The of Role of Bavandi’s Dynasty in Spreading Shiism in Tabaristan, With a Focus on Documents and Historical Works

The Bavandian (45-750 AH) was an Iranian dynasty that ruled in parts of Tabaristan. This dynasty is commonly divided into three major branches, the Kayusiyya (45-397 AH), the Ispahbudhan, (466-606 AH) and Kinakhwariyya (635-750 AH). Shia’ and its beliefs in Tabaristan flourished in the second period of the Bavandian rule; known as the era of Ispahbudhan. There is a direct and significant relationship between the spread of Shi’ism in this era and the power of The Bavand dynasty in the second era (The Ispahbudhan). This research seeks to study the development of Shiism and show the influence of Bavandi’s rulers on the promotion of Shiism in this era. First of all, in order to achieve this goal, we investigate the political and religious history of Ispahbudhan and its origins, then, we study the political, social, cultural and economic influences of Bavandian on the Tabari society as well as the history of Shi’ism. In the end, we also investigate the Social damages and defects of the Ispahbudi’s government. Bavandi’s rulers have done various political actions to promote Shiism. Their general policy was sustainability and resistance against Turks’ influence, constructive interaction with Shiite scholars, creating proper cultural conditions for the Shiite scholars, attention to the shrine of the Imams and building mosques and seminaries. Some of their social and economic policies are, securing security, attention to people’s livelihoods, supporting local products and flourishing maritime commerce. Some of the most important damages of this government are national conflict, autocracy and hostile encounter with opponents. Using descriptive-analytical method as well as the library method ad field studies this paper investigates the above issues.