Seljuk Dynasty

As an Islamic state, the Seljuks followed the Sharia principle of Jizya, a per capita tax levied on non-Muslim subjects (Dhimmis) in exchange for state protection and exemption from military service.

The Seljuks of Syria were founded by Tutush I, a brother of Malik Shah I. After his death, his sons Ridwan (of Aleppo) and Duqaq (of Damascus) fought each other, and their rivalry prevented a unified Muslim response to the First Crusade.

Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I was a prolific builder. The Jameh Mosque of Malatya is an important example of the brick-building tradition moving into Anatolia under his patronage.

At Dorylaeum, the First Crusaders defeated the army of Kilij Arslan I. This victory allowed the Crusaders to cross Anatolia and eventually reach Antioch and Jerusalem, while pushing the Seljuks back from the western coasts of Anatolia.

Nizam al-Mulk was born in Tus, a city in Khorasan that was a major center of learning. Tus was also the birthplace of other giants of Islamic thought like Ferdowsi, Al-Ghazali, and Nasir al-Din al-Tusi.

Seljuk inscriptions evolved from the geometric Kufic script to the more cursive and flowing Naskh and Thuluth scripts. They often used these scripts for Quranic verses and the Sultan's titles on buildings.

Romanos IV Diogenes was the Byzantine Emperor who sought to end the Turkish raids into Anatolia but was instead defeated at Manzikert. His capture was a unprecedented event in medieval history.

The Assassins (Nizari Ismailis) were a branch of Shia Islam. They broke away from the main Fatimid Ismaili line and established a 'state of castles' to fight against the Sunni Seljuk Empire.

Kilij Arslan II built a palace and a city in central Anatolia called Aksaray (White Palace), which became a strategic base for his campaigns against the Byzantines and rival Turkish lords.

The Sipahis were the provincial cavalry who held land grants (iqtas). They were expected to arm themselves and provide a certain number of soldiers to the Sultan's army when called upon.

The Mustawfi (or Mustawfi al-Mamalik) was the head of the financial department. He was responsible for collecting taxes, managing the treasury, and overseeing the empire's financial records.

Sultan Sanjar's full regnal title was Mu'izz al-Din (Exalter of the Religion). 'Shams al-Din' means Sun of the Religion, which was a common honorific but not the primary name of the major Sultans.

The Qara-Khanids were another Turkic dynasty that ruled Central Asia. The Seljuks frequently fought or allied with them to control the wealthy Silk Road cities of Samarkand and Bukhara.

The Tughril Tower in Rayy is a massive brick tomb tower with a distinctive star-shaped (fluted) exterior. It is a masterpiece of Seljuk brickwork and serves as the mausoleum for Tughril Beg.

While not a princess of the blood, Mahasti Ganjavi was a famous female Persian poet who lived during the Seljuk period and was associated with the court of Sultan Sanjar. She is famous for her 'rubaiyat'.

Merv was one of the largest and most prosperous cities in the world during the Seljuk era. It served as the capital for Sultan Sanjar and was a key node on the Silk Road, known for its libraries and scholars.

Following the death of Tutush I, his sons Ridwan and Duqaq divided his realm. Ridwan ruled from Aleppo and Duqaq from Damascus. Their constant feuding greatly aided the First Crusaders' progress through the region.

Kilij Arslan I was the Sultan of Rum during the First Crusade. He was caught off guard by the strength of the main Crusader army and was forced to surrender Nicaea to the Byzantines in 1097.

The Divan-i-Arz (or Arz al-Jaish) was the department of military affairs. It was responsible for the payment, inspection, and recruitment of the army.

The Gunad-i Surkh is one of five famous tomb towers in Maragha, built by local dynasties (Ahmadilis) who were vassals or successors to the Seljuks. It shows the widespread influence of the Seljuk architectural style.