Fakhr Al-Dawla - Rise To Power and Deposition

Rise To Power and Deposition

In January of 976 Rukn al-Dawla met with his eldest son, 'Adud al-Dawla, who ruled in Fars. 'Adud al-Dawla consented to Rukn al-Dawla's request that Fakhr al-Dawla be made the ruler of Ray upon his death, while Hamadan would go to a third son, Mu'ayyad al-Dawla, in exchange for a promise that both of them would recognize him as senior amir. Only eight months later, Rukn al-Dawla died and Fakhr al-Dawla succeeded him in Ray.

Fakhr al-Dawla's reign was shortened by his attempts to repudiate 'Adud al-Dawla's authority over him. He allied with his cousin 'Izz al-Dawla, who ruled in Baghdad and was an enemy of 'Adud al-Dawla. When the latter was defeated by 'Adud al-Dawla in 978, Fakhr al-Dawla struck up an alliance with the Ziyarid prince Qabus and asked for support from the Samanids. Mu'ayyad al-Dawla, an ally of 'Adud al-Dawla, was entrusted by the senior amir to eradicate Fakhr al-Dawla's power. He marched into Fakhr al-Dawla's territory, forcing the latter to flee to the Ziyarids. Mu'ayyad al-Dawla continued his campaign, however, causing both Fakhr al-Dawla and Qabus to seek refuge in Samanid Khurasan. Mu'ayyad al-Dawla then ruled Ray as 'Adud al-Dawla's subordinate.