Layzanshah Explained

Conventional Long Name:Layzanshah
Common Name:Layzanshah
Capital:Lahij (possibly)
Religion:Sunni Islam
Government Type:Governorship, later monarchy
Year End:956
Year Start:861
Image Map Caption:Valley of Girdiman where Layzan was located
Common Languages:Persian (court, literature, dynastic)
Arabic (initially dynastic)
Year Leader1:861–?
Leader1:Yazid ibn Khalid (first)
Year Leader2:948 – 956
Leader2:Ahmad (last)
P1:Abbasid Caliphate
S1:Shirvanshah
Era:Middle Ages

Layzānshah or Shah of Layzān was a historical title given to the lords of Layzan. According to Vladimir Minorsky, the title was first granted to local rulers by their Sassanid Persian overlords, medieval authors specifically mentioning Anushirvan.

Layzān was a principality formed around modern Lahıc, Azerbaijan and covered valley of Girdimanchay, whose population might be migrants from Lahijan in Gilan. Ibn Hawqal mentioned Layzān as part of Arran, while Al-Masudi in chapter 17 of his The Meadows of Gold placed it in periphery of Shirvan.

After Anarchy at Samarra, the title was acquired by Haytham ibn Khalid's brother Yazid ibn Khalid and passed on to his children. The latter's grandson Abu Tahir Yazid attacked his cousin Ali I and killed all of his family save for his grandson, thus holding both titles of Layzanshah and Shirvanshah together. Later Layzan was granted as a fief to sons of Shirvanshahs.

Known holders of the title include:

  1. Yazid ibn Khalid (861–?, son of Khalid ibn Yazid al-Shaybani)
  2. Muhammad of Layzan
  3. Abu Tahir Yazid (?–917)
  4. Muhammad II (917–948)
  5. Ahmad (948–956)

Layzān became a traditional title by 10th century and fell into disuse.

Sources