Alp Arslan
Second Seljuk sultan who expanded the empire and defeated multiple rivals.
Alp Arslan, also known as Muhammad Alp Arslan bin Dawud Chaghri, was the second sultan of the Seljuk Empire, ruling from 1063 until his assassination in 1072. He was a great-grandson of Seljuk, the founder of the dynasty. During his reign, he significantly expanded Seljuk territory and strengthened his authority by defeating opponents to the south, east, and northwest.
Historians disagree on his birth year. Some 12th- and 13th-century sources say 1032 or 1033, while later sources give 1030. Medieval historian Ibn al-Athir recorded 20 January 1029, which scholar İbrahim Kafesoğlu considers most likely. Alp Arslan was the son of Chaghri Beg and nephew of Tughril, the empire’s founding sultans. His grandfather was Mikail, son of the warlord Seljuk. He fathered many children, including Malik-Shah I and Tutush I, though the identity of their mother or mothers is unclear. He married at least twice: one wife was the widow of his uncle Tughril; another was a Kara-Khanid princess called Aka or Seferiye Khatun; and he also married the daughter or niece of Bagrat IV of Georgia, who later wed his vizier, Nizam al-Mulk. Another of Seljuk’s sons, the chieftain Arslan Isra'il, had a son named Kutalmish who contested Alp Arslan’s succession. Alp Arslan’s younger brothers, Suleiman ibn Chaghri and Qavurt, were also rivals. Kutalmish’s son, Suleiman ibn Kutalmish, later became Sultan of Rûm, and his own son, Kilij Arslan, was a major opponent of the Franks during the First Crusade and the Crusade of 1101.
Alp Arslan accompanied his uncle Tughril on campaigns south against the Fatimids, while his father Chaghri remained in Khorasan. After returning to Khorasan, he began administrative work at his father’s suggestion. There, Chaghri introduced him to Nizam al-Mulk, who later became his vizier and one of early Muslim history’s most eminent statesmen.
In 1043–44, after a Khwarazm campaign with Tughril, Chaghri Beg besieged Herat, which had fallen to the Ghaznavids, but fell ill and lifted the siege. The Ghaznavid army under Sultan Mawdud achieved some success but was routed by a Seljuk army under Malik Ertash, who recaptured Herat. Another Ghaznavid attack was repelled by Alp Arslan, stationed in Balkh. Because of his illness, Chaghri appointed Alp Arslan in his place, and Alp Arslan defeated the Ghaznavids. Later, Alp Arslan and Chaghri led an army that captured Termez, Kubad
- born
- Disputed: 1032/1033, 1030, or 20 January 1029 (1 Muharram 420 AH) per Ibn al-Athir
- died
- 1072 (assassinated)
- field
- Military and political leadership
- nationality
- Seljuk Turk
- known_for
- Expanding the Seljuk Empire; defeating Ghaznavids, Kara-Khanids, and Buyids; father of Malik-Shah I and Tutush I
Lore & Background
Alp Arslan was the son of Chaghri Beg and nephew of Tughril, the founding sultans of the Seljuk Empire. His grandfather was Mikail, son of the warlord Seljuk. He was the father of numerous children, including Malik-Shah I and Tutush I. It is unclear who the mother or mothers of his children were. He was known to have been married at least twice, including to the widow of his uncle Tughril, a Kara-Khanid princess, and the daughter or niece of Bagrat IV of Georgia. His younger brothers Suleiman ibn Chaghri and Qavurt were his rivals.
Alp Arslan accompanied his uncle Tughril on campaigns against the Fatimids, while his father Chaghri remained in Khorasan. Upon returning to Khorasan, he began administrative work at his father's suggestion, who introduced him to Nizam al-Mulk, his future vizier. In 1043–44, while his father was ill, Alp Arslan defeated the Ghaznavids and captured Termez, Kubadhiyan, Vakhsh, Kunduz, and other Tokharistan lands. In 1048–49, he defeated the Kara-Khanid ruler Arslan Khan, who had occupied Termez and marched toward Balkh. In 1050, he secretly departed Merv and attacked the Buyid-controlled Fars province, capturing Fasa and taking 3,000 prisoners before returning to Khorasan. In 1053, he routed Ghaznavid forces commanded by Kirghiz, leading to a prisoner exchange and peace treaty.
Reader's Guide
Alp Arslan's significance lies in his military campaigns that greatly expanded Seljuk territories and consolidated the empire's power during his reign from 1063 to 1072. His victories over the Ghaznavids, Kara-Khanids, and Buyids secured Seljuk dominance in Khorasan, Tokharistan, and Fars. His early appointment by his father Chaghri Beg to command battles against the Ghaznavids demonstrated his military capability. His relationship with Nizam al-Mulk, whom he met through his father, would later shape Seljuk administration. Alp Arslan's legacy includes his sons Malik-Shah I and Tutush I, who continued the dynasty. His assassination in 1072 ended a reign marked by territorial expansion and consolidation. The disputed nature of his birth year reflects the uncertainty in medieval sources, but his impact on the Seljuk Empire is clear from the campaigns he led and the territories he secured.
Did You Know?
- Historical sources differ regarding Alp Arslan's birth date, with some giving 1032/1033, others 1030, and Ibn al-Athir recording 20 January 1029.
- Alp Arslan secretly departed Merv in 1050 and attacked the Buyid-controlled Fars province, capturing Fasa and taking 3,000 prisoners, then returned to Khorasan to avoid orders from his uncle Tughril.
- He defeated the Kara-Khanid ruler Arslan Khan after the latter occupied Termez and marched toward Balkh in 1048–49.
- His father Chaghri Beg introduced him to Nizam al-Mulk, who later became his vizier.
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