The Ghaznavids were a Persianate Muslim dynasty that ruled large parts of present-day Afghanistan and northern India from the 10th to the 12th centuries. Founded by Alptigin, a former slave, the dynasty expanded its territory under the leadership of Mahmud of Ghazni, who is known for his military campaigns and cultural patronage. The Ghaznavids played a significant role in the spread of Islam in the Indian subcontinent. They established a rich cultural and architectural legacy, with notable contributions to Persian literature and art. Their rule eventually declined due to internal strife and external pressures, paving the way for the rise of the Ghurid dynasty.