Who are the Khwarezmshahs? History, Establishment and Destruction

It was founded in the Khwarezm region in Central Asia. Khwarezmshah Statei is a state consisting of Turkish-Iranian traditions. It is also known that the people of Khwarezm, who are generally known to speak Turkish, are also fluent in the Persian language and Iranian culture. According to sources; They reigned between 1077-1231 and changed capital four times. These; The cities are Köhne Ürgenç (1077–1212), Samarkand (1212–1220), Ghazni (1220–1221) and Tabriz (1225–1231).

They continued their struggle with the governorship duties that started with Anuş Tigin. could not gain full independence until the collapse of the Great Seljuk State. KhwarezmshahsWhen the province gained independence during the reign of Arslan, the Mongol invasions brought the Khwarezmshahs close to collapse. We can say that the historical process from the struggle for independence to the Mongol invasion is quite interesting.

Khwarezm region, where the foundations of the Khwarezmshah State were laid

Khwarezm region; It is the region where the Ceyhun River flows into and is located to the south of the Aral River. It is located within the borders of today’s Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. It is an important settlement especially for West Turkestan. The region joined the territory of the Great Seljuk State during the reign of Sultan Tuğrul (1037-1063). The Mangıçlar Expedition (1065) took place during the reign of Sultan Alparslan (1063-1072). Domination completely passed to the Seljuk State. The Khwarezm region gained great importance because it was on the Spice Road, one of the most important trade routes of the Middle Ages.

If you ask how the dominance of this region was ensured, the governors appointed by the Seljuk State were taking over the management in the region. Those who ruled here were given the title of Harezmshah. Management of the region; Starting with Governor Anuş Tigin (1077-1097) and passing from father to son Jalaluddin Khwarazmshah It ended in (1220 – 1231).

With Governor Anuş Tigin, the roots of the Khwarezmshah State began to form.

Khwarezm region first governor Anuş Tigin has happened. Anuş Tigin is known as the ancestor of the Khwarezmshah State. Because the next seven rulers are descendants of Anuş Tigin. Anuş Tigin was captured by the Great Seljuk State to be trained. He is a Turk from Harezm.

After receiving palace manners training from Bilge Tigin, During the reign of Great Seljuk Sultan Melihşah (1072-1092) He found himself in the palace service and was later appointed as the governor of the Khwarezm region, where he was recruited. While fulfilling his duty, he managed to gain the trust of the people of Khwarezm and the Seljuk Sultan Melihşah.

When Anuş Tigin passed away, his son Kudbeddin Muhammad (1097-1127) He was appointed to the Khwarezm region as the new governor. Following in his father’s footsteps, he also gained the trust of the people. So much so that the people began to see Kudbeddin Muhammad as their leader. However, Kudbeddin Muhammed’s life was not enough to fight for independence. When he died, he was succeeded by his son, who received the same training. Atsiz (1127-1156) was appointed governor.

With the rule of Atsız, the struggle for the establishment of the Khwarezmshah State officially began.

Atsız was a good administrator and soldier. Unlike his father and grandfather, he saw himself as the leader and even sultan of the Khwarezmshah people. With this thought, Taking advantage of the weakening of authority during the reign of Seljuk Sultan Sencer (1118-1157) It had already begun to act independently and expand the borders of the Khwarezm region without being dependent on it. Atsız’s independence movements angered Sultan Sencer and tensions were escalating.

Finally, Sultan Sencer came to the Khwarezm region with his army. He defeated Atsız. Atsiz, who failed in this struggle, was removed from his post as governor and Süleyman Bin Muhammed was appointed as governor to suppress the independence movements. With the use of very harsh methods, the unrest of the people of Khwarezm increased and Atsız tried to dominate the region again to take advantage of this opportunity.

When the Great Seljuk State lost its power, there was no obstacle to the establishment of the Khwarezmshah State.

With the Seljuk State at war with the Karakhanids, an opportunity arose for Atsız. Nishapur region captured and became part of the Seljuk State to Khorasan region causing it to pull towards. Not only that, we can say that he started to see himself as the Seljuk Sultan by having sermons read in his name.

Although Sultan Sencer lost his authority day by day, he managed to defeat Atsız again. They were both old now. When Atsız passed away, he was succeeded by his nephew. Il Arslan (1156-1172) passed. When Sultan Sencer died in 1557 The Great Seljuk State was officially destroyed.

