715 AD: Suleman Bin Abdul Malik takes Umayyad power — stops further advancement into the subcontinent
1st phase of Muslim expansion = Sindh + South-Western Punjab up to Multan
2nd phase begins after Turkish power established at Ghazni — uses North-Western routes
Rise of the Turks
With Arab decline, "sword of Islam" passes to Turks from Central Asia
Turks establish themselves in Afghanistan
962 AD: a Turkish officer of the Samanid Dynasty establishes himself at Ghazni
Sebuktigin (942–997): extends the kingdom; conquest of Lamaghan brings him face-to-face with the Hindu Shahi Dynasty; 2 victories expose weakness of Indian armies
Mahmud of Ghaznavi (971–1030)
Becomes ruler in 997, after father Subuktigin's death
Launches 17 invasions against the Hindu Raj in the subcontinent
Demolishes the temple of Somnath (a source of Hindu financial aid against Muslims)
Raids north and the rich kingdom of Gujrat (western coast)
"Ideal of Muslim chivalry" — not just a soldier:
Built mosques, libraries, bridges, educational institutions at Ghazni
Attracted top literary figures from Central Asian Muslim states