"When the black flags come from Khorasan go to them, even if you have to crawl on snow, for among them is the Khalifa from Allah, the Mahdi" 

• During the turbulence in greater Seljuk Empire, Atabegate of Merv managed to remain quite stable due to being the personal domain of maing antagonist of the aformentioned turbulence - Arslan Shah

• Several investment projects enriched the Atabegate, a new large paper town has been built next to the Qasba of Merv, leading to economic prosperity

• Lands around the Atabegate have all been subjugated by the ruling liege, and still maintain the dominant position in their domain, so safety and stability of Merv are all but assured

• However, the position of Merv as THE main city of the area is being put into question by Sultan Kaiqubad. It remains to be seen if this is irreversible