In the 1163 CE, Ghiyasuddin Muhammad assumed the throne of Ghori/Ghur, during these period, the once mighty kingdom of Ghazni had to become a province of Ghori. According to a Turkish tribal tradition Ghiyasuddin appointed his younger brother Mu'izz ad-Din Muhammad (commonly known as Muhammad Ghori) as the ruler of Ghazni in 1173 CE. From the very beginning, Muhammad had desire to conquer India and to spread Islam.
In 1175 CE Muhammad Ghori conquered Multan. In 1178-1179 CE, he invaded Gujarat but was defeated. He assembled his resources and marched toward Punjab and finally was able to capture Peshwar. From 1185- 1186 CE, he made several attempts to conquer Lahore until he was successful. Thus, by 1186 CE Muhammad Ghori became the master of Punjab and Sind. Thereafter, in 1191 and 1192 CE, he fought the two battles of Tarain for Delhi.
First battle of Tarain 1191 CE. Prithviraj Chauhan, the ruler of Delhi and Ajmir wanted to stop Muhammad on his advance into India. To present a united front he was able to unite some Rajput rulers. The two armies met at terrain on the plains of Panipat. Muhammad was wounded and defeated. The Rajput followed the Muslims up to 40 miles and did not pursue them further- this according to Indian tradition - a plunder which India had to regret for centuries
Battle between Rajput and Muhammadans
Second battle of Tarain 1192 CE. Muhammad set out towards India again, this time better prepared and organised. Prithviraj Chauhan was waiting with as many as 150 Rajput princes behind him. The Indians out numbered the Muslims, but the Muslim were better organised. Prithviraj Chauhan was captured and killed.
With the defeat at Tarain and the death of Prithviraj Chauhan, it was only a question of time for the conquest of India by the Muslims- Turks.The defeat of Prithviraj not only destroyed the Imperial power of the Chauhans, but also brought disaster for the whole India. In all his conquered territories, Muhammad placed governors, who were again placed under a viceroy. This important position was held by his faithful slave, Qutb al-din-Aibak.
Mu'izz ad-Din Mohammad Ghori could be considered the founder of Muslim rule in India. Muhammad of Ghazni was undoubtedly one of the greatest military leaders the world had ever seen. Defeats were a common features in the career of Muhammad, but the greatness of Muhammad Ghori was that none of these defeats could weaken his spirit or check his ambitions. He took every failure as a vulnerable experience. He improved upon his weakness, rem
oved them as ultimate God of Success. The conquest of Muhammad brought about permanent results than the conquest of Mahmud of Ghazni.
Mahmud was content with Plunder of wealth while the objective of Muhammad conquests were not on temples but provinces. Muhammad was a better states man while dealing with the Rajput rulers of India. He did not change their state and did not interfere in their administration, but instead appoint governor over then lays under a viceroy. These governors consolidated the position of the Turks-Muslims and they suppress rebellions whenever needed.
We can say that Mahmud paved the way for Muhammad for the establishment of the Muslim empire in India. From the conquest of 1192 to revolt of 1857. There was always a Muslim ruler upon the throne of Delhi. Thus, Muhammad could be regarded as the real founder of the Muslim empire in India.
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