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|image_map = Saffarid dynasty 861-1003.png
|image_map = Saffarid dynasty 861-1003.png
|image_map_caption = Saffarid Emirate at its Greatest Extent
|image_map_caption = Saffarid Emirate at its Greatest Extent
|capital = [[Zaranj]]
|capital = [[Zaranj]], [[Afghanistan]]
|common_languages = [[Persian languages|Persian]]
|common_languages = [[Persian languages|Persian]]
|religion =
|religion =
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|title_leader = [[Saffarid dynasty#Rulers of the Saffarid dynasty|Emir]]
|title_leader = [[Saffarid dynasty#Rulers of the Saffarid dynasty|Emir]]
}}
}}
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{{History of Greater Iran}}


The '''Saffarid dynasty''' ({{lang-fa|سلسله صفاریان}}) ruled between 861 to 1002 AD much of eastern [[Persia]], including [[Greater Khorasan|Khorasan]], [[Name of Afghanistan|Afghanistan]] and [[Balochistan region|Balochistan]].<ref>[[Nancy Hatch Dupree]], ''An Historical Guide To Afghanistan'' - "Sites in Perspective" (Chapter 3)</ref> The dynasty was founded by [[Ya'qub bin Laith as-Saffar]], a man of obscure origins who worked as a coppersmith (''ṣaffār'') to becoming a [[warlord]]. He seized control of the [[Sistan]] region and conquered the Afghan areas in the name of [[Islam]].
The '''Saffarids''' or the '''Saffarid dynasty''' ({{lang-fa|سلسله صفاریان}}) was a Persian empire<ref>''The Cambridge History of Iran'', by Richard Nelson Frye, William Bayne Fisher, John Andrew Boyle (Cambridge University Press, 1975: ISBN 0-521-20093-8), pg. 121.</ref><ref>''The Encyclopedia of World History'', ed. Peter N. Stearns and William Leonard Langer (Houghton Mifflin, 2001), 115.</ref> which ruled in [[Sistan]] (861–1002), a historical region in southeastern [[Iran]], southwestern [[Afghanistan]] and northwestern [[Pakistan]].<ref>[[Nancy Hatch Dupree]], ''An Historical Guide To Afghanistan'' - "Sites in Perspective" (Chapter 3)
[http://www.zharov.com/dupree/chapter03.html Link]</ref> Their capital was [[Zaranj]], located in present-day Afghanistan.


The dynasty was founded by &ndash; and took its name from &ndash; [[Ya'qub bin Laith as-Saffar]], a man of humble origins who rose from an obscure beginning as a coppersmith (''ṣaffār'') to become a warlord. He seized control of the Sistan region, conquering all of Afghanistan, modern-day eastern Iran, and parts of Pakistan. Using their capital (Zaranj) as base for an aggressive expansion eastwards and westwards, they overthrew the [[Tahirid dynasty]] and annexed [[greater Khorasan|Khorasan]] in 873. By the time of Ya'qub's death, he had conquered [[Kabulistan|Kabul Valley]], [[Sindh]], [[Tocharistan]], [[Makran]] ([[Balochistan (region)|Balochistan]]), [[Kerman]], [[Fars Province|Fars]], Khorasan, and nearly reached [[Baghdad]] but then suffered defeat.<ref>Britannica, [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9064714 Saffarid dynasty]</ref>
Using their capital [[Zaranj]] (in modern-day Afghanistan) as a base for an aggressive expansion eastwards and westwards, they overthrew the [[Tahirid dynasty]] and annexed Khorasan in 873. By the time of Ya'qub's death, he had conquered the [[Kabul|Kabul Valley]], [[Sindh]], [[Tocharistan]], [[Makran]] (Balochistan), [[Kerman]], [[Fars Province|Fars]], Khorasan, and nearly reached [[Baghdad]] but then suffered defeat.<ref>Britannica, [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9064714 Saffarid dynasty]</ref>


The Saffarid empire did not last long after Ya'qub's death. His brother and successor [[Amr bin Laith]] was defeated in a battle against [[Ismail Samani]] in 900. Amr bin Laith was forced to surrender most of their territories to the new rulers. The Saffarids were subsequently confined to their heartland of Sistan, with their role reduced to that of [[vassal]]s of the Samanids and their successors.
The Saffarid empire did not last long after Ya'qub's death. His brother and successor [[Amr bin Laith]] was defeated in a battle against [[Ismail Samani]] in 900. Amr bin Laith was forced to surrender most of their territories to the new rulers. The Saffarids were subsequently confined to their heartland of Sistan, with their role reduced to that of [[vassal]]s of the [[Samanids]] and their successors.


