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Seljuk dynasty

Oghuz Turkic dynasty From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Seljuk dynasty, or Seljukids[1][2] (/ˈsɛldʒʊk/ SEL-juuk; Old Anatolian Turkish: سلجك Sälcük; Azerbaijani: Səlcuqlular or Səlcuqilər; Turkmen: Seljuklar; Ottoman Turkish: سلچوق Selçuk; Turkish: Selçuklular; Persian: سلجوقیان Saljuqian,[3]) alternatively spelled as Saljuqids[4] or Seljuk Turks,[5][6] was an Oghuz Turkic, Sunni Muslim dynasty that culturally became Persianate and contributed to Turco-Persian culture.[7][8]

Parent family
Oghuz Turks
CountrySeljuk's Dominion at Cend.
Great Seljuk Empire
Kerman Seljuk Sultanate
Sultanate of Rum
Emirate of Aleppo
Emirate of Damascus
Kubadoğulları Emirate
Place of origin
Turkestan
Founded11th century CE
Quick facts Parent family, Country ...
Seljuk dynasty
Double-headed eagle, used as a symbol by several Seljuk rulers including Kayqubad I.
Parent family
Oghuz Turks
CountrySeljuk's Dominion at Cend.
Great Seljuk Empire
Kerman Seljuk Sultanate
Sultanate of Rum
Emirate of Aleppo
Emirate of Damascus
Kubadoğulları Emirate
Place of origin
Turkestan
Founded11th century CE
FounderSeljuk
Final rulerKubadoğlu Hüseyin Bey
Historic seat
Initial Dominion:
Great Seljuk:
Kerman Seljuk:
Rum:
Aleppo:
Damascus:
Kubadoğulları:
Titles
StyleSee § Titles
TraditionsReligion:-
Culture:-
Dissolution1422[e]
Deposition
Initial Dominion:
1016 - Tughril I abandoned Cend.
1037 - Tughril I declares Nishapur as capital.
Emirate of Damascus:
1104 – Baktāsh (Ertaş), dethroned by Toghtekin
Great Seljuk Empire:
1194 – Toghrul III was killed in battle with Tekish
Sultanate of Rum:
1308 – Mesud II died. De facto power falls under Mongol and Ilkhanid Governers.
Kerman Seljuk Sultanate:
1186 - Muhammad II overthrown by Malik Dinar.
Emirate of Aleppo:
1118 - Sultan Shah hands over Aleppo to Ilghazi.
Kubadoğulları Emirate:
1422 - Kubadoğlu Hüseyin Bey surrenders Samsun to the Ottomans.
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The founder of the Seljuk dynasty, Seljuk Beg, was a descendant of a royal Khazar chief Tuqaq who served as advisor to the King of the Khazars,[9][10][11] in West Asia and Central Asia. The Seljuks established the Seljuk Empire (1037–1194), the Sultanate of Kermân (1041–1186) and the Sultanate of Rum (1074–1308), which stretched from Iran to Anatolia and were the prime targets of the First Crusade.

Early history

The Seljuks originated from the Kinik branch of the Oghuz Turks,[12][13][14][15] who in the 8th century lived on the periphery of the Muslim world; north of the Caspian Sea and Aral Sea in their Oghuz Yabgu State[16] in the Kazakh Steppe of Turkestan.[17] During the 10th century, Oghuz had come into close contact with Muslim cities.[18] When Seljuk, the leader of the Seljuk clan, had a falling out with Yabghu, the supreme chieftain of the Oghuz, he split his clan from the bulk of the Oghuz Turks and set up camp on the west bank of the lower Syr Darya. Around 985, Seljuk and his clan converted to Islam.[19]

In the 11th century, the Seljuks migrated from their ancestral homelands into mainland Persia, in the province of Khurasan, where they encountered the Ghaznavids. The Seljuks defeated the Ghaznavids at the Battle of Nasa in 1035. Seljuk's grandsons, Tughril and Chaghri, received the insignias of governor, grants of land, and were given the title of dehqan.[20] At the Battle of Dandanaqan, they defeated a Ghaznavid army, and after a successful siege of Isfahan by Tughril in 1050/51,[21] established the Great Seljuk Empire. The Seljuks mixed with the local population and adopted the Persian culture and Persian language in the following decades.[22][23][24][25][26]

Later period

After arriving in Persia, the Seljuks adopted the Persian culture and used the Persian language as the official language of the government,[27][28][29] and played an important role in the development of the Turko-Persian tradition which features "Persian culture patronized by Turkic rulers".[30] Today, they are remembered as great patrons of Persian culture, art, literature, and language.[22][23][24]

Seljuk rulers

Rulers of the Seljuk Dynasty

Head of Seljuk male royal figure, 12–13th century, from Iran. Carved and drilled stone with Iranian craftsmanship. Kept at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Toghrol Tower, a 12th-century monument south of Tehran commemorating Toğrül
The Kharāghān twin towers, built in Iran in 1053 to house the remains of Seljuk princes

The "Great Seljuks" were heads of the family; in theory their authority extended over all the other Seljuk lines, although in practice this often was not the case. Turkic custom called for the senior member of the family to be the Great Seljuk, although usually the position was associated with the ruler of western Persia.

