Barkiyaruq

Abu al-Muzaffar Rukn ud-Dīn Barkyāruq bin Malikšāh (Persian: أبو المظفر ركن الدنيا والدين بركياروق بن ملكشاه) was the sultan of Great Seljuq from 1094-1105.

He was a son of Malik Shah I and participated in the succession wars against his three brothers, Mahmud I, Ahmed Sanjar, and Mehmed I.

Barkiyaruq ascended to the throne young, and his detractors thought him too inexperienced and accused him of being a drunkard. He waged war to regain control of the core Seljuk land, lands that are today part of Iraq and Iran. His land bordered Syria when Europeans armies arrived to fight in the First Crusade, but at the time his main concern was the rule on Mosul, Aleppo and Damascus, which were ruled in his name, but controlled by rivals.

In 1105, Barkiyaruq died in Borujerd. It has been reported that his body was returned to Isfahan. However, some people say his tomb is in 5 km north of Borujerd, where today is a historical monument called Zavvarian.

Preceded by
Mahmud I of Great Seljuk
Sultan of Great Seljuk
1094–1105
Succeeded by
Malik Shah II