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History of Greater Iran
Empires of Persia · Kings of Persia
Pre-modern
Before Islam  BCE Zayandeh River Civilization prehistoric–? Sialk civilization 7500–1000 Jiroft civilization (Aratta) 3000–? Proto-Elamite civilization 3200–2800 Bactria-Margiana Complex 2200–1700 Elamite dynasties 2800–550 Kingdom of Mannai 10th–7th cent. Median Empire 728–550 Achaemenid Empire 550–330 Seleucid Empire 330–150 Greco-Bactrian Kingdom 250-125 Parthian Empire 248–CE 224 CE Kushan Empire 30–275 Sassanid Empire 224–651 Hephthalite Empire 425–557 Kabul-Shahi dynasty 565–670
After Islamic Conquest  Patriarchal Caliphate 637–651 Umayyad Caliphate 661–750 Abbasid Caliphate 750–1258 Tahirid dynasty 821–873 Alavid dynasty 864–928 Saffarid dynasty 861–1003 Samanid dynasty 819–999 Ziyarid dynasty 928–1043 Buyid Dynasty 934–1055 Ghaznavid Empire 975–1187 Ghori dynasty 1149–1212 Seljuk Empire 1037–1194 Khwarezmid dynasty 1077–1231 Kartids dynasty 1231-1389 Ilkhanate 1256–1353 Muzaffarid dynasty 1314–1393 Chupanid dyansty 1337–1357 Jalayerid dynasty 1339–1432 Timurid Empire 1370–1506 Qara Qoyunlu Turcomans 1407–1468 Aq Qoyunlu Turcomans 1378–1508 Safavid Empire 1501–1722* Mughal Empire 1526–1857 Hotaki dynasty 1722–1729 Afsharid dynasty 1736–1802 * or 1736
Modern SSR = Soviet Socialist Republic
Afghanistan  Durrani Empire 1748–1823 British and Russian influence 1826–1919 Independence and civil war 1919–1929 Mohammedzai rule 1929–1973 Republic of Afghanistan 1973–1978 Communist rule 1978–1992 Recent history of Afghanistan since 1992 Timeline
Azerbaijan  Khanates of the Caucasus 1722–1828 Russian Rule 1828–1917 Democratic Republic 1918–1920 Azerbaijan SSR 1920–1991 Republic of Azerbaijan since 1991
Bahrain  Portuguese rule 1521–1602 British Treaty 1820–1971 Kingdom of Bahrain since 1971
Iran  Zand dynasty 1750–1794 Qajar dynasty 1781–1925 Pahlavi dynasty 1925–1979 Iranian Revolution 1979 Provisional Government 1979 Islamic Republic of Iran since 1979
Iraq  Ottoman Empire 1632–1919 Hashimite monarchy 1920–1958 Coup and Republic 1958–2003 Republic of Iraq since 2004
Tajikistan  Emirate of Bukhara 1785–1920 Bukharan / Uzbek SSR 1920–1929 Tajik Autonomous SSR 1929 Tajik SSR 1929–1991 Republic of Tajikistan since 1991
Uzbekistan  Emirate of Bukhara 1785–1920 Uzbek SSR 1924–1991 Independence 1991 Republic of Uzbekistan since 1991
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The following is a comprehensive list of kings of Persia (Iran), which includes all of the Persian (Iranian) Empires and their rulers.

