History of the Turkey Seljuk State in the period of Sultan Rukn al-Dīn Kilidj Arslan IV.

The Turkey Seljuk State, which experienced its golden era during the reign of Sultan 'Alā' al-Dīn Kaykubād I, witnessed many events that constituted the beginning of the collapse during the reign of his successor Ghiyāth al-Dīn Kaykhusraw II. Along with the Mongols, which can be assumed as one of the greatest dangers for the 13th century, reaching as far as the Near East, The Khwārazm-shāhs State, which received great blows against this destructive power, collapsed by not being able to exist over the deterioration of relations with the Seljuks. Thus, with the disappearance of the Khwārazm-shāhs, which was the buffer zone between the Mongols, the existence of the Seljuks was also in danger. The defeat of the Seljuks in the Battle of Köse Dagh, one of the battles that took place in 1243 and which determined the fate of The Turkey Seljuk State, made became the state subordinate to the Mongols. On the other hand, as a result of the unsuccessful administration of Kaykhusraw II, political, social and economic rebellions began to appear. This condition not only affected the bureaucracy of the country, but also put its financial resources in a very difficult situation. The defeat of Köse Dagh also mobilized some elements, such as the Turkmens and Armenians, who were subject to the Seljuks, and caused independence movements. After the death of Ghiyāth al-Dīn Kaykhusraw II, remained inexperienced princes and statesmen who used them as puppets. Rukn al-Dīn Kilidj Arslan IV, his elder brother 'Izz al-Dīn Kayka'ūs II and his youngest brother 'Alā' al-Dīn Kaykubād II inherited from his father a state that tried to survive under the Mongol rule and lost its former power and could not recover. All three aforementioned maliks lacked of administrative qualifications and were too young to run the state. There were beneficiary amīrs who supported each of them, and their conflicts of interest continued among themselves. First of all, 'Izz al-Dīn Kayka'ūs II who is eldest malik, ascended by common consent. On the other hand, Rukn al-Dīn Kilidj Arslan returned from his visit to the Mongolian khan where he went to declare his loyalty on behalf oh his brother, claimed the sultanate with the edict received from Mongols. Rukn al-Dīn Kilidj Arslan IV, who was defeated and imprisoned in the struggles he participated in, did not renounce his right to rule with the suggestions of the self-interested amīrs by his side, and this brought about the battles that would last for many years. Thereupon, thanks to the initiatives of Jalal al-Dīn Karatay, an experienced statesman, a different phase was passed in the history of the Seljuks with the enthronement of three sultans, which we call the joint reign period. But as a result of deaths of Jalal al-Dīn Karatay and after a while 'Alā' al-Dīn Kaykubād II, this joint reign was dispersed. With the push youngest malik out, Kilidj Arslan's fierce fight for the throne with older brother 'Izz al-Dīn Kayka'ūs II started again. The Seljuk country became even more chaotic with the participation of the Mongols who support Kilidj Arslan IV as well as the Turkmens and Akhīs who were the supporters of 'Izz al-Dīn Kayka'ūs II in the fights and battles between the two sides. The Mongol khan divided the Turkish Seljuk lands into two sides and appointed Kilidj Arslan IV to administer the eastern part and 'Izz al-Dīn Kayka'ūs II to rule the western part. However, the internal revolts that emerged within the country and the conflict of interests of the high-ranking amīrs on the other hand embittered the problems between the sultans. As a matter of fact, tax collection from the Seljuks, under the Mongols, was also a problem for the Seljuk sultans. 'Izz al-Dīn Kayka'ūs's reluctance to pay taxes brought him face to face with the Mongol armies. The defeat of 'Izz al-Dīn Kayka'ūs II caused him to leave his throne and country and seek asylum in Istanbul. The ultimate reign of Rukn al-Dīn Kilidj Arslan IV and his dominance over all the lands of the Seljuk country began when Kayka'ūs II left the country. Even though he enthronize as the sole sultan, Kilidj Arslan's reign was symbolic. In fact, the most influential figure in the statecraft was Mu'īn al-Dīn Sulaymān Parwāna. Kilidj Arslan IV was engaged in numerous rebellions during his reign. On the one hand, he undertook the responsibility of fulfilling the orders of the Mongols, on the other hand, he was in an effort to maintain his dominance in an oppressive environment where he tried to meet the demands of the statesmen. His greatest obligation under all difficult circumstances was to gain the consent of Mu'īn al-Dīn Sulaymān Parwāna, whom he owed his throne. Parwāna who was honoured with the affection and respect of the Mongols, and daring statesmen whom Kilidj Arslan IV had assigned certain places, began to put the sultan in a difficult position in order to increase their authority. As to Kilidj Arslan IV decided to put an end to this course of events and when became reluctant to fulfill the demands of the amīrs, paid the price for with his life. Kilidj Arslan IV was conspired and passed away by smothering with his bow string by the Seljuk statesmen, who took permission and support of the Mongols. In this thesis, the history of the Tukey Seljuk State between the year 1246, when Rukn al-Dīn Kilidj Arslan IV appeared on the stage of history, and the year 1266, when he died, was examined in the light of contemporary sources and modern studies.