[[Image:SultanMahmoodGhaznawi.PNG|thumb|289px|سلطان محمود غزنوي]]
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'''Mahmud of Ghazni''' ({{PerB|محمود غزنوی}} ''Maḥmūd-eمحمود <u>Gh</u>aznawīغزنوي'') ([[October 2]] [[971]]–[[April 30]] [[1030]]), also known as '''Yāmīn al-Dawlah Maḥmūd''' (in full: '''Yāmīn al-Dawlah Abd al-Qāṣim Maḥmūd Ibn Sebük Tegīn'''), was the ruler of the [[Ghaznavid Empire]] from [[997]] until his death. Mahmud turned the former provincial city of [[Ghazni]] into the wealthy capital of an extensive empire which included modern-day [[Afghanistan]], [[Pakistan]], most of [[Iran]] and parts of northwest [[India]]. He was also the first ruler to carry the title [[Sultan]], signifying his break from the suzerainity of the [[Caliph]].
