The Kakūyids (also called Kakwayhids) were a Daylamite (Northern Iranian people)[1] 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 'Annāzids. 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.[2] 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.