==Founding==
==Founding==
The Saffarid dynasty started with [[Ya'qub-i Laith Saffari]] who as a coppersmith moved to the city of Zaranj. He later started his campaign as an [[Ayyarun|Ayyar]] and eventually got the power to act as an independent ruler. From his capital Zaranj he moved east into al-Rukhkhadj and Zamindawar reaching as far as Zunbil and Kabul by 865. He took vast amounts of plunder and slaves from this campaign.<ref>''The Development of Persian Culture under the Early Ghaznavids'', C.E. Bosworth, '''Iran''', Vol. 6, (1968), 34.</ref><ref>''Saffarids'', C.E. Bosworth, '''Encyclopedia of Islam''', Vol. VIII, Ed. C.E.Bosworth, E. van Donzel, W.P.Heinrichs and G. Lecomte, (Brill, 1995), 795.</ref> The Tahirid city of Herat was taken in 870 and his campaign in the Baghghis region led to the capture of Kharidjites which later formed the ''Djash al-Shurat'' contingent in his army. Ya'qub then turned his focus to the west and began attacks on Khurasan, Khuzistan, Kirman and Fars. These attacks forced the [[Abbasid]] caliphate to recognize him as governor of Kirman.<ref>''Saffarids'', '''Encyclopedia of Islam''', Vol. VIII, 795.</ref>
There is not much information available about the ethnicity or ancestry of the Saffarids. The dynasty began with [[Ya'qub-i Laith Saffari]], a coppersmith who moved to the city of Zaranj. He later started his campaign as an [[Ayyarun|Ayyar]] and eventually got the power to act as an independent ruler. From his capital Zaranj he moved east into al-Rukhkhadj and Zamindawar reaching as far as Zunbil and Kabul by 865. He took vast amounts of plunder and slaves from this campaign.<ref>''The Development of Persian Culture under the Early Ghaznavids'', C.E. Bosworth, '''Iran''', Vol. 6, (1968), 34.</ref><ref>''Saffarids'', C.E. Bosworth, '''Encyclopedia of Islam''', Vol. VIII, Ed. C.E.Bosworth, E. van Donzel, W.P.Heinrichs and G. Lecomte, (Brill, 1995), 795.</ref> The Tahirid city of Herat was taken in 870 and his campaign in the Baghghis region led to the capture of Kharidjites which later formed the ''Djash al-Shurat'' contingent in his army. Ya'qub then turned his focus to the west and began attacks on Khurasan, Khuzistan, Kirman and Fars. These attacks forced the [[Abbasid]] caliphate to recognize him as governor of Kirman.<ref>''Saffarids'', '''Encyclopedia of Islam''', Vol. VIII, 795.</ref>


In 901, [[Amr Saffari]] was defeated at the battle of Balkh by the Samanids, which reduced the Saffarid dynasty to a minor tributary in Sistan.<ref>''The Development of Persian Culture under the Early Ghaznavids'', C.E. Bosworth, 34.</ref>
In 901, [[Amr Saffari]] was defeated at the battle of Balkh by the Samanids, which reduced the Saffarid dynasty to a minor tributary in Sistan.<ref>''The Development of Persian Culture under the Early Ghaznavids'', C.E. Bosworth, 34.</ref>
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==Culture==
==Culture==
The Saffarids gave great care to the Persian culture and under their rule the Eastern Islamic lands witnessed the emergence of prominent Persian poets like [[Fayrouz Mashriqi]], [[Abu Salik al-Jirjani]], and [[Muhammad bin Wasif al-Sistani]].
Although the dynasty was of obscure origin, some moder historians use "Persian empire" when referring to their kingdom or territory.<ref>''The Cambridge History of Iran'', by Richard Nelson Frye, William Bayne Fisher, John Andrew Boyle (Cambridge University Press, 1975: ISBN 0-521-20093-8), pg. 121.</ref><ref>''The Encyclopedia of World History'', ed. Peter N. Stearns and William Leonard Langer (Houghton Mifflin, 2001), 115.</ref> The Saffarids gave great care to the Persian culture and under their rule the eastern Islamic lands witnessed the emergence of prominent Persian poets like [[Fayrouz Mashriqi]], [[Abu Salik al-Jirjani]], and [[Muhammad bin Wasif al-Sistani]].


