Borvayeh

Borvayeh (also spelled Buyeh, Buwayh, or similar variations), was the founder of the Buyid dynasty, a Persianate Shia dynasty of Daylami origin that ruled over much of present-day Iran and Iraq during the 10th and 11th centuries. His full name was Abu Shuja' Buyeh.

Borvayeh, along with his brothers Ahmad and Hasan, originally served in the Zaydi army in Daylam. His military prowess and ambition led him to seek opportunities beyond his initial role. He and his brothers managed to carve out territories for themselves amidst the weakening Abbasid Caliphate.

Borvayeh initially established his control over the region of Fars. His brothers, Hasan (later known as Rukn al-Dawla) and Ahmad (later known as Mu'izz al-Dawla), also expanded their influence, controlling areas such as Rayy and Iraq, respectively. While nominally recognizing the Abbasid Caliph's authority, the Buyids effectively held real power, controlling the caliph and his court.

The Buyids' rise to power was significant because they shifted the balance of power in the Islamic world and fostered a cultural and intellectual flourishing, despite the political instability. Borvayeh's leadership and initial conquests laid the groundwork for the subsequent success and influence of the Buyid dynasty. He died before witnessing the full extent of his family's power, but his legacy as the founder of the dynasty is undeniable. The dynasty's patronage of scholarship and art contributed significantly to the Islamic Golden Age.