The Kurdish literati of the Zengid realm

 There were a number of high-ranking Kurdish military leaders under the Zengids, although their position in military affairs was not as prominent as that of the Turkic commanders. To identify the greatest Kurdish concentration in the Zengid realm, one must look to the men of the pen. The passage below comes from Ibn al Athir. The paragraph is interesting and consistent with information found in other sources on the Zengid realm. During the Seljuq and later on Zengid periods, there was no significant replacement among the men of the pen. These conquerers had to rely on the locals for ABC.

The talented men would be well compensated for their services. The award would often include property, money, institution(s) to run, and the ability to appoint family and friends to positions of leadership. Ibn al Athir singles out Kamal al Din, the Kurdish top judge, in the text. His "group" consisted primarily of his sons and fellow Kurds. Syria was the only exception to such a strong representation of Kurds among the "Zengid literati". The massive domination of Kurds in that sphere in Syria came with the Ayyubids.

Ibn al Athir (13th-century): 

The diwan [court of administration] of Zengi matches the diwans of the Seljuq sultans due to its sophistication, efficiency, number of staff and wealth. When a person comes to his court, he does not feel a foreigner. If he were a soldier joining his service, the Zengid soldiers would welcome him and accommodate all his needs due to the wealth of the diwan. If he was a civilian, who came for a certain task, he would be met by officials who would look into his request as if he were among his own family. If that comer were a scholar, he would be directed to the tents of chief qadi, al-Shahrazuri who, with his sons and his group, look after the judicial system of the lands. They would graciously welcome him and make him feel like one of them.

The reason for all his successes was that Zengi used to hire only highly talented and skilful men, who were willing to work limitlessly. In return, he rewarded all of them generously, so they offered their best. He never changed one of his high advisors or assistants from the time he governed Mosul until he was killed, unless there was a mistake committed and a change was due. All his commanders were in his service most of his career, unless they were killed in battle. This is why they sacrificed themselves for him.