Contents 1 Early realms in Iran 1.1 Elamite Kingdom, 3000–660 BC 1.1.1 Avan Dynasty (precise dates unknown) 1.1.2 Simash Dynasty (precise dates unknown) 1.1.3 Eparti Dynasty (precise dates unknown) 1.1.4 Igehalkid Dynasty (c. 1350 – c. 1200 BC) 1.1.5 Shutrukid Dynasty (c. 1205 – c. 1100 BC) 1.1.6 Late Elam Dynasty (743–644) 1.2 Jiroft Kingdom, c. 2500 BC 2 Empire of Medians and Persians 2.1 Median Dynasty, 728–550 BC 2.2 Achaemenid dynasty, 550–330 BC 3 Macedonian rulers 3.1 Argead Dynasty, 330–310 BC 3.2 Seleucid dynasty, 305–164 BC 4 Parthian dynasty (Arsacid dynasty), 247 BC – AD 224 5 Sassanid Empire, AD 224–651 6 Rulers after the advent of Islam in Iran 6.1 Arab caliphs rule 6.2 Tahirids in Khorasan, 821–872 6.3 Alavids, 864–928 6.4 Ziyarids, 928–1043 6.5 Buyyids, 932–1056 6.5.1 Diylamids of Fars 6.5.2 Diylamids of Khuzestan and Kerman 6.5.3 Diylamids of Rey, Isfahan, and Hamedan 6.6 Saffarids in Seistan and beyond, 861–1002, 6.7 Samanids (Proto-Tajiks), 892–998 6.8 Ghaznavids, 997–1186 6.9 Seljuqs, 1029–1194 6.10 Khwarazmids, 1096–1230 6.11 Ilkhans, 1256–1380 6.12 Muzaffarid Dynasty, 1314–1393 6.13 Timurid dynasty, 1380–1507 7 Shahs of modern Iran 7.1 Safavid dynasty, 1502–1736 7.2 Afsharid dynasty, 1736–1797 8 Modern history of Iran 8.1 Zand dynasty, 1750–1794 8.2 Qajar dynasty, 1794–1925 8.3 Pahlavi dynasty, 1925–1979 9 See also

The Elamites were a people located in Susa, in what is now Khuzestan province. Their language was neither Semitic nor Indo-European, and they were the geographic precursors of the Persian/Median empire that later appeared. Some have offered evidence for a linguistic kinship between Elamite and the modern Dravidian languages of Southern India (see "Elamo-Dravidian languages") but this is not universally accepted. The proto-Elamites lived even as far back as 7,500 years ago in Iran. See remains here.

• Peli (fl. c. 2500 BC)
• Tata (precise dates unknown)
• Ukku-Takhesh (precise dates unknown)
• Khishur (precise dates unknown)
• Shushun-Tarana (precise dates unknown)
• Napil-Khush (precise dates unknown)
• Kikku-Sive-Temti (precise dates unknown)
• Lukh-Ishshan (fl. c. 24th century)
• Khelu (fl. c. 24th century)
• Khita (fl. c. 23rd century)
• Kutik-Inshushinnak (fl. c. 2240)

• Gir-Namme (fl. c. 2030)
• Enpi-Luhhan (fl. c. 2010)
• Khutran-Temtt (precise dates unknown)
• Kindattu (precise dates unknown)
• Indattu-Inshushinnak I (precise dates unknown)
• Tan-Rukhurater (precise dates unknown)
• Indattu-Inshushinnak II (precise dates unknown)
• Indattu-Napir (precise dates unknown)
• Indattu-Tempt (precise dates unknown)

• Eparti I (precise dates unknown)
• Eparti II (precise dates unknown)
• Eparti III (fl. c. 1850)
• Shilkhakha (precise dates unknown)
• Attakhushu (fl. c. 1830)
• Sirukdukh (fl. c. 1792)
• Shimut-Wartash (c. 1772 – c. 1770)

• Ige-Halki (c. 1350 – c. 1330)
• Pakhir-Ishshan (c. 1330 – c. 1310)
• Attar-Kittakh (c. 1310 – c. 1300)
• Khuman-Numena (c. 1300 – c. 1275)
• Untash-Naprisha (c. 1275 – c. 1240)
• Unpatar-Naprisha (c. 1240 – c. 1235)
• Kiddin-Khutran (c. 1235 – c. 1210)

• Khallutush-In-Shushinak (c. 1205 – c. 1185)
• Shutruk-Nahhunte (c. 1185 – c. 1155)
• Kutir-Nahhunte III (c. 1155 – c. 1150)
• Shilkhak-In-Shushinak (c. 1150 – c. 1120)
• Khutelutush-In-Shushinak (c. 1120 – c. 1110)
• Shilhana-Hamru-Lagamar (c. 1110 – ????)

