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Savtegin (d. 1084) was a prominent emir of the early Seljuk Empire, during the reigns of Tughril I, Alp Arslan, and Malik-Shah I.[1] His full name in Arabic, as given by Münejjim Bāshī Ahmad Effendi, was 'Imād ad-Dawlah Sarhang Sāw Takīn.[2] He first appears in sources during the reign of Tughril I, when he was sent as an ambassador when rumors arose that Ibrahim Yinal would rebel.[1] He later took part in the campaign against Arslan Besasîrî, a Turkic commander under the Buyids who had captured the Abbasid caliph al-Qa'im.[1] Arslan Besasîrî was killed in battle on 18 January 1060.[1] Later, in April–May 1061, Savtegin was part of the delegation sent to Baghdad to negotiate a marriage between Tughril and al-Qa'im's daughter Sayyida (Arslan Khatun, daughter of Tughril's brother Chaghri Beg, and the vizier Amid al-Mulk Kondori were also part of this delegation).[1]
Savtegin Imad ad-Dawlah Sarhang Saw Takin | |
|---|---|
| Amir al-Hajj | |
| In office 1083 – 1084 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | unknown date Khakestar |
| Died | 1084 Isfahan, Seljuk Sultanate |
| Cause of death | Tuberculosis |
| Awards | Honored by dressing in a Hil'at by Caliph al-Muqtadi |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Seljuks |
| Years of service | 1084 (end of active service) |
| Rank | Commander |
After Tughril's death in 1063, the vizier Amid al-Mulk installed Chaghri Beg's son Sulayman on the throne, but Alp Arslan and Qutalmish each also claimed the throne.[1] Savtegin backed Alp Arslan, who defeated Kutalmish and became sole ruler in January 1064.[1] After this point, Savtegin is given the title "emir" in sources and is described as one of the leading men in the Seljuk state.[1] Later, Savtegin was part of a delegation sent to meet with the Byzantine emperor Romanos IV Diogenes in the lead-up to the Battle of Manzikert in 1071.[1] Savtegin also participated in the battle at Manzikert.[1]
After Alp Arslan's death in 1072, his son Malik-Shah succeeded him but was contested by his uncle Qavurt.[1] Savtegin was the leading commander on Malik-Shah's side, which ended up victorious.[1] Savtegin later participated in campaigns under Malik-Shah against the Karakhanids, in Ganja and Arran, and in Georgia.[1] Malik-Shah appointed him (or someone else with the same name) governor of Termez when he captured the city in 1073.[2] Malik-Shah later appointed Savtegin amir al-hajj in 476 AH (1083-84 CE).[1] He was received by the Abbasid caliph al-Muqtadi in Baghdad on 17 April 1084, who honored him by dressing him in a hil'at.[1]
Not long after, though, Savtegin came down with tuberculosis.[1] He hurried back to Isfahan, where he died on a Friday in September or October 1084.[1] He left behind a massive fortune: two million dinars, 15,000 items of clothing (including 9,000 made of Greek silk), 5,000 horses, 1,000 camels, and 30,000 sheep.[1] This is not including land, weapons, or other possessions.[1] At some point, Savtegin also founded a ribat in Hakister, where he was born.[1]
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