Beylik of Dilmaç
Encyclopedia
Beylik of Dilmaç was a small principality in East Anatolia
(part of modern Turkey
) founded in the 11th century .
After the battle of Malazgirt in 1071, the victorious Turkmen
tribes led by ghazi warriors began to settle in Anatolia. One of these warriors was Dilmaç oğlu Mehmet (son of Dilmaç). After the Great Seljuk Empire conquered the city of Bitlis
the city was given to Mehmet as an ikta i.e., nonheritable property in 1085. After conquering nearby town of Erzen (now a hamlet), Mehmet died in 1104. During the reign of his son Togan Aslan, the beylik was no more a vassal of Great Seljuk Empire. In the early years of his reign, Togan Aslan accepted the suzerainty of Artukids and together with Artukids, participated in a number of military operations against Crusaders
, the most important being Battle of Ager Sanguinis
in 1119 where Roger of Salerno
lost his life. After securing independence he also had to fight against other Turkic beyliks like Sökmenli
and former suzerain Artukids to defend Bitlis from attacks. After Togan's death (1134 ?) his successors fought agains Georgia
and Danishmends
. As the small principalities were replaced by greater powers the beylik had to accept the suzerainty of Ayyubids, Harzemshah Sultanate, Ilkhanids, and Timur
. After the return of Timur, Akkoyunlu Turkmens captured all of their territory probably around 1410s.
Anatolia
Anatolia is a geographic and historical term denoting the westernmost protrusion of Asia, comprising the majority of the Republic of Turkey...
(part of modern Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
) founded in the 11th century .
After the battle of Malazgirt in 1071, the victorious Turkmen
Oghuz Turks
The Turkomen also known as Oghuz Turks were a historical Turkic tribal confederation in Central Asia during the early medieval Turkic expansion....
tribes led by ghazi warriors began to settle in Anatolia. One of these warriors was Dilmaç oğlu Mehmet (son of Dilmaç). After the Great Seljuk Empire conquered the city of Bitlis
Bitlis
Bitlis is a town in eastern Turkey and the capital of Bitlis Province. The town is located at an elevation of 1,400 metres, 15 km from Lake Van, in the steep-sided valley of the Bitlis River, a tributary of the Tigris. The local economy is mainly based on agricultural products which include...
the city was given to Mehmet as an ikta i.e., nonheritable property in 1085. After conquering nearby town of Erzen (now a hamlet), Mehmet died in 1104. During the reign of his son Togan Aslan, the beylik was no more a vassal of Great Seljuk Empire. In the early years of his reign, Togan Aslan accepted the suzerainty of Artukids and together with Artukids, participated in a number of military operations against Crusaders
Crusaders
The Crusaders are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Christchurch that competes in the Super Rugby competition. They are the most successful team in Super Rugby history with seven titles...
, the most important being Battle of Ager Sanguinis
Battle of Ager Sanguinis
In the Battle of Ager Sanguinis, also known as the Battle of the Field of Blood, the Battle of Sarmada, or the Battle of Balat, Roger of Salerno's Crusader army of the Principality of Antioch was annihilated by the army of Ilghazi of Mardin, the Artuqid ruler of Aleppo on June 28,...
in 1119 where Roger of Salerno
Roger of Salerno
Roger of Salerno was regent of the Principality of Antioch from 1112 to 1119.He was the son of Richard of the Principate and the 2nd cousin of Tancred, Prince of Galilee, both participants on the First Crusade. He became regent of Antioch when Tancred died in 1112; the actual prince, Bohemund II,...
lost his life. After securing independence he also had to fight against other Turkic beyliks like Sökmenli
Ahlatshahs
Ahlahshahs were the 11th-12th century rulers of an Anatolian beylik of the first period founded after the Battle of Manzikert, and centered in Ahlat on the northwestern shore of the Lake Van in Eastern Anatolia...
and former suzerain Artukids to defend Bitlis from attacks. After Togan's death (1134 ?) his successors fought agains Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
and Danishmends
Danishmends
The Danishmend dynasty was a Turcoman dynasty that ruled in north-central and eastern Anatolia in the 11th and 12th centuries. The centered originally around Sivas, Tokat, and Niksar in central-northeastern Anatolia, they extended as far west as Ankara and Kastamonu for a time, and as far south as...
. As the small principalities were replaced by greater powers the beylik had to accept the suzerainty of Ayyubids, Harzemshah Sultanate, Ilkhanids, and Timur
Timur
Timur , historically known as Tamerlane in English , was a 14th-century conqueror of West, South and Central Asia, and the founder of the Timurid dynasty in Central Asia, and great-great-grandfather of Babur, the founder of the Mughal Dynasty, which survived as the Mughal Empire in India until...
. After the return of Timur, Akkoyunlu Turkmens captured all of their territory probably around 1410s.