Artuqid dynasty

Artuklular

The Artuqid Dynasty (Artuklular in Turkish) was an Anatolian Principality founded in 1102 by Artuk Bey, the conqueror of Jerusalem, in the Diyarbakir, Hasankeyf, Mardin and Harput regions. It was a Turkoman dynasty that ruled in the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia regions between 1102-1409. Established on a mountaintop, Artuklu is one of the oldest settlements in Upper Mesopotamia. The Artuqids, who were previously affiliated with the Seljuk Empire, had to constantly struggle with the Crusaders and the Byzantines in the west. From time to time, they had to recognize the dominance of powerful states, then they were integrated into the Karakoyunlu State, which the Ottomans had to face many times, and they were completely destroyed in 1409.

The Artuqids ruled in three branches: Hisnikeyfa (Hasankeyf), Mardin and Harput. The Hasankeyf branch was put to an end by the Ayyubids (1231), the Harput branch by Alaeddin Keykubad I (1224), and the Mardin branch by the Karakoyunlus (1409).

  1. Hisnikeyfa branch (1102-1232)
  2. Mardin branch (1106-1409)
  3. Harput branch (1112-1124 and 1185-1233)

The Artuqids could not establish a centralized government hence couldn't become a single state. They tried to maintain their political unity by gathering around powerful Beys (local rulers) and in a semi-independent manner. They took the Seljuks as an example in the administration of the state and applied the main elements of the Seljuk state organization to their own country.

The Artuqid rulers built bazaars, caravanserais, bridges, mosques and madrasas to keep commercial and social life alive. Among the major works built by the Artuqid are the Zinciriye Complex in Mardin, the Hatuniye Madrasa, the Muzafferiye, Hüsamiye, Sehidiye, Semanin Madrasas, the Malabadi Bridge, the Koçhisar Ulu Mosque, the Hasankeyf and Necmettin Complexes. The Artuqid rulers also protected intellectuals and scientists in their dynasty.