Dulafid dynasty
Encyclopedia
The Dulafid or Dolafid dynasty was an Arab
dynasty that served as governors of Jibal
for the Abbasid
caliphs in the 9th century. During the weakening of the authority of the caliphs after 861, their rule in Jibal became increasingly independent of the central government in Samarra
. In the last decade of the 9th century, however, they were defeated by the Abbasids who proceeded to reincorporate Jibal into their empire.
, Iraq
. There are dubious records that they supported the Abbasid family in its struggles against the Ummayad caliphs. They later moved to the Zagros region
, where they resorted to highway robbery. Eventually they adopted a more legitimate lifestyle and settled in Karaj
. Over time their holdings around Karaj became extensive, and by the 9th century they possessed large tracts of cultivated land, palaces and fortresses.
The first Dulafid to become governor of Jibal was Abu Dulaf al-Qasim, who was appointed to the position by the caliph Harun al-Rashid
. He sided with Harun al-Rashid's successor al-Amin
in the civil war against the latter's brother al-Ma'mun
, was pardoned after the defeat of al-Amin and retained his post. He maintained good relations with the caliphs until his death in 840. His son and grandsons succeeded him in his position as governor of Jibal.
As Abbasid authority in the peripheral provinces broke down in the middle of the century, Jibal under the Dulafids became increasingly independent. Ahmad ibn 'Abd al-Aziz (governor 879-893) played an influential role in the wars between the Abbasids and the Saffarid dynasty
of Sistan
, generally siding with the former. After his death, however, his sons fought amongst themselves over his holdings, presenting an opportunity to the Abbasids to retake Jibal province. Despite offering a sustained resistance, the Dulafids ultimately lost the province in 897.
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
dynasty that served as governors of Jibal
Jibal
Jibāl was a short-lived Arab-ruled province located in western Iran, under the Abbasid Caliphate of Baghdad. It was roughly coterminous with the ancient country of the Medes. In 10th century it came back under Persian rule ....
for the Abbasid
Abbasid
The Abbasid Caliphate or, more simply, the Abbasids , was the third of the Islamic caliphates. It was ruled by the Abbasid dynasty of caliphs, who built their capital in Baghdad after overthrowing the Umayyad caliphate from all but the al-Andalus region....
caliphs in the 9th century. During the weakening of the authority of the caliphs after 861, their rule in Jibal became increasingly independent of the central government in Samarra
Samarra
Sāmarrā is a city in Iraq. It stands on the east bank of the Tigris in the Salah ad-Din Governorate, north of Baghdad and, in 2003, had an estimated population of 348,700....
. In the last decade of the 9th century, however, they were defeated by the Abbasids who proceeded to reincorporate Jibal into their empire.
History
The Dulafids belonged to the Arab tribe of 'Ejl ibn Lojaym. The family is first mentioned in the early 8th century as traders residing in KufaKufa
Kufa is a city in Iraq, about south of Baghdad, and northeast of Najaf. It is located on the banks of the Euphrates River. The estimated population in 2003 was 110,000....
, 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....
. There are dubious records that they supported the Abbasid family in its struggles against the Ummayad caliphs. They later moved to the Zagros region
Zagros Mountains
The Zagros Mountains are the largest mountain range in Iran and Iraq. With a total length of 1,500 km , from northwestern Iran, and roughly correlating with Iran's western border, the Zagros range spans the whole length of the western and southwestern Iranian plateau and ends at the Strait of...
, where they resorted to highway robbery. Eventually they adopted a more legitimate lifestyle and settled in Karaj
Karaj
Karaj is a city in and the capital of Karaj County, Alborz Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 1,377,450, in 385,955 families, , making it the fifth-largest city in Iran after Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan and Tabriz.) It is situated west of Tehran, at the foothills of the Alborz...
. Over time their holdings around Karaj became extensive, and by the 9th century they possessed large tracts of cultivated land, palaces and fortresses.
The first Dulafid to become governor of Jibal was Abu Dulaf al-Qasim, who was appointed to the position by the caliph Harun al-Rashid
Harun al-Rashid
Hārūn al-Rashīd was the fifth Arab Abbasid Caliph in Iraq. He was born in Rey, Iran, close to modern Tehran. His birth date remains a point of discussion, though, as various sources give the dates from 763 to 766)....
. He sided with Harun al-Rashid's successor al-Amin
Al-Amin
Muhammad ibn Harun al-Amin , Abbasid Caliph. He succeeded his father, Harun al-Rashid in 809 and ruled until he was killed in 813.-Caliph:...
in the civil war against the latter's brother al-Ma'mun
Al-Ma'mun
Abū Jaʿfar Abdullāh al-Māʾmūn ibn Harūn was an Abbasid caliph who reigned from 813 until his death in 833...
, was pardoned after the defeat of al-Amin and retained his post. He maintained good relations with the caliphs until his death in 840. His son and grandsons succeeded him in his position as governor of Jibal.
As Abbasid authority in the peripheral provinces broke down in the middle of the century, Jibal under the Dulafids became increasingly independent. Ahmad ibn 'Abd al-Aziz (governor 879-893) played an influential role in the wars between the Abbasids and the Saffarid dynasty
Saffarid dynasty
The Saffarids or the Saffarid dynasty was a Persian empire which ruled in Sistan , a historical region in southeastern Iran, southwestern Afghanistan and northwestern Pakistan...
of Sistan
Sistan
Sīstān is a border region in eastern Iran , southwestern Afghanistan and northern tip of Southwestern Pakistan .-Etymology:...
, generally siding with the former. After his death, however, his sons fought amongst themselves over his holdings, presenting an opportunity to the Abbasids to retake Jibal province. Despite offering a sustained resistance, the Dulafids ultimately lost the province in 897.
Rulers
- Abu Dulaf al-Qasim (until c. 840)
- 'Abd al-Aziz ibn Abu Dulaf (c. 840-874)
- Dulaf ibn 'Abd al-Aziz (874-879)
- Ahmad ibn 'Abd al-Aziz (879-893)
- 'Umar ibn Ahmad (893-896)
- Abu Layla al-Harith (896-897)