The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c11.127.1

v1.c11.127.1

The next period in the history of Sind, which roughly extends from the first quarter of the 11th century down to the 16th century, is the history of the gradual encroachment of the Turks from the North. Though the internal administration of the country probably did not materially differ, being left as heretofore in the hands of petty local Hindu chiefs, the Arab was gradually replaced by the Turk as the dominating power in the Lower Indus Valley. But the details of the history of this period are as obscure as the previous period. We have already referred to the incidents that led to the practical liberation of Sind from the control of the Caliphs.¹ The accession of Sabuk-tigīn to the throne of Ghazni in 977 A.D. led to the foundation of a powerful Turkish kingdom on the Indian frontier which approximately synchronised with the decline of the Sāmānids of Transoxania. The conquests of Sabuk-tigīn and those of his son Maḥmūd soon brought the principalities in Sind within the radius of their campaigns. Quṣdār (al-Quzdār) is mentioned amongst the earliest conquests of Sabuk-tigīn.² The conflicts with the *Sāhis* of Afghanistan and Western Punjab and the conquest of Bhera (Bahātih; *c.* 395 = A.D. 1004) which was situated on the left bank of the Jhelum under the Salt Range, brought the Yamīnī dynasty to the borders of Multan.