History of Europe

How did the Anatolian Turks view themselves?

The Anatolian Turks viewed themselves as heirs to the Seljuk Empire, which had ruled the region for over two centuries (1071-1243). They saw themselves as the rightful rulers of the region and were determined to maintain their independence from the Byzantine Empire and other foreign powers. They also saw themselves as a key part of the Islamic world and were proud of their religious heritage.