More information Titular name(s), Personal name ...
Titular name(s) Personal name Reign
Bey
بیگ		 Tughril I
طغرل		 1037–1063
Suleiman[31]
سلیمان شاہ		 1063[32]
Sultan
سلطان		 Alp Arslan (Arslan I)
الپ ارسلان		 1063–1072
Sultan
سلطان
Jalāl al-Dawlah
جلال الدولہ 		Malik Shah I
ملک شاہ یکم 		1072–1092
Sultan
سلطان
Nasir al-Duniya wa al-Din
ناصر الدنیا والدین		 Mahmud I
محمود یکم		 1092–1094
Sultan
سلطان
Abul Muzaffar Rukn al-Duniya wa al-Din
أبو المظفر رکن الدنیا والدین 		Barkiyaruq
برکیارق 		1094–1105
Sultan
سلطان
Muizz al-Din
معز الدین 		Malik Shah II
ملک شاہ دوم 		1104–1105
Sultan
سلطان
Ghiyath al-Duniya wa al-Din
غیاث الدنیا والدین 		Muhammad I Tapar
محمد تاپار 		1105–1118
Sultan
سلطان
Muizz al-Din
معز الدین 		*Ahmad Sanjar
احمد سنجر		 1118–1153
Khwarazmian dynasty replaces the Seljuk dynasty. From 1157, the Oghuz took control of much of Khurasan, with the remainder in the hands of former Seljuk emirs.
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  • Muhammad's son Mahmud II succeeded him in western Persia, but Ahmad Sanjar, who was the governor of Khurasan at the time being the senior member of the family, became the Great Seljuk Sultan.

Seljuk sultans of Hamadan

The Great Seljuk Empire in 1092, upon the death of Malik Shah I[33]

The rulers of western Persia, who maintained a very loose grip on the Abbasids of Baghdad. Several Turkic emirs gained a strong level of influence in the region, such as the Eldiguzids.

In 1194, Toghrul III was killed in battle with the Khwarezm Shah, who annexed Hamadan.

Seljuk rulers of Kerman

Main article: Kerman Seljuk Sultanate

Kerman was a province in southern Persia. Between 1053 and 1154, the territory also included Umman.

  • Qavurt 1041–1073 (great-grandson of Seljuq, brother of Alp Arslan)
  • Kerman Shah 1073–1074
  • Sultan Shah 1074–1075 or 1074–1085
  • Hussain Omar 1075–1084

or 1074 (before Sultan Shah)

  • Turan Shah I 1084–1096 or 1085–1097
  • Iranshah ibn Turanshah 1096–1101 or 1097–1101
  • Arslan Shah I 1101–1142
  • Muhammad I 1142–1156
  • Tuğrul Shah 1156–1169 or 1156–1170
  • Bahram-Shah 1169–1174 or 1170–1175
  • Arslan Shah II 1174–1176 or 1175–1176
  • Turan Shah II 1176–1183
  • Muhammad II Shah 1183–1187 or 1183–1186

Muhammad abandoned Kerman, which fell into the hands of the Oghuz chief Malik Dinar. Kerman was eventually annexed by the Khwarazmian Empire in 1196.

Seljuk rulers in Syria

The Seljuks exercised rule over parts of Syria for about thirty years, though their nominal suzerainty remained unstable.

Sultans/Emirs of Aleppo:
After the Battle of Ain Salm in 1086, Tutush I besieged and captured Aleppo from its chief Hassan ibn Hibat Allah al-Hutayti, declaring himself the Emir of Aleppo.

However, with the intervention of Malik Shah I, Aq Sunqur al-Hajib, a Non-Seljuqid, was installed as the governor of Aleppo. Aq Sunqur al-Hajib continuously switched alliegances, after finally being beheaded by Tutush I in 1094.

Sultan Shah ibn Radwan hands over Aleppo to the Artuqids, but still acted as a claimant. He also participated in the Siege of Aleppo (1124–1125).

