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Seljuk Turks

The Seljuks (Seldjuq) were a major branch of the Oghuz (or Ğuz) Turks that lived in Central Asia in the 9th to 13th century. The Seljuks migrated into western Asia[?] in the 10th century while fighting with various tribes on their way. They accepted Sunni Islam and founded dynasties in Persia, Mesopotamia, Syria and Anatolia. The Seljuk Empire's lands covered approximately today's Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, all of the Middle East and a part of the Arabian peninsula. An Oghuz bey (chief) called Seljuk (Seldjuq) was the founder of the dynasty. His son led the Seljuks during the migration and his grandson, Toğrül[?], conquered Persia and occupied Baghdad. He died in 1063 in favour of his nephew (the great-grandson of Seljuk), Alp Arslan, who invaded Anatolia at the Battle of Manzikert in the 1070s.

Seljuk Turks can be regarded as the ancestors of Western Turks (today's Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan). They and their descendants (i.e., the Ottoman Empire) played a major role in medieval times by setting a barrier against the Mongol onslaught, defending the Islamic world against Crusaders and bringing an end to the Byzantine Empire. The fact that they embraced Sunni Islam and defended it with an irresistible power is one of the reasons why this branch is the major and most populous division of Islam.

Table of contents

Seljuk Great Sultans, 1038-1157

Seljuk Sultans of Khorasan, 1097-1157

Seljuk Sultans of Iraq and Western Iran, 1118-1194

Seljuk Sultans of Rum (Anatolia), 1077-1307

Seljuk Kings of Syria

Kings of Damascus Kings of Aleppo

Seljuk Rulers of Kerman, 1041-1187

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