Seljuq dynasty | |
---|---|
Country |
Seljuk Empire Sultanate of Rum |
Titles | |
Founded | 10th century – Seljuq |
Dissolution |
Damascus: Great Seljuq: 1307 – Mesud II died |
Damascus:
1104 – Baqtash was dethroned by Toghtekin
Great Seljuq:
1194 – Toghrul III was killed in battle with Tekish
The Seljuq dynasty or Seljuk Turks(English pronunciation: /sɛldʒʊk/ SEL-juuk; Persian: آل سلجوق Al-e Saljuq) was an Oghuz Turk Sunni Muslim dynasty that gradually became a Persianate society and contributed to the Turko-Persian tradition in the medieval West and Central Asia. The Seljuqs established both the Seljuk Empire and Sultanate of Rum, which at their heights stretched from Anatolia through Iran and were targets of the First Crusade.
The Seljuqs originated from the Qynyk branch of the Oghuz Turks, who in the 9th century lived on the periphery of the Muslim world, north of the Caspian Sea and Aral Sea in their Yabghu Khaganate of the Oghuz confederacy, in the Kazakh Steppe of Turkestan. During the 10th century, due to various events, the Oghuz had come into close contact with Muslim cities.