The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c12.149.4

v1.c12.149.4

The latter place was put in charge of an official of Ghazni with a force of 10,000 horse.² The possession of the strategic outpost at Peshawar placed the remaining territories of Jayapāla at the mercy of the Yamīnīs, and they were not long in taking advantage of their position. Sabuk-tigīn died in 997 A.D. After a short interval his son Maḥmūd succeeded him and at once renewed hostilities against the *Sāhis*. In 1000 A.D., apparently without any provocation on Jayapāla's part, Maḥmūd appears to have invaded the districts west of the Indus capturing "many forts and provinces."¹ But this was only a *reconnaissance en force*, a mere prelude to a more ambitious attempt, which took place in 1001 A.D. In that year with a well equipped body of 10,000 picked cavalry he came into Peshawar.² The object of the Sulṭān was plunder and loot, and it affords us an interesting insight into the mentality of the Muslim chroniclers when they express surprise at the intelligence that Jayapāla intended to resist this wanton attack on his independence. The following quotation from ‘Utbī is an illustration:—