Sultan Ahmad Sanjar

Ahmad Sanjar, son of Malik-Shah, governed Khorasan from 1097 to 1118 and was then sultan of the whole Seljuk state until 1157; his 41-year reign made Merv one of the most brilliant cities in the world.

He long held the empire's borders, but was defeated at Qatwan in 1141, and in 1153 the Oghuz Turkmen tribes captured him and held him for several years.

He died in Merv in 1157 and was buried in its huge mausoleum, today the most famous monument of Ancient Merv; after his death the Great Seljuk state quickly weakened.