Kakuyids
Encyclopedia
The Kakūyids were a Daylamite (Northern Iranian people) dynasty that held power in Isfahān
(c. 1008–c. 1051). They were also the ātābegs
(governors) of Yazd
and Abarkūh
from c. 1051 to the mid-12th century.
The Kakūyids were given control of Isfahān in or before 1008 by Seyyedeh Khatun
, who held the regencies of her young Būyid sons Majd al-Daula
of Ray
and Shams al-Daula
of Hamadān
. The man who was given the administration of the city was Ja'far 'Alā' al-Daula ibn Kakūya, who was a cousin of Majd al-Daula on his mother's side. Over time, he effectively became independent of Būyid control.
At times Ja'far 'Alā' al-Daula acted as an ally of the Būyids; when Shams al-Daula was faced with a revolt in Hamadān, for example, he turned to the Kakūyid for helped. Shortly after Shams al-Daula died and was succeeded by Samā' al-Daula
, however, the Kakūyids invaded and took control of Hamadan in 1023 or 1024. They then moved on and seized Ḥulwān
from the 'Annāzid
s. The Būyid Musharrif al-Daula
, who ruled over Fars and Iraq
, forced the Kakūyids to withdraw from Ḥulwān, but they retained Hamadān. Peace was made between the two sides, and a matrimonial alliance was eventually arranged.
Ja'far 'Alā' al-Daula was succeeded in 1041 by his son Farāmurz. While in Hamadān another Kakūyid, Garshasp I Abū Kālījār 'Alā' al-Daula, took power and was later killed at the Battle of Qatwan
. Farāmurz's reign was cut short by the Seljuks, who after a year-long siege of Isfahān took the city in 1051 or 1052. Despite this, Farāmurz was given Yazd
and Abarkūh in fief by the Seljuks. The Kakūyids remained the governors of these provinces until sometime in the mid-12th century; their rule during this time was known for the construction of mosques, canals and fortifications.
Isfahan (city)
Isfahan , historically also rendered in English as Ispahan, Sepahan or Hispahan, is the capital of Isfahan Province in Iran, located about 340 km south of Tehran. It has a population of 1,583,609, Iran's third largest city after Tehran and Mashhad...
(c. 1008–c. 1051). They were also the ātābegs
Atabeg
Atabeg, Atabek, or Atabey is a hereditary title of nobility of Turkic origin, indicating a governor of a nation or province who was subordinate to a monarch and charged with raising the crown prince...
(governors) of Yazd
Yazd
Yazd is the capital of Yazd Province in Iran, and a centre of Zoroastrian culture. The city is located some 175 miles southeast of Isfahan. At the 2006 census, the population was 423,006, in 114,716 families....
and Abarkūh
Abarkuh
Abarkuh is a city in and capital of Abarkuh County, Yazd Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 20,994, in 5,880 families.Abarkuh is located at an altitude of 1510 metres . An ancient living cypress tree, the Sarv-e-Abarqu, is located here....
from c. 1051 to the mid-12th century.
The Kakūyids were given control of Isfahān in or before 1008 by Seyyedeh Khatun
Seyyedeh Khatun
Seyyedeh Malek Khatun was a Sultaness of Buwayhids of Ray , Isfahan and Hamadan . After the death of her husband Fakhr od-Dowleh the Deylamid, her 4-year old son, Majd od-Dowleh , officially inherited the reign, however she was the true ruler up until her death.During her rule, she was able to...
, who held the regencies of her young Būyid sons Majd al-Daula
Majd al-Daula
Abu Taleb Rostam, known as Majd al-Dawla, was the Buyid emir of Rayy, a city in Iran . He was the eldest son of Fakhr al-Daula. His reign saw the removal of the Buyids as a power in central Iran....
of Ray
Ray, Iran
Rey or Ray , also known as Rhages and formerly as Arsacia, is the capital of Rey County, Tehran Province, Iran, and is the oldest existing city in the province....
and Shams al-Daula
Shams al-Daula
Abu Taher was the Buyid ruler of Hamadan from 997 to 1021. He was the son of Fakhr al-Daula.Fakhr al-Daula died in 997; his elder son Abu Taleb Rostam took power in the bulk of his father's possessions in Jibal. Abu Taher himself gained the governorships of Hamadan and Kirmanshah, and was hence...
of Hamadān
Hamadan
-Culture:Hamadan is home to many poets and cultural celebrities. The city is also said to be among the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities.Handicrafts: Hamadan has always been well known for handicrafts like leather, ceramic, and beautiful carpets....
. The man who was given the administration of the city was Ja'far 'Alā' al-Daula ibn Kakūya, who was a cousin of Majd al-Daula on his mother's side. Over time, he effectively became independent of Būyid control.
At times Ja'far 'Alā' al-Daula acted as an ally of the Būyids; when Shams al-Daula was faced with a revolt in Hamadān, for example, he turned to the Kakūyid for helped. Shortly after Shams al-Daula died and was succeeded by Samā' al-Daula
Sama' al-Daula
Sama' al-Daula was the Buyid ruler of Hamadan . He was the son of Shams al-Daula.Upon his father's death, Sama' al-Daula succeeded him to the governorship of that province. Only after a short reign, however, the Kakuyids of Isfahan overran Hamadan and ended Sama' al-Daula's rule.-References:* R. N....
, however, the Kakūyids invaded and took control of Hamadan in 1023 or 1024. They then moved on and seized Ḥulwān
Hulwan
Helwan , also spelled Hilwan or Hulwan or Holwan, is a city in Egypt on the bank of the Nile river, opposite the ruins of Memphis. Originally a southern suburb of Cairo, it served as the capital of the now defunct Helwan Governorate from April 2008 to April 2011, after which it was re-incorporated...
from the 'Annāzid
Annazid
The Annazid or Banu Annaz or Al-Anazis , were a Kurdish dynasty that ruled a territory on the present-day Iran-Iraq frontier that included Kermanshah, Ilam, Hulwan, Dinawar , Sharazour, Daquq, Daskara, Bandanijin, and No'maniya ...
s. The Būyid Musharrif al-Daula
Musharrif al-Daula
Abu 'Ali was the Buyid amir of Iraq . He was the youngest son of Baha' al-Daula.In 1021 the Turkish establishment in Baghdad, which had become upset over the influence of amir Sultan al-Daula's Daliam troops, raised Abu 'Ali to power. Given the title "Musharrif al-Daula", he decided to negotiate...
, who ruled over Fars and Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, forced the Kakūyids to withdraw from Ḥulwān, but they retained Hamadān. Peace was made between the two sides, and a matrimonial alliance was eventually arranged.
Ja'far 'Alā' al-Daula was succeeded in 1041 by his son Farāmurz. While in Hamadān another Kakūyid, Garshasp I Abū Kālījār 'Alā' al-Daula, took power and was later killed at the Battle of Qatwan
Battle of Qatwan
The Battle of Qatwan was fought in September 1141 between the Kara-Khitan Khanate and the Seljuq Empire and its vassal-state the Kara-Khanids. Following the Kara-Khanid defeat at Khujand, Mahmud summoned his overlord Ahmed Sanjar to protect Western Kara-Khanid from invasion.-Battle:On the Qatwan...
. Farāmurz's reign was cut short by the Seljuks, who after a year-long siege of Isfahān took the city in 1051 or 1052. Despite this, Farāmurz was given Yazd
Yazd
Yazd is the capital of Yazd Province in Iran, and a centre of Zoroastrian culture. The city is located some 175 miles southeast of Isfahan. At the 2006 census, the population was 423,006, in 114,716 families....
and Abarkūh in fief by the Seljuks. The Kakūyids remained the governors of these provinces until sometime in the mid-12th century; their rule during this time was known for the construction of mosques, canals and fortifications.