Turkish slave commanders established autonomous rule in Samanid lands in 961. Maḥmūd succeeded Sebüktigin in 998, establishing independent Samanid empire. Maḥmūd expanded empire to include Khorasan, Baluchistan, and northwest India. Empire reached peak under Maḥmūd's rule, becoming most powerful Islamic empire since Abbasids
Founded by Alp Tigin in 962 as Turkic mamluk dynasty in Afghanistan. Became Persianized due to Samanid dynasty's political influence. Ruled from 975 to 1187, centered in Ghazni