History of the Turkey Seljuk state in the period of Kilidj Arslan I

Through the establishment of the Great Seljuk State, the Turkification process of Anatolia gained a great momentum. The Battle of Malazgirt marked a major turning point in this process. After the great victory in Malazgirt on August 26, 1071, the Turks spread of mass to various parts of Anatolia and began to dominate there. The Turkey Seljuk State, which was founded by Suleiman Shah in 1078 with the center of Iznik, further strengthened the Turkish domination in Anatolia. However, after the death of Suleiman Shah, the state was dragged into a great crisis. The period of deputies began in Iznik with the transferring of Suleiman Shah's family to Isfahan under the control of the Great Seljuk Sultan Melik Shah. The city of Iznik, which was under the control of Abu'l-Kasim and later him on his brother Abu'l-Gâzi, was attacked by the Byzantine and Great Seljuk armies. But, none of these armies managed to capture Iznik. With the return of Kilidj Arslan from Isfahan to Iznik and declaring his sultanate, the state order was restored. In Kilidj Arslan period, relations were first established with the Byzantine Empire and Çaka Bey. After making peace with Byzantium, killing Çaka Bey and defeating the Crusader armies of Pierre l'Ermite, Kilidj Arslan turned his direction to the east and attacked on Malatya. While the city was severely besieged, the siege of the capital Iznik by the great Crusader armies spoiled all of Kilidj Arslan's plans. Despite the strong resistance of the Turkish army, it was defeated by the Crusaders both in Iznik and in Dorylaion. The Crusade of 1101, which took place right after the First Crusade, which caused difficult periods for the Seljuk State of Turkey, it caused again in great struggles at Anatolia. As a result of the alliance of the Turkish Seljuk State and the Danişmends, three great Crusader armies were defeated in a short period of one and a half months. Not allowing the Crusader armies to pass through, saved the Islamic world from a great threat, and strengthened the position of Turks in Anatolia. However, disagreements between Kilidj Arslan and Danişmend Ghazi afterwards caused a war to break out between the two Turkish rulers. Kilidj Arslan defeated Danişmend Ghazi, and later captured the city of Malatya and increased his power. After this great achievement, Kilidj Arslan focused entirely on Eastern policy, captured cities such as Meyyâfârikîn and Harran. Later, taking advantage of the internal turmoil of the Great Seljuk Empire, he dominated the city of Mosul. This act of his was an official declaration of war against the Great Seljuk State. In this direction, Kilidj Arslan fought with Çavlı Sakavu, who was appointed as governor of Mosul by the Great Seljuks, was defeated due to the weaknesses of his army and died by drowning in the Habur River that he entered while retreating (1107). In our thesis, the life of Kilidj Arslan I, who was the second Sultan of the Seljuks of Turkey and who saved his state from great troubles and turned it into it one of the greatest powers of the region, is discussed. Keywords: Kilidj Arslan I, Turkey Seljuk State, First Crusade, The Crusade of 1101, the Great Seljuk State, the Danişmends