Danishmendids

The Danishmendids were a Turkish dynasty and state in Anatolia, also known as the Danishmendid Beylik. Founded around 1071 or 1075, it existed until 1178. The dynasty was initially centered around Sivas, Tokat, and Niksar in central-northeastern Anatolia, expanding to include areas like Ankara, Kastamonu, and Malatya. In the early 12th century, the Danishmends were rivals of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum and frequently engaged in conflict with the Crusaders. The dynasty was established by Danishmend Gazi, whose title means "wise man" or "one who searches for knowledge" in Persian.