Zirid dynasty facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Zirid dynasty
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| 972–1148 | |||||||||||||
Zirid territory (green) at its maximum extent around the year 980
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| Status | Vassals of the Fatimid Caliphate (972–1048) Independent (1048–1148) |
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| Capital | Achir (before 1014), Kairouan (from 1014 to 1057), Mahdia (after 1057) |
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| Common languages | Berber (primary), Maghrebi Arabic, African Latin, Hebrew | ||||||||||||
| Religion | Islam (Shia Islam, Sunni, Ibadi), Christianity (Roman Catholicism), Judaism | ||||||||||||
| Government | Monarchy (Emirate) | ||||||||||||
| Emir | |||||||||||||
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• 973–984
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Buluggin ibn Ziri | ||||||||||||
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• 1121–1148
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Abu'l-Hasan al-Hasan ibn Ali | ||||||||||||
| History | |||||||||||||
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• Established
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972 | ||||||||||||
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• Disestablished
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1148 | ||||||||||||
| Currency | Dinar | ||||||||||||
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| Today part of | |||||||||||||
The Zirid dynasty was a powerful group of Berber rulers. They came from what is now the country of Algeria. For a long time, their main city and capital was Kairouan. Another important group, the Hammadids, actually came from the Zirid family.
Contents
Who Were the Zirids?
The Zirids were a dynasty, which means a family of rulers. They controlled a large area in North Africa. This region included parts of modern-day Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. They started ruling in 972 CE and their rule ended in 1148 CE.
At first, the Zirids were like helpers or "vassals" of a bigger empire called the Fatimid Caliphate. The Fatimids were a very powerful Islamic empire. The Zirids helped the Fatimids control their western lands.
Becoming Independent
Over time, the Zirids grew stronger and wanted to rule on their own. In 1048, a Zirid ruler named Sharaf ad-Dawla al-Muizz ibn Badis decided to break away from the Fatimids. This made the Zirid dynasty fully independent.
This decision also meant a change in their religious loyalty. The Fatimids followed a branch of Islam called Shia Islam. The Zirids decided to switch to Sunni Islam. This was a big deal at the time.
Important Cities and Changes
The Zirids had a few different capital cities during their rule.
- Their first capital was Achir.
- Later, they moved their main city to Kairouan. Kairouan was a very important city for learning and religion in North Africa.
- After declaring independence, the Zirids faced challenges. In 1057, they lost Kairouan to another group called the Banu Hilal.
- Because of this, they moved their capital again to a city called Mahdia. Mahdia was a coastal city, which helped them with trade and defense.
Key Rulers of the Zirid Dynasty
The Zirid dynasty had several important leaders, known as Emirs.
- Buluggin ibn Ziri (973–984): He was the first important Zirid ruler. He helped set up the Zirid power in the region.
- Sharaf ad-Dawla al-Muizz ibn Badis (1016–1062): He was the ruler who declared the Zirids independent from the Fatimids in 1048. He also moved the capital to Mahdia.
- Abu Tahir Tamim ibn al-Muizz (1062–1108): He continued to strengthen the Zirid rule. He also made a final break with the Fatimids in terms of religious leadership.
- Abul-Hasan al-Hasan ibn Ali (1121–1148): He was one of the last Zirid rulers. The dynasty ended soon after his time.
End of the Zirid Rule
The Zirid dynasty faced many challenges, including attacks from different groups. Eventually, their power weakened. In 1148, another group took over their lands, bringing an end to the Zirid dynasty.
Images for kids
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The Zirid realm (dark green) after the Hammadids broke away (1018) and before the Banu Hilal tribes arrived (1052).
