Dhulnunid dynasty facts for kids
The Dhulnunid dynasty was a Muslim Berber family that ruled a kingdom called the Taifa of Toledo in Al-Andalus (which is now Spain) during the 11th century. They were also known as the Banū Dhī al-Nūn.
The family's first name was Dhannūn. This was a common name among the Berbers, who were a group of people from North Africa.
Family Beginnings
The Dhulnunids were a Berber family from the Hawwara tribe. They arrived in the Iberian peninsula (Spain and Portugal) when the Muslims first conquered the area. They settled in a region called Santabariyya, which is now Santaver in the Province of Cuenca.
Over time, between the 700s and 900s, their culture became more Arab. Their Berber name, Zennún, changed to the Arabised form, dhi-l-Nun. By the late 800s, they controlled a large area. This included important towns like Uclés, Huete, Cuenca, and Alarcón.
Because their land was quite isolated, they often rebelled against the powerful Caliphate of Córdoba. They wanted to be independent and sometimes even threatened the city of Toledo.
In the early 1000s, the Umayyad caliphate started to lose power. A caliph named Sulayman ibn al-Hakam gave Abd el-Rahman ibn Di-l-Nun control over Santaver, Huete, Uclés, and Cuenca. He also gave him the special title of Násir ad-Dawla, which meant "Defender of the State." In 1018, Abd al-Rahman sent his son Ismaíl to govern Uclés. Later, Ismaíl went to Toledo because the people there asked for his help against their current rulers.
Rulers of Toledo
The Dhulnunid family provided three rulers for the Taifa of Toledo. A Taifa was a small, independent Muslim kingdom that formed in Spain after the main caliphate broke apart.
Here are the Dhulnunid rulers of Toledo:
- Ismail al-Zahir (ruled 1023–1043)
- Al-Mamun (ruled 1043–1075), who was Ismail's son.
- Yahya al-Qadir (ruled 1075–1080), who was Al-Mamun's grandson. He also ruled the Taifa of Valencia later.
Yahya al-Qadir was not very popular with the people of Toledo. They rebelled against him. He had to ask for help from Alfonso VI of León and Castile, a Christian king, to get his city back. He succeeded, but in return, he gave Toledo to Alfonso. This ended the Taifa of Toledo.
Al-Qadir then moved to Valencia with Alfonso's help to rule there. However, his rule in Valencia also ended in 1092 when a group called the Almoravids invaded.
See also
In Spanish: Banu Di-l-Nun para niños
