Mamun II
Encyclopedia
Abu'l-Abbas Ma'mun was Khwarazm-Shah from 1008 or 1009 until his death, having succeeded his brother Abu al-Hasan Ali
in that post. He was the son of Mamun I
.
The greatest threat to Ma'mun's rule came in the form of the Ghaznavid sultan, Mahmud of Ghazni
. Mahmud viewed Khwarazm as a strategically important province, as it would allow him to widen the front against his biggest enemy, the Karakhanids of Transoxiana
. When the caliph
al-Qadir
sent Ma'mun several awards, including an investiture patent for Khwarazm (confirming him as independent ruler) in 1014, Ma'mun refused to accept the awards in his capital, fearing that personally accepting the symbols of independence would anger Mahmud. He instead sent out a delegation to accept the awards on the steppe. Ma'mun also married Mahmud's sister Hurra-yi Kalji, who had previously been married to his brother, in 1015 or 1016.
Despite these efforts to placate Mahmud, the Ghaznavid demanded that Ma'mun place his name in the khutba
, in effect acknowledging his suzerainty. Although the nobility and the army were opposed to such measure, Ma'mun had no choice but to give in. He agreed to place Mahmud's name in the khutba and to fulfill other humiliating demands. In response the army revolted and Ma'mun was killed. The rebels placed his nephew Muhammad
on the throne, but Mahmud used the death of his brother-in-law as a pretext for annexing Khwarazm.
During Ma'mun's reign several scholars, such as Al-Biruni
, resided in Khwarazm, and in fact one of Mahmud's demands upon the shah was that several of them be sent to him. Ma'mun also was responsible for several building projects; a minaret that he ordered to be constructed still stands in Konya-Urgench.
Abu al-Hasan Ali
Abu al-Hasan 'Ali was Khwarazm-Shah from 997 until his death. The second member of the Ma'munid dynasty, he was the son of Mamun I....
in that post. He was the son of Mamun I
Mamun I
Ma'mun I Abu 'Ali was Khwarazm-Shah from 995 until his death. He was the founder of the Ma'munid dynasty, which lasted from 995 until 1017....
.
The greatest threat to Ma'mun's rule came in the form of the Ghaznavid sultan, Mahmud of Ghazni
Mahmud of Ghazni
Mahmud of Ghazni , actually ', was the most prominent ruler of the Ghaznavid dynasty who ruled from 997 until his death in 1030 in the eastern Iranian lands. Mahmud turned the former provincial city of Ghazni into the wealthy capital of an extensive empire which covered most of today's Iran,...
. Mahmud viewed Khwarazm as a strategically important province, as it would allow him to widen the front against his biggest enemy, the Karakhanids of Transoxiana
Transoxiana
Transoxiana is the ancient name used for the portion of Central Asia corresponding approximately with modern-day Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, southern Kyrgystan and southwest Kazakhstan. Geographically, it is the region between the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers...
. When the caliph
Caliph
The Caliph is the head of state in a Caliphate, and the title for the ruler of the Islamic Ummah, an Islamic community ruled by the Shari'ah. It is a transcribed version of the Arabic word which means "successor" or "representative"...
al-Qadir
Al-Qadir
Al-Qadir was the Abbasid Caliph in Baghdad from 991 to 1031. Grandson of al-Muqtadir, he was chosen in place of the deposed Caliph, at-Taʾi, his cousin. Banished from the Capital earlier, he was now recalled and appointed to the office he had long desired. He held the Caliphate for 40 years...
sent Ma'mun several awards, including an investiture patent for Khwarazm (confirming him as independent ruler) in 1014, Ma'mun refused to accept the awards in his capital, fearing that personally accepting the symbols of independence would anger Mahmud. He instead sent out a delegation to accept the awards on the steppe. Ma'mun also married Mahmud's sister Hurra-yi Kalji, who had previously been married to his brother, in 1015 or 1016.
Despite these efforts to placate Mahmud, the Ghaznavid demanded that Ma'mun place his name in the khutba
Khutba
Khutbah serves as the primary formal occasion for public preaching in the Islamic tradition.Such sermons occur regularly, as prescribed by the teachings of all legal schools. The Islamic tradition can be formally at the dhuhr congregation prayer on Friday...
, in effect acknowledging his suzerainty. Although the nobility and the army were opposed to such measure, Ma'mun had no choice but to give in. He agreed to place Mahmud's name in the khutba and to fulfill other humiliating demands. In response the army revolted and Ma'mun was killed. The rebels placed his nephew Muhammad
Muhammad, Khwarezm-Shah
Abu'l Harith Muhammad was Khwarazm Shah for a period in 1017. The son of Abu al-Hasan Ali, he was the last member of the Iranian Ma'munid dynasty to rule Khwarazm.In 1017 a young Muhammad was declared shah by the murderers of his uncle Abu'l Abbas Mamun...
on the throne, but Mahmud used the death of his brother-in-law as a pretext for annexing Khwarazm.
During Ma'mun's reign several scholars, such as Al-Biruni
Al-Biruni
Abū al-Rayḥān Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad al-BīrūnīArabic spelling. . The intermediate form Abū Rayḥān al-Bīrūnī is often used in academic literature...
, resided in Khwarazm, and in fact one of Mahmud's demands upon the shah was that several of them be sent to him. Ma'mun also was responsible for several building projects; a minaret that he ordered to be constructed still stands in Konya-Urgench.