the Atabakans of Erbil (Al-Bagtekin) and their relations with neighboring governments

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Master's degree in Islamic History, Razi University

2 Department of History, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Razi University

3 Faculty member, History Department, Razi University.

10.22108/jhr.2026.148555.2923

Abstract

Following the disintegration of the Great Seljuk Empire, many large and small states emerged within the boundaries of their territory, led by Seljuk princes, atabaks, and landowners.The Atabakans of Erbil or the Bagtkini dynasty were one of these types of governments, founded in 539 AH in the northern region of Iraq, centered in the city of Erbil (or Erbil/Hulir), by Zayn al-Din Ali Kuchak ibn Bagtkin, one of the commanders of Imad al-Din Zengi, the founder of the Zengid dynasty of Mosul.The Bagtekin dynasty maintained their authority over the cities of Erbil, Shahr-e-Zor for nearly a hundred years, and were able to continue their rule during a period full of turmoil and unrest in the Levant and northern Mesopotamia.The main question of this research is: On what basis were the political relations of the Begetkin dynasty with neighboring states formed, and what factors led to the continuation of the political life of this dynasty in one of the most turbulent periods in the history of northern Mesopotamia? In response, it can be said that the political relations of the Bagatkin, despite their diverse appearance, were mainly formed within the framework of the family's relations with the Atabaqs of the Zengi, and their interaction with other powers in the region, including the Abbasid , the Ayyubids, and the Seljuks, were influenced by their position in the Zengi power structure and the subsequent change in the balance of power in northern Iraq, rather than being the result of a completely independent policy.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Historical Researches

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 02 September 2026

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics