Beylik of Dulkadir facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dulkadirids
1337–1522
An anachronistic map of the Anatolian beyliks in around 1330
Capital	Elbistan (1337–1507) Marash (1507–1522)
Religion	Islam (Sunni and Shia), Christianity
Government	Beylik
Beg
• 1337	Zayn al-Din Qaraja
• 1522	Ali
Historical era	Late Medieval
• Established	1337
• Disestablished	1522
Area
70,000 km2 (27,000 sq mi)
Preceded by Succeeded by Ilkhanate Mamluk Sultanate Ottoman Empire

The Beylik of Dulkadir (Turkish: Dulkadiroğulları Beyliği) was a small state or beylik in Anatolia. It was formed by Turkoman clans. These clans, like the Bayat and Afshar, started their own states. This happened after the Seljuk Sultanate of Rûm became weaker.

What Does Dulkadir Mean?

The exact meaning of the name Dulkadir is not fully clear. Some people think it comes from an Arabic phrase. This phrase, Dhu'l-Qadr, means 'powerful' or 'mighty'. Other ideas suggest it might come from an old Turkic name. One idea is Ṭorg̲h̲ud, which was a Turkoman tribe. Another idea is tulga-dar, meaning 'helmet-bearer'. Some historians also think it could be a Turkoman way of saying the name Abdul Qadir.

History of the Dulkadirids

The Dulkadir state was started by a Turkoman leader named Zayn al-Din Qaraja. He was likely from the Bayat tribe. In 1335, he took control of the area around Elbistan. By 1337, he had taken the town of Elbistan itself. The Mamluk Sultan Al-Nasir Muhammad gave him the title of na'ib. This meant he was a governor or deputy.

The Dulkadirids ruled their land for many years. But in 1515, their state was conquered. This happened after a battle called Turnadağ. The Ottoman Sultan Selim I's general, Hadım Sinan Pasha, led the conquest. After this, the Dulkadir state became a part of the Ottoman Empire. It was turned into a province called a sanjak.

Who Ruled Dulkadir?

Here is a list of the leaders, or Begs, who ruled the Dulkadir state: