The Anatolian Seljuks was the continuation of the Great Seljuq Empire in Anatolia.
They were the founders of the first true Turkish state in Asia Minor. Anatolian Seljuqs continued their sovereignty from 1077 to 1307. During their rulership they unified much of Anatolia and made valuable contributions to the history of Anatolia (Peacock, p. 127). They ruled over most of Turkey for almost two centuries, between the 11-13th centuries. This short but golden era, situated between the Crusades and the Mongol invasions, was led by the Seljuk Sultans from their capital at Konya. The Seljuqs of Anatolia were responsible for one of the richest and most inventive periods in Turkish culture.
The Seljuk Turks are the first people to fully invade Anatolia, although they didn't all arrive at once, but rather migrated in waves. The sultanate prospered, particularly during the late 12th and early 13th centuries when it took from the Byzantines key ports on the Mediterranean and Black Sea coasts. The increased wealth allowed the sultanate to absorb other Turkish states that had been established in eastern Anatolia after the Battle of Manzikert: the Danishmends, the Mengücek, the Saltuklu, and the Artuklu (Roche, 139).
Süleyman bin Kutalmış was the founder of the Seljuq power in Anatolia. The Seljuq chief was deflected from the settled lands of Persia into Anatolia, where there was ample opportunity for land and warfare against the Byzantines (Branning). He and his sons were soon recognized at the leaders of the Turkish tribes in Eastern Anatolia. They also placed themselves at the service of the different candidates for the throne of the Byzantine Empire. When the Byzantine Alexis Comnena finally gained power in 1081, he signed a treaty with Suleyman, stating that he could establish his capital at Iznik. He was truly responsible for the installation of the Seljuks in Anatolia, as he declared himself independent from the Great Seljuqs (Branning).
The state was the property of the dynasty. The sultan divides the state within his sons and the princes rule those properties semi independently. In the length of time this method caused some dangerous problems. The Sultanate prospered rapidly and its territories enlarged. They needed to have one certain authority. Soon they became centralized and it was begun with I. Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev (Branning). Centralized state affairs were determined in an oriental council of state called “Diwan”. Sultan, vizier, grand seigneur were some of the members of Diwan. This council could not decide what will happen; it is just like a recommendatory committee. Every decision was made by sultan. He had the ultimate power and the absolute authority in the state.
The sultanate stretched across central Anatolia from the Antalya-Alanya shoreline on the Mediterranean coast to the territory of Sinop on the Black Sea. In the east, the sultanate absorbed other Turkish states and reached Lake Van. Its westernmost limit was near Denizli and the gates of the Aegean basin. Sultans of Anatolian Seljuqs ruled the state from their capital in Konya. Since the court of the sultanate was highly mobile, cities like Kayseri and Sivas also functioned at times as capitals.
For Anatolian Seljuqs, conquering those territories took too much time and effort. They struggled with other Turkic and foreign states. During these conquests they made lots of important wars. The Malazgirt battle was one of the most crucial wars in the history of Anatolian Seljuqs. The victory in 1071 against the Byzantines opened the doors for the Turks into Anatolia (Roche, 135). Later Turks fully conquered the whole of Anatolia and established the Anatolian Seljuk State as an independent from the Great Seljuk Empire. After the Battle of Manzikert of 1071 and the subsequent arrival of the Anatolian Seljuks came the definitive occupation of the central part of Anatolia. Turks started to settle in Anatolia during this period, in the early 11th century.
The Seljuk Turkish incursions into Anatolia prior to Manzikert consisted of a series of destructive invasions, aimed at collecting plunder. These raids used the previously unseen warfare style of mounted archers (Kaegi, 96). Before this important war, they sought to seize livestock, to secure space to graze their herds. After Manzikert, the situation changed, as there was no need to return as they could remain and settle with no danger, and even with substantial profit. As these nomadic tribes advanced to the north and the west, they found livelihood in the region and became sedentary farmers and livestock breeders (Branning).
As a result of battle of Manzikert, there were two notable Turkish powers in the region: the Seljuks in the southern areas and the Danishmendid to the north (Roche, 143). They would interact for many years to come, as both adversaries and allies. These two groups operated amidst the complex existing political and ethnic makeup in Anatolia: Latin strongholds, the Byzantines, the colonies of Venetian and Genoese merchants, the Knight of St. John in the Mediterranean, the Greeks in the west, and the Armenians and Georgians to the east (Peacock, 128).
Battle of Manzikert was just a beginning for Anatolian Seljuq period. For many years they continued their conquests and improved their both political and cultural conditions. When they increased their lands and wealth many other states tried to block their success. At the time Byzantine Empire was the major competitor of Seljuks. In 1176, Byzantine forces fought against the Anatolian Seljuqs. The Battle of Myriokephalon had found an important place in Turkish history and we can say that it’s a landmark in history. The result was the victory of Seljuks and ultimately the defeat marked the end of Byzantine attempts to recover the Anatolian lands. As a result of this war, The Byzantine Empire rapidly lost its power and it was the beginning of disintegration. They totally accept the dominance of Turks in Anatolia.
Nearly 60 years after the Myriokephalon battle, the balance of power began to change in Anatolia. As Seljuqs expended their territories, they had to confront with new powerful states such as Mongols. The battle between Mongols and Seljuqs was took place in a location between Erzincan and Gümüşhane in northeast Anatolia in 1243. This important war ended in a decisive Mongol victory (Branning). The consequences of Myriokephalon had destructive effects on Anatolian Seljuqs. They began to lost their power and authority in Anatolia. This important war was the beginning of their collapse.
In the early 13th century, the power of balance totally changed in Anatolia. During the decline of Anatolian Seljuks, Anatolian Beyliks began to arise. After the Battle of Kosedag, the territorial loss of Selujks and the fall of centralization caused the advancement of the Anatolian principalities. Finally in 1307, Anatolian Seljuqs totally lost their power and could not encounter with other states. This was the end of the Anatolian Seljuqs.
Beside their political history Anatolian Seljuqs also played very significant role on the other important fields such as social, cultural subjects. They made substantial contributions to both the history of Turks and Islamic culture. The Seljuk Period is especially famous for its architecture and decorative arts (Redford, 148). Outstanding among the architectural works of the Seljuk Period are caravanserai. More commonly called "Hans", these buildings were used as trading posts and temporary dwellings. The typical Seljuk caravanserai is a huge square or rectangular building with high walls of local stone. The walls are smoothly finished but devoid of decoration. They facilitated trade and were responsible in part for the prosperity of this glorious period of Turkish history. Comprising a group of approximately 100 structures, they represent some of the most impressive constructions in the entire history of Islamic architecture. Dozens of magnificent structures were built during the Anatolian Seljuks period, are particularly remarkable. Their unique concentration in time and in Anatolian geography represent some of the most distinctive and impressive constructions in the entire history of Islamic architecture. The Seljuks of Rum built monumental stone buildings of elegantly simple design and harmonious proportion (Redford, 153).
The Anatolian Seljuqs which had existed for 230 years, throughout their history they had different relationships with many states such as Byzantine Empire, The Ghaznavids and Mongols. They had experienced many wars that sometimes make them succeed and sometimes lead to decline. But overall, the sultanate of Rum had an important place in the history of Turkic people and states. Even after their political power ended, the Anatolian Seljuqs continued to be mentioned with their brave and courageous attitudes while fighting, their unique architectural works and respective contributions to the history of Turks.
