Shirvanshahs

The Shirvanshahs (singular: Shirvanshah, from Persian شروانشاه, lit. 'king of Shirvan') were the rulers of Shirvan (in present-day Azerbaijan) from 861 to 1538. Their realm was referred to as the Kingdom of Shirvan (Persian: پادشاهی شروان; Arabic: مملكة شروان) in writings completed during or shortly after its existence. The first ruling line were the Yazidids, an originally Arab and later Persianized dynasty of the Banu Shayban that emerged from the military and political elite of the Abbasid Caliphate. The family became established in the eastern Caucasus through successive Abbasid governorships and acquired hereditary possessions in the region before the weakening of effective Abbasid authority in 861 allowed Haytham ibn Khalid to rule Shirvan autonomously as Shirvanshah. The Yazidids later became known as the Kasranids (also referred to as the Khaqanids). The second ruling line were the Darbandids, distant relatives of the Yazidids/Kasranids. The Shirvanshahs ruled from 861 to 1538, one of the most enduring dynasties of the Islamic world. At times they were independent, often they had to recognize the overlordship of neighbouring empires. The dynasty is known for its patronage of culture, such as during the 12th century, when their realm served as the focal point for Persian literature, attracting distinguished poets such as Khaqani, Nizami Ganjavi, Falaki Shirvani, etc. In 1382, the Shirvanshahs' throne was taken by Ibrahim I (r. 1382–1417), thus marking the start of the Darbandid line. The Shirvanshahs' realm flourished in the 15th century, during the long reigns of Khalilullah I (r. 1417–1463) and Farrukh Yasar (r. 1463–1500). In 1500, the latter was defeated and killed by the forces of the Safavid leader Ismail I, who kept the Shirvanshahs as Safavid vassals. This ended in 1538 when Shah Tahmasp I (r. 1524–1576) dismissed Shirvanshah Shahrukh due to the latter's continuous disloyalty. Shirvan was subsequently made...