THE BEYLIKS

WORLD CULTURES

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Political unity in Anatolia was disrupted from the time of the collapse of the Anatolian Seljuk State at the beginning of the 14th century (1308), and until the beginning of the 16th century each of the regions in the country fell under the domination of Beyliks (Principalities).
The Principalities were formed in the following regions The Eshrefoguls in Beysehir (1328), the Karesioguls in Balikesir-Bergama (1336), the Inancoguls in Denizli (1368), the Hamidoguls in
Beysehir (1328), the Hamidoguls in the lsparta-Antalya area (1391), the Aydinoguls in the Aydin-lzmir area (1405), the Saruhanoguls in Manisa (1410), the Mentesoguls in the Mugla area (1425), the (1433), the Candaroguls in Kastamonu (1461), the Dulkadiroguls in the Maras area (1521), and the Ramazanoguls in the Cukurova area (1608). The Osmanoguls, who were to eventually eliminate these Principalities and establish political unity in Anatolia, lived in the Eskisehir, Bilecik and Bursa areas.

On the other hand, the area in central Anatolia east of the Ankara-Aksaray line as far as the area of Erzurum remained under the administration of the llhani General Governor until 1336. The
infighting which resulted upon the death of the llhan ruler Ebu Said Bahadir Khan in 1338 gave the prinicipalities in Anatolia their complete independence. In addition to this, new Turkish
principalities were formed in the localities previously under llhan occupation. One of these is the Eretna Prinicipality formed by the Uygur Turks at Eretna in the Kayseri-Sivas region. In the same area, another principality, the Turkmen Kadi Burhanettin State, was formed in the second part of the century. In this period, the Karakoyuns and the Akkoyuns started political activities in Eastern Anatolia.

During the 14th century, the Turkmens, who made up the western Turks, started to reestablish their previous political sovereignty in the Islamic world.

Rapid developments in the Turkish language and culture took place during the time of the Anatolian Principalites. In this period, the Turkish language became used in the sciences and in literature, and became the official language of the Principalities. New medreses were established and progress was made in the medical area during this period.

Gulsehri, Nesimi and Ahmedi (1335-1412) are the prominent Turkish language poets of the 15th century.

In the cities, the Turkish communities composed of villagers and Turkmen migrants started to form guilds among the more populous craftsmen, calling themselves "Ahi". These guilds pioneered the development of city life.

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WORLD CULTURES