Tegin

Tegin, also known as Alp Tegin, was a Mamluk general who founded the Ghaznavid dynasty. He was of Turkic origin, likely from the Karluk Kipchak tribes. Tegin served under the Samanid ruler Abu Mansur Muhammad, but later rebelled and established his own principality in Ghazni, a city in modern-day Afghanistan. This occurred around 962 CE. He is credited with laying the groundwork for the future Ghaznavid Empire, which would become a significant power in the region.

Tegin's early life and rise to prominence are not extensively documented, but he is known for his military prowess and administrative skills. His capture and subsequent control of Ghazni marked a turning point, allowing him to consolidate power and expand his influence. While his reign was relatively short, his actions set in motion a chain of events that would lead to the establishment of a dynasty that dominated Persia and northern India for several decades. His successor, Sabuktigin, further expanded the Ghaznavid territories, and it was under their rule that the empire reached its zenith. Tegin's legacy is primarily as the founder of this influential dynasty.