Irtash was born on c 1092 and was a Seljuk emir of Damascus in 1104.
14 Facts About Irtash
1.
2.
Sometime during this period, Duqaq imprisoned Irtash, who was three or four years old, at Baalbek, fearing that he might try to seize the crown.
3.
Toghtekin then freed the 12-year-old Irtash, who had been imprisoned for the previous nine years.
4.
Irtash argues that Toghtekin, who was opposed by many after becoming the vizier of Duqaq, sought to unite the notables of Damascus under Irtash's rule, thus aiming to maintain a strong position within the domain.
5.
Irtash's mother convinced him that Toghtekin and his wife, Khatun Safwat al-Mulk, who was Duqaq's mother, were conspiring against Irtash.
6.
Al-Qalanisi details a narrative in which Toghtekin advised Irtash to seize the al-Rahba.
7.
When Irtash returned from his successful expedition, Toghtekin did not let him into the city, and Irtash had to go to one of his castles.
8.
Al-Azhari claimed Aytekin left Damascus after Irtash had already secretly fled, though Turkish historians Coskun Alptekin and Ali Sevim believe Aytekin was with Irtash when he left the town.
9.
The Fatimids asked Toghtekin for help; Al-Qalanisi states that Toghtekin initially turned down the Fatimids' request and besieged Bosra; though he later changed his mind, knowing that Irtash was with them.
10.
The Crusaders positioned two armies between Jaffa and Ascalon, with Irtash contributing to the Crusader army with 100 Turcoman archers.
11.
The rivalry between Irtash and Toghtekin was a very important opportunity for Baldwin I to take over Damascus, and by using Irtash, he could have eliminated his nemesis, Toghtekin, and captured Damascus at the same time.
12.
Duman argues this meant that Ibn Sabbak had taken a stand against Toghtekin, and Irtash had taken refuge in al-Rahba because of this.
13.
Irtash joined Chavli's ranks after the capture of the fort.
14.
Sevim assumes that Irtash died in 1105 on his way to al-Rahba, but this is disputed by Duman.