Sultan Alp Arslan (Sultan of the Seljuk Empire)

Sultan Alp Arslan, who ruled the Great Seljuks State from 1063 to 1072, was one of the most important rulers in Turkish history.

Sultan Alp Arslan, (i. e. the Brave Lion,) or with his complete name, Diyā ad-Dunyā wa ad-Dīn Adud ad-Dawlah Abu Shujā' Muhammad Ālp Ārslan ibn Dawūd born A.D. 1030, was the nephew of the Seljukide Sultan Togrul Beg, whom the Abbaside Caliph Kaim-biamr-illah had, for the protection of his throne, invested with the dignity of Emir al Omara, or Coammander in Chief of the whole empire.

Alp-Arslan was the son of Chaghri Beg, the ruler of Khorāsān in Iran. He was the great-grandson of Seljuk, chieftain of the Ghuzz Turkomans, who had invaded southwestern Asia in the 11th century. In 1061 his father died. When, in 1063, his uncle died without issue, Alp-Arslan became sole heir to all the possessions of the dynasty except Kerman, in southern Iran, which was held by one of his brothers, whom he promptly reduced to vassalage. He likewise easily eliminated the son of one of Toghrïl’s widows, as well as Qutlumush, a cousin and rival.

Alp Arslan made important contributions to the expansion of the borders of the Great Seljuq State and to the spread of the fame of the state throughout the world. Following his famous victory against Byzantine Emperor Romanos Diogenes at Manzikert2 on 26 August 1071, Alp Arslan eliminated the obstacles to the conquest of Anatolia and played a major role in making this territory a homeland for the Seljuqs. By taking the Emperor captive, Alp Arslan gained great fame but in 1072, on an expedition to Western Turkestan, he met with death in an unexpected way and at a relatively early age.
Sultan Alp Arslan (Sultan of the Seljuk Empire)