Introduction: Research problem and background
The relations between the Caliph and Tughril continued continuously from the time of the establishment of the Seljuk state until Tughril's death. These relations fluctuated based on the factors and events that occurred. These relations had three turning points: first, the recognition of the Seljuk government by the Caliph, second, the conquest of Baghdad by Basasiri and the exile of al-Qaim, and third, the marriage of the Caliph's daughter to Tughril. In each of these events, numerous correspondences and negotiations took place between the Sultan and the Caliph. This correspondence contains valuable information that enhances our understanding of the relations between these two institutions.
Three articles can be mentioned regarding the topic of this research. The first is an article titled "Relations between the Seljuks and the Abbasids (Malikshah and Al-Muqtadi)" written by Abul-Hasan Shahvari. In this article, the author depicts the relations between Malekshah, assisted by Nizam al-Mulk, and Caliph al-Muqtadi. He divides the relations into two periods: friendly and hostile, and emphasizes the role of Nizam al-Mulk in normalizing the Caliph's relations with Malekshah. The second article, titled “Relations between the Seljuks and the Abbasid Caliphate with Emphasis on the Era of Sultan Masoud” is written by Ana Dardi Karimi. The author describes and explains the relations between the Seljuks and the Abbasid Caliphate. Another article entitled “The Application of Mawardi’s Theory of Dominance in the Relationship between Caliphate and Monarchy at the Beginning of the Seljuk Rise to Power” is written by Ali Rezaian. This article attempts to examine the nature of the Seljuk rise to power against the Buyids using Mawardi’s theory of dominion.
Research objectives
This article seeks to analyze the relationship between Tughril and Caliph al-Qaim. The main criterion here will be the form of correspondence. Although the original text of the correspondence is not available except for one letter, the content of some of these letters or their translations are mentioned in the main sources of the Seljuk period. This research, relying on some principles rose in the critical discourse analysis method, aims to answer the question of how the ideology governing the two institutions of monarchy and caliphate was reflected in the letters?
Research method
One of the famous approaches in critical discourse analysis is Norman Fairclough's approach. Fairclough's method has three levels: description, interpretation and explanation. The level of description, in this level of the text, based on the appearance characteristics, they are described and analyzed. At the level of interpretation, it interprets the text based on what is stated at the level of description, taking into account the situation, concepts and strategies of language usage and intertextual factors. The third level is the explanation level. The explanation deals with the explanation and why of the production of such a text among the permitted facilities available in that language for the production of text in relation to sociological, historical, discourse, ideology, power, conventions and social cultural knowledge.
Report of research findings
Tughril's relations with Al-Qaim began with respect and he came with the help of the Caliph but in the end it led to enmity and conflict of ideologies. Khalifat'Allah against Sultan Zell'Allah. In all the three stages, we witnessed the confrontation between the two institutions of monarchy and caliphate. The caliphate was trying to regain the power that the Buyid dynasty had taken from them, hoping that the Seljuks were the revivalists of the Prophet's tradition. But the discourse of the Seljuks was against this issue. Sultan was under the influence of Iranian bureaucrats, they tried to preserve the tradition of Iranian emperors. This thought was consistent with the Turks' desire for power.
Conclusion
Since during this period the caliph did not benefit from independent financial and military resources and was defeated by the monarchy discourse. The caliphate realized that the Seljuks were no different from the Buyid dynasty and they should be satisfied with their spiritual power However, Tughril took an important step towards taking spiritual power from Abbasid Caliphate by asking to marry the daughter of al-Qaim and establishing a kinship bond. The Seljuk Sultans' respect for the caliphs was very limited. As a result, this respect was never allowed to be included in political issues.