History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v2.c26.s1.2

v2.c26.s1.2

Towards the latter part of the 9th century the power of the Khalîfs of Baghdâd was sinking into that state of rapid decline which is the fate of all Eastern dynasties. During the reign of Al Mo'tamid, a.d. 870-891, Egypt became independent, and the northern province of Bukhârâ threw off the yoke under the governor appointed by the Khalîfah Nasr Ahmad, a grandson of Sâmân, a Tartar chief, who declared and maintained his independence, and so formed the Sâmânî dynasty. After the dynasty had existed about a century, Sabuktigîn, a Tûrkish slave belonging to a general of one of the last of the Samanian kings, rendered himself also independent of his master, and established himself in Ghaznî, of which he was governor, founding the well-known dynasty of Ghaznavides. His son and successor, Mahmûd, a.d. 997-1030, is one of the best-known kings in Indian History owing to his brilliant campaigns in India, and more especially that in which he destroyed the celebrated temple of Somnâth.