Soltan Sanjar

We say welcome and open our arms to those who come to these lands. World travellers, our gate and soul are open. Come and visit us! Come and travel in the lands of Oguz Han, Gorkut Ata, Seljuk Han, Alp Arslan, Melikºah, Soltan Sanjar, Görogly and Magtymguli.  

(28.) 



The flag of Seljuk Türkmen State

The mausoleum of Soltan Sanjar

When Soltan Sanjar was returning from hunting, he met a farmer working in his field. Upon the signal of the Soltan, his 

servants took the farmer away to a place and honoured him with various kinds of food and drink. The Soltan, after carrying him away, threw a sack in front of him and said, “Take as much as you can carry away from the treasury.”

The farmer thought and took a very small amount of gold in his hand. When the Soltan asked him why he didn’t take a sackful, the farmer replied, “I don’t need so much gold that I would carry it as a heavy burden now and after, but I need enough gold to help me carry out my deeds and duties efficiently.”

(57-59.) 



The Seljuk Sultanate fell in Soltan Sanjar’s period in the same way because of the implementation of an unjust policy like Soltan Mesut’s. Relations between the Great Seljuks and the Türkmens around Belkh broke down. Soltan Sanjar refrained from warring with the Türkmens who were his relatives, though.

(222.) 


Among his descendants, the first person to declare his independence was Atsyz, whose first act was against the Soltan Sanjar in 1338 (533). However, he was punished for it and driven off from Koneurgenj. 

(131.)


Türkmens played an important role in the establishment of the city of Baghdad. However, struggles for the throne between Iraqi Türkmens were always a great problem. Soltan Sanjar aimed to end these quarrels. Taking the opportunity to capture authority and strengthen political power, he appointed his brother Muhammet Tapar’s son Mahmyt as Melik. With the death of Mahmyt, ferocious crisis and turmoil resumed.

(230.) 


When the Türkmen changes his traditions and his way, he is defeated. For example, the city of Merw, which is also known as ‘the Capital of the World’, was a major city for the Türkmens of 4 thousand years ago. During the reign of Soltan Sanjar it had a population of more than 2 million. Jingiz Han devastated this beautiful city in the 13th century, but the Türkmen people re-established Merw again. Then, in the 16th century Tamerlame sacked Merw. And the Türkmens restored Merw again. In 1787 the city was severely damaged by the Han of Bukhara and was re-constructed by the Türkmens. Is there any other city in the world that has been ruined so many times? The sublime spirit of the Türkmens protected the city and it will do so forever.

(293.) 


During the reign of the Seljuks when the Türkmens ruled, Soltan Sanjar read a poem by Enweri and invite him to his palace:

The course of the world, the wicked world,

Caused severe pain and damage.

All evils on earth and in the sky ask,

“Where is Enweri’s little home?”

 

Immediately after reading the quatrain, the Soltan says:

“O poet, if all evils strike your home alone, don’t just complain, but think a while. And say, ‘What if it is the result of my sins?’ Nothing is groundless. Even the slightest motion does not take place without a cause for it. There is a sign of wisdom in everything.”

Enweri listens to the Soltan and understands what he means: “Even when he is living rough, the soul of man resides at the top of the legendary Kaf Mountain.” He realized that not every single one of his desires could be fulfilled, that he could not adapt to every condition and that he could not reside in a particular place for long.

(308.)