THE STRUGGLE BETWEEN KHWAREZM AND THE GHURID STATE ACCORDING TO ARAB-PERSIAN SOURCES

Сollapse and disintegration of the Eastern part of the Seljuk state created favorable environment for the strengthening of local dynasties, which used it in order to build up their own military and land resources. The death of Sultan Sanjar in 1157 finally removed even formal dependence on the Seljuk house and provoked struggle between various actors for the supremacy in Khorasan. The most powerful rivals in this case proved to be the rulers of Khwarezm, belonging to the Anushteginid dynasty, and the Sultan of the Ghur region, who were able to extend their influence on the territory of Afghanistan and Northern India. From the military capabilities and political influence point of view, the latter posed as a favorite in this struggle, but at the beginning of the 13th century, the Ghurids were defeated, and all their possessions were absorbed in the Khwarezm state. In this article we would like not so much as to explore this confrontation, but rather to pay attention to its description in the Arab-Persian sources. Special attention will be paid to the written monuments of the 13th century, many authors of which were eyewitnesses of this struggle and included valuable information on the subject in their descriptions. We will also note the contradictions in the description of the struggle between Khwarezm and Ghur in the Arab-Persian historical works, the authors’ evaluation characteristics and their own explanations of why the Khwarezm-Shahs managed to win against such a powerful rival. We hope to uphold the interest of the academic community in the history of these state entities and the struggle between them.