The Seljuks were a powerful dynasty in Central Asia that rose to prominence in the 11th century. They played a key role in the spread of Islam in the Middle East and beyond, and helped establish Islamic states in many parts of the region. Here are some ways in which the Seljuks helped Islamic states rise:
1. The Seljuks defeated the Byzantines at the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, which led to the loss of territories in Anatolia and opened the way for the establishment of Islamic states in the region.
2. The Seljuks controlled key trade routes in Central Asia, which enabled them to promote the exchange of ideas and goods between different regions of the world.
3. The conquest of Baghdad by the Seljuks in 1055 weakened the Abbasid caliphate, which had previously been the most powerful Islamic state in the region. This created a power vacuum that would eventually be filled by other Islamic states, such as the Mamluk Sultanate in Egypt.
4. The Seljuks sponsored scholars and intellectuals who helped to spread Islamic ideas and values in their territories and beyond.
Overall, the Seljuks played a crucial role in the rise of Islamic states in the Middle East and beyond, and their legacy continues to be felt in the region to this day.