The Khwarezm-Shahi dynasty was among the Turkic dynasties that rose to power during the period of Seljuq decline and disintegration. Since in the middle centuries all dynasties needed the spiritual backing of the caliph in Baghdad to add legitimacy to their rule, the Khwarezm-Shahis, and in particular Atsez and ‘Ala’-ed-Din Tekish, adopted flexible policies vis-à-vis the caliphate system. After politically uniting the eastern parts of the Muslim World, the Khwarezm-Shahis tried to bring the institution of the caliphate under their own influence and domination. This article deals with the Khwarezm-Shahi political relations with the ‘Abbasid caliphs from the beginning until the last days of their survival as an empire.
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