Iranian Intermezzo


The term Iranian Intermezzo or Persian renaissance represents a period in history which saw the rise of various native Persian Muslim dynasties in the Iranian plateau after the Arab invasion of Iran in the 7th century and the fall of Sasanian Empire. This term is noteworthy since it was an interlude between the decline of Abbāsid Arab rule and power and the "Sunni Revival" with the emergence of the Seljuq Turks in the 11th century. The Iranian revival consisted of Iranian support based on Iranian territory and most significantly a revived Iranian national spirit and culture in an Islamic form.

Muslim Iranian dynasties

Tahirids (821–873)

The Tahirid dynasty, was an Iranian Persian dynasty that ruled over the northeastern part of Greater Iran, in the region of Khorasan. The Tahirid capital was located in Nishapur.

Saffarids (861–1003)

The Saffarid dynasty, was an Iranian Persian empire which ruled in Sistan, a historical region in southeastern Iran and southwestern Afghanistan. Their capital was Zaranj.

Sajids (889–929)

The Sajid dynasty, was an Islamic dynasty that ruled from 889-890 until 929. Sajids ruled Azerbaijan and parts of Armenia first from Maragha and Barda and then from Ardabil. The Sajids originated from the Central Asian province of Ushrusana and were of Iranian heritage.

Samanids (875/819–999)

The Samanid dynasty, also known as the Samanid Empire or simply Samanids was an Iranian empire in Central Asia and Greater Khorasan, named after its founder Saman Khuda who converted to Sunni Islam despite being from Zoroastrian theocratic nobility.
With their roots stemming from the city of Balkh, 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. Scholars note that the Samanids revived Persian more than the Buyids and the Saffarids, while continuing to patronize Arabic to a significant degree. 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."

Ziyarids (930–1090)

The Ziyarid dynasty was an Iranian dynasty of Gilaki origin that ruled Tabaristan from 930 to 1090. At its greatest extent, it ruled much of present-day western and northern Iran.

Buyids (934–1062)

Buyid dynasty, also known as the Buyid Empire or the Buyids, also known as Buwaihids or Buyyids, were a Shī‘ah Persian dynasty that originated from Daylaman. They founded a confederation that controlled most of modern-day Iran and Iraq in the 10th and 11th centuries.
Indeed, as Dailamite Iranians the Būyids consciously revived symbols and practices of Persia's Sassānid dynasty. In fact, beginning with 'Adud al-Daula they used the ancient Sassānid title Shāhanshāh, literally meaning king of kings.

Sallarids (942–979)

The Sallarid dynasty was an Islamic Persian dynasty principally known for its rule of Iranian Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan, and a part of Armenia from 942 until 979.