Today in Middle Eastern history: the Battle of Dayr al-Aqul (876)

The Saffarid Dynasty ruled much of modern Iran and Afghanistan, and part of modern Pakistan, starting in the mid-860s through roughly 901, and then continued to control a small principality in Sistan until the start of the 11th century. They’re not heavily emphasized in Middle Eastern or Iranian history because they were so ephemeral (their peak as a dynasty ran a little over three decades and didn’t really last beyond the death of their founder), but they warrant mention as one of the first truly local dynasties to directly challenge the power of the Abbasid caliphs. Sure, the challenge didn’t go so well for them, but at least they gave it the old college try.


3 thoughts on “Today in Middle Eastern history: the Battle of Dayr al-Aqul (876)

    1. In the early modern period Kandahar kind of went back and forth between the Mughals and the Safavids. Kabul was more consistently controlled by the Mughals. Part of the reason why modern Afghanistan has such a hard time holding itself together.

      1. Kandahar is mentioned in Indian Epics like the Mahabharata ( dating between (2500-1500 BC) and the Kandhar Kingdoms had matrimonial alliances with kingdoms in Northern India.

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