Ahmad Sanjar

Ahmad Sanjar was appointed governor of Khorasan by his half-brother Barkiyaruq at age 12. This position gave him control over the eastern Seljuk territories and allowed him to build a power base independent of the central sultanate.

Ahmad Sanjar's Seljuk army was decisively defeated by the Qara Khitai (Western Liao) at the Battle of Qatwan near Samarkand. This defeat ended Seljuk dominance in Transoxiana and forced Sanjar to pay tribute to the Qara Khitai.

Oghuz Turkic tribes in Khorasan rebelled against Ahmad Sanjar's rule, capturing him in battle near Merv. Sanjar was held captive for three years, during which the Oghuz plundered Khorasan, severely weakening Seljuk authority in the east.

Ahmad Sanjar escaped from Oghuz captivity with the help of loyalists. He returned to Merv but found his authority greatly diminished. The empire had fragmented, and he was unable to restore his former power.

Ahmad Sanjar died in Merv at age 72, ending his 60-year reign. His death marked the effective end of the Great Seljuk Empire, as his successors could not reunify the realm, leading to the rise of regional dynasties like the Khwarazmians.