, more commonly known as
Mahmud of Ghazni (; 2 November 971 CE – 30 April 1030 CE), also known as
Mahmud-i Zabuli , was the most prominent ruler of the
Ghaznavid Empire. He conquered the eastern
Iranian lands and the northwestern
Indian subcontinent (modern Afghanistan and Pakistan) from 997 to his death in 1030. Mahmud turned the former provincial city of
Ghazna into the wealthy capital of an extensive empire which covered most of today's
Afghanistan, eastern
Iran, and
Pakistan, by looting the riches and wealth from the then Indian subcontinent.