1. On account of the richness of its soil, excellence of handicrafts and its flourishing seaports, Gujarat was considered one of the richest provinces of India. Its wealth tempted Mahmud Ghazni to plunder its important places and temples. He, therefore, invaded Gujarat and plundered Somnath. In 1297, during the reign of Ala-ud-Din Khalji, it was annexed to the Sultanate of Delhi. It became one of the provinces of the kingdom of Delhi and was ruled by Muslim Governors. In 1401, Zafar Khan, the governor of the province declared himself independent.
2. There was a bitter rivalry between the kingdoms of Gujarat and Malwa, which weakened the two kingdoms. After Zafar Khan, the next ruler was Ahmad Shah (1411-1422) who is considered to be the real founder of this kingdom. He fought several wars against Malwa, Khandesh and the Bahamni Kingdoms. He raised beautiful buildings and shifted his capital to the new city of Ahmedabad.
3. The most famous ruler of Gujarat was Mahmud Begarha who ruled for about 52 years from 1459-1511 a rare feat (Ashoka about 40 years, Akbar 50 years and Aurangzeb 49 years). He fought many battles and supported the Bahamni Kingdom against Malwa. He fought against the Portuguese with the support of Egyptian fleet but could not check their influence on the sea and finally compromised with them.
4. Mahmud raised Gujarat to the status of one of the powerful states of northern India.
5. Gujarat made great progress under Mahmud in the field of literature and fine arts.
6. Mahmud, however, was not liberal in his religious outlook and he sacked Dwarka and destroyed several temples there.
7. Another capable ruler of Gujarat was Bahadur Shah. He conquered Malwa in 1531 and plundered Chittor, the capital of Mewar. However, he was defeated by Humayuan. Gujarat was finally conquered by the Mughal ruler Akbar in 1572 A.D.
1. On account of the richness of its soil, excellence of handicrafts and its flourishing seaports, Gujarat was considered one of the richest provinces of India. Its wealth tempted Mahmud Ghazni to plunder its important places and temples. He, therefore, invaded Gujarat and plundered Somnath. In 1297, during the reign of Ala-ud-Din Khalji, it was annexed to the Sultanate of Delhi. It became one of the provinces of the kingdom of Delhi and was ruled by Muslim Governors. In 1401, Zafar Khan, the governor of the province declared himself independent.
2. There was a bitter rivalry between the kingdoms of Gujarat and Malwa, which weakened the two kingdoms. After Zafar Khan, the next ruler was Ahmad Shah (1411-1422) who is considered to be the real founder of this kingdom. He fought several wars against Malwa, Khandesh and the Bahamni Kingdoms. He raised beautiful buildings and shifted his capital to the new city of Ahmedabad.
3. The most famous ruler of Gujarat was Mahmud Begarha who ruled for about 52 years from 1459-1511 a rare feat (Ashoka about 40 years, Akbar 50 years and Aurangzeb 49 years). He fought many battles and supported the Bahamni Kingdom against Malwa. He fought against the Portuguese with the support of Egyptian fleet but could not check their influence on the sea and finally compromised with them.
4. Mahmud raised Gujarat to the status of one of the powerful states of northern India.
5. Gujarat made great progress under Mahmud in the field of literature and fine arts.
6. Mahmud, however, was not liberal in his religious outlook and he sacked Dwarka and destroyed several temples there.
7. Another capable ruler of Gujarat was Bahadur Shah. He conquered Malwa in 1531 and plundered Chittor, the capital of Mewar. However, he was defeated by Humayuan. Gujarat was finally conquered by the Mughal ruler Akbar in 1572 A.D.