10 Facts About Shahriyar IV

Shahriyar IV, known by his honorific title Husam al-Dawla, was the king of the Bavand dynasty of Mazandaran, ruling from 1074 to 1114.

Shahriyar IV's rule was shortly usurped by Qarin III, who eventually restored him as king.

In 1106, the Seljuk Sultan Muhammad I conquered the Ismaili fortress of Shahdiz, and ordered Shahriyar IV to participate in the campaign against Ismailis.

Shahriyar IV, greatly angered and feeling offended by the message Muhammad sent him, refused to aid him against the Ismailis.

Shahriyar IV shortly called upon the aid of his vassals, which included the Qarinvand ruler Amir Mahdi.

Muhammad then sent a letter, which requested Shahriyar IV to send one of his sons child to the Seljuk court in Isfahan.

Shahriyar IV sent his son Ali I, who impressed Muhammad so much that he offered him his daughter in marriage, but Ali refused and told him to grant the honor to his brother and heir of the Bavand dynasty, Qarin III.

Shahriyar IV then moved to Amol and later Rudsar, where he built a Khanqah, and devoted himself to religion.

Shahriyar IV quickly sided with Qarin III and convinced Ali to withdraw.

Shahriyar IV later fell ill and died in 1114 at Tamisha and was officially succeeded by his son Qarin III, who already held power over the Bavand kingdom, while Shahriyar IV was a figurehead.