• Khumbanigash I (743–717)
• Shuttir-Nakhkhunte (717–699)
• Khallushu (699–693)
• Kutir-Nakhkhunte (693–692)
• Khumma-Menanu (692–689)
• Khumma-Khaldash I (689–681)
• Khumma-Khaldash II (681–680)
• Khumma-Khaldash II & Shilhak-In-Shushinak (680–676)
• Shilhak-In-Shushinak & Urtaku (676–664)
• Shilhak-In-Shushinak & Tempti-Khumma-In-Shushinak (664–653)
• Atta-Khumma-In-Shushinak & Khumbanigash II (653–651)
• Atta-Khumma-In-Shushinak & Tammaritu (651–649)
• Atta-Khumma-In-Shushinak & Indabigash (649–648)
• Indabigash (648–647)
• Khumma-Khaldash III (647–644)

The recent archeological findings at Jiroft have uncovered an "independent, Bronze Age, civilization with its own architecture and language" that have led some archeologists to speculate it to be the remains of the lost Aratta Kingdom. 1

• Deioces, 728–675
• Phraortes, 675–653
• Madius the Scythian, 653–625
• Cyaxares, 625–585
• Astyages, 585–550

The Medes were an Iranian people. The Persians, a closely related and subject people, revolted against the Median empire during the 6th century BC.

• Achaemenes, founder of the dynasty, king of Persia.
• Teispes of Anshan, his son, king of Persia, king of Anshan, died 640.

Line of Cyrus	Line of Ariaramnes
Cyrus I of Anshan, son of Teispes, king of Anshan 640–580. Cambyses I of Anshan, his son, king of Anshan 580–559. Cyrus II the Great, his son, king of Anshan 559–529. He conquered the Median Empire in 550 and established the Persian Empire.	Ariaramnes of Persia, son of Teispes, king of Persia. His reign is doubtful. Arsames of Persia, son of Ariaramnes, king of Persia until 550, died after 520. His reign is doubtful. His son Hystaspes was Satrap of Parthia under Cambyses II, Smerdis and his son Darius.

• Cyrus II the Great, established the Persian Empire and ruled it from 550–529.
• Cambyses II, his son, ruled 530–522.
• Smerdis, his alleged brother, ruled 522.
• Darius I the Great, son of Hystaspes, ruled 521–486.
• Xerxes I, his son, ruled 486–465.
• Artaxerxes I Longimanus, his son, ruled 464–424.
• Xerxes II, his son, ruled 424.
• Sogdianus, his half-brother, ruled 424–423.
• Darius II Nothus, his half-brother and rival, ruled 423–404.
• Artaxerxes II Memnon, his son, ruled 404–358 (see also Xenophon).
• Artaxerxes III Ochus, his son, ruled 358–338.
• Artaxerxes IV Arses, his son, ruled 338–336.
• Darius III Codomannus, great-grandson of Darius II, ruled 336–330.
• Artaxerxes V Bessus, a usurper who murdered Darius and continued the resistance against Alexander the Great from 330–329.

The epigraphic evidence for ancestors of Darius I the Great is highly suspect and might have been invented by that king.

• Alexander of Macedon (Alexander the Great) (330 BC–323)
• Philip III Arrihadeus (323 BC–317)
• Alexander IV (323 BC–310)

• Seleucus I Nicator (312/305–281)
• Antiochus I Soter (co-ruler from 291, ruled 281–261)
• Antiochus II Theos (261–246)
• Seleucus II Callinicus (246–225)
• Seleucus III Ceraunus (225–223)
• Antiochus III the Great (223–187)
• Seleucus IV Philopator (187–175)
• Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175–164)
• Antiochus V Eupator (164–162)
• Demetrius I Soter (162–150)
• Alexander Balas (150–145)
• Demetrius II Nicator (145–139)

The Seleucid Dynasty gradually lost control of Persia. In 253, the Arsacid Dynasty established itself in Parthia. The Parthians gradually expanded their control, until by the mid 2nd century BC, the Seleucids had completely lost control of Persia. There were more Seleucid rulers of Syria and, for a time, Babylonia, after Antiochus IV, but none had any effective power in Persia).

