History of Islam Vol 3 of 3 by Akbar Shah Najeebabadi

362 The History of Islam
mind and spirit and learned Islamic manners. However, even amidst
power and conquest they had not given up the love of pastoral life.
Therefore, most of these tribes settled in the green postures and forests
of Khorasan, Iran and other such countries.
When the Mongols invaded Khorasan,
the Oguz Turks of Khorasan
shifted to Armenia and settled there. Their chief was Sulaiman Khan.
He and his comrades were devout and true Muslims like the Seljuks.
The courage, determination and his behavior with his people attracted
many other Oguz Turks who were still unsettled and this added to his
strength. It was the era of Genghezid invasions and plunder and every
head of a family had to rely on his own strength and resources to
withstand the onslaughts. In such a delicate situation, only their unity
and solidarity could save them from utter destruction. Actually,
Sulaiman Khan, by acting wisely and cautiously, not only added to his
power and strength but also spared it for the future. The destruction
of the Khwarizm Shah Dynasty provided him with an opportunity to
make use of their men and materials for his own purpose.
Three years before his demise, Genghis Khan sent a huge army in 621
A.H. to invade the Konya based Seljuks. Konya was then ruled over by
Alauddin Kaiqbad Seljuk. It has already been mentioned that the Seljuks
rulers of this Empire continuously fought with the Romans (Christians).
Now, with the passage of time, this Empire showed weaknesses and
decline. When Sulaiman Khan came to know that Alauddin Kaiqbad
was targeted by the Mongols, he felt very sad for the Sultan who was a
Believer while the Mongols were Unbelievers. Moreover, the Konya
kingdom was constantly engaged in holy war against the Christians
while the Mongols had devastated the world of Islam.
Sulaiman Khan ordered his tribesmen to march ahead to join
Alauddin and reinforce his army so that he could have an opportunity
to be honored with martyrdom. Even though the actual number of
Sulaiman's troops is not known, he sent his son Artughril at the head
of 444 fighters as a vanguard. One of the strange things of history
occurred on this occasion. These warriors in defense of faith were
marching ahead from Armenia when, about the same time, a Mongol
force appeared from another side to take on Alauddin Kaiqbad's
troops. Now, as the battle between the Mongol and Seljuk forces broke