Security Mechanisms in the Cities During Seljuk Period

The arrival of the Seljuk Turks in the early fifth century AH brought about extensive changes in the Iranian plateau. The defeat of the Ghaznavids by these newcomers and the later fall of Alebuyeh was the primary result of the arrival of the Seljuk Turkmen. Newly arrived Turkmen tribes disrupted security and order in various regions, and these tribes became known as one of the disruptors of security. At first, the Turkmen tribes did not adhere to an orderly structure, and each led a tribe or clan to conquer the region. The formation of the Great Seljuk government in the territory of the Iranian plateau caused the sultans and ministers of this government, as an Islamic government, to try to establish order and security in the territory under their domination. This could be done by using specific mechanisms that will be addressed in the present study. The present study uses a descriptive-analytical method and approach with the question "What mechanisms were used to create security in the cities of the Seljuk period?". The findings of the present study show that the provision of internal security of cities in the territory of the Seljuk government was in the hands of officials and positions such as chief, judge, police, and accountant, each of whom played their role based on the role and position intended for them. The Seljuks also used the institutions of their predecessors to secure cities.