Sabuktigin's son Mahmud inherited the throne at his father's death (AD 997). He needed vast amounts of money to protect his central Asian empire, which was very profitable because the trade routes from China to the west ran through it.Whoever controlled these roads could tax the merchants. Mahmud made his capital the most beautiful city in the world after Baghdad. Craftsmen from all over Asia were paid to build huge mosques, palaces, universities and libraries. He encouraged artists, scientist, writers and poets to settle there. Although he raided many lands, he was very ing and loved beauty, learning and knowledge, Mahmud fought for the Islamic faith and tried to spread it wherever he could.
No comments:
Post a Comment