A Family in The Service of The Great Saldjukids: Porsukids (The Sons of Porsuk)

Abstract

The first identified chieftain of the Porsukids was Porsuk, who served in the service of the Great Saldjukid Empire. Amir Porsuk was brought to the governorship of Baghdad by Sultan Toghril-Beg (451/1059), participated in the Battle of Manzikert with Sultan Alp Arslan, and was appointed to the conquest of Anatolia by Sultan Malikshah. After Porsuk, who passed away in 490 (1094), his son Porsuk of the same name also entered the service of Sultan Barkyaruq and Muhammad Tapar. He also assumed important responsibilities in the djihad campaign against the Crusaders. He was defeated by the Crusaders at Tell-Danis (509/1115). Porsuk, who was very upset about this, died a few months later (510/1116). The Porsukids played an important role in the Irak politics of the Saldjukids. This article discusses the services of the Porsukids to the Saldjukids.