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History of Islam Vol 3 of 3 by Akbar Shah Najeebabadi

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Ottoman Dynasty<br />

363<br />

out and the Mongols were about to gain the upper hand Sulaiman<br />

Khan's son Artughril appeared on the scene with Muslim soldiers. He<br />

witnessed two forces fighting against each other and one party about<br />

to be defeated when he joined the weak and dominated side without<br />

identifying it and gave such a fierce fight that the Mongols were<br />

uprooted and they took to their heals leaving behind nothing but dead<br />

bodies. Alauddin Kaiqbad Seljuk who was facing certain defeat<br />

expressed his utmost joy over this sudden and most unexpected<br />

victory. He hugged Artughtil out <strong>of</strong> love and thankfulness. Artughril<br />

on the other hand, expressed his happiness over extending timely help<br />

to his Muslim brethren fighting in the way <strong>of</strong> Allah Almighty.<br />

Artughril and Alauddin were still in an ecstasy <strong>of</strong> delight when<br />

Sulaiman Khan also reached the battlefield. Alauddin's joy knew no<br />

bounds and he not only thanked but also honored the father and the<br />

son with costly garments, He then bestowed on Artughril an estate<br />

near Angorah, present day Ankara, and appointed Sulaiman Khan as<br />

the Commander-in-chief <strong>of</strong> his army.<br />

Alauddin's prudence is commendable when he gave Artughril the<br />

best piece <strong>of</strong> land under his possession. The Konya Empire was very<br />

vast. But, gradually, the northern and western parts <strong>of</strong> Asia Minor<br />

were occupied <strong>by</strong> the Romans and with their expansionist designs<br />

they were going ahead capturing one area after another. The Mongols<br />

had separated the southeastern areas on the other hand, and their<br />

thirst for more territory was going on unabated. Thus, the Konya<br />

Empire was being ground between two millstones. With the result, it<br />

was reduced to -a small- State and was counting its days to extinction.<br />

In such a situation, it was rather a wise step on the part <strong>of</strong> Alauddin to<br />

allot Artughril an estate bordering the Roman Empire and appointed<br />

Sulaiman Khan as Commander-in-Chief to stop the advances <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Mongols. Sulaiman Khan was campaigning against the Mongols and<br />

while sailing along the Euphrates with his troops and crossing the<br />

river fell into the river and succumbed to death. But Artughril kept<br />

going ahead with his mission <strong>of</strong> wresting Christian lands and<br />

expanding the borders <strong>of</strong> his own country. The King <strong>of</strong> Konya looked<br />

upon his constant successes with appreciation and satisfaction.<br />

Alauddin Kaiqbad died in 634 A.H. and was succeeded <strong>by</strong> his son<br />

Ghayathuddin Kaikhusro. In the wake <strong>of</strong> the constant Mongol

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