Iranian Dynasties Through Time

Islamic Republic of Iran (1979 )

Founder: Ruhollah Khomeini

The Islamic Republic of Iran was established after the 1357 revolution and by voting for the Islamic Republic system in the referendum on April 12, 1358. This system is based on Islamic principles. The post-revolution era witnessed major developments, including the eight-year war with Iraq and extensive social and political changes. The Islamic Republic of Iran has a centralized and theocratic government structure in which the leadership plays a key role in determining the macro policies of the country.

Qajarians (1796 To 1925)

Founder: Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar

The Qajar dynasty was an Iranian dynasty founded by Mohammad Khan of the Qoyunlu clan of the Turkoman Qajar tribe.

Durrani (1747 To 1826)

Founder: Ahmad Shah Durrani

The Durrani Empire or the Afghan Empire, also known as the Sadozai Kingdom, was an Afghan empire that was founded by Ahmad Shah Durrani in 1747, that spanned parts of Central Asia, the Iranian plateau, and the Indian Subcontinent.

Hotakian (1709 To 1738)

Founder: Mirwais Khan Hotak

The Hotak dynasty was an Afghan monarchy founded by Ghilji Pashtuns that briefly ruled portions of Iran and Afghanistan during the 1720s.

Qara Qoyunlu or Kara Koyunlu (1378 To 1469)

Founder: Khaje Biram

The Qara Qoyunlu or Kara Koyunlu (Azerbaijani: Qaraqoyunlular), also known as the Black Sheep Turkomans, were a culturally Persianate, Muslim Turkoman monarchy that ruled over the territory comprising present-day Azerbaijan, Armenia, northwestern Iran, eastern Turkey, and northeastern Iraq from about 1374 to 1468.

Timurians (1370 To 1498)

Founder: Timur Gorkani

The Timurid Empire was a late medieval, culturally Persianate Turco-Mongol empire that dominated Greater Iran in the early 15th century, comprising modern-day Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, much of Central Asia, the South Caucasus, as well as parts of contemporary Pakistan, North India and Turkey.

Muzaffarids (1314 To 1393)

Founder: Amir Mubarezuddin

The Muzaffarid dynasty was a Muslim dynasty which came to power in Iran following the breakup of the Ilkhanate in the 14th century. At their zenith, they ruled a kingdom comprising Iranian Azerbaijan, Central Persia, and Persian Iraq. The Muzaffarids were known for their support of Arabic literature.

Ghorian (1148 To 1215)

Founder: Aladdin Hossein Ghori

The Ghurid dynasty was a Persianate dynasty of presumably eastern Iranian Tajik origin, which ruled from the 8th-century in the region of Ghor, and became an Empire from 1175 to 1215.

Ismailis (1090 To 1273)

Founder: Hasan Sabbah

The Nizari state (the Alamut state) was a Nizari Isma'ili Shia state founded by Hassan-i Sabbah after he took control of the Alamut Castle in 1090 AD, which marked the beginning of an era of Ismailism known as the "Alamut period". Their people were also known as the Assassins or Hashashins.

Seljuks (1037 To 1194)

Founder: Tughrolbeik

The Seljuk Empire, or the Great Seljuk Empire, was a high medieval, culturally Turco-Persian, Sunni Muslim empire, established and ruled by the Q?¯n?¯q branch of Oghuz Turks.

Buyid (932 To 1055)

Founder: Imad Doulah Ali

The Buyid dynasty, also spelled Buwayhid, was a Zaydi and, later, Twelver Shia dynasty of Daylamite origin, which mainly ruled over central and southern Iran and Iraq from 934 to 1062.

Safaris (861 To 1002)

Founder: Jacob Leith

The Saffarid dynasty was a Persianate dynasty of eastern Iranian origin that ruled over parts of Persia, Greater Khorasan, and eastern Makran from 861 to 1002. One of the first indigenous Persian dynasties to emerge after the Islamic conquest, the Saffarid dynasty was part of the Iranian Intermezzo.

Samanians (819 To 1004)

Founder: Ahmed bin Asad

Samanid dynasty, (819–999 ce), Iranian dynasty that arose in what is now eastern Iran and Uzbekistan. It was renowned for the impulse that it gave to Iranian national sentiment and learning.

Umayyad caliphate (661 To 750)

Founder: Muawiyah

The Umayyad Caliphate or Umayyad Empire was the second caliphate established after the death of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and was ruled by the Umayyad dynasty. Uthman ibn Affan, the third of the Rashidun caliphs, was also a member of the clan.

Paduspanians (655 To 1598)

Founder: 1st Padosban

The Baduspanids or Badusbanids (Persian: ?¨?§?¯?ˆ?³?¾?§?†?Œ?§?†, romanized: B?¢dusp?¢ni?¢n), were a local Iranian dynasty of Tabaristan which ruled over Ruyan/Rustamdar. The dynasty was established in 665, and with 933 years of rule as the longest dynasty in Iran, it ended in 1598 when the Safavids invaded and conquered their domains.

Dabuyid (642 To 760)

Founder: Gil Gilanshah

he Dabuyid dynasty, or Gaubarid dynasty, was a Zoroastrian Iranian dynasty that started in the first half of the 7th century as an independent group of rulers that ruled over Tabaristan and parts of western Khorasan. Dabuyid rule over Tabaristan and Khorasan lasted from around 642 to the Abbasid conquest in 760.

Parthians (-247 To 224)

Founder: Arshak I

The Parthians, known for their skilled horsemen and archers, established an empire that resisted Roman expansion in the East. They are celebrated for their art and architecture, which included the development of the distinctive Parthian style

Alexander's empire (-328 To -312)

Founder: Alexander

Medes (-678 To -550)

Founder: Diaco

The Elamite civilization, among the world’s oldest, was located in southwestern Iran and is known for its unique language and culture. Influenced by neighboring Sumerians, the Elamites maintained distinct societal practices, including a matrilineal system where lineage and power were passed through the female line. This system lasted until the Neo-Elamite period, showcasing the civilization’s complexity and historical significance.