ABSTRACT
On the death of Melik Shāh in a.h. 485 (1092) a civil war broke out between the brothers Berkiyāruk and Mohammad, which resulted in the formation of separate semiindependent states, under various branches of the Seljūks, in different quarters of the dominions of that family. Chief among their representatives were—the Seljūks of Kirmān, a.h. 433–583 (1041–1187); the Seljūks of Syria, a.h. 487–5 11 (1094–1117); the Seljūks of ‛Irāk and Kurdistān, a.h. 511–590 (1117–1194) ; the Seljūks of Rūm (or Asia Minor), a.h. 470–700 (1077–1300). Until the death of Sanjar the main branch preserved a nominal suzerainty over the rest, although their empire had been so greatly reduced that Sanjar’s rule was practically confined to Khorāsān. On his death in a.h. 552 (1157) the authority of the great Seljūks came to an end, and Khorāsān fell into the hands of the Khwārazm-Shāh, II-Arslān, who had succeeded his father in the previous year. In 567 (a.d. 1171) the Kara- Khitāys advanced into Khwārazm, and Il-Arslān marched out to oppose them ; but on reaching Amūya 1 he fell dangerously ill, and was obliged to resign command of his army to one of his generals. After gaining a decisive victory over the Khwārazmians the Kara-Khitāys again withdrew, a.h. 568 (1172). 2 In the following year Il-Arslān died, leaving his realms to his youngest son, Sultan Shāh Mahmūd. His elder brother Tekish, however, disputed the succession, and, with the aid of the Kara-Khitāys, overthrew the young prince and set himself upon the throne, a.h. 568 (1172). 1
