The war, known as the foundations of our state, is called the Dandanakan War, the foundation of which was laid when the Seljuk Principality, which was established by uniting with the Oghuz Tribes, opposed the Ghazni State, to which it was affiliated, in order to expand its dominance and to have more fertile lands. Between whom this war was fought, what is its story and importance, we will learn together.
We have a tremendous history that makes many of us proud. Our history is full of wars and our heroism in wars. While keeping our struggles against different nations at the forefront of our history, it actually takes an important place in the upper steps of our history in the wars within ourselves. These are the most important Dandanakan War. The Seljuk Principality, which was founded by merging with the Oghuz tribes; another one The Turkish State came face to face with the Ghaznavids and considered the foundations of the Turkish State.giving rise to the war that went down in history as the Dandanakan War.
The events that started with the Seljuk Principality’s desire to have richer and more livable lands lead them to a war that will change history. Seljuks, who entered the cities of the other Turkish State Ghaznavids without permission, are shaping history with Sultan Mesud’s desire to erase them from history. As a result of this war, the foundations of a state that will rule the world are laid. with you What is the history of the Dandanakan War, how its story developed, between whom it was fought and what is its importance we will learn about it and we will contribute to our national consciousness.
The story of the Dandanakan War: Between whom was it fought?
The Seljuk Principality, which implemented a policy of expansion, entered the most important cities of the Ghaznavids without permission and began to claim rights from there. Despite the many efforts of the Ghaznavids, the expansion policy could not be interrupted. The Ghaznavids, who could not stop the progress, started to leave their important cities to the Seljuk Principality and became enemies against each other. Thereupon, Sultan Mesud, the ruler of the Ghaznavid State, gathered his army and The preparations for the expedition against the Seljuk Principality embarked on.
The army, including elephants, could not meet their needs:
In the war that took place between the two states, the Ghaznavids, with an army of more than 100 thousand soldiers, including elephants, went on a campaign against the Seljuks, who had close to 50 thousand soldiers. Encountering various problems during the expedition The Ghazni army was heavily damaged. He was inflicting great damage on the large army against the Seljuks with his hit-and-run tactic. According to the conditions of the period, the Ghaznavids, who had a huge army, had difficulties in meeting the needs of the army and were trying to reach various regions to meet these needs.
The Ghaznavid army, which fought irregularly, could not stand any longer against the Seljuks. heavy losses they began to succumb. While Mesud, who was at the head of the Ghaznavids, lost his authority; The army was trying to save his life. At the same time, Mesud managed to escape from the Seljuks with his own unit. Masud, who managed to escape to the vicinity of India with his unit, had fled from the Seljuks, but his own soldiers killed him on the spot.
Let’s take a closer look at the causes of the Dandanakan War:
- The Seljuk State’s attempt to seek new lands due to its increasing population.
- The Seljuks, who were in search of land, invaded the Ghaznavid lands without permission and organized attacks.
- Seljuk State’s failure to comply with the agreements made; Not evacuating the cities of Nishapur, Merv and Serahs.
- Seeing the expansionist policy of the Seljuk State as a threat, Sultan Mesud wanted to erase the Seljuks from history.
The attempt of the Seljuk State to seek new lands due to its increasing population:
The Seljuk State was in search of new places due to its increasing population. They sought to enter lands that were convenient and rich in terms of location.
The Seljuks, who were in search of land, trespassed on the lands of the Ghaznavids and organized attacks:
The Ghaznavid State had important lands. Horosan is one of them. The Seljuk State, on the other hand, was entering these lands without permission and was gaining its dominance by organizing attacks. These Ghaznavids It was very worrying and infuriating.
Seljuk State’s failure to comply with the agreements made; Not evacuating the cities of Nishapur, Merv and Serahs:
The Seljuk State did not comply with the agreements made between the two states and entered the cities as they wished. The Ghaznavid State, on the other hand, wanted these cities to be evacuated and could not have a say against the Seljuks. of cities The expeditions to gain control were inconclusive..
Seeing the expansionist policy of the Seljuk State as a threat, Sultan Mesud wanted to erase the Seljuks from history:
The Seljuk State, the disobedient state of the region, was entering the cities without permission and maintaining its dominance despite all warnings. Thereupon, Sultan Mesud, who saw the Seljuk State as an enemy, made preparations for an expedition to expel the Seljuks from their lands. Thus, The foundations of the Dandanakan War were laid.
Now let’s examine the results of the Dandanakan War:
- After the war, the Ghaznavid State, which suffered great losses and was defeated, entered the process of collapse.
- The foundations of the Great Seljuk State were officially laid.
- Iranian influence on the Seljuks increased after they acquired Iranian lands.
- Ghaznavid State Ruler Sultan Mesud was killed by his soldiers.
- Tuğrul Bey was declared the Emir of Horosan.
After the war, the Ghaznavid State, which suffered great losses and was defeated, entered the process of collapse:
The Ghaznavid State lost the war with great destruction. With this entered a period of decline and collapse. The war that caused the state to be erased from the stage of history was the Dandanakan War, which he started himself.
The foundations of the Great Seljuk State were officially laid:
Tuğrul Bey announced the victory to the surrounding principalities after the war was won. the foundation of the new state to be established was laid and announced.
Iranian influence on the Seljuks increased after they acquired Iranian lands:
With the making of Rey the capital, the Iranian influence on the state increased due to the high Iranian population. Iranian traditions had a great influence on the state. within the state The Turks were disturbed by this situation.
Sultan Mesud, the ruler of the Ghaznavid State, was killed by his soldiers:
Sultan Mesud, the ruler of the Ghaznavid State, who attempted to escape with his troops after the loss of the war, killed by his own soldiers.
So, what is the significance of the Dandanakan War in terms of Turkish history?
After the war, the Ghaznavids suffered great destruction and retreated to India. waging war wisely and orderly Seljuk Principality declared its independence. Important steps have been taken towards becoming a state. After the war, Tugrul Bey had his legitimacy approved by the Abbasid Caliph. A new era has opened in the Turkish-Islamic history. According to some historians, the foundations of Turkey were laid with this war.
The war has a great importance in terms of Turkish and Muslim history. The Seljuks were the victor in the war between our ancestors; They have shaped Turkish politics and history.