THE YEAR 1150 AD IN TERMS OF THE HISTORY OF ISLAMIC SCIENCE
THE YEAR 1150 AD IN TERMS OF THE HISTORY OF ISLAMIC SCIENCE
Prof. Dr. Kadircan KESKİNBORA
Bahcesehir U. Faculty Member of Faculty of Medicine
With the Abbasids becoming dominant in the Iranian geography, the Sassanids reached the Northern Indian geography and became dominant in the region in order to avoid fighting with the Abbasids. They emphasized Arab culture over the local cultural structure in the geographies dominated by the Abbasids. In a sense, the Samanids felt the need to establish a new state in order to keep their culture alive. Thus, the Northern India region, where the Ghaznavids emerged on the stage of history, was under the control of the Samanid State since the 900s. On the other hand, the Samanids attempted to spread Islam and make the Muslim societies living in Inner Asia their subjects; Due to their proximity to the Central Asia and Transoxiana regions, where the Turks live densely, they began to gain strength by incorporating the Turkish Tribes who had recently become Muslims or had not yet become Muslims. The Turks, who came to the fore as governors, commanders and administrators, lived according to the clan-clan organization due to their cultural structure and did not abandon the clan system to which they were subject, but continued their organization around their own leaders. They took on important roles in the Samanid Army, directing wars and directly influencing the administration of the state. The Samanid State faced significant internal turmoil in the 950s. The intrigues in the palace, the disagreements of the influential authorities, and the illegal actions taken by the governors by taking advantage of the chaos made it uncontrollable. At that time, a Turkish commander named Alptegin was at the head of the Khorasan Armies, which constituted the most qualified force of the Samanids. Alptegin withdrew to the city of Ghazni, which was not under Samanid rule and was an insignificant city at that time, with his Turkish soldiers who remained loyal to him. Alptegin, with his soldiers loyal to him, marched against the local administration called Leviks around Ghazni, ending their dominance in Ghazni lands, and laid the foundation of the Ghaznavid State by claiming the geography they ruled over (962).
This new Turkish Principality became increasingly crowded over time with the subordination of the Turkish Tribes living in both the Samanid State and the Karakhanid State. The fact that the geography they were in was not the scene of serious external pressure and struggle accelerated the growth of the Ghaznavids. It literally became a State during the 20-year long rule of Sebük Tegin, which started in 977. The brightest period for the Ghaznavids began with the "Mahmud" period (998).
When the Ghaznavids destroyed the Samanids with simultaneous attacks with the Karakhanids, their lands were claimed by these two states. Thus, two great Turkish States, the Karakhanids and the Ghaznavids, became border neighbors. The Seyhun River, located between Transoxiana and Khorasan, was accepted as the border (1001). After the preparatory campaigns, Mahmud captured Punjab, the most powerful city of India, and completely dominated the geography of Northern India (1005); He continued his expeditions to India determinedly for 30 years. The local rulers, who were informed that the Ghazni Army had arrived, surrendered their cities without a fight. Inner Asia and the Caspian region were also included in the Islamic geography with the Karakhanids and Seljuks.
The Ghaznavids became very rich and their cities prosperous with Mahmud's magnificent conquests. Knowing the contributions of scholars and artists under the protection of the Karakhanids and Seljuks to the country, Mahmut sent word to all surrounding regions and conveyed his desire to protect scholars and artists in his palace. New palaces, mosques, social complexes, libraries and madrassas were built. Ghazni, Bust and other cities also became centers of science and culture. This bright period was shaken after the Dandanakan defeat in 1040. The Seljuks became an element shaping the policies of the Ghaznavids ; He governed the Ghaznavids as a kind of province. In 1117, Bahram Shah was able to become the Sultan of the Ghaznavids with the protection and support of the Seljuks.
The Gur people and their emirs, a state established in the Gur region of Afghanistan during this period, were a tribe that lived by fighting and attacking the caravans passing through the east and south of Herat. The City of Ghazni, which could not survive without the support of the Seljuks, was exposed to the attacks of the Ghurids, who had to retreat from Ghazni due to the fear of the Seljuks.
Ghurlu Sultan Izzeddin Hussein had seven sons. After his father's death, Kutbüddin Muhammed, who did not like his share, left his lands to Bahaeddin Sam, one of his brothers, and chose to join the Ghazni Sultan Bahram Shah and serve him. Kutbüddin, who made himself loved in a short time, attracted attention with his talents. When some people who did not like this provoked Bahram Shah against him, Qutbüddin was poisoned and killed. This incident started hostility between Ghurids and Ghaznavids.
Learning that his brother was killed in this way, Seyfeddin Sûrî went against Bahram Shah to take revenge and defeated the Ghaznavids (1148). Bahram Shah was able to escape and save his life. Seyfeddin Sûrî, who stayed in Ghazni, sent his entourage back when he was convinced that he had strengthened his dominance in the administration and gained the trust of the people and the notables. Meanwhile, Bahram Shah gathered himself and attacked Ghazni with a large army. In the war, Seyfeddin and his vizier were defeated and killed. Alaeddin Hüseyin ascended to the Gurlu throne (1149). Setting out with great determination, Alaeddin fought Bahram Shah three times in a row and defeated him each time. Bahram Shah was able to save his life by escaping to Punjab. Desperate for revenge, Alaeddin plundered Ghazni and burned it for seven days. While all architectural works, libraries and gardens were destroyed, thousands of people were killed (h.545/m.1150-51). The tombs of Ghazni sultans were destroyed and almost everything was set on fire. Ghazni notables were also killed and the soil wet with their blood was used in the construction of a castle. Convinced that he had avenged his murdered brothers in this way, Alaeddin left Ghazni, probably because he was afraid of the Seljuks, who were friends with the Ghaznavids. Bust, another important center of the Ghaznavids, was plundered and destroyed in the same way. He also destroyed other Ghaznavid cities he visited along the way. That's why Alâeddin became famous with the name "Cihansûz" (the one who burns the world. Sûz: burning, burning).
The second of the 3 phases of Islamic Civilization is the Ascension period. Two dates are given as the end date of this golden period: 1150 and 1258. The year 1150 marks the end of scientific activities as a result of the burning and plundering of many scientific and cultural cities, in the event whose preparatory factors and details are given above. As it is known, science and art activities can develop and flourish in free, peaceful, safe and peaceful environments with protection and support.
Resources:
- Meydan Larousse Grand Dictionary and Encyclopedia. 5th volume Istanbul: Meydan Publishing House, 1971:44-6.
- Cihansuz Alaeddin. Turkish Religious Foundation Islamic Encyclopedia. 7th volume Istanbul:Diyanet Vakfı Yayınları, 1988:544-5.