When Il Arslan came to power, the balance of power in the region changed.

With the collapse of the Great Seljuk State, the governors affiliated with the state began to declare their independence one by one. Il Arslan, on the other hand, saw himself as the heir of the Seljuk State. By drawing other principalities to his side, A fully independent and powerful Khwarezmshah State was established.

They began to expand their borders more and more. danger close by Black Khitans They were at war with. However, when Il Arslan died without being victorious in this war, he was succeeded by his son. Alaaddin Tekiş (1172-1200) passed away.

Alaaddin Tekiş increased his power by defeating the Black Khitans. Not only that, He dominated the Kangli and Kipchak Turks. He succeeded in expanding the borders of the Khwarezmshah State by occupying Transoxiana in 1182. This was not the real great success of Alaaddin Tekiş. When the date shows 1194, Seljuk Sultan III. He defeated Tuğrul and annexed all of Iraq.

What happened in the Otrar Disaster caused great damage to the Khwarazmian State

When Alaaddin Tekiş passed away, his son succeeded him. Alaaddin Muhammad (1200-1220) passed away. During the reign of Alaaddin Muhammad, the Khwarezmshah State was on the rise. Strategically important regions such as Samarkand, Transoxiana and Azerbaijan were conquered. Not only that, In 1212, the Karakhanid State was ended and all its lands were annexed to the Khwarezmshah State.

The biggest dream of Alaaddin Muhammad, who successfully continued to expand his territory, was to add China to his territory. But as it is known, China was under the domination of the Mongols at that time. For this reason, instead of realizing his dream, Alaaddin Muhammed To be at peace with the Mongols trade agreements were made.

However, this state of peace did not last long. A caravan incident in the Otrar region damaged the peace with the Mongols. The main reason for this situation is Otrar governor İnalcık under the trade name of the Mongols espionage was thinking about what he did. İnalcık raided a Mongol caravan and killed many people. He burned the beards of some of them and sent them to the Mongol Emperor Genghis Khan.

This situation caused increased tensions between the Khwarazmian State and the Mongol Empire. Cengizhan wanted İnalcık to be sent to him. Alaaddin Muhammad cut off the head of the ambassador who brought this news and sent it back to Genghis Khan. In this case, in history Otrar Disaster was listed as. Officially, war was declared against the Mongols.

The war that started with the Mongol Empire brought the Khwarezmshah State closer to its end.

After the Otrar Disaster Mongol Emperor Genghis Khan began to besiege the Khwarezmshah State. He plundered every region he captured and killed all the soldiers. It is even said that Khwarezm soldiers made towers from their skulls. Alaaddin Muhammad died by hiding on an island in the Caspian Sea. His son, Celaleddin Khwarezmshah (1220-1231), the last leader of Khwarezmshah, succeeded his father.

Celaleddin Harezmshah, He became the ruler who defeated the Mongol armies for the first time in history in the Battle of Pervan. The Mongol Empire lost a war for the first time since its foundation. But this success did not last long. Genghis Khan went against Celaleddin Harezmshah with his armies, and Celaleddin Khwarezmshah fled towards the interior of India.

When the Mongol threat diminished, Celaleddin returned to the lands of Khwarezmshah and continued his rule. Proceeding towards Tabriz and its surroundings He wanted to restore the Khwarezmshah State to its former power. But it didn’t turn out the way he wanted. Because Ayyubids (1171-1250) And Anatolian Seljuk State (1077-1308) He became neighbors with. So there were owners of the region.

Battle of Yassıçemen (1230) and the collapse of the Khwarezmshah State

The Anatolian Seljuk State and the Ayyubids had united against the expansion policy of Celaleddin Harezmshah. Because the Mongols were capturing the Harezmshah lands in the east one by one. Celaleddin Harezmshah, on the other hand, was thinking of gaining new lands in the west. Ahlat seizure attempts, Anatolian Seljuk State Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I (1220-1237) It was not welcomed by. As a result Battle of Yassıçemen (1230) started.

With the death of Celaleddin, who was defeated against the Anatolian Seljuks, The Khwarezmshah State was erased from the scenes of history. The people of Khwarezm escaped from the Mongol invasion and took refuge in the Anatolian Seljuks. Finally; The Khwarazmian State had an important place in the history of the Turkish States.

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