• Arsaces I c. 247–211 BCE
  • (In some histories, Arsaces's brother Tiridates I is said to have ruled c. 246–211 BCE.)
• Arsaces II c. 211–191 BCE (frequently called Artabanus by early scholars)
• Phriapatius c. 191–176 BCE
• Phraates I c. 176–171 BCE
• Mithridates I c. 171–138 BCE
• Phraates II c. 138–127 BCE
• Artabanus I c. 127–124 BCE
• Mithridates II c. 123–88 BCE
  • Gotarzes I c. 95–90 BCE
• Orodes I c. 90–80 BCE
• Unknown king, c. 80–77 BCE
• Sanatruces c. 77–70 BCE
• Phraates III c. 70–57 BCE
• Mithridates III c. 57–54 BCE
• Orodes II c. 57–38 BCE
  • Pacorus I c. 39–38 BCE (co-ruler with his father Orodes II)
• Phraates IV c. 38–2 BCE
  • Tiridates II c. 30–26 BCE
• Phraates V (Phraataces) c. 2 BCE–4 CE
  • Musa c. 2 BCE–4 CE (co-ruler with her son Phraates V)
• Orodes III c. 6 CE
• Vonones I c. 8–12
• Artabanus II c. 10–38
  • Tiridates III c. 35–36
• Vardanes I c. 40–47
• Gotarzes II c. 40–51
  • Sanabares c. 50–65
• Vonones II 51
• Vologases I c. 51–78
  • Vardanes II c. 55–58
• Vologases II c. 77–80
• Pacorus II c. 78–105
  • Artabanus III c. 80–90
• Vologases III c. 105–147
  • Osroes I c. 109–129
  • Parthamaspates c. 116
  • Mithridates IV c. 129–140
  • Unknown king c. 140
• Vologases IV c. 147–191
  • Osroes II c. 190 (rival claimant)
• Vologases V c. 191–208
• Vologases VI c. 208–228
  • Artabanus IV c. 216–224

There were various regional client dynasties, often with significant autonomy. Like the Elymais client Kingdom that occupied the area of ancient Elam, and kingdoms of Mesene in Lower Mesopotamia and Persis (Fars) in Central Iran, as well as Adiabene in Northern Mesopotamia..

• Ardashir I, 224 to 241.
• Shapur I, 241–272, the first to claim universal rule: Iran and Aniran, i.e. the rest of the world.
• Hormizd I, 272–273.
• Bahram I, 273–276.
• Bahram II, 276–293.
• Bahram III year 293.
• Narseh, 293–302.
• Hormizd II, 302–310.
• Shapur II, 310–379
• Ardashir II, 379–383.
• Shapur III, 383–388.
• Bahram IV, 388–399.
• Yazdegerd I, 399–420.
• Bahram V, 420–438.
• Yazdegerd II, 438–457.
• Hormizd III, 457–459.
• Peroz I, 457–484.
• Balash, 484–488.
• Kavadh I, 488–531.
  • Djamasp, 496–498.
• Khosrau I, 531–579.
• Hormizd IV, 579–590.
• Khosrau II, 590–628.
  • Bahram VI, 590–591.
  • Bistam, 591–592.
  • Hormizd V year 593.
• Kavadh II, 628.
• Ardashir III, 628–630.
  • Peroz II, 629.
• Shahrbaraz, 630.
• Boran (Purandokht) and others, 630–631.
• Hormizd VI (or V), 631–632.
• Yazdegerd III, 632–651.

All Persian provinces served under The Arabic Caliphate from 661 to 867.

• Umayyad dynasty, 661–750
• Abbasid dynasty, 750–867

divided, 867–1029

• Taher ebne Hosein ebne Mos'ab, Emir 821–822
• Talhat ebne Taher, 822–828
• Abdollah ebne Taher, 828–844
• Taher ebne Abdollah, 844–862
• Muhammad of Khorasan, 862–872

• Hasan ebne Zeid Hasani, Emir 864–884
• Mohammad ebne Zeid, 884–900
• Hasan ebne Ali Hoseini, 913–916
• Hasan ebne Ghasem Hasani, 916–928

• Abolhojaj Mardavij ebne Ziyar, Emir 928–934
• Abu Taher Voshmgeer ebne Ziyar, 934–967
• Zahir-ol-doleh Behsotoon, 967–976
• Shams ol Mo'ali Abol-hasan Ghaboos, 976–1012
• Falak ol Mo'ali Manuchehr ebne Ghabus, 1012–1031
• Anushiravan ebne Manuchehr, 1031–1043

• Emad o-dowleh Abol Hasan, Emir 932–939
• Azad o-dowleh, 939–982
• Sharaf o-dowleh, 982–989
• Samsam o-dowleh, 989–998
• Baha o-dowleh, 998–1012
• Soltan o-dowleh, 1012–1024
• Emad o-dowleh Abu Kalijar, 1024–1048
• Malek Rahim Abu Nasr Khosrow Firuz, 1048–1055

