Hasanwayhid

Hasanawayhid was a Kurdish principality from 959 to 1015, centered at Dinawar (northeast of present-day Kermanshah). The principality ruled western Iran and upper Mesopotamia. The founder of the dynasty was Hasanwayh bin Husayn from the Kurdish tribe of Barzikani. He managed to successfully resist Sahlan bin Musafir, the Buyid governor of Hamadan, and the Buyid vizier, Ibn Al-Amed. In 970 he reached a compromise with Amed's successor which guaranteed his autonomy. Hasanwayh died in 979 at Sarmaj, located in south of Bisitun.

After Hasanwayh's death, conflict broke out between several of his sons. The intervention of Buyid Muayyid al-Dawla of Ray lead to defeat of Fakhr al-Dawla one of Hasanwayh's sons. Then another heir, Abul-Najm Badr (Nasir Al-Dawla), was installed as the leader of Bazikani Kurds, and the principality became a vassal of Buyids. Abul-Najm expanded Hasanwayhid's control to Shapur-Khwast, Dinawar, Nahavand, Asadabad, Borujerd, Ahwaz, Ilam, Kermanshah, Hulwan and Sharazur (Kirkuk).

Around 1006, the principality came into conflict with the Annazid to the west. Abul-Najm Badr finally died in a minor battle in 1014. The principality was conquered by Abul-Shawk, the Annazid ruler. However the princely family continued to rule their stronghold at Sarmaj until Seljuk Ibrahim Inal entered their territory in 1047.

References and External Links

* [http://www.encislam.brill.nl/data/EncIslam/S1/SIM-2781.html Hasanwayh in "The Encyclopaedia of Islam"] .
* [http://users.rcn.com/j-roberts/has.htm Hasanwayhid Coins]