Vizier’s Office in the Seljuk State | Powers and Duties

The Seljuks, whose settled lifestyle was seen, were influenced by the bureaucratic tradition left behind by the Sassanids, as they could not apply their nomadic style of governance in this region. For this reason, most of the Seljuks’ viziers were of Iranian descent. They usually rose from clerk to the rank of vizier.

The origin of the vizier’s office in the Seljuk state

The origin of the office of vizier in the Seljuk state is related to the Turkish-Islamic tradition and the administrative structure of the Islamic states. The office of vizier is the highest political and administrative office appointed by the rulers of Islamic states.

The Seljuk state was founded in the mid-11th century by Turkic migrations from Central Asia. Turkish rulers adopted the management system of Islamic states and mixed it with Islamic culture. From the establishment of the Seljuk state, the office of vizier played an important role as the ruler’s most trusted and talented adviser.

The vizier’s office served as the ruler’s deputy in the Seljuk state. Viziers took on important tasks such as carrying out the ruler’s decisions, ensuring justice, collecting taxes, and conducting administrative affairs. Viziers were the monarch’s closest advisers and were the most authoritative persons directing the domestic and foreign policy of the state.

The office of vizier in the Seljuk state was inspired by the administrative system of the Islamic States. In Islamic states, the office of vizier played an important role in the administration of the Abbasid caliphs. The caliph’s vizier handled all political and administrative matters during the caliph’s reign.

What is the role of the viziers in the Seljuk state?

In the Seljuk state, viziers served as the closest advisers and assistants to the ruler. Viziers played an important role in the internal and external affairs of the state and worked to relieve the duty of the ruler.

The role of the viziers in the Seljuk state was very important. Functionally, viziers took on important duties such as enforcing the ruler’s orders, ensuring justice, collecting taxes, managing tax revenues, and conducting administrative affairs. Viziers, as the ruler’s closest advisers, were the most authoritative persons who directed the domestic and foreign policy of the state.

One of the main roles of the viziers in the Seljuk state was to rule the state by replacing the ruler. Due to the intensity of the ruler’s work, the viziers sometimes had to take on the administration of the state. In such cases, the viziers conducted all state affairs, took part in official ceremonies in the place of the monarch, and sometimes even collected taxes in the name of the monarch.

Characteristics of Viziers in the Seljuk State

In the Seljuk state, viziers served as the closest advisers and assistants to the ruler. The office of vizier had a very respectable and important place in the Seljuk state. While the viziers served in the state’s internal and external affairs, they performed important duties such as carrying out the ruler’s orders, ensuring justice and managing tax revenues. So, what were the features of the viziers in the Seljuk state?

• The viziers in the Seljuk state should have had extensive knowledge of state administration and law.
• They were also expected to have knowledge of Islamic culture and teachings.
• Thanks to this knowledge, the viziers conducted state affairs and advised the ruler to make the right decisions.
• Viziers were expected to be of Islamic faith.
• The viziers had to know Islamic law and culture well and ensure that the rulers made their decisions accordingly.
• Ensuring justice would increase public confidence in the ruler and protect the peace of the state. Therefore, the viziers were expected to be fair and to take the complaints of the people seriously.
• Viziers had to have good communication skills to maintain diplomatic relations with other states.
• Viziers played an important role in agreements with other states to protect the interests of the state.

Duties and powers of viziers in Seljuks

The vizier, the sultan’s deputy, has executive, legislative, judicial, financial and military powers. The vizier is the person who holds these powers unquestioningly and is answerable only to the ruler. He could issue an edict as the sultan’s deputy. If a complaint was made against him, he would be tried in a court presided over by the sultan. He could go on expeditions. The vizier was also responsible for receiving the ambassadors. The vizier also had Ghulams protecting him. The highest civil service in the Seljuks is the vizier.

executive powers

He is the head of the ministers who do the executive work. He presides over the Divan-ı Ala. The power to appoint and dismiss the officials, financial powers, zoning, supervision, hilat-ı title, assignment-i is its area of ​​competence and responsibility.

Financial powers

He regulated the state budget and decided on salaries and credits. He would spread the Ikta without the knowledge of the ruler, try to generate revenue for the treasury and employ the confiscation method.

Coincidental powers

Adle chaired the council. He heads the government. He presided over the Divan-ı Mezalim.

Military powers

In the Seljuks, viziers had many powers in the military field. This enabled them to go on expeditions as commander-in-chief and manage the army administration.

Relations with the Sovereign

He took part in the ceremonies attended by the vizier sultan and kissed the ground when in the presence of the ruler. He could not drink wine in front of the sultan in the entertainment council. The Grand Vizier was closer to the ruler than his relatives. For while his relatives threatened his throne, the Grand Vizier was the mainstay of the ruler’s throne.

What were the duties of the viziers in the Seljuk state?

In the Seljuk state, viziers served as the closest advisers and assistants to the ruler. While the viziers served in the state’s internal and external affairs, they performed important duties such as carrying out the ruler’s orders, ensuring justice and managing tax revenues. In addition, the viziers played an important role in the security of the state and helped the ruler in making strategic decisions by standing on the side of the ruler in wartime.

How were viziers appointed in the Seljuk state?

In the Seljuk state, viziers were appointed by the ruler. To be appointed vizier, one had to gain the trust of the monarch. The person to be appointed was expected to be knowledgeable, experienced, just and to master the teachings of Islam. He had to believe that the person the ruler would appoint as vizier could help him make the right decisions.

What is the place of the viziers in society in the Seljuk state?

Answer: In the Seljuk state, viziers had a respectable place in society. Viziers were seen as the ruler’s closest advisers and played an important role in state administration. In addition, the viziers listened to the complaints of the people and worked for justice. For this reason, the viziers, who held a respected position in the society, were also loved and appreciated by the people.