Mahmud of Ghazni (Persian:محمودغزنوی; 2 November 971–30 April 1030) or Mahmud Ghaznavi wasthe founder of the Turkic Ghaznavid dynasty, ruling from 998 to 1030. Mahmud ascended the throne at the age of 27 upon his father's death, albeit after a brief war of succession with his brother Ismail.