Alp-Arslan, Turkic Alparslan (“Brave Lion”), real name aḍud al-Dawla Abū Shujaʿ Muḥammad ibn Dāʾūd Chaghribeg, (bc 1030 – died Seljuk region of Khorasan and western Iran and later conquered Georgia, Armenia and most other territories) Asia Minor (conquered by the Byzantines).
Alp-Arslan is the son of Chagri Beg, ruler of Khorasan in Iran, and nephew of Togril, governor of western Iran, a base of Seljuk expansion. In 1061 his father died. When his uncle died childless in 1063, Alp-Arslan became the sole heir to all dynastic holdings except Kerman in southern Iran, which belonged to one of his brothers, whom he soon became a vassal. He also easily got rid of the son of one of Togril’s widows, as well as Kutlumush, his cousin and rival.
Born outside the traditional Muslim lands he later ruled, Alp-Arslan passed their power to his vizier Niam al-Mulk, who later went on to become the son and heir administrator of Sultan Malik Shah. Despite remaining in control of Iraq, Alp-Arslan avoided the country to avoid a conflict of interest with the Caliph whose seat was there, complicating Togril’s final days.