From silver mines in the [[Panjshir Valley]], the Saffarids were able to mint silver coins.<ref>''Pandjhir'', '''Encyclopedia of Islam''', Vol. VIII, 258.</ref>
From silver mines in the [[Panjshir Valley]], the Saffarids were able to mint silver coins.<ref>''Pandjhir'', '''Encyclopedia of Islam''', Vol. VIII, 258.</ref>


==Rulers of the Saffarid dynasty==
==Rulers of the Saffarid dynasty==
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{{History of Afghanistan}}
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{| width=100% class="wikitable"
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{{History of Iran}}
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{| width=60% class="wikitable"
! style="background-color:#F0DC82" width=9% | Titular Name
! style="background-color:#F0DC82" width=9% | Titular Name
! style="background-color:#F0DC82" width=9% | Personal Name
! style="background-color:#F0DC82" width=9% | Personal Name
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==See also==
==See also==
*[[Samanids]]
⚫
*[[History of Afghanistan]]
*[[History of Pakistan]]
*[[Ghaznavids]]
*[[History of Iran]]
*[[List of kings of Persia]]
*[[List of kings of Persia]]
*[[List of Muslims]]
*[[List of Muslims]]

Revision as of 23:29, 6 July 2012

Saffarid Dynasty
سلسله صفاریان
861–1002
Saffarid Emirate at its Greatest Extent
Saffarid Emirate at its Greatest Extent
CapitalZaranj, Afghanistan
Common languagesPersian
GovernmentMonarchy
Emir 
• 867–879
Ya'qub bin Laith as-Saffar
• 963–1002
Khalaf I
Historical eraMedieval
• Established
861
• Disestablished
1002
Preceded by		 Succeeded by
Tahirid dynasty
Samanid dynasty

The Saffarid dynasty (Persian: سلسله صفاریان) ruled between 861 to 1002 AD much of eastern Persia, including Khorasan, Afghanistan and Balochistan.[1] The dynasty was founded by Ya'qub bin Laith as-Saffar, a man of obscure origins who worked as a coppersmith (ṣaffār) to becoming a warlord. He seized control of the Sistan region and conquered the Afghan areas in the name of Islam.

Using their capital Zaranj (in modern-day Afghanistan) as a base for an aggressive expansion eastwards and westwards, they overthrew the Tahirid dynasty and annexed Khorasan in 873. By the time of Ya'qub's death, he had conquered the Kabul Valley, Sindh, Tocharistan, Makran (Balochistan), Kerman, Fars, Khorasan, and nearly reached Baghdad but then suffered defeat.[2]

The Saffarid empire did not last long after Ya'qub's death. His brother and successor Amr bin Laith was defeated in a battle against Ismail Samani in 900. Amr bin Laith was forced to surrender most of their territories to the new rulers. The Saffarids were subsequently confined to their heartland of Sistan, with their role reduced to that of vassals of the Samanids and their successors.

