What were the Anatolian beyliks?

The Anatolian beyliks were small Turkish principalities governed by beys that emerged in medieval Anatolia. The first of these principalities appeared at the end of the 11th century, followed by a larger wave of establishments due to the decline of the Seljuq Sultanate of Rûm in the late 13th century. Eventually, one of these principalities, the Ottoman Empire, incorporated the others by the late 15th century.

What we know

• The Anatolian beyliks were Turkish principalities in Anatolia governed by beys, with the first wave founded at the end of the 11th century. [2]
• A second and more extensive period of beylik establishment occurred as a result of the decline of the Seljuq Sultanate of Rûm during the latter half of the 13th century. [2]
• The Osmanoğlu of the Kayı branch of Oghuz Turks used its capital in Bursa to incorporate the other beyliks, forming the Ottoman Empire by the late 15th century. [2]
• Individual beyliks had distinct regional characteristics, such as the Aydinids being famous for seaborne raiding and the Canik beyliks forming a group of small principalities in northern Anatolia. [3, 4]

Where to go next

• what caused itHow did the Seljuq Sultanate of Rûm decline?
• what followedHow did the Ottoman Empire emerge from the beyliks?
• a case in pointWhat was the Aydinid dynasty known for?
• the bigger pictureWhat is the wider history of Anatolia?
• whoWho were the beys governing the principalities?
• an unexpected connectionHow does a northern Anatolian toponym connect to the Laz people?Anthony Bryer connects the Canik toponym with the name Chani, which is what the Laz people call themselves.

Sources

• [1]Anatolian beyliks (Wikidata Q853309) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Anatolian beyliks · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Aydinids · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Beyliks of Canik · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]History of Anatolia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Your path

1. Where is Cocos Island and who administers it?
2. /What were the Anatolian beyliks?