Suleiman ibn Qutulmish founded the
Sultanate of Rûm in the year 1077, seceding from the Great Seljuk Empire and founding a new state in Anatolia (a central part of Turkey today). Shortly thereafter, he sealed his victory by marrying Fatima, the daughter of one of the senior nobles of the conquered city of İznik. Although this was a political marriage, he soon fell deeply in love with Fatima for her kind nature, sharp intelligence, quirky wit, and (perhaps not least) her great beauty.
He was crushed when she passed away less than a year later from a sudden fever. Seeking to commemorate his lost wife, he called upon the services of his childhood friend and companion Pasha Amir Bey. He implored Bey to create a memorial for Fatima that would never be forgotten.
Bey dedicated his life to this task for over three years - leaving his home and living at the palace, dealing with architects and builders, planning ceremonies, and consulting with Suleiman regularly to discern his slightest wish concerning the monumental tomb. He drove himself mercilessly in his desire to honor his Sultan's request, often going without sleep for days at a time.
The unveiling of the monument was a great success... stunning architecture. beautiful art, moving speeches, readings of poetry written to recount Fatima's life and character, and performances of newly-commissioned music. Guests were invited from all of Asia Minor and beyond. The Pasha brought in cooks expert in all of the regional specialties, to serve the Sultan's guests properly. He even went to the expense of hiring a brewer of koumiss from the mountains in the east, although as a good Muslim the Pasha could not indulge in alcoholic beverages himself.
The Sultan got his wish: the monument, ceremony and banquet were so impressive that the tale of them spread across most of the world, and is remembered even today in a folk-song:
Oh what a beautiful mourning,
Oh what a dutiful Bey.
Amir is willing to feed you
Cheese curds and fermented whey.
This is, unfortunately, almost all that remains today of Suleiman's empire. His Sultanate was among the many conquered by the Mongol invaders two centuries later, and the last male in Suleiman's line died in battle with a fierce Mongol warlord (ref: Fletcher Pratt's monograph "Io Aho and the battle of Rûm", Hyboria Press, 1955).