Eldiguzids

The Eldiguzids or Ildenizids, also known as Atabegs of Azerbaijan are a Turkic dynasty of Kipchak origin that controls most of northwestern Persia/eastern Transcaucasia, including Arran, most of Azerbaijan, and Djibal.

At their extent, the territory under their control, roughly corresponds to most of northwestern and upper-central modern Iran, most of the regions of modern Azerbaijan and smaller portions in modern Armenia (southern part), Turkey (northeastern part) and Iraq (eastern part).

Up to the death in war 1194 of Toghril b. Arslan, last of the Great Seljuq rulers of Iraq and Persia, the Ildenizids rule as theoretical subordinates of the Sultans, acknowledging this dependence on their coins almost down to the end of the Seljuqs.

Hereafter, they are in effect an independent dynasty, until the westward expansion of the Mongols and the Khwarazm-Shahs weakens, then ends the dynasty.Atabeg (literally, "fatherly lord" in Turkic) is the title conferred upon the Turkic officers who serve as guardians of minor Seljuq rulers.

In the political circumstances of the time, Atabegs are not only tutors and vice-regents of their princes, but also de facto rulers.

At the height of Eldiguzid power, their territory stretches from Isfahan in the south to the borders of Kingdom of Georgia and Shirvan in the north.

However, closer to the end of their reign amid continuous conflicts with the Kingdom of Georgia, the Eldiguzid territory shrinks to include only Azerbaijan and eastern Transcaucasia.The historical significance of the Atabeg of Azerbaijan lies in their firm control over northwestern Persia during the later Seljuq period and their role in Transcaucasia as champions of Islam against the Bagratid Georgian kings.In 1136, Sultan Mas'ud appoints Shams ad-Din Ildeniz (ca.

1135/36 – 1175) to be an atabeg of Arslan-shah, the juvenile successor of the throne, and transfers Azerbaijan to his possession as iqta.

Eldegiz chooses Barda as his residence, and attracts the local emirs to his camp.

From 1161, the Seljuq princes at Hamadan fall under the control of the Atabeg of Azerbaijan.

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