Ghaznavids

Ğaznaviyan (Ghaznavids)

The Ğaznaviyan (Persian: غزنویان) were a dynasty of Turkic and possibly Säsäniyän origin, founded by mamluks.

Etymology

Ğazna is an ancient city in modern Afghanistan. Etymologically, it is from Bactrian γαζνο gäzno “treasury” or Sogdian *ɣäznä s.m. themselves from Old Persian *ganza “treasure.”

Origins

According to the 16th to 17th century Persian historian Firişteh in his Tarix-i Firişteh, the founder of the Ğaznaviyan dynasty, the mamluk Säbük Tigin, was of Turkic and Säsäniyän descent. He is said to have been descended from Yäzdägärd III, the last Säsäniyän Şäh of Erän. Firişteh gives the order of descent as: Säbük Tigin, son of Cuğan, son of Qızıl Hukum, son of Qızıl Arslan, son of Peroz III, son of Yäzdägärd III. The historian claims the line was Turkified after Peroz. Through Chinese records, we know that Peroz was married to a Turkic noblewoman.

Etymology

Notes