ARSLAN BEY

ARSLAN BEY


The tribe founding Seljukian Sultanate in Anatolia is Oghuz Turkmenians. The ancestors of Turks in Anatolia today are Oghuzes. Oghuzes, after having converted into Islam in 10th century, were called as Turkmenians. The native land of Oghuzes is Tanrı Mountain covered with forests. Oghuzes called this mountain as “Gökmen Adağı”. Our ancestors called this first Turkish land in Middle Asia (Ortaçağ), eastern part of it (Hatay) and western provinces (Horasan). Oghuzes were living as 34 tribes in Ortaç region. The twelve tribes in the right part were called (Bozoklar) and the twelve tribes in the left part were called (Üçoklar). Bozoklar derived from the sons of Oghuz named (Günhan), (Ayhan), (Yıldızhan). Üçoklar came from the sons of Oghuz han named (Gökhan, Dağhan, Denizhan).

One of the leaders of (Kınık) tribe of Üçok of Oghuzes succeded in establishing Great Seljukian Empire in 11th century. The father of Seljuk, Dakak had lived in the country of Uygur Turks. His son, Seljuk, went under the service of Beygu Han, the ruler of Uygurs and rose up to the rank of Subaşı. However, since Khan’s wife wanted to kill Seljuk, he went to Cent city near Seyhun River together with Oghuzes with him and settled down. Seljuk gained a reputation in a short time by fighting wars against the nearest nations. He was morally upright just as he was brave. Since he had the qualifications of a state founder, Horasan Region Turkmenians gathered around Seljuk in a short period of time.

There is a historical rumor about his being elected as khan: One day Oghuz Beys gathered somewhere taking out one arrow each from their quivers. They blindfolded a child and made him draw one of these arrows. This arrow pertained to ore of the leaders, Seljuk. They elected him as khan. They made him sit on a white felt and lifted and walked around. Then they kneeled down before him and drank koumiss in copper pots. All Leaders swore: “Seljuk, God bless your state! You are our khan.”

Poets read verses from Oghuz divan. So founded Seljuk the Seljukian state.Seljuk had four sons named (Arslan, Mikail, Musa and Yunus). Seljuk loved Mikail most among his children. Mikail fell as a martyr in a siege. After that, Seljuk’s love for (Çakır) and (Tuğrul), sons of Mikail rose. However, the greatest of his sons was Arslan Bey. At these times, Samanoğulları ruler demanded help from Seljuk. Seljuk sent his son Arslan Bey leading a force to them. Arslan Bey was a very brave and stouthearted commander. He showed great successes in his wars. He defeated the nations disturbing the order in Maveraünnehir.

Seljuk Khan died in 1030 when he was one hundred and seven years old. Now the state was governed by Arslan Bey. However, Samanoğulları, Karahanlilar and especially Gazneliler, which had their own states, got afraid of the forces of Arslan Bey. Gazneli Mahmut tried to find ways of establishing friendly relations with Arslan Bey, whom he saw as a danger to his own state. One day Gazneli Mahmut sent a messenger to Arslan Bey.

Arslan Bey respected the messenger as required. The messenger, after giving the kind regards of Gazneli Mahmut, notified as follows: Gazne Sultan says that we always carry out military expeditions toward India. Several Muslim countries wish to help us. I am surprised that none of Seljuk sons do not come with us to participate in that war. If you want to take part in Indian expeditions, come and talk to me in Gazne!.

Arslan Bey elçiye şu sözü verdi: Arslan Bey the messenger as follows: If your sultan wants to take advantage of Seljukians, we will never escape from war. We will immediately take part in Indian expeditions. I will go to Gazne to talk about this issue!

Indeed, he went with a Turkmenian regiment of 10.000 people consisting of brave young men with all kinds of equipment from Horasan to Gazne city, in the vicinity of Kabil city of today. Gazneli Mahmut got afraid upon hearing that such a big force was approaching his capital. These forces spend the night near Gazne in a military camp. Gazneli Mahmut, anxious of this, sent a message to Arslan Bey with one of his men:
There is not any expedition against India yet. Withdraw your forces. I will put your commanders up in my palace only.

