Mas'ud I of Ghazni

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ma'sud I seized the throne of the Ghaznavid Empire upon the death of his father Mahmud from his younger twin Mohammad who had been nominated as the heir upon the death of their father Mahmud of Ghazni. His twin was blinded and imprisoned.

[edit] Career

He had proved himself a capable general during his fathers time, annexing the provinces of Joorjistan, Tuburistan and the Persian portion for his father. He had been appointed governor of Rayy, Isfahan, Balkh and Herat. Upon his fathers death he gathered his supporters at Nishapur where his captured brother was delivered to him.

1031 Makran
1032 Bokhara was defended from the Seljuks who had captured it alonwith Samarkand from the Abbassids
1033 Soorsutty in Kashmir
1033 Black Plague
1034 Tuburistan
1034 Defeat at the hands of the Seljuk raiders in Khorasan. Battle of Nesa Plains.
1036 Siwalik hills: Captured the capital Hansy.
1037 Toghril Beg raids Balkh
1037 Transoxania captured
1037 Jakur Beg Seljuk attacks Balkh when Mas'ud come to relieve Balkh, Toghril Beg moves and sacks Ghazni. He then marches upon Merv. Seljuk sue for peace and ask for a grant of land to settle in. Returning armies rearguard is attacked by a band of Seljuks. Defeats another band of then at Toos and Badwird.
1038 Tughril Beg captures Nishapur and crowns himself King.
1039 Attempts to fight Tughril Beg, advances through Badwird, Tedzen and Surukusk.
1040 The Seljuks withdraw and then defeat Mas'ud at the Battle of Dandanaqan.
1040 Prince Yezeedeyar dispatched to Ghur to quell uprising while Mas'ud withdraws and moves capital from Ghazni to Lahore.

During the course of withdrawal his army went into mutiny and a faction reinstated Mas'uds brother Mohammad to the throne. Mohammad then had Ma'sud imprisoned at the fort Kurry, where he was killed either on the orders of Mohammad or Mohammads son Ahmed.