A Seljuk Governor In al-Jazīra: Shams al-Dawla Chokermısh
This article focuses on the life of Shams al-Dawla Chökermish, one of the most important figures of the Seljuk rule in al-Jazīra, and the position of the umarā class through his life. The region of al-Jazīra has had an important place in the voluminous narratives of Islamic geographers. The climate, resources and various riches of the region were mentioned by scholars and travellers who were interested in geography, and many events recorded by historians took place in this region over the centuries. al-Jazīra, which did not lose its importance in the historical process, maintained its value in the Seljuk era. From the time of Tugrul Beg, the Seljuks interest started to shift to this geography and the most significant gains in the region were achieved during the reign of Malik Shah. On the other hand, the expanding borders of the Seljuk Empire also created a strong administrative class to govern the new cities. The cities of al-Jazīra that came under Seljuk rule were ruled by emirs dispatched from the centre or by local dynasties on condition of loyalty to the sultan. One of these emirs was Shams al-Dawla Chökermish, who first ruled Jazīra Ibn ‘Umar and later Mosul, Nusaybin, and Harran. Chökermish, who ruled al-Jazīra for about 15 years, became especially powerful during the Berkyārūk-Muhammad Tapar conflict and lived his glory years. The life of Chökermish, who was a typical member of the umera class of his time, is not only important for the political history of the period, but also constitutes a good example of the position of landowning, wealthy emirs and their position within the weakening state.
el-Cezîre’de Bir Selçuklu Valisi: Şemsü’d-Devle Çökürmüş
Bu makalede el-Cezîre’deki Selçuklu hâkimiyetinin önemli isimlerinden Şemsü’d-devle Çökürmüş’ün yaşantısı ve onun hayatı üzerinden mensubu bulunduğu ümerâ sınıfının konumu incelenmiştir. İslâm coğrafyacılarının ciltler dolusu anlatıları içerisinde el-Cezîre bölgesi önemli bir yere sahip olmuştur. Bölgenin iklimi, kaynakları ve barındırdığı çeşitli zenginlikler coğrafyaya merak duyan âlimler ve seyyâhlarca dillendirilmiş; bu çevrede müverrihlerin kaydettiği birçok hadise asırlar içerisinde meydana gelmiştir. Tarihsel süreç içerisinde önemini yitirmeyen el-Cezîre, Selçuklu çağında da kıymetini korumuştu. Tuğrul Bey devrinden itibaren Selçukluların ilgisi bu coğrafyaya kaymaya başlamış ve bölge üzerindeki en belirgin kazanımlar Melikşah devrinde elde edilmişti. Diğer taraftan Selçuklu Devleti’nin genişleyen sınırları ele geçirilen yeni kentleri yönetecek güçlü bir idareci sınıfı da meydana getirmekteydi. Selçuklu idaresine giren elCezîre kentleri merkezden sevk edilen emîrler ya da yerel hanedanlar tarafından sultana bağlılık göstermek şartıyla yönetilmekteydi. Bu noktada karşımıza çıkan ve ilk olarak Cezîre-i İbn Ömer, sonrasında ise Musul, Nusaybin, Harran gibi şehirleri idaresi altında toplayan Şemsü’d-Devle Çökürmüş, bahsedilen yönetici emîrlerden birisiydi. el-Cezîre’de yaklaşık 15 yıl idarecilik yapan Çökürmüş, özellikle Berkyaruk-Muhammed Tapar çatışması sırasında iyice güçlenmiş ve ikbal yıllarını yaşamıştı. Kendi devrindeki ümera sınıfının tipik bir mensubu konumundaki Çökürmüş’ün hayatı, devrin siyasî tarihi için önemli olduğu kadar toprak sahibi, zengin emîrlerin vaziyetine ve zayıflayan devlet içindeki konumlarına dair güzel bir örnek teşkil etmektedir.
This study focuses on the life of Shams al-Dawla Chökermish and seeks an answer to the question of the role of the umarā class during the Seljuk struggle for the throne and their relationship with the weakening of the state through Chökermish's life. Shortly after its foundation, the Seljuk State had succeeded in expanding the territory it ruled over a wide area. As a result of this expansion, the administration of the captured lands became an important issue. In this respect, local dynasties or emirs appointed by the centre assumed an important role and a strong administrative class emerged to govern the new cities. Especially the struggle for the throne that started after the death of Malik Shah would bring these emirs to an even more important position. The region of al-Jazīra, which was captured by the Seljuks, was important with its strategic location, developed cities and commercial potential. From the early years of the Seljuk Empire, its interest in this geography began to shift and the most significant gains in the region were achieved during the reign of Malik Shah. With these gains, the Seljuk authority in the region was consolidated and rulers loyal to the Seljuk centre took over the administration in the cities of al-Jazīra. Shams alDawla Chökermish, who started to make a name for himself in the region shortly after the death of Malik Shah, was one of these ruling emirs.
