Mohammad Blinded By Masood Ghaznavi

Before his death, Sultan Mahmoud of the Ghaznavi dynasty had chosen Masood as the crown prince to succeed him. The Ghaznavi dynasty was founded by Saboktakin, a former slave in 977. Masood Ghaznavi who wanted to make sure that he would have no competitors for the throne, blinded his brother Mohammad. This behavior was not approved by many people who felt sympathy for Mohammad. Their father was a great warrior that made efforts for revival of Persian language and literature although he was from Turkish descent. He spread Islam in Indian peninsula that resulted in creation of Pakistan nine centuries after his death.
People gradually lost interest in Masood Ghaznavi's reign. Lack of public support and popularity resulted in the defeat of Masood's army from the Seljuk Turks only 10 years later. After the western half of the empire was lost, Masood retreated to the city of Ghazne where he was killed by angry people and replaced by his blind brother Mohammad. The Ghaznavi dynasty continued to rule their eastern provinces until 1186. They were noted for their architecture and for their patronage of arts and sciences (Updated: Mar, 15, 2008)

Mahmoud Ghaznavi Died

Sultan Mahmoud Ghaznavi died on this day. He succeeded his father Saboktakin in 988 and his reign lasted for 22 years. Sultan Mahmoud Ghaznavi had attacked India several times in order to spread Islam. This indeed became the reason behind foundation of Pakistan. He therefore had full support of the Abbasi Caliphates. Mahmoud's other achievement was turning Ghazne, his birthplace to a cultural center and his continuous attempts for development of the northeast Iran; thus preventing the migrating Seljuk Turk influence which were spread along Jeyhoon. Mahmoud's domain of power never exceeded beyond Ray towards west. Although his native language was not Persian, he was fond of Persian culture and literature and constantly supported poets financially; Flatterer the better. Five years before Ferdowsi, the great Iranian poet had died. He had distributed the money that Mahmoud had sent him as a gift among the poor, an act that Mahmoud conceived as contempt .Ferdowsi and Birouni could only find refugee in Mazandaran. Mahmoud also ordered burning of the Rhagae library which was one of its kind. After Mahmoud's death, Mohammad, his brother became his successor but Mahmoud's son Masood blinded him and sat on the throne.. (Updated: Jan, 19, 2008)

• Caliphate: خلافت
• Ferdowsi: فردوسي
• Ghaz: قز
• Ghaznavi: غزنوي
• Ghazne: غزنه(Ghazneh, Qazneh, ghazna)
• Jeyhoon: جيهون(آمودريا, Oxus, Amudar'ya)
• Mazandaran: مازندران
• Persia: ايران
• Ray: ري(Rhagae, Rey)
• Rhagae: ري(Ray, Rey)
• Saboktakin: سبکتکين
• Seljuk: سلجوقي(Selchuk)
• Sultan: سلطان(Soltan)
• Sultan Mahmoud: سلطان محمود
• Turks: ترکها