Buyuk Selcuklu (Nizaam-e-Alam) The Great Saljuk in Urdu Subtitles

Origins and Formation

1. Turkish Migration and Rise of the Seljuks: The Seljuks were a Turkic nomadic tribe that originated from the steppes of Central Asia. They were part of the larger Oghuz Turkic group. In the 10th century, the Seljuk Turks, initially led by their chieftain Seljuk, migrated westward, eventually settling in the region of Khwarezm (modern-day Iran and Turkmenistan).
2. Conversion to Islam: The Seljuks converted to Islam in the late 10th century, which played a critical role in their rise. The conversion was solidified under the leadership of Seljuk’s grandson, Tughril Beg, who embraced Islam, allowing the Seljuks to align with the growing power of the Islamic world.

The Rise of the Seljuk Empire (1037-1055)

3. Tughril Beg and the Foundation of the Empire: In the early 11th century, Tughril Beg, a Seljuk military leader, gained prominence by defeating the Ghaznavids (a powerful dynasty in the region) and expanding his territory. In 1037, Tughril Beg established the Seljuk Empire, claiming the title of “Sultan.” The Seljuks initially ruled the eastern regions of Iran, including parts of Transoxiana, and began to expand their influence further.
4. Conquest of Baghdad (1055): One of the most significant events in the early history of the empire occurred in 1055 when Tughril Beg captured Baghdad from the Buyids, a Shiite dynasty that had controlled the Abbasid Caliphate. Tughril Beg was formally recognized as the protector of the Abbasid Caliph, cementing the Seljuk’s role in the Islamic world. This marked the beginning of the Seljuks’ prominent position in the Sunni Muslim world.

Expansion and Height of the Empire (1055-1092)

5. Alp Arslan and the Battle of Manzikert (1071): The second great leader of the Seljuk Empire was Alp Arslan, who succeeded Tughril Beg. Alp Arslan is best known for his victory in the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, where his army decisively defeated the Byzantine Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes. This victory allowed the Seljuks to gain control of large parts of Anatolia, a region that would later become the heart of the Ottoman Empire.
6. The Reign of Malik Shah (1072-1092): Alp Arslan’s son, Malik Shah, ascended the throne in 1072 and became one of the most successful and influential rulers of the Seljuk Empire. Under Malik Shah, the empire reached its greatest territorial extent, stretching from Anatolia in the west to Central Asia in the east. He established a highly organized administration and promoted the development of science, philosophy, and culture. His reign is often considered the golden age of the Seljuk Empire.
7. The Role of Nizam al-Mulk: Nizam al-Mulk, a brilliant vizier under both Alp Arslan and Malik Shah, played a crucial role in the administration and governance of the empire. He oversaw the creation of the Nizamiyya schools, which helped to spread Islamic scholarship. Nizam al-Mulk’s work laid the foundations for the intellectual and cultural Renaissance in the Seljuk Empire.

Decline and Fragmentation (1092-1194)

8. The Death of Malik Shah (1092) and the Empire’s Fragmentation: Malik Shah’s sudden death in 1092 marked the beginning of the Seljuk Empire’s decline. His sons were unable to maintain the unity of the vast empire. In the years following his death, the empire fractured into several smaller, independent states, each ruled by different members of the Seljuk family. These included the Sultanate of Rum in Anatolia, the Sultanate of Khwarezm, and others.
9. The Crusades and Seljuk Losses: The Crusades, launched in the late 11th century, put further strain on the Seljuk Empire. The First Crusade (1096-1099) saw the capture of Jerusalem by the Crusaders and significant losses for the Seljuks, especially in their Anatolian territories. The Sultanate of Rum, based in Anatolia, was able to hold on for a time, but the empire’s western territories were gradually lost to the Crusaders.
10. The Rise of the Khwarezmian Empire: By the early 12th century, the Seljuk Empire’s eastern territories were further weakened, and the Khwarezmian Empire rose to power in Central Asia. However, the Khwarezmians were soon defeated by the Mongol invasions in the 13th century, which severely affected the remnants of Seljuk rule.

End of the Great Seljuk Empire

11. The Fall of the Sultanate of Rum (1307): The Sultanate of Rum, which was the most enduring Seljuk state in Anatolia, was ultimately absorbed by the Mongols in the 13th century. The Mongol invasion under Hulagu Khan weakened the Seljuks’ position in the region, and by 1307, the Sultanate of Rum was no longer a powerful force.
12. The Emergence of the Ottoman Empire: The fall of the Seljuk Empire paved the way for the rise of the Ottoman Empire, which would dominate the region for centuries. The Ottomans, who initially emerged as a small principality within the former Seljuk territories, would eventually unify the Anatolian region and establish one of the most powerful empires in history.

Legacy

The Great Seljuk Empire had a profound impact on the history of the Middle East. Its rulers helped shape the development of Sunni Islam, contributed to the spread of Turkish culture, and laid the groundwork for the rise of the Ottoman Empire. The Seljuk legacy can still be seen today in the architectural marvels they built, the scholarly institutions they promoted, and the political structure they established. Their influence extended across a vast area, impacting not only the Islamic world but also European history, especially during the Crusades.