Difference between revisions of "Samanid dynasty" - New World Encyclopedia
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| + | [[Image:Samanid dynasty (819–999).GIF|thumb|The Samanid Empire at its height.]] | ||
| − | [[ | + | The '''Samanids''' (819–999)''Sāmāniyān'') were a [[Persian empire|Persian dynasty]] in [[Central Asia]] and [[Greater Khorasan]], named after its founder [[Saman Khuda]] who converted to [[Sunni]] [[Islam]] despite being from [[Zoroastrianism|Zoroastrian]] theocratic nobility.It was among the first native [[Iranian people|Iranian]] dynasties in [[Greater Iran]] and Central Asia after the [[Islamic conquest of Persia|Arab conquest]] and the collapse of the [[Sassanid Empire|Sassanid Persian empire]]. Reviving Persian culture, the Samanids spread both Islamo-Persian [[culture]] and the Islamic [[religion]] deep into the heart of Central Asia.. Persian replaced Arabic as the language of governance. The dynasty supported Sunni Islam. It suppressed [[Ismailis|Ismaili Shiism]] but tolerated Twelver, which would later become the state religion under the [[Safavid Dynasty]]. |
| − | + | The dynasty fell in 999 when their rule was replaced by the [[Karakhanids]] | |
| − | The | ||
==Domination== | ==Domination== | ||
| − | The Samanid period is considered the beginning of the [[Tajiks|Tajik]] nation (which was a part of [[Greater Iran]]). <ref> | + | The Samanid period is considered the beginning of the [[Tajiks|Tajik]] nation (which was a part of [[Greater Iran]]). <ref>Jonson, page 18.</ref> Their rule lasted for 180 years, and their territory encompassed [[Khorasan]], [[Ray, Iran|Ray]], [[Transoxiania]], [[Tabaristan]], [[Kerman]], [[Gorgan]], and the area west of these provinces up to [[Isfahan]]. To legitimize the dynasty, the Samanids claimed to be descendants of [[Bahram Chobin]],<ref>Badiozamani, page 123.</ref> and thus descended from the [[House of Mihran|House of Mihrān]], one of the [[Seven Great Houses of Iran]]. In governing their territory, the Samanids modeled their state organization after the [[Abbasids]], mirroring the [[caliph]]'s court and organization.<ref>Blair, page 27.</ref> They were rewarded for supporting the Abbasids in [[Transoxania]] and Khorasan, and with their established capitals located in [[Bukhara]], [[Samarkand]], and [[Herat]], they carved their kingdom after defeating the [[Saffarids]].<ref>Badiozamani, page 123.</ref> |
| − | With their roots stemming from the city of [[Balkh]],<ref> | + | With their roots stemming from the city of [[Balkh]],<ref>Jonson, page 18.</ref> the Samanids promoted the arts, giving rise to the advancement of science and literature, and thus attracted scholars such as [[Rudaki]] and [[Avicenna]]. While under Samanid control, [[Bukhara]] was a rival to [[Baghdad]] in its glory.<ref>Daniel, page 74.</ref> Scholars note that the Samanids revived Persian more than the [[Buyids]] and the [[Saffarids]], while continuing to patronize [[Arabic]] to a significant degree.<ref>Daniel, page 74.</ref> Nevertheless, in a famous edict, Samanid authorities declared that "here, in this region, the language is [[Persian language|Persian]], and the kings of this realm are Persian kings."<ref>Daniel, page 74.</ref> |
==Cultural and religious legacy== | ==Cultural and religious legacy== | ||
| − | [[Image:Bowl Iran sabz.JPG|thumb|left|100px|Samanid era art Bowl.<ref>Bowl with white slip, incised design, colored, and glazed. Excavated at ''Sabz Pushan'', | + | [[Image:Bowl Iran sabz.JPG|thumb|left|100px|Samanid era art Bowl.<ref>Bowl with white slip, incised design, colored, and glazed. Excavated at ''Sabz Pushan'', [[Neishapur]], [[Iran]]. 9th-early 10th century. [[New York Metropolitan Museum of Art]].</ref>]] |
| − | The Samanids not only revived [[Persian culture]] but they also determinedly propagated [[Sunni]] [[Islam]]. | + | The Samanids not only revived [[Persian culture]] but they also determinedly propagated [[Sunni]] [[Islam]]. In doing so, the Samanids repressed [[Ismaili]] [[Shiism]]<ref> Madelung and Walker, pege 5.</ref> but remained tolerant of [[Twelver]] Shiism.<ref>Daniel, page 74.</ref> The Samanid state became a staunch patron of Islamic [[architecture]] and spread the Islamo-Persian culture deep into the heart of Central Asia. The population within its areas began firmly accepting Islam in significant numbers, notably in [[Taraz]], now in modern day [[Kazakhstan]]. |
