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Defeat by Kara Hitay
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There was a conflict that burst out between Mahmud,
the ruler of the Karahanli State and Karluk people that were one of the Turkish tribes.
While Mahmud asked help from Sultan Sencer, Karluk people applied to Gur-Khan from
Kara-Hitay people. Upon this demand for help, Sultan Sencer gathered a large army and set
off. The forces of Seljuks and Kara-Hitays fought in the plains of Katvan (Katavan) around
Samarkand (9th September 1141). In this place, Sultan Sencer had the first defeat of his
life, his army got totally dispersed and his wife, Terken Hatun was taken prisoner.
Kara-Hitay people invaded the entire region of Transoxania. This defeat was a heavy shock
for the Seljuk State and the Islam world. Sultan Sencer lost his lands that were located
beyond Ceyhun River. Turkestan had firstly been under the domination of a tribe that
followed idol worship.
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