• Mo'ez o-dowleh, 932–966
• Azad o-dowleh, Bakhtiar 966–977
• Azado o-dowleh Abu Shoja', 977–982
• Baha o-dowleh, 989–1012
• Soltan o-dowleh, 1012–1021
• Abu Kalijar Marzban, 1043–1048
• Ghavam o-dowleh, 1012–1028
• Abu Mansur Fulad sotoon, 1048–1056

• Rokn o-dowleh, Sultan 932–976
• Mo'ayyed o-dowleh, 976–983
• Fakhr o-dowleh, 976–997
• Majd o-dowleh, 997–1029
• Shams o-dowleh, 997–1021
• Sama o-dowleh, 1021–1023

• Yagub Leith Saffar
• Abu Yusef Yaqub ebne Lais, surnamed "the coppersmith", Emir 861–878
• Amr o ebne Lais, 878–900
• Abol Hasan Taher ebne Mohammad ebne Amro ebne Lais, 900–908
• Lais ebne Ali ebne Lais, 908–910
• Abu Ali Mohammad ebne Ali ebne Lais, 910–910
• Abu Jafar Ahmad ebne Mohammad ebne Khalf, 923–963
• Abu Ahmad Khalf ebne Ahmad, 963–1002

• Adel; Amir Mazi Abyu Ebrahim Esmail ebne Ahmad, Emir 892–907
• Shaheed; Abu Nasr Ahmad ebne Esmail, 907–913
• Saeed; Abol Hasan Nasr ebne Ahmad, 913–942
• Hamid; Abu Mohammad Nuh ebne Nasr, 942–954
• Rashid; Abul Foares Abdolmaleh ebne Nuh, 954–961
• Mo'ayyed; Amir Sadeed Abu Saleh Mansur ebne Nuh, 961–976
• Radhi; Shahanshah Abolqasem Nuh ebne Mansur, 976–996
• Abol Hareth; Mansur ebne Nuh, 996–998
• Abol Foares; AbdolMalek ebne Nuh, 998–998

• Yameen o-dowleh AbolQasem Mahmud ebne Saboktekeen, Sultan 997–1030
• Jalal o-dowleh Abu Ahmad Mohammad ebne Mahmud, 1030–1030
• Shahab o-dowleh Abu Sa'd Masud ebne Mahmud, 1030–1040
• Shahab o-dowleh Abolfath Modud ebne Masud, 1040–1049
• Baha o-dowleh Abol Hasan Ali ebne Masud, 1049–1049
• Azad o-dowleh Abu Mansur Abdol Rashid ebne Mahmud ebne Saboktekeen, 1049–1052
• Jamal o-dowleh Abolfazl Farrokhzaad ebne Masud ebne Mahmud, 1052–1059
• Zaheer o-dowleh Abol Mozaffar Ebrahim, 1059–1098
• Ala o-dowleh Abu Saeed Masud ebne Ebrahim, 1098–1115
• Soltan o-dowleh Abol-fath Arsalan Shah, 1115–1117
• Yameen o-dowleh Abol Mozaffar Baharm Shah ebne Masud, 1117–1153
• Taj o-dowleh Abol Shoja Khosro Shah ebne Bahram Shah, 1153–1160
• Saraj o-dowleh Abolmolook Khosrow Malek ebne Khosro Shah, 1160–1186

• Toğrül bin Mikail (Tughril Beg), Sultan 1037–1063
• Alp Arslan bin Chaghri 1063–1072
• Jalal ad-Dawlah Malik Shah I 1072–1092
• Nasir ad-Din Mahmud I 1092–1094
• Rukn ad-Din Barkiyaruq 1094–1105
• Mu'izz ad-Din Malik Shah II 1105
• Ghiyath ad-Din Mehmed I Tapar (Muhammad) 1105–1118
• Mu'izz ad-Din Ahmed Sanjar 1097–1157
• Mahmud II 1118–1131
• Dawud (David) 1131–1132
• Toğrül II (Tughril Beg) 1132–1134
• Mas'ud 1134–1152
• Malik Shah III 1152–1153
• Mehmed II (Muhammad II) 1153–1160
• Süleyman Shah (Sulaiman Shah) 1160–1161
• Arslan Shah 1161–1176
• Toğrül III (Tughril Beg III) 1176–1194

divided, 1194–1256

An empire built from Azerbaidjan, covering part of Iran and neighbouring Central Asia.

