Abu'l-Fadl al-Bal'ami facts for kids

Abu'l-Fadl al-Bal'ami, also known as Bal'ami the Elder (died November 14, 940), was an important statesman from the Samanid Empire. He came from the al-Bal'ami family and worked as a vizier (a high-ranking advisor or minister) for the ruler Nasr II from 922 to 938.

His Life and Important Work

Bal'ami first served under the Samanid ruler Isma'il ibn Ahmad. Later, Isma'il's grandson, Nasr II, chose Bal'ami to be his vizier. A vizier was like a prime minister, helping the ruler manage the country.

Soon after Bal'ami became vizier, a group called the Zaydids tried to invade a region called Khorasan. But Bal'ami, working with a general named Simjur al-Dawati, successfully defeated them.

In 929, the ruler Nasr II was upset with his commander Muhammad ibn Ilyas and had him put in prison. However, Bal'ami helped Muhammad ibn Ilyas get released. He was then sent on a mission to a place called Gurgan.

A year later, in 930, Nasr's own brothers started a rebellion. They even declared one of their brothers, Yahya, as the new ruler. Bal'ami was very clever and managed to stop this rebellion. He did this by turning the brothers against each other.

In 933, Bal'ami and General Simjur al-Dawati worked together again. They fought against a military leader named Makan ibn Kaki from the Dailamite people.

Bal'ami served as vizier until 938. After that, Abu Ali Jayhani took over his role. Not much is known about Bal'ami's life after he left his position. He passed away on November 14, 940. He had a son named Amriak Bal'ami, who also became a vizier for the Samanid Empire later on.

Why Was He Important?

Historians say that Bal'ami, along with another vizier named Jayhani, was a very strong leader. They helped guide the Samanid Empire during a time when the ruler Nasr II might have been less experienced.

Bal'ami was also known for supporting poets and scholars. This means he encouraged people who wrote poems and studied important subjects. He even supported a famous poet named Rudaki.

People also remember Bal'ami for building public structures. He had buildings constructed in cities like Marv and Bukhara. A famous writer named Nizam al-Mulk praised Bal'ami's family. He said they were the best viziers the Samanid rulers ever had.

See Also

• Amriak Bal'ami