Tahirid dynasty

The Tahirid Dynasty, (Persian: سلسله طاهریان) was a Persian^[2] dynasty that governed from 820 to 872 over the northeastern part of Greater Iran, in the region of Khorasan (parts that are presently in Iran (Persia), Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan). The dynasty was founded by Tahir ibn Husayn, a leading general in the service of the Abbasid caliph al-Ma'mun. The Tahirs were awarded governorship of eastern Khorasan for supporting the Abbasids.^[3] Their capital was initially located at Merv, but later moved to Nishapur. Although nominally subject to the Abbasid caliphate in Baghdad, the Tahirid rulers were effectively independent.^[4]

Rise

In 820/821, Tahir ibn Hayn was made governor of Khorasan, but died soon afterwards. The caliph appointed Tahir's son, Talha, whose governorship lasted from 822-828.^[5] Tahir's other son, Abdullah, was instated as the wali of Egypt and the Arabian Peninsula. Abdullah is considered one of the greatest of the Tahirid rulers for the dynasty^[6] witnessed in his reign flourishing agriculture in his native land of Khorasan, popularity among the populations of the eastern lands of the Abbasid caliphate and extending influence due to his experience with the western parts of caliphate.^[7]

Fall

The dynasty began to deteriorate in the reign of Muhammad bin Tahir due to his carelessness with the affairs of the state and lack of experience with politics. Muhammad spent a lot of time drinking and seeking pleasure rather than following the legacy of his predecessors. Due to their increasing weakness, the Tahirids were overthrown by the Saffarid dynasty, who annexed Khorasan to their own empire in eastern Persia, in 872/259 Hijri.^[8]

Rulers of the Tahirid dynasty

• Tahir ibn Husayn (820-822)
• Talha (822-828)
• Abdullah bin Tahir (828-845)
• Tahir II (845-862)
• Muhammad of Khorasan (862-872)

Family tree

References

1. ^ Richard Nelson Frye, The Cambridge History of Iran: The Period from the Arab invasion to the Saljuqs, Vol.4, (Cambridge University Press, 1999), 91.
2. ^ Richard Nelson Frye, 91.
3. ^ Richard Nelson Frye, 91.
4. ^ Richard Nelson Frye, 90.
5. ^ Tahirids, C.E. Bosworth, Encyclopedia of Islam, Vol. X, Ed. P.J. Bearman, T.Bianquis, C.E.Bosworth, E. van Donzel and W.P.Heinrichs, (Brill, 2000), 104.
6. ^ Tahirids, C.E. Bosworth, 104.
7. ^ Hammuda, Abdul Hamid, H. The History of Independent Islamic States:Tarikh Adduwal Al-Islamiyyah Al-Mustaqillah, al-Dar al-Thaqafiyyah lil-Nashr, Cairo, 2010, p.30-40
8. ^ see Hammuda

See also

• List of Muslims
• List of Sunni Muslim dynasties