Kakuyids

Kakuyids
آل کاکویه
1008–1141
The Kakuyids at their greatest extent
Capital		Isfahan (1008–1051) Yazd (1051–1141)
Languages		Persian
Religion		Shia Islam
Government		Monarchy
Emir
•	1008-1041	Muhammad ibn Rustam Dushmanziyar
•	1095-1141	Garshasp II
Historical era		Middle Ages
•	Established	1008
•	Disestablished	1141
Preceded by Succeeded by Buyid dynasty Great Seljuq Empire Atabegs of Yazd

The Kakuyids (also called Kakwayhids, Kakuwayhids or Kakuyah) (Persian: آل کاکویه‎‎) were a Daylamite dynasty that held power in western Persia, Jibal and Kurdistan (c. 1008–c. 1051). They later became atabegs (governors) of Yazd, Isfahan and Abarkuh from c. 1051 to 1141. They were related to the Buyids.

Origins

Although the historian Margaretha states that the Kakuyids were of Kurdish origin, however, many other scholars consider them relatives of Sayyida Shirin, who was from the Dailamite Bavand dynasty. Encyclopædia Iranica also states that; “it should be remembered that “Kurd” in the sources of the 10th-11th centuries refers to all the transhumants of the Zagros region including the Lors.” According to historian James Boris, the word “Kurd” first became an ethnic identity in the 12th and 13th century. However, he further states that the term was even then also being used as a communal sense.

History

The Kakuyids were given control of Isfahan in or before 1008 by Sayyida Shirin, who held the regencies of her young Buyid sons Majd al-Dawla of Ray and Shams al-Dawla of Hamadan. The man who was given the administration of the city was Muhammad ibn Rustam Dushmanziyar. Over time, he effectively became independent of Buyid control.

At times Muhammad ibn Rustam Dushmanziyar acted as an ally of the Buyids; when Shams al-Dawla was faced with a revolt in Hamadan, for example, he turned to the Kakuyids for aid. Shortly after Shams al-Daula died, he was succeeded by Sama' al-Dawla, however, the Kakuyids invaded and took control of Hamadan in 1023 or 1024. They then moved on and seized Hulwan from the 'Annazids. The Buyid Musharrif al-Dawla, who ruled over Fars and Iraq, forced the Kakuyids to withdraw from Hulwan, but they retained Hamadan. Peace was made between the two sides, and a matrimonial alliance was eventually arranged.

Muhammad ibn Rustam Dushmanziyar was succeeded in 1041 by his son Faramurz. While in Hamadan another Kakuyid, Garshasp I, took power. In 1095, Garshasp II became the new Emir of the Kakuyid dynasty, and was later killed at the Battle of Qatwan. Faramurz's reign was cut short by the Seljuks, who after a year-long siege of Isfahan took the city in 1051 or 1052. Despite this, Faramurz was given Yazd and Abarkuh in fief by the Seljuks. The Kakuyids 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.

Kakuyid rulers

• Muhammad ibn Rustam Dushmanziyar (1008 - 1041)
• Faramurz ibn Muhammad (1041 - 1070's) - Isfahan, later in Yazd and Abarkuh
• Garshasp I ibn Muhammad (1041 - 1048) - Hamadan, Nihawand, Borujerd and western Jibal
• Ali ibn Faramurz (1070's - 1095) - Yazd. Married Chaghri Beg's daughter, Arslan Khatun Khadija, in 1076-1077.
• Garshasp II (1095 - 1141)

Sources

• Janine and Dominique Sourdel, Historical Dictionary of Islam, Éd. PUF, ISBN 978-2-13-054536-1, article Kakuyids, pp. 452–453.