Arslan Bey withdrew his forces accepting the wish of Sultan and entered Gazne city with only 300 brave youth. Passing of this beautiful brave young men on purebred horses evoked great excitement. Oghuzes were beautiful with regard to their faces. They had fair complexion, red cheeks and brown hair, strong bodies. Oghuzes were the bravest and smartest of all Turkish tribes. Their beauty as well as ethics were well-known and respected by all Asian nations.

Arslan Bey went to the magnificent palace of Gazne sultan together with his son Kutulmuş. Palace Agas met him and took him before Sultan Mahmut. The palace was one of the richest palaces of the age. Gazneli Mahmut gathered the best scientists and artists of his age, and even famous poet Firdevsi wrote his Şehname in the Gazne Palace. Sultan Mahmut was sitting on a golden throne with his viziers respectfully standing around. Arslan Bey, upon entering the hall, advanced in a very polite manner, leaned forward and kissed the floor. This polite manner of Arslan pleased Sultan Mahmut. Therefore, he showed honor to Arslan Bey. He ordered that a golden podium be put next to his throne. Immediately was put a golden podium next to the sultan. Gazneli Mahmut made his guest sit there next to him. After talking to Arslan for a period of time, he ordered that divan be gathered. Many viziers and agas sat down at their places and held a divan meeting. Gazneli Mahmut, liked Arslan Bey’s1 attendance to this divan.

After some time, Gazneli Mahmut, turned to his distinguished guest and asked: If we need, how many of your soldiers can help us? Arslan Bey, showing an arrow he took from the quiver he was carrying, replied: I can send you 10.000 soldiers whenever you send this arrow to my clan. The sultan, being happy for this promise asked again: And what if I want again? Arslan took another arrow out from his quiver: This arrow is equivalent to 10.000 soldiers. Sultan Mahmut, surprised, asked: If I want more?
Arslan Bey took out a third arrow and said: This makes another 10.000 soldiers.

Sultan Mahmut’s eyes got wide open and the attendants of the divan could not conceal their amazement. Sultan Mahmut was determined to examine his guest until the final point: And if these are not enough?

Then Arslan Bey took out the arch hanged on his shoulder and spoke in a dignified voice: Whenever you send this arch to my clan, immediately you will have 30.000 soldiers for your order! The behavior of the Sultan hearing these words changed. He felt fear and grudge. The attitude of attendants of the divan also changed. The conversation beginning with love ended with grudge. After some time, Arslan Bey left the Sultan with his son Kutulmuş. Gazneli Mahmut, said to his viziers: One man who can gather 60.000 people together with their arms, provisions and munitions cannot be looked down upon.
The viziers replied all together: This man is a great danger for our state. Upon this, Gazneli Mahmut began to think bad about Arslan Bey. Now that Arslan is in our hands, we should not let him alive. His idea was considered suitable by the viziers. One of them proposed: Let’s choke Arslan and his commanders in a river! First Gazneli Mahmut did not approve choking of a guest, but then he said: We can arrest him and put into prison in “Kalincer” castle at the Indian border and issued the necessary order. Poor Arslan Bey was sleeping in the golden gilt room of this palace he was staying as a guest. Early in the morning, ten palace guards entered his room and attacked on Arslan and his son in their sleep. They were caught tightly.

Arslan Bey could not understand what was happening. Even if he understood that he was betrayed in this palace he was a guest, it was too late. Guards of Gazne took him to a dark room of Kalincer castle with thick walls on a mountain by the Indian border.
Arslan Bey, the elder son of Seljuk completed his life in this dark stone room, cheated by Gazneli Mahmut.

But Turks swore to take revenge. Finally, Çakır and Tugrul Beys, grandsons of Seljuk, defeated the son of Gazneli Mahmut, Mesud, in “Dandanakan” battle and put an end to Gazne State. Gazneli Mahmut, had released the son of Arslan, Kutulmuş. Kutulmuş was killed by Alparslan because of a fight of sultanate. However, the son of Kutulmuş, Suleyman succeeded in founding Anatolian Seljukian State and made Oghuz Turkmenians live forever in Anatolia.