Seljuk dynasty
| Seljuk dynasty | |
|---|---|
Double-headed eagle, used as a symbol by several Seljuk rulers including Kayqubad I | |
| Founded | 11th century – Seljuk |
| Titles | |
| Traditions | Sunni Islam (Maturidi Hanafi) |
| Dissolution | Damascus: 1104 – Baktāsh (Ertaş), dethroned by Toghtekin Great Seljuk: 1194 – Toghrul III was killed in battle with Tekish Rum: 1308 – Mesud II died |
The Seljuk dynasty, or Seljukids (/ˈsɛldʒʊk/ SEL-juuk; Turkish: Selçuklular, Persian: سلجوقیان Saljuqian,) alternatively spelled as Saljuqids or Seljuk Turks, was an Oghuz Turkic, Sunni Muslim dynasty that culturally became Persianate and contributed to Turco-Persian culture.
The founder of the Seljuk dynasty, Seljuk Beg, was a descendant of a royal Khazar chief Tuqaq who served as advisor to the King of the Khazars, in West Asia and Central Asia. The Seljuks established the Seljuk Empire (1037–1194), the Sultanate of Kermân (1041–1186) and the Sultanate of Rum (1074–1308), which stretched from Iran to Anatolia and were the prime targets of the First Crusade.