The Seljuks

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The provided text offers a comprehensive historical overview of the Seljuk Dynasty, tracing their journey from nomadic origins in the Central Asian steppes to establishing a vast empire spanning the Middle East and Anatolia. It highlights their strategic conversion to Sunni Islam and their crucial role in protecting the Abbasid Caliphate, which legitimized their rule. The document details the reigns of key sultans like Tughril Beg, Alp Arslan, and Malik-Shah I, emphasizing significant military victories such as the Battle of Dandanaqan and Manzikert that shaped their territorial expansion. Furthermore, the text explores the Turco-Persian synthesis that defined their governance, administrative structures, cultural patronage in arts and sciences, and the establishment of influential Nizamiyya madrasas. Finally, it examines the factors leading to their decline, including succession crises, the rise of powerful atabegs, and the impact of the Crusades and Mongol invasions, ultimately discussing the Seljuk's lasting legacy, particularly the Turkification of Anatolia and its foundational role in the rise of the Ottoman Empire.

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Created on: August 29, 2025