Muhammad Ghori - Conqueror and Historical Figure

Muhammad Ghori

Muhammad Ghori was initially referred to as Mu’izz ad-Din Muhammad ibn Sam. His origins trace back to a Ghor-based dynasty termed the Ghurid Dynasty. He ruled Afghanistan from 1173 to 1205.    Muhammad of Ghori looked after the eastern parts, whereas his brother administered the western regions. Muhammad Ghori, a pivotal figure in Indian history, is often debated as either a sultan or an invader. Key reasons include his establishment of the Delhi Sultanate, military conquests, cultural influence, political strategies, and the impact of his rule on the Indian subcontinent. This duality reflects the complexities of his legacy in shaping the region’s history.

Muhammad of Ghori rule in Indian history was the seedling implanted for the Mughal Empire. Under his rule were modern-day segments of India, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. These parts combined form the Ghurid Empire. Debatably, his ethnicity is Persian-based. His endeavors and ventures from his rise till death are marked by commendable candor. Despite his multiple setbacks, Muhammad Ghori displayed his caliber in various battles. The General bridged the gap between him and his forces with religious notions.

Muhammad of Ghor invaded India several times. This bred rivalry among states. Political unrest within the country led to no particular Hind power in charge. Hence, the Turkish succeeded in establishing their rule in medieval India. It had a prolonged lifespan of about six centuries. Islamic invasions disrupted national peace and leveraged the weak points in India’s military forces.

Family of Muhammad Ghori

• Father: Baha al-Din Sam I
• Brothers: Ghayasuddin & Ghiyasuddin Mahmud

Table of Muhammad Ghori’s timeline:

Event	Details
Reign in India	1173 – 1206
First Battle of Tarain	1191 – Muhammad Ghori is defeated by Prithviraj III
Second Battle of Tarain	1192 – Muhammad Ghori defeats Prithviraj III, consolidating power in North India
Sole Ruler of the Region	1202 – Death of Ghiyath al-Din Muhammad, Muhammad Ghori’s elder brother, leaving Muhammad as the sole ruler
Conquest of Multan and Uch	1175 – Muhammad Ghori captures Multan and Uch, expanding his territory
Siege of Gwalior	1196 – Successful siege and capture of Gwalior
Capture of Delhi	1193 – Establishment of Muslim rule in Delhi
Battle of Chandawar	1194 – Defeats Jaichand of Kannauj, further consolidating his control
Death of Muhammad Ghori	1206 – Assassinated by local tribes in the Punjab region

Muhammad Ghori’s Early Life and Rise to Power

The late 12th century stirred political expansion in an eastern Iranian-based dynasty— the Persianate Tajik dynasty. They attacked during the fall of Ghaznavids against the battle with the Seljuk Empire. Inspired by the success of Ghazni, Muhammad of Ghori strategized against the Indian Subcontinent.

Mahmud’s passing propelled Muhammad Ghori to inherit the title of king. Born in 1149, Muhammad of Ghori ruled in a dyarchy with his brother from 1173 to 1202. He then proceeded to rule solo till 1205, after his brother passed away. This young Persian descendant stands out among the numerous Muslim invaders in India. With excellent troops and order, he triumphed in seizing upper Multan and Sindh.

Muhammad Ghori, also known as Muhammad of Ghor, was a prominent figure in the history of South Asia during the late 12th century. Here are some key points about him:

1. Background: He was born in 1149 in present-day Afghanistan and belonged to the Ghurid dynasty. His full name was Mu’izz al-Din Muhammad bin Sam.
2. Conquests: Ghori is best known for his military campaigns in the Indian subcontinent. He invaded northern India multiple times, with significant victories at the battles of Tarain in 1191 and 1192 against Prithviraj Chauhan, which marked the beginning of Muslim rule in India.
3. Establishment of the Delhi Sultanate: His conquests paved the way for the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate, which ruled over large parts of India for several centuries.
4. Administrative Reforms: Ghori implemented various administrative changes and promoted the spread of Islam in the regions he conquered, influencing the cultural and political landscape of India.
5. Legacy: Muhammad Ghori’s legacy is complex; he is viewed as both a conqueror and a ruler (sultan). His actions significantly impacted the history of India, leading to the establishment of a series of Muslim dynasties that followed.