| − | According to historians, through the zealous missionary work of Samanid rulers, as many as 30,000 tents of [[Turkish people|Turks]] came to profess [[Islam]] and later under the Ghaznavids higher than 55,000 under the [[Hanafi]] school of thought.<ref> | + | According to historians, through the zealous [[missionary]] work of Samanid rulers, as many as 30,000 tents of [[Turkish people|Turks]] came to profess [[Islam]] and later under the [[Ghaznavid Empire|Ghaznavids]] higher than 55,000 under the [[Hanafi]] school of thought.<ref>Daniel, page 74.</ref> The mass conversion of the Turks to Islam eventually led to a growing influence of the Ghaznavids, who would later rule the region. |
[[Image:bukhara14.jpg|thumb|80px|left|[[Samanid mausoleum]] (between 892 and 943) in [[Bukhara]], [[Uzbekistan]] (photo 2003).]] | [[Image:bukhara14.jpg|thumb|80px|left|[[Samanid mausoleum]] (between 892 and 943) in [[Bukhara]], [[Uzbekistan]] (photo 2003).]] | ||
| − | Another lasting contribution of the Samanids to the history of Islamic art is the pottery known as Samanid Epigraphic Ware: plates, bowls, and pitchers fired in a white slip and decorated only with calligraphy, often elegantly and rhythmically written. | + | Another lasting contribution of the Samanids to the history of Islamic art is the pottery known as Samanid Epigraphic Ware: plates, bowls, and pitchers fired in a white slip and decorated only with calligraphy, often elegantly and rhythmically written. The Arabic phrases used in this calligraphy are generally more or less generic well wishes, or [[Islamic]] admonitions to good table manners. |
| − | In 999 their realm was conquered by the | + | In 999 their realm was conquered by the Karakhanids. |
| − | Under Ghaznavid rule, the [[Shahnameh]], was completed. | + | Under Ghaznavid rule, the [[Shahnameh]], was completed. In commending the Samanids, the epic Persian poet [[Ferdowsi]] says of them: |
<blockquote> | <blockquote> | ||
| − | کجا آن بزرگان ساسانیان<br> | + | کجا آن بزرگان ساسانیان<br/> |
زبهرامیان تا بسامانیان | زبهرامیان تا بسامانیان | ||
</blockquote> | </blockquote> | ||
| − | "Where have all the great [[Sassanid]]s gone?<br> | + | "Where have all the great [[Sassanid]]s gone?<br/> |
| − | From the [[Bahram V of Persia|Bahrāmids]] to the Samanids what has come upon?" | + | From the [[Bahram V of Persia|Bahrāmids]] to the Samanids what has come upon?"<ref> Naji, Mohamadreza. 2006. [http://www.allempires.net/forum_posts.asp?TID=77&PID=183041 The Samanids.] All Empires. Retrieved November 19, 2008.</ref> |
==Samanid Amirs== | ==Samanid Amirs== | ||
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*[[Mansur II of Samanid|Mansur II]] (997 - 999) | *[[Mansur II of Samanid|Mansur II]] (997 - 999) | ||
*[['Abd al-Malik II]] (999) | *[['Abd al-Malik II]] (999) | ||
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== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
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| − | + | ==References== | |
| − | + | * Axworthy, Michael. 2008. ''A history of Iran: empire of the mind.'' New York: Basic Books. ISBN 9780465008889 | |
| − | + | * Badiozamani, Badi, and Ghazal Badiozamani. 2005. ''Iran and America: re-kindling a love lost.'' Manhattan Beach, CA: East-West Understanding Press. ISBN 9780974217208 | |
| − | + | * Blair, Sheila S. 1992.'' The monumental inscriptions from early Islamic Iran and Transoxiana.'' Leiden: E.J. Brill. ISBN 9789004093676 | |
| − | + | * Daniel, Elton L. 2001.'' The history of Iran.'' The Greenwood histories of the modern nations. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. ISBN 9780313307317 | |
| − | + | * Jonson, Lena. 2006. ''Tajikistan in the new Central Asia: geopolitics, great power rivalry and radical Islam.'' International library of Central Asian studies, 2. London: I.B. Tauris. ISBN 9781845112936 | |
| − | + | * Madelung, Wilferd, and Paul Ernest Walker. 1998. ''An Ismaili heresiography: the "Bāb al-shayṭān" from Abū Tammām's Kitāb al-shajara.'' Islamic history and civilization, v. 23. Leiden: Brill. ISBN 9789004110724 | |
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{{Credit|250717169}} | {{Credit|250717169}} | ||
Revision as of 22:59, 19 November 2008
The Samanids (819–999)Sāmāniyān) were a Persian dynasty in Central Asia and Greater Khorasan, named after its founder Saman Khuda who converted to Sunni Islam despite being from Zoroastrian theocratic nobility.It was among the first native Iranian dynasties in Greater Iran and Central Asia after the Arab conquest and the collapse of the Sassanid Persian empire. Reviving Persian culture, the Samanids spread both Islamo-Persian culture and the Islamic religion deep into the heart of Central Asia.. Persian replaced Arabic as the language of governance. The dynasty supported Sunni Islam. It suppressed Ismaili Shiism but tolerated Twelver, which would later become the state religion under the Safavid Dynasty.
