Tughrilid

Tughrilid refers to a dynasty of Oghuz Turkic origin that ruled a large part of Western Asia from the 11th to the 12th centuries. The dynasty was founded by Tughril, who, along with his brother Chaghri, led the Seljuk Turks to conquer territories from the Byzantine Empire and the Abbasid Caliphate. Tughril himself was proclaimed Sultan in 1037 and later became the first Seljuk ruler to receive recognition from the Abbasid Caliph, eventually being granted the title "King of the East and West."

The Tughrilid era marked a significant shift in the political landscape of the Middle East. They established a vast empire that stretched from Central Asia to the Mediterranean. Their military successes, particularly the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, are considered pivotal events that weakened Byzantine control in Anatolia and paved the way for Turkish settlement there. The Tughrilids were instrumental in reviving Sunni Islam as the dominant religious and political force in the region, often acting as defenders of the Abbasid Caliphate.

Following Tughril's death, the dynasty continued under his successors, most notably Alp Arslan and Malik-Shah I. Under these rulers, the Seljuk Empire reached its zenith in terms of territorial extent and political influence. However, internal strife and the rise of new powers, including the Assassins and the Crusader states, eventually led to the fragmentation of the Tughrilid empire. By the late 12th century, the direct rule of the main Seljuk line had significantly weakened, though various branches of the dynasty continued to govern in different regions.