1. Conquering Ghazni

Muhammad of Ghori didn’t just want to rule over India’s parts; he targeted the entire nation. His kingdom thrived due to his vision and ambitions. In 1173, his brother, the ruler of the Ghur Dynasty, sought assistance from Muhammad of Ghori to capture Ghazni. Muhammad Ghazni’s competence and his foresight eventually led to the conquest of India. The country’s potential caught his attention from the start. Once the better part of Multan and Sindh were under his reign, he was invincible. The year 1173 marked the capture of Ghazni. Muhammad Ghori took over Ghazni until the Khwarizmi Empire seized it.

2. Campaigns Against Ghaznavids

Muhammad of Ghori annexed Peshawar against King Soomra in 1180. Later, he went after Lahore and settled a treaty with Khusrau Malik. Khusrau’s incapable military defenses impelled him to relent. Muhammad of Ghori demanded Khusrau’s son and a pack of elephants for hostages. This short-lived treaty fell apart when Khusrau Malik succumbed into hiding. Nonetheless, in 1185, Muhammad seized Sialkot and established a fortress. The Ghurids outsmarted Khusrao’s future attempts to reclaim Sialkot.

Muhammad Ghori’s conflict with other Indian rulers: Background

In a fight on Mount Abu, the ruler of Gujarat soundly defeated Muhammad Ghori, and Muizzuddin Muhammad was fortunate to escape unharmed. He thus understood that before attempting to conquer India, he needed to establish a suitable foothold in Punjab. 

There had been a steady increase in Chauhan’s power. A great number of Turks who had attempted to attack Rajasthan, most likely from the Punjab side, had been routed and murdered by the Chauhan monarchs. Around the middle of the century, they had also taken Delhi from the Tomars. Muhammad Ghori’s conflicts with Indian rulers were primarily driven by his ambitions for territorial expansion and the establishment of Muslim dominance in the region. His notable rival was Prithviraj Chauhan, the Rajput king, with whom he engaged in two significant battles at Tarain in 1191 and 1192. Below is a detailed overview of the background of these conflicts:

1. Initial Invasions

• Timeline: Ghori began his campaigns in the Indian subcontinent around 1175.
• Targets: He initially targeted the Ghaznavid territories and the Qarmatians in Multan.
• Early Conquests: His early successes included the capture of Multan and Uch, establishing a foothold in northern India.

2. Conflict with Prithviraj Chauhan

• First Battle at Tarain (1191):
  • Ghori suffered a defeat against Prithviraj Chauhan, where he was wounded and forced to retreat.
• Second Battle at Tarain (1192):
  • Ghori returned with a larger army and decisively defeated Prithviraj, leading to the capture of Ajmer and Delhi.

3. Expansion of Influence

• Post-Victory Expansion: Following his victory over Prithviraj, Ghori expanded his influence across northern India.
• Territorial Control: He established control over key territories and appointed local governors.
• Further Campaigns: His campaigns included the annexation of Kanauj and the sacking of Varanasi, which solidified his power in the region.

4. Tactics and Strategies

• Military Approach: Ghori employed a combination of military might and strategic alliances, often using deception to gain the upper hand.
• Forces: His army included elite mounted archers, which were crucial in his military successes against the larger Rajput armies.

5. Aftermath and Legacy

Governance: Ghori’s approach to governance involved appointing trusted commanders, many of whom were former slaves, to manage the newly acquired territories, ensuring the continuation of his legacy.

Establishment of the Delhi Sultanate: The conflicts with Indian rulers set the stage for the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate, which would dominate the Indian subcontinent for centuries.

Muhammad Ghori’s Military Campaigns and Achievements

During his rule, Muhammad of Ghor launched several expansion-based campaigns. This led to proud victories and brave attempts.