The dynasty fell in 999 when their rule was replaced by the Karakhanids
Domination
The Samanid period is considered the beginning of the Tajik nation (which was a part of Greater Iran). [1] Their rule lasted for 180 years, and their territory encompassed Khorasan, Ray, Transoxiania, Tabaristan, Kerman, Gorgan, and the area west of these provinces up to Isfahan. To legitimize the dynasty, the Samanids claimed to be descendants of Bahram Chobin,[2] and thus descended from the House of Mihrān, one of the Seven Great Houses of Iran. In governing their territory, the Samanids modeled their state organization after the Abbasids, mirroring the caliph's court and organization.[3] They were rewarded for supporting the Abbasids in Transoxania and Khorasan, and with their established capitals located in Bukhara, Samarkand, and Herat, they carved their kingdom after defeating the Saffarids.[4]
With their roots stemming from the city of Balkh,[5] the Samanids promoted the arts, giving rise to the advancement of science and literature, and thus attracted scholars such as Rudaki and Avicenna. While under Samanid control, Bukhara was a rival to Baghdad in its glory.[6] Scholars note that the Samanids revived Persian more than the Buyids and the Saffarids, while continuing to patronize Arabic to a significant degree.[7] Nevertheless, in a famous edict, Samanid authorities declared that "here, in this region, the language is Persian, and the kings of this realm are Persian kings."[8]
Cultural and religious legacy
The Samanids not only revived Persian culture but they also determinedly propagated Sunni Islam. In doing so, the Samanids repressed Ismaili Shiism[10] but remained tolerant of Twelver Shiism.[11] The Samanid state became a staunch patron of Islamic architecture and spread the Islamo-Persian culture deep into the heart of Central Asia. The population within its areas began firmly accepting Islam in significant numbers, notably in Taraz, now in modern day Kazakhstan.
According to historians, through the zealous missionary work of Samanid rulers, as many as 30,000 tents of Turks came to profess Islam and later under the Ghaznavids higher than 55,000 under the Hanafi school of thought.[12] The mass conversion of the Turks to Islam eventually led to a growing influence of the Ghaznavids, who would later rule the region.
Another lasting contribution of the Samanids to the history of Islamic art is the pottery known as Samanid Epigraphic Ware: plates, bowls, and pitchers fired in a white slip and decorated only with calligraphy, often elegantly and rhythmically written. The Arabic phrases used in this calligraphy are generally more or less generic well wishes, or Islamic admonitions to good table manners. In 999 their realm was conquered by the Karakhanids.
Under Ghaznavid rule, the Shahnameh, was completed. In commending the Samanids, the epic Persian poet Ferdowsi says of them:
کجا آن بزرگان ساسانیان
زبهرامیان تا بسامانیان
"Where have all the great Sassanids gone?
From the Bahrāmids to the Samanids what has come upon?"[13]
Samanid Amirs
- Saman Khuda
- Asad ibn Saman
- Yahya ibn Asad (819-855)
- Nasr I (864 - 892) (Effectively independent 875)
- Ismail (892 - 907)
- Ahmad II (907 - 914)
- Nasr II (914 - 943)
- Hamid Nuh I (943 - 954)
- Abdul Malik I (954 - 961)
- Mansur I (961 - 976)
- Nuh II (976 - 997)
- Mansur II (997 - 999)
- 'Abd al-Malik II (999)
Notes
- ↑ Jonson, page 18.
- ↑ Badiozamani, page 123.
- ↑ Blair, page 27.
- ↑ Badiozamani, page 123.
- ↑ Jonson, page 18.
- ↑ Daniel, page 74.
- ↑ Daniel, page 74.
- ↑ Daniel, page 74.
- ↑ Bowl with white slip, incised design, colored, and glazed. Excavated at Sabz Pushan, Neishapur, Iran. 9th-early 10th century. New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- ↑ Madelung and Walker, pege 5.
- ↑ Daniel, page 74.
- ↑ Daniel, page 74.
- ↑ Naji, Mohamadreza. 2006. The Samanids. All Empires. Retrieved November 19, 2008.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Axworthy, Michael. 2008. A history of Iran: empire of the mind. New York: Basic Books. ISBN 9780465008889
- Badiozamani, Badi, and Ghazal Badiozamani. 2005. Iran and America: re-kindling a love lost. Manhattan Beach, CA: East-West Understanding Press. ISBN 9780974217208
- Blair, Sheila S. 1992. The monumental inscriptions from early Islamic Iran and Transoxiana. Leiden: E.J. Brill. ISBN 9789004093676
- Daniel, Elton L. 2001. The history of Iran. The Greenwood histories of the modern nations. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. ISBN 9780313307317
- Jonson, Lena. 2006. Tajikistan in the new Central Asia: geopolitics, great power rivalry and radical Islam. International library of Central Asian studies, 2. London: I.B. Tauris. ISBN 9781845112936
- Madelung, Wilferd, and Paul Ernest Walker. 1998. An Ismaili heresiography: the "Bāb al-shayṭān" from Abū Tammām's Kitāb al-shajara. Islamic history and civilization, v. 23. Leiden: Brill. ISBN 9789004110724
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