• Ghotbedeen Mohammad ebne Anushtekeen Gharajeh, Shah 1096–1128
• Alaodeen Abol Mozaffar ebne Ghotbedeen ebne Mohammad 1128–1156
• Tajedeen Abolfath Il Arsalan 1156–1171
• Jalaledeen Mahmud Soltanshah ebne Il Arsalan 1171–1172
• Aladdin Takesh ebne Il Arsalan 1172–1199
• Soltan Jalaledeen Mohammad ebne Aladdin Takesh1199–1220
• Jalaledeen ebne Aladdin Mohammad 1220–1230

Permanently destroyed by the Mongol horde.

The preceding era of disunity, also called First era of fragmentation, was ended through conquest by the Ilkhans, a Mongol horde, nominally subject to the Great Khan. (Ilkhan means governor of an il, i.e. province).

• Hülëgü Khan ebne Tulay ebne Genghis, Ilkhan 1256–1265
• Abaqa Khan ebne Hulegu, 1265–1282
• Sultan Ahmad Tekuder ebne Hulegu, 1282–1284
• Arghun Khan ebne Abaqa, 1284–1291
• Gaikhatu ebne Abaqa, 1291–1295
• Baidukhan ebne Toghay ebne Hulegu, 1295
• Ghazan Khan ebne Arghun, 1295–1304
• Öljeitü Khoda bandeh ebne Arghun, 1304–1316
• Abu Sa'id Bahador Khan ebne Oljeitu, 1316–1335 (last of Chinggisid il-khans)
• Arpa Ke'un, 1335–1336
• Musa Khan ebne Ali, 1336–1353
• Muhammad Khan ebne Mangu, 1337–1338
• Sati beg, daughter of Oljeitu, 1338–1340
• Shah Jahan Teimoor ebne Alafarang, 1338–1339
• Soleiman Khan, 1340–1344
• Togha Teimoor Khan, 1335–1352
• Anushiravan e Adel, 1343–1355

The Second era of fragmentation begins in 1343, as remnants of the Hordes competed with local dynasts for authority. This era ends with the conquests by Timur, around 1380

• Mubariz ad-Din Muhammad ibn al-Muzaffar, Emir 1314–1358
• Abu'l Fawaris Djamal ad-Din Shah Shuja (at Yazd, 1353 at Shiraz), 1335–1364 with...
• Qutb Al-Din Shah Mahmud (at Isfahan) ( d. 1375), 1358–1366
• Abu'l Fawaris Djamal ad-Din Shah Shuja (at Yazd, 1353 at Shiraz), 1366–1384
• Mujahid ad-Din Zain Al-Abidin 'Ali, 1384–1387

In 1387 Timur captured Isfahan.

• Imad ad-Din Sultan Ahmad (at Kerman), 1387–1391 with...
• Mubariz ad-Din Shah Yahya (at Shiraz), 1387–1391 and...
• Sultan Abu Ishaq (in Sirajan), 1387–1391
• Shah Mansur (at Isfahan), 1391–1393

• Timur ("Tamerlane"), 1369–1405, nominally under the authority of the Chagatai Khanate

The third era of fragmentation follows, as Timur's Empire loses cohesion and local rulers strive against each other.

• Pir Muhammad, grandson of Timur, 1405–1407, effectively ruled in Fars
• Djalal Ud-Din Miran Shah, son of Timur, 1405–1408, ruled Azerbaijan
• Rustam, 1405–1409, ruled Arabistan
• Khalil Sultan (Timurid dynasty), son of Miran Shah, 1405–1409, ruled in Samarkand, surrendered to Shah Rukh, became governor of Rayy until his death in 1411
• Shah Rukh, son of Timur, 1405–1447, ruled first in Transoxiana
  • Ayyal, 1414, opposed Shah Rukh
  • Ailankar, 1414–1415, opposed Shah Rukh
• Bayqara, 1409–1412, ruled in Fars
• Iskandar, 1412–1414, ruled first in Fars, then Azerbaijan & Arabistan

In 1410 the Turcoman horde Kara Koyunlu (Black Sheep) captured Baghdad and their leaders ruled the western parts of the Timurid realm. In the East however, Shah Rukh was able to secure his rule in Transoxiana and Fars.

