Kakuyid

Kakuyid Emirate
آل کاکویه
1008–1141
The Kakuyids at their greatest extent
Capital		Isfahan (1008–1051) Yazd (1051–1141)
Languages		Persian
Religion		Shia Islam
Government		Monarchy
Emir
•	1008–1041	Muhammad ibn Rustam Dushmanziyar
•	1095–1141	Garshasp II
Historical era		Middle Ages
•	Established	1008
•	Disestablished	1141
Preceded by Succeeded by Buyid dynasty Great Seljuq Empire Atabegs of Yazd

The Kakuyids (also called Kakwayhids, Kakuwayhids or Kakuyah) (Persian: آل کاکویه‎‎) were a Daylamite dynasty that held power in western Persia, Jibal and Kurdistan (c. 1008–c. 1051). They later became atabegs (governors) of Yazd, Isfahan and Abarkuh from c. 1051 to 1141. They were related to the Buyids.

Although the historian Margaretha states that the Kakuyids were of Kurdish origin, however, many other scholars consider them relatives of Sayyida Shirin, who was from the DailamiteBavand dynasty.Encyclopædia Iranica also states that; “it should be remembered that “Kurd” in the sources of the 10th-11th centuries refers to all the transhumants of the Zagros region including the Lors.” According to historian James Boris, the word “Kurd” first became an ethnic identity in the 12th and 13th century. However, he further states that the term was even then also being used as a communal sense.

The Kakuyids were given control of Isfahan in or before 1008 by Sayyida Shirin, who held the regencies of her young Buyid sons Majd al-Dawla of Ray and Shams al-Dawla of Hamadan. The man who was given the administration of the city was Muhammad ibn Rustam Dushmanziyar. Over time, he effectively became independent of Buyid control.