For the answer to the question above, the in 11th century it was used as a title by Muslim sovereigns. Maḥmūd of Ghazna (reigned ad<span> 998–1030) was the first Muslim ruler to be called sultan by his contemporaries, and under the Seljuqs of Anatolia and Iran it became a regular title. So the closest answer is </span><span>D. Ghaznavid ruler Mahmud spread Islam deep into India yet didn't hold power long</span>
