KHWARAZMIAN

The Khwarazmians [i] initially served the Seljuks in the 11th century, an empire that arose from the lands of the former Abbasid Caliphate [ii] and opened the region to Turkish and Central Asian influence. When Seljuk appointee Anushtigin Garcha’i governed Khwarazm, an oasis region of the Amu Darya, he and his progeny began a family dynasty that grew in prominence to obtain the title “kings of Khwarazm, or” Khwarazmshahs. Governor Muzaffar al-Din Atsiz, who rose to power in 1128, increasingly sought independence from the Seljuks and defeated them in battle, leading to further Turkification of Khwarazm and the beginning of solid empire formation.

Atsiz was succeeded by [iii] II Arsalan, who was killed repelling the Kara-Khitans in their attempted invasion of Khwarazm. II Arsalan’s son, Tekish, defeated the last Seljuk ruler at the Battle of Rayy, giving the Khwarazmashahs regional dominance by 1200. Determined to be the greatest sovereigns of the Islamic world, the empire expanded, and, after earning the recognition of Chenggis Khan’s Mongol Empire [iv], brutalized Mongol ambassadors [v] proposing coexistence. Under Ala al-Din’s successor, Jalal al-Din, the empire recovered its military might but saw a bloody demise at the hands of the Mongols. After alienation and self-exile, Jalal failed to rebuild a family dynasty.

The Khwarazmian Empire’s cultural identity [vi] merged elements from inner Central Asia, China, Persia, Afghanistan, the Caucasus, Russia, and the Arab Middle East. This could be seen in indoor architecture and arts that are noticeable in contemporary Iran and Turkmenistan. Regarding the sciences, scholars [vii] such as Al Khwarizmi advanced fields such as mathematics to new dimensions with algebra [viii]. His works on geography, astrology, and astronomy earned the empire a reputation for innovation. The empire was a hub of Islamic commerce and intercultural relations. Contemporary cultural boundaries transcend the empire’s reach. For example, it covered Azerbaijan, which is the Caucasus’ sole Muslim-majority state.

The Khwarazmian Empire adopted [ix] the Seljuk system of administration [x] and the sultanate model of Islamic lands. In the latter, leaders exercise power but are spiritually indebted to the caliphate. The Khwarazmians used this to cement an authoritarian advantage, seeking regional dominance. The central administrative organ, run by a grand vizier, indirectly managed government duties like taxation and military logistics. Provinces, while important structures, were liberally defined and borders fluctuated. They had a governor, wali, and provincial religious judge, qazi-yi vilayat, along with other officeholders like the market inspector, preacher, and religious teacher. Over time, increasingly inept and repressive rule provoked civilian discontent.

Tekish’s wife [xi], Terken Khatun, maneuvered herself into stronger leadership and was hailed as an effective and strategic defender of the empire. Her son, Ala al-Din Muhammad, defeated the Ghurid Sultanate and pushed back against the Kara-Khitans from Khwarazm lands, and rebuilt the empire’s relationship with a rebellious Samarkand. Ala al-Din fended off an initial onslaught from the Mongols. An ensuing battle between the competitors saw key cities like Bukhara, Jand, and Gurganj fall to Mongol forces, forcing the Khwarazmian court to move to the Mazandaran region. Ala al-Din Muhammad was killed and the family was enslaved or executed, killing the empire.

In addition to Al Khwarizmi, other figures [xii], like Al Biruni, compiled historical arts and information into works like the “Chronology of Ancient Nations.” The Middle Khwarazmian language was common up until the Arab conquest, whereafter Late Khwarazmian was preserved in scholars’ works and written as Arabic [xiii]. Khwarazmian may have influenced Zoroastrian culture [xiv], owing to shared words with the Avesta. Khwarazmian merchants are said to have popularized the method of using bulls [xv] to transport their goods. In architecture, remnants of Empire royalty are present in Turkmenistan and reflect Persian and Arab trends. Art depicting the Empire’s Anushtegin leaders [xvi] resembles Ancient Persian Art.

Khwarazm traders drove the economic vibrancy of Central Asia. The empire relied greatly on commerce with the civilizations of the Aral Sea, Ural, Volga, and the Caspian Sea. The Sogdians, further east, were likely economic competitors [xvii] who were expected to manage trade in eastern lands, while the Khwarazmians would manage western trade, according to available evidence. In competition with the Sogdians, the Khwarazmians sent trading missions to surrounding areas. Imports included beeswax, furs, and honey from Volga and amber from the Baltics. The Khwarazmians exported silver plates and ewers and cultivated more land, expanding their economic footprint. Leaders imposed taxation on provinces.