https://www.saljukidsstudies.ir/ Seljuk Studies en daily 1 Mon, 20 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0330 Mon, 20 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0330 https://www.saljukidsstudies.ir/article_226993.html Tower mausoleums built during the reign of the Turkish dynasties such as the Ghaznavians, Seljukians and Ilkhanians found on the vast expanse of Iran and the neighboring territories - in the Caucasus, in Afghanistan. It revealed that the architectural monuments of this type were built in the Eurasian steppes, in Kazakhstan long before Islam. It was found that the appearance of the tower mausoleums in Iran, one of the manifestations of Turkish-Iranian cultural symbiosis. It turned out that during the construction of the first monuments of this type according to the time of the first Turkic tribes in Iran. In this article, based on the study of architectural monuments, namely, tower mausoleums built on the territory of Iran and Kazakhstan are characterized by relations of Islamic culture and the nomadic civilization in the X-XIV centuries. Attention is drawn to the spiritual and cultural consequences of the conquest of the Turks of Iran. For example, the tower mausoleums built in the Eurasian steppes, traced the cultural heritage of Central Asian nomads in Iran. It revealed that these architectural monuments has a direct relationship with the traditional dwelling of Turkic yurt, which is in turn associated with the outlook of nomads. Yurt is a monument of material culture of the Turkish-Mongol ethnic groups cultivated space nomads, a microcosm of the world, where the family lives, where the nomad is born, grows, creates a family, there is a transfer of values goes to the other world. The results obtained allowed to cover the value of the traditional world of the nomads in the development of this component of the material culture of Iranians. https://www.saljukidsstudies.ir/article_228802.html The article explores the historical, cultural, and literary significance of the Nawrūznāma, a didactic Persian text from the Seljuk period. The Nawrūznāma is a treatise that delves into the origins, traditions, and customs associated with Nawrūz, which is celebrated at the spring equinox. The text is divided into two main sections: the first part discusses the history and astronomical aspects of Nawrūz, including the Iranian solar calendar and its reforms, while the second part focuses on the courtly customs and gifts presented to the King of Kings during Nawrūz celebrations. The article provides a detailed analysis of the two surviving manuscript versions of the Nawrūznāma -the Berlin Manuscript and the London Manuscript- and an isolated fragment of it preserved in an Indian miscellaneous manuscript of Zoroastrian texts. It highlights the differences between these manuscripts, such as gaps in the text and variations in the organization of chapters, and discusses the challenges in reconstructing the original text. The article addresses the debate surrounding the authorship of the Nawrūznāma, which is traditionally attributed to the famous Persian poet and astronomer Omar Khayyam. However, the author raises doubt about this attribution, citing inconsistencies in the text and the lack of explicit references to Khayyam's known works. The article concludes by situating the Nawrūznāma within the broader context of Persian literature, particularly the genre of "nawrūziyya", which focuses on the celebration and customs of Nawrūz. The text is seen as a valuable historical document that reflects the cultural and literary milieu of the Seljuk period, blending Iranian traditions with Islamic influences. Overall the Nawrūznāma is presented as a significant work that not only preserves ancient Iranian customs but also serves as a bridge between pre-Islamic and Islamic Persian literary traditions. https://www.saljukidsstudies.ir/article_229910.html Sasanian military architecture-especially its elevated stone fortresses-forms a fundamental part of Iran’s cultural heritage and played a key role in shaping the architectural strategies of later Islamic dynasties, particularly the Seljuks. Many Seljuk fortresses were erected directly atop earlier Sasanian structures, often retaining their layouts, materials, and defensive logic. This study presents a comparative analysis of the Sasanian military architectural elements, aiming to identify their transmission, adaptation, and innovation in subsequent periods. The evolution of this architectural tradition was profoundly influenced by Iran’s diverse geography. Mountainous areas required durable stone fortifications, while adobe structures were more suitable for plains. Iran’s strategic location-at the intersection of cultural, commercial, and military routes-combined with continuous threats from neighboring empires, fostered the development of complex and resilient defense systems. The research draws on a variety of sources: historical and geographical accounts by early Islamic scholars, travelogues by European explorers, and archaeological surveys by both Iranian and Western researchers. In addition to textual sources, material evidence-such as ceramics, construction techniques, and architectural remains-provides valuable insights into building