In the beginning, Atsiz acted in full compliance and
he was submissive to Sultan Sencer and he had participated in all the military expeditions
of Sultan. But he captured very important centres of military significance such as Cend
and Mangislak, etc. in order to diffuse his influence and power. These captures were
considered as evidence of his desires for independency, and therefore, Sultan Sencer
organised his first military expedition to Harezm in the year of 1138. In the war that
took place on the date of 16th November, the Harezm army could not withstand against the
forces of Seljuk State, and they inclined to get dispersed even in the beginning of the
war. Atsiz who could not collect together his army preferred to run away. Therefore, Sultan Sencer reestablished
dominion in the entire Harezm, and left this region under the domination of his nephew,
Suleyman und returned to Merv (February 1139). Suleyman could not resist to Atsiz who
returned after a while, and he had to leave Harezm. However, the concurring emergence of
Karahitay people who had founded a state in the Eastern Turkestan led Atsiz to get closer
with Seljuk State and this situation caused the submission of Atsiz to the domination of
Sultan Sencer again. However, Sultan Sencer was totally defeated by Karahitay people in
Katvan in the year of 1141. This defeat gave Atsiz an opportunity for the declaration of
his independence. As a matter of fact, he benefited from this opportunity, and captured
Merv that was the capital city of Sencer and Nisabur (1142). Sultan Sencer regained its
former condition and advanced towards Gurgenc, the capital city of Harezm with a large
army (1143-4) and organised a third military expedition to this region (1147). As a result
of both of the expeditions, Atsiz had to be submissive to Sultan Sencer. As a consequence,
Atsiz gave up his attempts oriented towards the capture of Khorasan due to his defeats and
failures against Sultan Sencer. Thus, he tried to reinforce his influence on the banks of
the Seyhun River and the regions within the environs.
The captivity of Sultan
Sencer by Oguz people (1153-1156) gave another new opportunity to Atsiz for the
intervention in the affairs of Khorasan. He considered that it was proper to act in a
manner pretending to protect the rights of the legitimate sultan. Meanwhile, he tried to
capture the castle of Amul (today's Çarcuy). On the other hand, the son of Sultan's
sister declared Mahmud from Karahanli State as the sultan. When Sultan Mahmud could not
attain any success against Oguz people, he had to ask help from Atsiz. Atsiz who wanted to
establish an alliance against Oguz people accepted this demand and moved towards Khorasan.
However, Sultan Sencer escaped from Oguz people concurrently. Upon this event, Atsiz had
to congratulate him and repeat his declaration about his submission. Pursuant to these
incidents, Atsiz did not live long, and he died on the date of 30th July 1156.
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