Founding

There is not much information available about the ethnicity or ancestry of the Saffarids. The dynasty began with Ya'qub-i Laith Saffari, a coppersmith who moved to the city of Zaranj. He later started his campaign as an Ayyar and eventually got the power to act as an independent ruler. From his capital Zaranj he moved east into al-Rukhkhadj and Zamindawar reaching as far as Zunbil and Kabul by 865. He took vast amounts of plunder and slaves from this campaign.[3][4] The Tahirid city of Herat was taken in 870 and his campaign in the Baghghis region led to the capture of Kharidjites which later formed the Djash al-Shurat contingent in his army. Ya'qub then turned his focus to the west and began attacks on Khurasan, Khuzistan, Kirman and Fars. These attacks forced the Abbasid caliphate to recognize him as governor of Kirman.[5]

In 901, Amr Saffari was defeated at the battle of Balkh by the Samanids, which reduced the Saffarid dynasty to a minor tributary in Sistan.[6]

In 1002, Mahmud of Ghazni invaded Sistan, dethroned Khalaf I and ended the Saffarid dynasty.[7]

Culture

Although the dynasty was of obscure origin, some moder historians use "Persian empire" when referring to their kingdom or territory.[8][9] The Saffarids gave great care to the Persian culture and under their rule the eastern Islamic lands witnessed the emergence of prominent Persian poets like Fayrouz Mashriqi, Abu Salik al-Jirjani, and Muhammad bin Wasif al-Sistani.

From silver mines in the Panjshir Valley, the Saffarids were able to mint silver coins.[10]

Rulers of the Saffarid dynasty

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Titular Name Personal Name Reign
Independence from Abbasid Caliphate.
Amir
أمیر
al-Saffar
coppersmith
الصفار 		Ya'qub bin Layth
یعقوب بن اللیث 		867-879 CE
Amir
أمیر
 Amru bin Layth
عمرو بن اللیث 		879-901 CE
Amir
أمیر
Abul-Hasan
أبو الحسن 		Tahir bin Muhammad bin Amru
طاھر بن محمد بن عمرو
co-ruler Abu Yusuf Ya'qub bin Muhammad bin Amru 		901-908 CE
Amir
أمیر
 Layth bin 'Ali
اللیث بن علی 		908-910 CE
Amir
أمیر
 Muhammad bin 'Ali
محمد بن علی 		910-911 CE
Amir
أمیر
 Al-Mu'addal bin 'Ali
؟
 911 CE
Amir
أمیر
Abu Hafs
ابو حفص
 Amru bin Ya'qub bin Muhammad bin Amru
عمرو بن یعقوب بن محمد بن عمرو 		912-913 CE
Samanid occupation 913-922 CE.
Amir
أمیر
Abu Ja'far
ابو جعفر
 Ahmed bin Muhammad bin Khalaf bin Layth bin 'Ali 922-963 CE
Amir
أمیر
Wali-ud-Daulah
ولی الدولہ
Khalaf bin Ahmed bin Muhammad bin Khalaf bin Layth bin 'Ali 963-1002 CE
Conquered by Mahmud ibn Sebuktigin of the Ghaznavid Empire in 1002 CE.
  • The Saffarid dynasty and its neighbors at it's peak in 900 C.E.
    The Saffarid dynasty and its neighbors at it's peak in 900 C.E.
  • Saffarid Soldier
    Saffarid Soldier

See also

References

  1. ^ Nancy Hatch Dupree, An Historical Guide To Afghanistan - "Sites in Perspective" (Chapter 3)
  2. ^ Britannica, Saffarid dynasty
  3. ^ The Development of Persian Culture under the Early Ghaznavids, C.E. Bosworth, Iran, Vol. 6, (1968), 34.
  4. ^ Saffarids, C.E. Bosworth, Encyclopedia of Islam, Vol. VIII, Ed. C.E.Bosworth, E. van Donzel, W.P.Heinrichs and G. Lecomte, (Brill, 1995), 795.
  5. ^ Saffarids, Encyclopedia of Islam, Vol. VIII, 795.
  6. ^ The Development of Persian Culture under the Early Ghaznavids, C.E. Bosworth, 34.
  7. ^ C.E. Bosworth, The Ghaznavids 994-1040, (Edinburgh University Press, 1963), 89.
  8. ^ The Cambridge History of Iran, by Richard Nelson Frye, William Bayne Fisher, John Andrew Boyle (Cambridge University Press, 1975: ISBN 0-521-20093-8), pg. 121.
  9. ^ The Encyclopedia of World History, ed. Peter N. Stearns and William Leonard Langer (Houghton Mifflin, 2001), 115.
  10. ^ Pandjhir, Encyclopedia of Islam, Vol. VIII, 258.
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