A SULTAN FROM ANATOLIA: SULTAN ALADDIN KEYKUBAD (1221–1237).
The Seljuqs have been known to be one of the best Islamic empires in the world. They were Turks who conquered and ruled a lot of lands., they also assisted in maintaining the power of the Abbasid caliphate during their decline and they fought against a lot of groups who wanted to bring a lot of heresies into Islam. One of the offshoots of these people is the SELJUQS OF RUM who ruled Anatolia after it was conquered by Sultan Muhammad Alparslan.
One of the most successful sultans of the Seljuqs of Rum is Sultan Aladdin Keykubad I. He was born in 1190 A.D. as a young Melik(prince). Apart from Turkish, he learnt Persian, Greek and Arabic. He was also well-versed in science. He was appointed as the governor of Tokat at the age of 15.
After the demise of his father, Sultan Giyaseddin Keyhusrev I, his brother, who was Izzeddin Keykavus I ascended to the throne. According to a report, he fought against his brother for the throne but was defeated and thrown into prison. After his brother died in 1220 A.D. He ascended the throne. He followed the policy of conquering more lands for the Seljuqs. He brought the Seljuqs of Rum to their peak during his rule, giving great importance to trade and science in Anatolia.
He fought in a lot of wars himself. He first took the Castle of Kalonoros from the Armenians. He rebuilt the castle and renamed it the Alanya (Alaiye) castle. He protected and invited many intellectuals and scholars to his court, including Mawlana Rumi since he was a scientist, politician and swordsman. Due to this, scholars gushed into his territory like water and they made great cultural and spiritual changes to Anatolia.
He read many books by great scholars and made many changes to the Empire within seventeen years of rule. Due to two ports (Sinop and Antalya) conquered by his father, he developed the Empire’s coastline by expanding the trade and building a great navy. He signed treaties with foreign countries to also expand business in his territory.
He was also a good Sultan to his non-muslim citizens. They would even sometimes welcome him back whenever he returns with victory from an expedition. He built a lot of palaces, mosques,caranvesaray etc. of which most of their remains still stand in Turkiye today. Some of the most prominent of them are the Alaeddin mosque in the centre of Konya, the fortress of Nigde, Yivli (fluted) minaret mosque in Antalya, Kubad-Abad palace in Beysehir, Sultanhan caravanserai in Aksaray.
Alaeddin Keykubad died on 31st May 1237 in Kayseri during a feast in honour of foreign ambassadors. They were rumours that he was poisoned by his son to ascend the throne while others said he was poisoned by one of his rebellious Emirs. He was buried in the Alaeddin mausoleum in the city of Konya, Turkey.
He is one of the best Sultans to ever ruled Anatolia. May Allah have mercy on his soul