Chökermish, one of the emirs of Turkish origin, first established his rule in Jazīra Ibn ‘Umar and succeeded in extending it to Mosul, Nusaybin and Harran, the major cities of the region. After Jazīra Ibn ‘Umar, he could not immediately establish the control of Mosul, which was his main target, and had to obey Kurboga for a while. Chökermish, who knew politics well, adopted a peaceful attitude towards Kurboğa, whom he realised he could not overcome, and sided with him. In the sultanate struggles of the reign of Berkyārūk, he endeavoured to take part in the side of Kurboga. The real rise in his career started after the death of Kürboga. The transfer of Mosul administration to Turkmen Musa’s control mobilised Chökermish and he was able to dominate the city after a while. Chökermish's era of prosperity began after he seized control of Mosul. Chökermish's expanding sovereignty in al-Jazīra and his increasing wealth are covered in detail in the sources of the period. Chökermish, who belonged to the class of wealthy and landowning emirs, set a good example for the umarā of the period in his administration and political career. Chökermish, who prioritised his own interests and did not hesitate to fight even against members of the Seljuk dynasty when necessary, did not hesitate to propagandise his victory over Muhammad Tapar against his other rivals. Chökermish, who never saw war against his enemies as the primary solution, drew attention with his wise and foresighted politics and endeavoured to collapse his rivals from within or to buy them off with money.
Chökermish’s main regional struggle was with the Artuqids and he confronted Soqman many times. Due to their common interests, the two formed an alliance against the Crusaders in Harran, but their relationship was not good in this particular incident. Chökermish captured the Count of Urfa, one of the Crusader leaders captured during the war, from Soqman's tent and made him a prisoner on his own behalf. Yāqutī, a descendant of the Artuqids, also encountered Chökermish and lost his life during a battle with him. Another Artuqid, Ilghazi, also confronted Chökermish but was unable to gain the upper hand against him. Chökermish was able to break the alliance of IlghaziRıdvan formed against him thanks to his political intelligence and he was able to remove this threat by separating his rivals from each other. His rule in Mosul also crossed the paths of Chökermish and Imâdeddîn Zengî, and Zengî, who would make his name in the near future of the Islamic world, lived under his patronage in the city.
Chökermish’s dominance over the rich cities of al-Jazīra increased his influence and he confronted Muhammad Tapar, a member of the Seljuk dynasty and the future sultan of the state. Muhammad Tapar, who besieged Mosul, could not overcome Chökermish’s strong defence and could not capture the city. Meanwhile, the news of Berkyārūk's death stopped Chökermish and he went to Muhammad Tapar and made peace with him. Muhammad Tapar, who should have focused on the struggle for the throne, had to leave Chökermish in his place and postpone the problem with him to a later date. Chökermish’s successful defence of Mosul cannot be explained solely by military motives. Chökermish had a characteristic not seen in all the umarās of the period, for he was a ruler who was very popular with his people. The people of Mosul had great affection for Chökermish and did not hesitate to fight the Seljuk dynasty for him. When they saw Chökermish go to Muhammad Tapar to discuss the terms of surrender, the people were in great mourning and this did not escape the attention of the future sultan. Muhammad Tapar kept his meeting with him short and told him to return to his people, and the people of Mosul showed loyalty to his family even after the death of Chökermish. His success against Muhammad Tapar further increased Chökermish's prestige and in time he showed some disobedience towards the Seljuk capital. Muhammad Tapar, who had not forgotten the problem he had had with him in the past, removed Chökermish from his duties and appointed another emir, Chavli, in his place. Chökermish disobeyed this order and preferred to fight. Although Chavli was a formidable opponent, Chökermish was confident in himself and believed that his army, which was larger than his rival, would prevail. Meanwhile, Chökermish, who was advanced in age and paralysed, personally participated in the battle with Chavli, but his army was defeated. With the death of his guards who were in charge of protecting him, Chökermish was captured. His captivity with Chavli was difficult and humiliating, and he died after a while. Chökermish became one of the most important symbols of the Seljuk rule in al-Jazīra and established a rich power by winning the love of his people. He is a good example for the emirs of the Seljuk period with his administrative approach, activities, policy and independent behaviour. His career started from the lower ranks of the military organisation and, thanks to the opportunities and weaknesses offered by the Seljuk administrative system, he rose to become the number one name in Al-Jazīra, but he died at the peak of his power.
