Sultan Muʿizz ad-Din Abu al-Harith Ahmad Sanjar ibn Malikshah ibn Alp Arslan ibn Toghrul Beg ibn Seljuk of the Seljuks
The last ruler of the Seljuk Empire
Lifespan: 1085–1157
Reign: 1118–1157
Genealogy:
Founder: Seljuk ibn Dukak (10th century) — founder of the Seljuk dynasty
Son: Toghrul Beg (990–1063) — first ruler of the Seljuk Empire
Grandson: Alp Arslan (1029–1072) — conqueror of Anatolia
Great-grandson: Malikshah (1055–1092) — ruler during the empire’s period of prosperity
Descendant: Sultan Sanjar (1085–1157) — last ruler of the unified Seljuk Empire
During his reign, the Seljuk Empire and Merv flourished. He strengthened the eastern borders, supported education and science, built madrasas, and protected trade along the Great Silk Road. Merv, with a history of around 4 000 years, became a center of science and culture.
The Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar is located about 5 km east of Bayramaly (Mary Province, Turkmenistan). Merv is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
