5.The role of Saljugs both for Azerbaijan and world history.

Formed in the middle of the 11th century Seljug empire was ruled by Seljugs, who were also
from Oghuz tribe groups as well as Azerbaijani Turks. The former and the first ruler of this
empire was from Qinik tribe. Due to the same origin population of the South Caucasus saw
Seljugs as ally against the forces of Byzantine, Armenia and Georgia. With the help of
Azerbaijani turks in 1040 Seljugs defeated the Byzantine, Armenian and Georgian troops
several times. In 1048 another win was added to the list of Seljugs’ victories over Christian
forces. With that being said, the Great Seljug Empire became very powerful. Even the
Abbasid Caliph declared the ruler of Seljugs, Sultan Togrul, the “Ruler of East and West”. In
the period of reign of Alp Arslan and Malik Shah the empire was at its top and expanded
even more. South Caucasus became the ethno-political center of Turks and Islam. The
Seljugs also played an important role in the world history, as they stood against the crusades
from West Europe, whose goal was to christianise the population of Caucasus and Muslims.
The Seljugs fought against the crusade armies, what prevented the plan of Byzantine to add
the Caucasus and especially Azerbaijan to its territories. Azerbaijan and Southern Caucasus
became the center of the battle against the Christianism. With the help of Seljugs Islam
became powerful and established in Caucasus and Asia Minor. What concerned Seljugs was
that Azerbaijan was not ruled from one center. They conquered all the three ruling
dynasties in Azerbaijan: Ravvadids, Sheddadids, Shirvanshahs. The formation and
centralization of Azerbaijan ended with Seljugs conquering Shirvanshahs in 1066. Thus,
Seljugs managed to unite the Azerbaijan under one state.