THE ASSASSINATION OF SULTAN ALP ARSLAN AND HIS GRAVE IN THE LIGHT OF ARABIC SOURCES

Abstract

Alp Arslan (1063-1072), who is the second ruler of the Great Seljuk Empire (1040-1157), opened the doors of Anatolia to the Turks and facilitated the progressive Turkization and Islamization of Anatolia by the victory at Malazgirt in eastern Turkey. This victory against Byzantine emperor, Romanos Diogenes, was a turning point in the history of the Turks, Islam and the world in general. Alp Arslan gained a reputation in Seljuk history with his personality, victories, and contributions to scholarly and cultural life. He was especially known for the establishment of the Madrasas of Nizamiyah and his building of political stability, peace and economic growth. There is not much information about the death of Alp Arslan (465/1072) and the location of his grave. In the course of this study we shall translate the records in the Arabic sources chronologically from Ibn alQalanisi (d. 555/1160) to Ibn Taghribardi (d. 874/1470) for the purpose of contributing to the studies of the scholars who conduct research in this field, especially Turkish academics.