Ghaznavid Empire

Ghaznavid Empire
Gaznevîyyûn
غزنويون
غزنویان
963–1186
Flag of Ghaznavid
Flag
CapitalGhazni
Common languages
Religion
Sunni Islam
GovernmentMonarchy
Sultan 
History 
• Established
963
• Disestablished
1186
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Saffarid dynasty
Samanid dynasty
Ghurid dynasty
Seljuk Empire

The Ghaznavid Empire was a Khorāṣānian Karluk 'persianate' Sunni Muslim state, which existed from 975 to 1187. It was centred in Ghazni, a city in the present Afghanistan. It ruled much of Persia, Transoxania, Pakistan and the northern parts of India. The Ghaznavids are known for laying the foundation of Islamic rule in northern India when they conquered Peshawar and the entire Punjab region including Haryana up to Delhi in the year 1001. Their last outpost of conquest in north India was in Meerut city in Uttar Pradesh. The Ghaznavids relied strongly on Persian language and Persian culture and are therefore classified heavily as a "Persianate" empire.