1. Conquest of Multan

Before Muhammad of Ghor could attack, Multan was already invaded in the early 11th century. The Qarmatians of Multan barely sustained the brunt of this. Muhammad Ghori took the convenient route through the Gomal Pass into Gujarat. In 1175, Muhammad of Ghor captured Multan in a battle against the Qarmatians.

2. Conquest of Uch

Uch straddles the Chenab and Jhelum rivers. The truth of this conquest is buried in two distinct accounts. The contemporary version dwells on the supposed reign of the Bhati Rajputs. It includes a twisted marriage proposal to the queen of Uch. The proposal was derailed when the queen asked the Sultan to wed her daughter instead. It also holds the queen accountable for allegedly killing her husband, Ibn al-Athir.

This recital recurs in relatively recent chronicles. Its credibility is put to the test against the contradicting claims of the Bhattis. The Bhattis’ annals do not confirm their reign in Uch. This unveils the window of possibility of unnamed rulers.

3. Invasions in Rajasthan

Muhammad of Ghor moved to today’s parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan in Anhilwara. Mahmud of Ghaznavid attacked Anhilwara back in 1026. He also debased the Somnath temple. The Solankis restored their forces under Kumarapala’s leadership. What escaped Muhammad Ghori’s anticipation was the combined powers of various rulers. The Ghurids were already worn out from their long trip. Muhammad of Ghori’s troops were overwhelmed.

4. Battle of Chandawar

Muhammad of Ghor engaged in combat with Gahadavala family member Jaichand of Kannauj in the Battle of Chandawar in 1194. The location was Chandawar, which is now Chandawal at Firozabad on the Yamuna River close to Agra. 

Muhammad conquered most of northern India after winning this battle. Up till Jaichand’s death and his army’s destruction, the fight was hotly contested.

Following his triumphant battles, Muhammad gave his governor, Qutubuddin Aibak, full authority to consolidate the conquests in India.

5. Battle of Andkhud

The Battle of Andkud or Andkhui took place in 1204. The riverbank of Oxus in Andkhoy’s periphery in modern-day Afghanistan bore witness to it. Muhammad Ghori’s opponent in this battle was Qara Khitai forces—the Khwarazmian Empire’s subsidiary. Only Uthman of Qarakhanid’s intervention made Muhammad of Ghor’s escape possible.

Conquest of Bengal and Bihar

Another general of Ghori, Muhammad-bin-Baktiyar Khilji, led an expedition against Bihar and Bengal between 1202 and 1205, attacking Odantapuri and pillaging Buddhist Monasteries, demolishing the universities of Nalanda and Vikramasila, and defeating Lakshamansena of Bengal. As his goal was to expand eastward, he embarked on an expedition into the Brahmaputra valley.

Muhammad Ghori and Prithviraj Chauhan War: Conflict and Confrontation

Prithviraj Chauhan was the young heir to the Ajmer throne. Until he turned 18, his mother and Prime minister administered the kingdom. Simultaneously, Muhammad of Ghor already had a long list of successful invasions. When Ghori returned to Solanki for another strike, it ended in defeat for him.

Where Ghori conspired against the Ghaznavids in Punjab, Prithviraj’s neighbors kept him preoccupied. By 1186, the Ghurids overtook Punjab from under the Ghaznivids’ noses. Two caliber-worthy battles arose between Ghori and Chauhan. The epicenter of their rivalry was the hunger for political expansion. Another point of conflict was the territory of Tabarhinda.

1st Battle of Tarain, 1191

Ghori’s undertaking of India’s most important fort, Bathinda, sparked the first battle. Prithviraj Chauhan III prepared his troops to march into the battlefield. Ghurid started strong with their archers pelting widely scattered arrows. Prithviraj Chauhan’s full-throttle move caught Ghori off-guard. Prithviraj Chauhan strategized in pure Rajput candor of close-quarter battling. Ghori’s ranks, formation, and commanders collapsed. He lost the first battle of Tarain in the Muhammad Ghori and Prithviraj Chauhan war.

