state affairs since his early youth. This curiosity was not in vain, because he himself was quite successful at it. He started to serve as the general governor of Khorasan at a young age. During his tenure as governor, he played an important role in suppressing many rebellions and maintaining public order.
During the period when Sebük Tigin was the leader and Mahmud of Ghazni was still a governor, it was among the Turks in the region. Islam is spreading slowly but Therefore, there were many conflicts. There were many small and large states in the region and communities that were not yet states but held power. In other words, the atmosphere when Mahmud of Ghazni ascended the throne was not very pleasant.
Who gave the title of sultan to Mahmud of Gazne, who ascended the throne?
When his father, Sebük Tigin, died, he wanted Mahmut’s brother İsmail to ascend to the throne. Ismail ascends the throne Mahmut does not accept this He attacked Ghazni with his loyal army and dethroned Ismali. Finally, Mahmud of Ghazni became the head of the Ghaznavid State in 998. There’s a lot of work to be done, because it’s pretty messy.
Ghazni Mahmut, as he ascended the throne, started to struggle with the neighboring states around him. He gave great wars first with the Karakhanids, then with the Seferis and finally with the Samanoğulları. Of course, the main purpose of these wars is to strengthen the power of their own state and to prevent possible threats. Another purpose of the wars is to strengthen Islam, which has just begun to spread among the Turks.
Ghaznavid Mahmud, who eventually established a fully independent state, reported the situation by sending envoys to the Abbasid Caliph Ahmed al-Kadir bi’l-Lâh. The caliph sends Mahmud of Gazne a hil’at, a crown, a flag, and most importantly, a Menşûr. Mahmud of Ghazni, together with Menşûr, He gained the title of sultan, meaning emperor, and became Sultan Mahmud of Gazne.
Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni sets his sights on India:
The one who secures the northern border by eliminating the neighboring states that pose a danger around it. Ghaznavid Sultan Mahmud set his sights further on India. At that time, the number of Muslims in India was almost non-existent. According to the Islamic belief, the Indians worshiped idols and they had to be fought against. The sultan of Islam could not ignore this.
Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni launched the first Indian expedition in 1001. He had a large army in front of him. Worse, There were hundreds of elephants in the army opposite. Mahmud of Gazne was using the turan or crescent tactic, which is the unique warfare tactic of the Turks. Step by step he was advancing through India, but the whole land could not be conquered in one day.
Between 1001 and 1027 with troops of different sizes There were 17 expeditions to India. Although he returned from some expeditions empty-handed, Sultan Mahmut of Ghazni never gave up and continued the struggle. Mahmud of Gazne, who conquered many regions, also took the title of gazi in this process and began to be known as Gazi Sultan Mahmut of Gazne. However, he was tired.
Death of Ghaznavid Gazi Sultan Mahmut:
Mahmud of Ghazni, from the moment he ascended the throne, did not sit idle for a moment. He spent most of his life on the battlefields. He eventually became tired and sick because he did not listen to any of the doctors’ advice. He died in 1030, at the age of 58. According to historians, Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni died due to tuberculosis.
The events that took place after every great ruler also happened after the death of Gazi Sultan Mahmut of Ghazni. history has repeated itself. With the Dandanakan War with the Seljuk State in 1040, the Ghazni State began to lose power and finally, in 1187, the Ghazni State was abolished by the Gurlus, a group of Afghan natives.
What did Mahmud of Ghazni do?
Mahmud of Ghazni is considered one of the most important statesmen and commanders in history. Thanks to what he did during his tenure as governor and after his accession to the throne. occupied an important place in history. Ghaznavid Mahmut, who was also a poet, gave great importance to scientists and artists in his palace. In fact, the work called Şehname, written by Firdevsi, was presented to Mahmud of Gazne for the first time.
The deeds of Mahmud of Ghazni, which literally engraved his name in history with golden letters, gave him the title of sultan and gazi. His struggles in the name of Islam. According to many historians, Islam would not have spread so successfully among Turks had it not been for Gazi Sultan Mahmud of Gazne. Millions of Muslims living in India today owe their meeting with Islam to Mahmud of Ghazni.
During the reign of Gazi Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni, large and small The Turkish states were gathered under a single roof of belief. Paying attention to domestic politics as well as foreign policy, Mahmut of Gazne always kept the welfare of the people at the forefront and prevented the people from being victimized even during the numerous wars he waged. In other words, Mahmud of Gazne gave his title and ruled like a real sultan.
The first Turkish ruler to use the title of Sultan Who is Mahmud of Ghazni? We answered the question and talked about the details you need to know about the life of Mahmud of Gazne. It is necessary to evaluate the events in history not according to today, but according to the period in which they happened. You can share your thoughts about Gazneli Mahmut in the comments.