practices. One notable transformation is the shift from thick Parthian dry-stone walls to narrower walls supported by rounded towers in the Sasanian period. The introduction of hydraulic lime mortars, likely brought by Roman prisoners of war, revolutionized construction on steep terrains. The widespread use of small river stones and regular masonry patterns in newly built cities reflects a deliberate move toward efficiency and durability. Late Sasanian architecture also reveals influences from Byzantine models in large-scale shelter designs. Monumental defensive structures such as the Gorgan Wall and the Moghan Wall exemplify the scale and ambition of Sasanian military planning. This preliminary study underlines the significance of Sasanian innovations and calls for further archaeological and architectural investigations to clarify their enduring impact. https://www.saljukidsstudies.ir/article_230110.html This article, authored by Mehmet Altay Köymen, a prominent historian of the Seljuk period, provides a concise yet insightful analysis of the structure, functions, and political role of the military in the Sultanate of Rum. Drawing upon reliable historical sources, the author examines the army’s involvement in royal succession, internal power struggles between military elites and the sultans, and its decisive role in major battles such as Manzikert, Myriokephalon, and Yassıçemen. The study reveals that the Seljuk military not only ensured the political survival of the state but also played a key role in realizing the policy of unifying Anatolia under Seljuk rule and defending its borders. In addition to its political and strategic functions, the article explores the economic and social aspects of military life, including the iqṭāʿ system, the remuneration of soldiers, and the luxurious lifestyle of high-ranking emirs, thereby offering a comprehensive view of the military class within the state structure. While the article provides valuable historical data, it is also marked by the author’s strong nationalist perspective, especially in his attempts to distinguish a distinct "Turkish civilization" from the broader Islamic civilization—an approach that invites critical methodological reflection. Overall, the article not only contributes to our understanding of the Seljuk military apparatus but also serves as a potential model for future studies in medieval Iranian military history. https://www.saljukidsstudies.ir/article_220714.html The Seljuk Turkmen attacks on Asia Minor, which began in the first half of the 5th century AH (11th century AD), gained increased cohesion following the Battle of Manzikert (463 AH / 1071 AD) and ultimately led to the establishment of Turkish and Muslim states in this region. Among these states, the Seljuk dynasty of Rum gained growing power and eventually dominated most of Asia Minor. Less than two decades after the establishment of this Muslim state, military challenges with the Crusader warriors began. This article aims to explore the initial political and military challenges between this Muslim state and the Christian Crusaders. The main question of this study is: Why and how did the Seljuks of Rum engage with the Crusaders, and what were the outcomes of this confrontation for the Islamic world? The hypothesis of the present study is that although the advance of the Muslim Seljuks into the lands of Rum and Syria and their increasing power in confronting the Christian Byzantine Empire influenced the beginning of the Crusades, the religious, political, and especially economic motivations of the Crusaders played a fundamental role in their invasions of Seljuk territories in Rum. The findings indicate that even though Sultan Kilij Arslan I led a newly established and emerging government, he engaged in at least six confrontations with the Crusader forces and their Byzantine supporters. He organized a steadfast resistance against the Crusaders by forming a united Islamic front comprising the Seljuk army of Rum, the forces of Malik Ghazi Danishmend, and the troops of Malik Ridwan, the Emir of Aleppo. The research method used in this study is historical with a descriptive-analytical approach.  https://www.saljukidsstudies.ir/article_221550.html Documentary evidence from the Seljuk era concerning the civil engineering initiatives of the Seljuk state, particularly in the construction of hydraulic structures, provides researchers with valuable insights into the Seljuk’s approach to water management. This line of research sheds light on the Seljuk state's objectives and functions in developing irrigation and water supply systems, as well as their role in promoting agricultural development and fostering the prosperity of both urban and rural communities, providing grounds for further analysis and interpretation. This study aims to extract, present, and analyze reports and references from Seljuk and post-Seljuk sources concerning the construction of hydraulic structures for both surface and subterranean waters. The primary research question centers on the specific measures undertaken by the Seljuks to enhance their water supply systems? the historical periods during which these projects received attention? and whether the states exerted any control over water resources through these structures?