INTERSTING......... Yamīn-ud-Dawla Abul-Qāṣim Maḥmūd ibn Sebüktegīn also known as Mahmud of Ghazni. The man who sacked and looted Somnath temple . During his rule, he invaded and plundered parts of Hindustan (east of the Indus River) 17 times. Patron of the arts and poetry : Mahmud brought whole libraries from Rayy and Isfahan to Ghazni. He even demanded that the Khwarizmshah court send its men of learning to Ghazni.The notable poet Ferdowsi, after laboring 27 years, w ent to Ghazni and presented the Shahnameh to Mahmud. Having said all that........... Mahmud Gazni was a documented homosexual with a lover named Malik Ayaz. Many Mughal era artwork exist depicting their intimacy. Mahmud of Ghazni & his male lover Malik Ayaz are seen as epitome of selfless love in Sufi Islam literature. Strange as it may sound but Gazni called himself a Ghazi who waged jihad on the Hindus.......... He was himself a homosexual who is supposed to be punishable by death in Islam.