2nd Battle of Tarain, 1192

Muhammad of Ghor did not let his first defeat hinder him. He used the Rajput’s offer of a truce to deceive them. He attacked Prithviraj Chauhan’s troops at daybreak. In this battle, Ghori switched combat tactics. He feigned retreat. The Rajputs diverted their attention and forces to the retreating units. The Ghurids sprung the element of surprise and defeated Prithviraj Chauhan.

In 1192, he vanquished the Rajputs with an army force of over 1 Lakh soldiers. This victory simplified the course of future Mughal rule in India. Tarain joined his previous accomplishments of Delhi and Ajmer capture. He proceeded to claim Bulandshahr, Aligarh, and Meerut. In 1193, he capitalized the city of Delhi.

Who Killed Muhammad Ghori?

Here comes the most sought-after and dead-ended question revolving around Ghori. Anonymous assassins killed Ghori. He was retreating to Ghanzi when a group of assassins ambushed him. Muhammad Ghori’s death date is on March 15, 1205. Retreat to Ghanzi was one of the many possible scenarios it is believed he died in. According to this, he was killed while praying to his faith after sunset. This supposedly took place in Dhamiad, present-day Pakistan. A less popular version suggests that he was stabbed in his bed.

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Estimated Assassins

1. Khokar Jats:

Jats joined forces with the Rajputs in the first battle of Tarain. A Dahima Jat, Chand Ram, was his commander. The Jats crushed Ghori’s troops and succeeded in landing injuries. When Muhammad of Ghori returned and took the win, the Jats were furious. These pent-up feelings of humiliation and revenge grew over time. Jatwan’s influence on Jats led them to defeat Hansi in 1193. In 1205, Khokar Jats fought against Muhammad Ghori at Dhamyak. This battle near Lahore was Ghori’s ultimate downfall.

2. Nizari Ismaili:

A second theory explores the motives of Nizari Ismaili. It is confused with the Jat’s leadership.

3. Prithviraj Chauhan:

This account of Muhammad Ghori’s death date is the least likely. It ties into the famous but deceitful retelling of the first battle of Tarain. It claims that Prithviraj Chauhan’s morals allowed them to spare Ghori. Indian folklore coined it as the Prithviraj Syndrome. This version states that Prithviraj Chauhan killed Ghori. Ghori stopped with his troops to rest. The enemies attacked him at the vulnerable time of offering prayers, leading to Muhammad Ghori’s death. This account is the most popular, despite Prithviraj’s death being before Ghori’s.

Who killed Muhammad Ghori presents a dilemma among historical records. Moreover, the killer remains unidentified to date. Loosely tied theories and unconfirmed accounts are all there is. This uncertainty pushes the readers to acknowledge his valor over Muhammad Ghori’s death.

Muhammad Ghori’s Legacy

Ghori, who both conquered and kept most of the Hindu homeland, is credited as being the real founder of Muslim dominion in India. A Muslim dynasty was established in Delhi thanks to the achievements of Qutub-ud-din Aibak, his slave and viceroy, and his successors in extending Islam’s sway across India.

His empire was split among his slaves upon his murder:

Slave of Muhammad Ghori	Territory	Significance
Qutubuddin Aibak	Indian area, focused on Delhi	Established Delhi Sultanate, center of Islamic Empire in India
Tajuddin Yaldoz	Ghazni area	Maintained control over Ghazni region
Nasiruddin Kubacha	Uchchh and Sindh (Pakistan)	Ruled over Uchchh (modern-day Uch Sharif) and Sindh region
Muhammad ibn Bakhtyar	Bengal	Conquered and ruled Bengal region

Conclusion

Muhammad Ghori made a powerful duo with his sibling. The two ruled in harmony to form one of the major eastern Islamic forces. Their political expansion achievements peaked at a 3000 km wide territory. It covered land from Nishapur to Benares and Bengal. The extension ceased at Sindh from the southern foothills of the Himalayas.

Andkud’s tragedy and the emergence of Genghis Khan shook the Ghurids. However, this does not overrule his successful reign in the Indian Subcontinent. The second battle of Tarain made the Ganga basin highly accessible. He is remembered for his unyielding pursuit of political expansion.

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