Shirvanshahs | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 861–1538 | |||||||||
 Map of the Caucasus in 1311, with Shirvan located on the far right | |||||||||
| Capital | Shamakhi (initially) Baku (later) | ||||||||
| Common languages | Persian (court, literature, dynastic) Arabic (initially dynastic) | ||||||||
| Religion | Sunni Islam | ||||||||
| Government | Governorship, later monarchy | ||||||||
• 861–? | Haytham ibn Khalid (first) | ||||||||
• 1535–1538 | Shahrukh (last) | ||||||||
| Historical era | Middle Ages and the Early modern period | ||||||||
• Established | 861 | ||||||||
• Disestablished | 1538 | ||||||||
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The Shirvanshahs (Arabic/Persian: شروانشاه) were the rulers of Shirvan (in present-day Azerbaijan) from 861 to 1538. The first ruling line were the Yazidids, an originally Arab and later Persianized dynasty, who became known as the Kasranids (also referred to as the Khaqanids). The second ruling line were the Darbandi, distant relatives of the Yazidids/Kasranids.
The Shirvanshahs ruled from 861 to 1538, one of the most enduring dynasties of the Islamic world. At times they were independent, often they had to recognize the overlordship of neighbouring empires. The dynasty is known for its patronage of culture, such as during the 12th-century, when their realm served as the focal point for Persian literature, attracting distinguished poets such as Khaqani, Nizami Ganjavi, Falaki Shirvani, etc. In 1382, the Shirvanshah throne was taken by Ibrahim I (r. 1382–1417), thus marking the start of the Darbandi line.
The Shirvanshah realm flourished in the 15th century, during the long reigns of Khalilullah I (r. 1417–1463) and Farrukh Yasar (r. 1463–1500). In 1500, the latter was defeated and killed by the forces of the Safavid leader Ismail I, who kept the Shirvanshahs as Safavid vassals. This ended in 1538 when Shah Tahmasp I (r. 1524–1576) dismissed the Shirvanshah Shahrukh due to the latter's continuous disloyalty. Shirvan was subsequently made a province of the Safavid realm, thus marking the end of Shirvanshah rule.