TAHIRID DYNASTY

(AD 821873), Islamic dynasty of the land of Khorasan (centred in northeastern Persia), which owed nominal allegiance to the 'Abbasid caliph at Baghdad but enjoyed virtual independence. The dynasty was founded by Tahir ibn al-Husayn, a successful military general awarded the eastern lands by the caliph. Tahir's successors pushed their dominion as far as the Indian frontier.