Haydar ibn Kawus (al-Afshin)

حيدر بن كاوس الأفشين

Haydar ibn Kawus, the famous al-Afshin; demeaned by his father's favored qahrman he killed him at the city gate, fled to al-Khattl, then showed Islam at Baghdad, taught al-Ma'mun Ushrusana's short road, and was made king after his father.

Depth

At a glance

Era
The Early Abbasid Caliphate
Review
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Overview

Haydar ibn Kawus, known as al-Afshin. Al-Baladhuri reports that the steward of his father used to blame him and speak ill of him. He leapt upon him and killed him at the gate of their town, and fled to Hashim ibn Mahwad al-Khutali. 1

Coming to Baghdad

When he heard what his father had done, he showed Islam and set out for the City of Peace. He described to al-Ma'mun the ease of the affair of Ushrusana and a shorter road to it, and al-Ma'mun made him its ruler after his father. 1

The name of al-Khutali in the original preserved in the museum's data is "Mahwad", and this needs to be checked against the source.

Connections

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Participated in
Ahmad ibn Abi Khalid's Conquest of Ushrusana· King Kawus's Affair and the Qahrman's Killing

People and things also explored

Kawus, King of Ushrusana· Ushrusana· Ahmad ibn Abi Khalid al-Ahwal· الفضل بن سهل· Ahmad ibn Abi Khalid's Conquest of Ushrusana· King Kawus's Affair and the Qahrman's Killing

Sources

  1. Futuh al-Buldan — al-Baladhuri (Mu'assasat al-Ma'arif edition)
Cite this page

islam.museum contributors. “Haydar ibn Kawus (al-Afshin)”. islam.museum, https://islam.museum/en/person/haydar-ibn-kawus/. CC BY-SA 4.0. Accessed 2026-10-17.

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Wing

People

Prophets, companions, scholars, rulers, scientists, poets, travelers: women and men who shaped the story.
Related

Kawus, King of Ushrusana

Kawus, king of Ushrusana; he bought peace through al-Fadl ibn Sahl, broke it, lost his qahrman to son Haydar's blow, and yielded when Ahmad ibn Abi Khalid came by the short road — showing Islam at Baghdad he was reinstated, then Haydar after him.