  • Sultan Shah ibn Radwan 1118–1125 (claimant)

Sultans/Emirs of Damascus:

Damascus seized by the Burid Toghtekin

Seljuk sultans of Rum (Anatolia)

Main article: Sultanate of Rûm
The Seljuk Sultanate of Rûm in 1190, before the Third Crusade

Kubadoğulları Emirs

  • Tâcüddîn Altunbaş
  • Keykubad Bey
  • Kubadoğlu Ali Bey
  • Kubadoğlu Cüneyd Bey
  • Kubadoğlu Hüseyin Bey

Titles

Members of the Seljuk Dynasty often used titles to signify claim and authority. They were also awarded some titles by their subjects and the ulema due to their efforts for public and religious welfare. Here is a list of titles used by/awarded to them. Common titles like Şehzade are not listed.

Great Seljuk (Official/Non-official):
Great Seljuks under Dyarchy(Official/Non-official):

End of Great Seljuk Imperial Authority.

Kirman Seljuks(Official/Non-official):

Comparative genealogy

More information The comparative genealogy of the Sultanate of Rûm with their contemporary neighbors in Central Asia ...
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Gallery

Family tree

See also

Footnotes

  1. [a]
    Toghrul and Chaghri Bey had left Cend before 1016 with their tribe and were engaged in nomadic activities until they entered the service of the Qarakhanids. Since they did not officially undeclared their rule in Cend until 1037 (when Tughril occupied Nishapur), the article represents Cend as a seat of the Seljuks until 1037.
  2. [b]
    Held by Seljuk, Mikail ibn Seljuk, Arslan Isra'il and initially by Tughril I and Chaghri Bey together.
  3. [c]
    Initially by Tuqaq and Seljuk
  4. [d]
    Some Sultans of Rum maintained a dual Christian-Muslim identity, especially Kaykhusraw I and his later rulers. They are alleged to be baptized by Byzantines during exile or secretly by Christian concubines.
  5. [e]
    The last Kubadoğulları Emir (Kubadoğlu Hüseyin Bey) surrendered Samsun to the Ottomans.
  6. [f]
    Together with Chaghri Bey.
  7. [g]
    King of the East and the West
  8. [h]
    King of Kings
  9. [i]
    The Pillar of State
  10. [j]
    Turkish: Ebu'l Feth
  11. [k]
    Turkish: Ebu'l Feth
  12. [l]
    Turkish: Malik al-Mashriq wa'l-Maghrib
  13. [m]
    King of Kings
  14. [n]
    King of Kings
  15. [o]
    Muhammad Tapar's religious policies were deeply rooted in his personal piety and his strong support for Sunni Islam. He actively worked to strengthen religion and suppress perceived innovations and heresy, particularly those associated with the Ismailis. This commitment earned him the title of a mujahid, or holy warrior, in the strengthening of religion. His reign was characterized by a concerted effort to repel heretical groups who had become "very strong" during his time. The historical memory of Muhammad Tapar is of a just ruler who was a friend to religious clerics.
  16. [p]
    Mas'ud was a ruler who held a positive religious reputation among his contemporaries. He was described as a "friend of the 'alim and a giver to the religious poor". His affection for the religious community was a defining feature of his character. The Shaykhs of Baghdad reportedly said that Mas'ud loved to visit the Ulama and the righteous, and to seek knowledge from the shaykhs. He was also noted for bearing "love toward the insane and the lunatic".
  17. [q]
    After the death of Ahmad Sanjar.
  18. [r]
    As per Al-Husaynī's and Abū Hamid's chronicles.
  19. [s]
    As per Al-Husaynī's and Abū Hamid's chronicles.

Notes

  1. [1]
    Grand Vizier Sāhīp Shams ad-Dīn Īsfahānī ruled the country on behalf of ʿIzz ad-Dīn Kay Kāwus II between 1246 and 1249
  2. [2]
    Grand Vizier Parwāna Mu'in al-Din Suleyman ruled the country on behalf of Ghiyāth ad-Dīn Kay Khusraw III between 1266 and 2 August 1277 (1 Rabi' al-awwal 676)
  3. [3]
    Between 1246 and 1249 ʿIzz ad-Dīn Kay Kāwus II reigned alone
  4. [4]
    ʿIzz ad-Dīn Kay Kāwus II was defeated on October 14, 1256 in Sultanhanı (Sultan Han, Aksaray) and he acceded to the throne on May 1, 1257 again after the departure of Baiju Noyan from Anatolia
  5. [5]
    Between 1262 and 1266 Rukn ad-Dīn Kilij Arslan IV reigned alone
  6. [6]
    Between 1249 and 1254 triple reign of three brothers
  7. [7]
    According to İbn Bîbî, el-Evâmirü'l-ʿAlâʾiyye, p. 727. (10 Dhu al-Hijjah 675 - 17 Muharram 676)
  8. [8]
    According to Yazıcıoğlu Ali, Tevârih-i Âl-i Selçuk, p. 62. (10 Dhu al-Hijjah 677 - 17 Muharram 678)

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