the Abbasid Caliph in Baghdat to acknowledge his rulership of Horasan and Gazna and to declare by written decree that the Caliph himself was no longer the sovereign in those regions.

Gaznaly Mahmyt made an agreement with the Ilek Han and the weakened Samanids and thus made joint military expeditions with that powerful army to India. He enterd India seventeen times between the years 1001 and 1026. He expanded his borders, captured well beyond Kashmir and Punjab, and added Kanuj and Mutturun in 1018, and Anhalwar - the capital of Gujarat - and Somnat into his lands in 1024 (415). With all these campaigns, he not only became rich but also aimed to eliminate robbery, pillage, injustice and idol-worshipping. He was renowned as the ‘idol-bringer down’ and returned to his land with wealth and treasure accumulated from those temples. The effect of these expeditions on India was enormous: Punjab completely submitted to his rule and Gujarat conceded the amount of the tax to be paid to Mahmyt. Apart from in India, he also ran military campaigns against Ilek Han and his land, and captured Gur in 1010, Murgap in 1012, and Samarkand and Buhara in 1016. Towards the last years of his reign, he realised that Togrul and Cagry Begs, whom he had protected, were starting to become a threat to him. Togrul and Cagry Begs remained loyal to and dependent on the Gaznaly State till 1027 (418). After the death of Mahmyt, their names become heard louder and more frequently.

Mahmyt’s interest in science, literature and art and his patronage of scholars and scientists were no less than his statesmanship and commandership. He hosted and protected poets, such as Firdewsi, in his palace. His land, particularly the city Gazna, was far ahead and superior to others with respect