Malik Shah, Abul Path Jalal Al-Din

Born August 1055; died November 1092, near Baghdad.

In 1072, Malik Shah became a sultan of the Great Seljuk dynasty, which ruled in the Near and Middle East. During his reign, the Seljuk empire reached the height of its power. Malik Shah was also known for his patronage of learning and the arts. He reformed the calendar (known as Malik’s or the Jalalaean era). Malik Shah was greatly influenced by his prime minister, Nizam al-Mulk.