Overview
Mahmud, son of Muhammad Arslan Khan and of a sister of Sanjar, ruled Samarkand when the Kara Khitai came west. He lost Transoxiana to them, but his ties to the Seljuk house gave him a second career in Khorasan.
Rise to Power
Sanjar gave him the throne of Samarkand in 1132.
Rule and Achievements
- In 1137 was defeated at Khujand by the Kara Khitai under Yelü Dashi
- Called on Sanjar for help; on 9 September 1141 the Kara Khitai routed Sanjar and the Western khans at Qatwan, near Samarkand
- Fled with Sanjar to Khorasan
Legacy
After the Oghuz captured Sanjar in 1153, the Seljuk emirs of Khorasan raised Mahmud as their ruler. He was blinded in 1162 by the emir Mu'ayyid Ay-Aba.