Yamīn ad-Dawlah Abul-Qāṣim Maḥmūd Ibn Sebüktegīn, more commonly known as Mahmud of Ghazni (November 2, 971 – April 30, 1030), is the most prominent ruler of the Ghaznavid Empire.

In the name of Islam, he conquers the eastern Iranian lands and the northwestern Indian subcontinent from 997 until his death in 1030.

Mahmud turns the former provincial city of Ghazna into the wealthy capital of an extensive empire that covers most of today's Afghanistan, eastern Iran, Pakistan and northwestern India.

He is the first ruler to carry the title Sultan ("authority"), signifying the extent of his power, though preserving the ideological link to the suzerainty of the Caliph.

During his rule, he invades and plunders parts of Hindustan (east of the Indus River) 17 times.