The Twelfth Indian Campaign of Mahmud of Ghazni and the Conquest of Kannauj in the Dīwān of Farrukhī-i Sīstānī

The campaigns of Mahmud of Ghazni in India not only had military and political consequences but also left a profound impact on the literary works of the period. This study examines Mahmud’s twelfth Indian campaign and, in particular, the conquest of Kannauj, as reflected in the odes (qaṣīdas) found in the Dīwān of Farrukhī-i Sīstānī. During this campaign, Sultan Mahmud captured several strategic regions, thereby strengthening the power of the Ghaznavid state and returning to Ghazni with immense spoils. In Farrukhī’s poetry, these victories are celebrated with great praise, depicting Sultan Mahmud’s heroism, military genius, and the grandeur of his conquests through an artistic lens. The poet’s works provide significant literary testimony to the challenges of the campaign, the wealth acquired through the victories, and Mahmud’s role in the Islamic world. Thus, Farrukhī’s odes serve as a valuable source for understanding Sultan Mahmud’s activities in India.