The word "Seljuk" refers to a Turkish dynasty that ruled over the Islamic world from the 11th to the 13th century. The spelling of this word is pronounced as /sɛldʒʊk/, with the stress falling on the first syllable. The "s" is pronounced as a voiceless alveolar fricative, while the "j" is pronounced as a voiced palato-alveolar fricative. The "u" is pronounced as a short vowel, and the final "k" is pronounced as a voiceless velar plosive. This spelling is commonly used in English and derives from the original Turkish word "Seldjuk".
Seljuk refers to a medieval Turkic dynasty that ruled over vast territories in West Asia and Anatolia during the 11th to the 14th centuries. The Seljuks originated from the central Asian steppe region and rose to prominence under the leadership of Seljuk Bey, who established the Seljuk Empire. The term "Seljuk" is often used to describe the dynasty, their empire, and their cultural and architectural legacy.
The Seljuk dynasty played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of the region, acting as a bridge between the Arab Abbasids and the subsequent Turkic and Mongol empires. They were known for their military prowess and expansionist ambitions, successfully conquering large parts of Persia, Iraq, Syria, and Anatolia.
The Seljuks also left a lasting impact on the region's culture and architecture. Their patronage supported the development of a vibrant Seljuk art and architecture style, characterized by its fusion of Turkic, Persian, and Arab influences. Notable examples include the iconic Selimiye Mosque and the Alaeddin Mosque.
While the Seljuk Empire eventually disintegrated due to a combination of internal conflicts and external pressures, their legacy endured through the Anatolian Seljuks and the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum, which continued to rule over portions of Anatolia until its collapse in the 13th century. The Seljuks had a profound effect on the history, culture, and architecture of the regions they controlled, and their influence is still visible in the modern-day countries of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey.
The word "Seljuk" has its origins in the Oghuz Turkic language. It is derived from the Turkic word "sālā" or "salğ" which means "branch" or "shoot". The Turkic people often used "salğ" as a metaphorical term to describe a military troop or a group of warriors. Over time, this word evolved and came to refer specifically to the Seljuk dynasty, which was a medieval Sunni Muslim dynasty that ruled a vast empire stretching from Central Asia to the Middle East in the 11th to 13th centuries.