Q. Who was the first Indian ruler to face the invasions of Mahmud of
Ghazni?
(a) Jayachandra of the Gahadavala dynasty
(b) Prithvi Raj Chauhan
(c) The Shaka King, Jaipala
(d) none of the above
Ans: (c)
Explanation:
The correct answer is (c) The Shaka King, Jaipala.
The first Indian ruler to face the invasions of Mahmud of Ghazni was indeed the Shaka King, Jaipala. Jaipala was the ruler of the Hindu Shahi dynasty, which held control over parts of present-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Northwest India during the 10th and 11th centuries.
Mahmud of Ghazni, the ruler of the Ghaznavid Empire, launched multiple invasions into India during his reign from 997 to 1030. The first significant encounter between Mahmud of Ghazni and an Indian ruler took place when Mahmud launched his first invasion in 1001 against the Hindu Shahi dynasty under the leadership of King Jaipala.
The Battle of Peshawar in 1001 marked the initial clash between Mahmud of Ghazni and Jaipala. Despite putting up a valiant defense, Jaipala was defeated by Mahmud. This encounter marked the beginning of a series of invasions by Mahmud into India and the subsequent decline of the Hindu Shahi dynasty.
Therefore, option (c) The Shaka King, Jaipala, is the correct answer as the first Indian ruler to face the invasions of Mahmud of Ghazni.