The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c20.2

c20.2

The Arab occupation of Sindh in the eighth century A.D. was an episode in itself which left no permanent impress on the country. The long series of invasions by Mahmûd of Ghazni in the first quarter of the eleventh century A.D. was more important as showing the way to India and leading to the final loss of the gateways and the Western Puñjâb to the Islamic power. Until the close of the tenth century A.D. the Gûrjara-Pratihâras carefully guarded the North-western frontier but the decline of their power now facilitated the enterprise of the Sultân of Ghazni.¹ The Râjpûts, torn by hereditary feuds and lagging behind in military sciences, had to give way at almost every turn.