Baha al-Dawla facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Baha al-Dawla
Amir al-umara
Gold dinar of Baha al-Dawla
Amir of Iraq
Reign	988–1012
Predecessor	Sharaf al-Dawla
Successor	Sultan al-Dawla
Amir of Fars and Kerman
Reign	998–1012
Predecessor	Samsam al-Dawla
Successor	Qawam al-Dawla (in Kerman) Sultan al-Dawla (in Fars)
Born	Unknown 971
Died	December 22, 1012 Arrajan
Issue	Qawam al-Dawla Sultan al-Dawla Musharrif al-Dawla Jalal al-Dawla
Father	Adud al-Dawla
Religion	Shia Islam

Abu Nasr Firuz Kharshadh (born in 971, died December 22, 1012) was a powerful ruler known by his special title, Baha al-Dawla. This title means "Splendour of the State." He was an Amir (a type of prince or commander) of the Buyid family.

Baha al-Dawla ruled over Iraq from 988 to 1012. He also controlled the regions of Fars and Kerman (in modern-day Iran) from 998 to 1012. Early in his rule, he faced many fights with his own relatives. They all wanted control of the western Persian areas. By 998, he became the strongest leader among the Buyids. However, during his time, other groups started taking over Buyid lands. This marked the start of the Buyid family's decline. Baha al-Dawla was the third son of a famous ruler named 'Adud al-Dawla.

Early Life and Challenges

In 986, a military officer named Asfar ibn Kurdawayh started a rebellion. He was against Baha al-Dawla's brother, Samsam al-Dawla, who ruled Iraq. Asfar first supported another brother, Sharaf al-Dawla. But then he switched his support to Abu Nasr Firuz Kharshadh, who soon received the title "Baha al-Dawla."

However, Samsam al-Dawla managed to stop the rebellion. He got help from a loyal general named Fuladh ibn Manadhar. Baha al-Dawla was captured and put in prison. Later, Samsam al-Dawla made peace with Sharaf al-Dawla and agreed to let Baha al-Dawla go. But Sharaf al-Dawla soon broke this peace. He took over Iraq and had Samsam al-Dawla imprisoned instead.

Becoming a Ruler

When Sharaf al-Dawla died in 988, Baha al-Dawla took his place as ruler. He also added another title, Diya' al-Milla. But Samsam al-Dawla had escaped from prison. He stopped Baha al-Dawla from getting all of Sharaf al-Dawla's lands. Samsam al-Dawla took control of Fars, Kerman, and Khuzestan.

Both Baha al-Dawla and Samsam al-Dawla faced a threat from their great-uncle, Fakhr al-Dawla. He ruled the region of Jibal. Fakhr al-Dawla invaded Khuzestan, trying to create a gap between the two brothers' territories. This made the brothers decide to work together. Samsam al-Dawla agreed that Baha al-Dawla would rule Iraq and Khuzestan. In return, Samsam al-Dawla kept Arrajan, Fars, and Kerman. They both promised to treat each other as equals and took the title of king (malik). In 990, Baha al-Dawla chose Sabur ibn Ardashir to be his vizier (a high-ranking advisor).

Struggles for Power

In 991, Baha al-Dawla tried to become the supreme ruler over Samsam al-Dawla's lands. He took the ancient Persian title of Shahanshah (King of Kings). He then invaded Samsam al-Dawla's territory. But Baha al-Dawla's forces were defeated. Samsam al-Dawla not only got Khuzestan back but also gained control of Buyid lands in Oman. After this, Samsam al-Dawla recognized Fakhr al-Dawla as the most senior amir.

Fakhr al-Dawla died in 997. At the same time, Samsam al-Dawla was having more and more problems within his own lands. This gave Baha al-Dawla a chance to become the main ruler in Persia. He got help from the Hasanwayhid ruler Badr ibn Hasanwayh. Baha al-Dawla began his invasion in December 998. Soon after it started, Samsam al-Dawla was killed by one of the sons of 'Izz al-Dawla who had rebelled.

Baha al-Dawla then took over Shiraz. He defeated 'Izz al-Dawla's sons. The Dailamite soldiers in Fars, led by Ibn Ustadh-Hurmuz, joined him. For the rest of his life, Baha al-Dawla stayed in Fars. He also gained control over northern Iran indirectly. Fakhr al-Dawla's two sons, Majd al-Dawla and Shams al-Dawla, recognized him as the senior amir around 1009 or 1010.

Managing His Lands

In 1001, Baha al-Dawla made Ibn Ustadh-Hurmuz the governor of Ahvaz. A year later, he appointed him as the governor of Iraq. Ibn Ustadh-Hurmuz kept order by settling arguments between different religious groups. He also defeated bandits who were causing trouble in the area.

Baha al-Dawla also defeated Abu Ja'far al-Hajjaj, who was the former governor of Iraq. Abu Ja'far was supported by Kurds and Shayban Arabs. In 1007, Baha al-Dawla made peace with the Al-Mazeedi ruler Ali ibn Mazyad. Ali ibn Mazyad was given the special title "Sanad al-Dawla." He agreed to become a loyal supporter of Baha al-Dawla. This agreement was very good for Baha al-Dawla. He could use Ali ibn Mazyad to keep Buyid influence strong in Iraq and nearby regions. In 1011, Ibn Ustadh-Hurmuz died. Baha al-Dawla's new vizier, Fakhr al-Mulk, took over as governor of Iraq.

The Buyid Decline

Baha al-Dawla's rule happened at the beginning of the Buyid family's decline. The Kurdish chief Badh started the Marwanid kingdom in Diyarbakr. The 'Uqaylids of Mosul, who were once under Buyid control, expanded into Iraq. By the time Baha al-Dawla died, only Baghdad and Wasit were directly controlled by him in Iraq.

In the north, where Fakhr al-Dawla's sons ruled, the Buyid borders also shrank. The Ziyarids of Gorgan and Tabaristan became completely independent from Buyid control. The Ghaznavids kept putting pressure on the border near Khurasan. Also, the Kakuyids started to form their own state in Isfahan.

Death

For different reasons, Baha al-Dawla did not actively protect his borders. Once he had full control of the Buyid state, he seemed okay with other groups taking lands in the west and north. He died in Arrajan in December 1012. Before his death, he named his son Sultan al-Dawla as the next ruler.