• Ulugh Beg, son of Shah Rukh, 1447–1449

Rulers in Transoxiana:

• 'Abd al-Latif, son of Ulugh Beg, 1449–1450
• ‘Abdullah Mirza, grandson of Shah Rukh, 1450–1451
• Abu Sa'id ibn Muhammad, grandson of Miran Shah, 1451–1469, conquered Khurasan in 1459

Rulers in Khurasan:

• Babur Ibn-Baysunkur, grandson of Shah Rukh, 1449–1457
• Shah Mahmud, son of Babur, 1457
• Ibrahim, 1457
• Jahan Shah, leader of the Black Sheep Turcomans, 1457–1458

Abu Sa'id, agreed to divide Iran with the Black Sheep Turcomans under Jahan Shah, but the White Sheep Turcomans under Uzun Hassan defeated and killed first Jahan Shah and then Abu Sa'id.

After Abu Sa'id's death a fourth era of fragmentation follows. While the White Sheep Turcomans dominated in the western parts until the ascent of the Safavid dynasty, the Timurides could maintain their rule in Samarkand and Herat.

Rulers in Samarkand:

• Sultan Ahmad, son Abu Sa'id, 1469–1494
• Sultan Mahmud, son of Abu Sa'id, 1494–1495
• Masud, 1495
• Sultan Baysunghur, 1495–1497
• Sultan Ali Mirza 1495–1500

conquered by the Uzbeks

Rulers in Herat:

• Sultan Mahmud, son of Abu Sa'id, 1469
• Husayn Bayqarah, 1469–1506
• Badi' al-Zaman, son of Husayn, 1506–1507, fled to the court of Ismail I

conquered by the Uzbeks, later recaptured by the Safavids

The modern Iranian monarchy was established in 1502 after the Safavid Dynasty came to power under Shah Ismail I, and ended the so-called "fourth era" of political fragmentation.

Safavi Line

• Ismail I 1501–1524
• Tahmasp I 1524–1576
• Ismail II 1576–1578
• Mohammed Khodabanda 1578–1587
• Abbas I 1587–1629
• Safi 1629–1642
• Abbas II 1642–1666
• Suleiman I 1666–1694
• Sultan Hoseyn I 1694–1722
• Tahmasp II 1722–1726 First Time

Marashi-Safavi Line

• Shah Ahmad Marashi 1726–1728

Safavi Line

• Tahmasp II 1728–1732
• Abbas III 1732–1736

Marashi-Safavi Line

• Suleiman II 1749–1750

Sultani-Safavi Line

• Ismail III 1750 First Time

Unknown House

• Mohammad Hossain Shah III 1750 –1752 in Mazandaran. Deposed 1757.

Sultani-Safavi Line

• Ismail III 1752–1761 Second Time

Unknown-Sultani-Safavi Line

• Mohammad Shah 1786 He married the daughter of Ismail III and was installed by Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar Quyunlu. From his descendants come the Beys of Tunisia (through his daughter).

• Nader Shah, 1736–1747
• Adil Shah, 1747–1748
• Ebrahim Afshar, 1748
• Shah Rukh, 1748–1797, he lost power in 1750 but nominally remained Shah.

Here begins the modern history of the nation-state Iran. After the fall of the Afsharids, the eastern lands of Persia were lost to Pashtun tribes who created their own independent kingdom, which later became known as Afghanistan. For more information, see History of Afghanistan.

• Karim Khan, 1750–1779
• Abol Fath Khan, 1779
• Ali Murad Khan, 1779
• Mohammad Ali Khan, 1779
• Sadiq Khan, 1779–1782
• Ali Murad Khan, 1782–1785
• Jafar Khan, 1785–1789
• Lotf Ali Khan, 1789–1794

• Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar, 1794–1797
• Fath Ali Shah, 1797–1834
• Ali Mirza Qajar, usurper, 1834 (40 days)
• Mohammad Shah Qajar, 1834–1848
• Nasser-al-Din Shah, 1848–1896
• Mozzafar-al-Din Shah, 1896–1907
• Mohammad Ali Shah, 1907–1909
• Ahmad Shah Qajar 1909–1925

• Reza Shah Pahlavi, 15 December 1925 – 16 September 1941 (crowned 25 April 1926)
• Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, 16 September 1941 – 11 February 1979 (crowned 26 October 1967) and his wife Empress Farah Pahlavi (born 14 October 1938).

In 1979 a revolution led by Ayatollah Khomeini forced Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi into exile, and established an Islamic Republic on 1 April 1979.

• History of Iran