Kılıçarslan is one of the greatest heroes of Turkish history. He is one of the founders of Anatolian Seljukian Sultanate, and a Turkish Ruler who defended Anatolia and even all Islam world from the Crusader armies. He proved how motherland should be defended with his bloody struggles for the sake of motherland to all humanity. If not for Kılıçarslan, today there would be a Latin state in Anatolia instead of Turkish rule. Minor Asia was conquered as a consequence of Malazgirt Pitched Battle between Byzantium and Alparslan in 1071. Many Oghuz Turkmen clans, possessing all of Horasan districts, came and settled down in various places in Anatolia. Bozok tribes of Oghuzes were in northern region of Anatolia just as Ucok tribes were living in the southern part. Big masses filled Middle Anatolia. Those were Kınık tribes. One million Turkmen came to Anatolia at the first stage. Some of those stayed in Yörük, since they possessed animal flocks. Some of them settled down somewhere and became farmers. However, Marmara shores of Anatolia still belonged to Byzantine forces. Suleyman, son of Kutulmuş, and his brother Mansur were sent for conquest of Marmara basin. Those two brothers included the unconquered sections of Anatolia in Turkish territory and established Anatolian Seljukian State. However, then they began to struggle with each other. Upon that, Melikşah, Khan of Great Seljukian Empire, sent Porsuk Bey and his forces on Mansur. Mansur was defeated and killed in 1077. Melik Şah, left the rule of Anatolia to Suleyman, son of Kutulmus with the title of Sultan. This is how Suleyman, son of Kutulmus established Anatolian Seljukian Country. The state was established in 1077 in Anatolia. Seventeen rulers came down from Anatolian Seljukians.
Son of Kutulmuş, began to fight against Byzantium, making Konya his capital city. He conquered Antakya after some time. Then he warred with Tutuş, the brother of Melikşah, and was defeated. This incident effected him badly and he committed suicide at last. His death brought about chaos in Anatolia. The emirs proclaimed their independence everywhere. Kılıçarslan, son of Suleyman, was put into prison by the Great Seljukian Emperor. It was only Kılıçarslan, who could put into order the chaos in Anatolia. Kılıçarslan was sent to Konya by Melikşah four years later. Kılıçarslan gathered the great commanders from his father's times. He seized Iznik city again and declared as capital city. He eliminated all emirs who were eager to be independent. So, he succeeded in conquering all territories his father had conquered before. He constructed a navy and invaded all islands near Dardanelles.
Kılıçarslan was a very brave and a very stouthearted ruler. He was able to establish unity in Anatolia. So he became very reputed everywhere. His biggest aim was to take Istanbul from Byzantium. Therefore, he founded a shipyard on Marmara coasts and constructed many battleships. Byzantines, seeing preparation of Turks, took alarm. Byzantium ruler of the day was Mihal Dükas the 7th. When he understood that he would not be able to cope with Turks' land and marine forces, he sent messengers to Pope Greguvar the 7th in Rome. He said to him that he was in need of help. He said, without such help, Istanbul would be Turks', and Eastern Roman Empire would be buried in history. The pope found Orthodox application to Catholic church suitable for his interests. He thought that in the future these two churches may unite. Therefore, he tried to gather an army of 40.000 people from Western Europe states to be sent to Istanbul. But he could not succeed.
In the times of fear for Byzantium, Kılıçarslan was constantly constructing navy, willing to add Istanbul to Turkish territories as soon as possible. Religious bigotry was impetuous in Europe in those times. Priests had great influence on people. All priests were encouraging the people for a crusade to save holy Jerusalem city, where Jesus Christ was born, from Muslims. Especially Kloni Sect established in France had great influence on the people. Pope Urban the 2nd gathered a spiritual council in Klermon city of France in 1095. Fourteen archbishops, two hundred fifty bishops, more than four hundred priests attended this council. The council decided that Jerusalem should be taken from Muslims. The person who pioneered this was a priest named Pierre Lermit. A knight named Poor Gotye joined him. A great Crusader army was prepared in Europe with their encouragement. The flood was about to flow into Anatolia. How could Kılıçarslan stop it? The number of Crusader army members was six hundred thousand people. The Crusaders army consisted of various Christian nations, with elders, youths, and women. All had a red cross hanging on their breast. There was a goat and a goose which were considered holy in old Cermen myths, in front of the army. This flood of people came from Europe to Byzantium on foot. Byzantine Emperor, being frightened of such tremendous crowds, made them pass to Anatolian side.
Kılıçarslan remained calm before this terrible disaster in Anatolia. He took an oath that he was going to defend Anatolia, the native country of Turks, for any price against these invaders. Kılıçarslan decided to pursue guerilla warfare against these great forces.He divided Turkish forces into various gangs. He made urban population go up to mountains and plateaus. He burned down all granaries and poisoned all waters. Seljukian soldiers attacked in groups on the crusaders in raids and routed the first convoy.
However, many greater forces came to Anatolia, following them. Kılıçarslan wore those great forces in Eskişehir plain. Then he withdrew to Çorum with his forces. This situation made all Anatolian Turks got armed altogether. They initiated bloody struggles against those destroying their happiness. This was a land defense unique in history.Detachments were flashing like lightening everywhere, not allowing the enemy to settle down. There was a great fire in Anatolian cities and towns.
Those undergoing such doomsday were much confused. What kind of a nation is this! They saw and found out how sincerely they defend their land. At last, crusader armies, by constantly perishing, were able to go to Jerusalem to establish a Latin Kingdom. But they could not settle down in beautiful Anatolia. Because the guardians of Anatolia were sublime patriots and hero Turks. Their commander was a brave man like Kılıçarslan.
Turks shed blood for Anatolia like this. Therefore, Anatolian territory is their native land acquired with Turkish blood. The victories of Kılıçarslan against crusaders sufficed to make his name live forever in Turkish history. His life is a great epic. History entitled him as "Ebulgazi". After this bloody struggle which lasted for eight and a half months, Kılıçarslan the 1st settled down in his Konya palace. One morning, while he was passing through thousands of captives gathered in a open place, some voice raised.
_ What will they do to us?
Kılıçarslan looked at where the voice came from. It was a young and beautiful prisoner girl. He asked her:
_ Who are you, and what do you want?
Prisoner Girl said:
I am the sister of Efon Ejyid, who was taken captive in the war. I want to turn back to my country as soon as possible!
Kılıçarslan replied:
_ We Turks, do not tell those living in our country to go back, and you can live on my territory maintaining your religion and traditions freely. But you can turn back to your country whenever you desire. I appreciate longing for native land...
Beautiful French girl, who took an answer she never expected, was both amazed and very happy. Kılıçarslan was both a brave and a handsome Turkish man, and this girl, after looking carefully at his face for some time, said:
_ Where can I visit you to present my gratitude?
_ Every time, where I am!
All captives in the open place admired the sublime heart of Turkish Khan. They obeyed in gratitude. Kılıçarslan ordered that some pocket money be given to all of the captives. He allowed them to go to entertainment places. After some time, the captives of this crusade were returned to their countries in groups. Kılıçarslan, coming out victorious from this bloody struggle, live happy and sweet days with his wife Sevindik Hatun and his two sons Şehinşah and Mesut and one sister Aydın.
However, Kılıçarslan fell down into Euphrates in 1106 and was drown turning back from a battle in Syria.