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Ghaznavid Conquest of Multan

The Ghaznavid Conquest of Multan marked a significant turning point in the history of the region, leading to the decline of the Ismaili Emirate of Multan and the integration of the area into the Ghaznavid Empire. This period, spanning from 1005 to 1010 CE, was characterized by military campaigns, political intrigue, and the suppression of Ismaili influence in the region.

Background

By the mid-10th century, Multan had become a prominent center of Ismaili Islam, with allegiance to the Fatimid Caliphate in Cairo. The city was governed by Ismaili rulers under the spiritual guidance of Fatimid-appointed Da’is (missionaries). The Ismaili Emirate of Multan, established under the influence of the Qarmatian sect, had flourished economically and culturally, as documented by travelers like Al-Muqaddasi. However, the Ismaili state’s allegiance to the Fatimids and its doctrinal differences with Sunni orthodoxy made it a target for the expanding Ghaznavid Empire under Mahmud of Ghazni, who sought to consolidate Sunni authority and suppress rival factions.

First Ghaznavid Campaign (1005 CE)

Mahmud of Ghazni launched his first campaign against Multan in 1005 CE. The city was ruled by Abdul Fateh Daud, an Ismaili leader who had maintained control despite growing external threats. After a decisive military campaign, Mahmud captured Multan. Abdul Fateh Daud was permitted to retain nominal control of the city under stringent conditions, effectively reducing him to a vassal. In Mahmud's absence, he appointed Nawasa Khan, a Hindu convert to Islam, to govern Multan. However, Nawasa Khan soon renounced Islam and sought to regain independence, forming an alliance with Abdul Fateh Daud to resist Ghaznavid authority.

Second Ghaznavid Campaign (1007 CE)

Mahmud responded swiftly to this rebellion by leading another military expedition to Multan in 1007 CE. The campaign resulted in the capture of Nawasa Khan, who was forced to relinquish his personal fortune to Mahmud. This marked the definitive end of Ismaili political power in the region.

Suppression of Ismaili Influence

The Ghaznavids undertook systematic efforts to suppress Ismaili influence in Multan and surrounding areas. In 1009 CE, the Fatimid Caliph al-Hakim dispatched envoys to negotiate with Mahmud, seeking to restore Ismaili authority. These attempts failed, as Mahmud remained committed to consolidating Sunni rule. Mahmud’s forces attacked Ismaili communities in Sindh and Punjab, targeting their leaders and institutions. In 1032 CE, Mahmud’s vizier Hasanak was executed on suspicion of having aligned with the Fatimids, further demonstrating the Ghaznavid resolve to eliminate Ismaili influence.

Legacy

While the Ghaznavid conquest disrupted Ismaili rule in Multan, evidence from letters dated 1083 and 1088 CE suggests continued underground Ismaili activity in the region. These documents reveal that the Fatimid Caliphate dispatched new Da’is to replace those who had perished during the Ghaznavid purges. The conquest of Multan significantly strengthened Mahmud of Ghazni's empire, aligning the region with Sunni orthodoxy and integrating it into the larger Ghaznavid domain. It also marked the decline of Ismailism as a political force in South Asia, although its spiritual legacy endured in various communities.

1. Virani, Shafique N. The Ismailis in the Middle Ages: A History of Survival, A Search for Salvation (New York: Oxford University Press), p. 100.
2. Cite error: The named reference Mehta was invoked but never defined (see the help page).