DBA Armies

III/58 BUYID OR OTHER DAILAMI DYNASTIES 927 AD - 1090 AD

The Dailami were fierce Iranian mountaineers from south of the Caspian Sea, noted mercenaries since Sassanid times, who began to set up their own dynasties with the decline of Abbasid power. The first significant Dailami dynasty were the Ziyarids, who ruled in the homelands 927-1090. The Musfirids ruled Azerbaijan 941-984, imposed tribute on Bagratid Armenia and were the victims of a great Rus raid in 945. The Buyids were the most successful dynasty from 933, taking Baghdad in 946. They operated as a family federation with junior branches being installed in western Iran; but never ruled the Dailami homelands, which remained controlled by local chiefs. Dailami foot fought with the “zupin” (a short spear with a blade at each end), javelins and large leather shields. Some also had axes or (especially if guardsmen) light body armour. Agathias described them as neither light nor exclusively close-fighting troops “for they both discharge missiles at a distance when occasion arises and are expert at charging an enemy phalanx and breaking its close-knit ranks with the force of their charge. They reform their ranks with ease and adapt themselves to any contingency. Even steep slopes they run up with ease”. Ghulams were employed almost from the start. Reference: Armies of the Dark Ages 1. Heath.

III/58a — Baghdad Buyid Army 946 AD - 975 AD

List: 1 x General with ghulam guard (Cv) or Dailami guard on foot (3Bd or 4Ax), 2 x ghulams (Cv), 2 x ghulams (Cv) or zupin-men (4Ax), 4 x zupin-men (4Ax), 2 x archers or crossbowmen (Ps or 3/4Bw or 3Cb), 1 x Indian swordsmen (3Bd) or city religious factions (SHd) or Bedouin (LH)
Terrain: Arable
Aggression: 3
Enemies:
Allies: III/43 or III/54a (Mosul Hamandids) or III/61
⚠ Unresolved allies: III/43

III/58b — Musfirid Army 941 AD - 984 AD

List: 1 x General with ghulam guard (Cv), 1 x ghulams (Cv), 6 x zupin-men (4Ax), 3 x archers (Ps), 1 x Kurds (Cv or 3Kn) or zupin-men (4Ax)
Terrain: Hilly
Aggression: 1
Enemies:
Allies: III/51

III/58c — Other Dailami Armies 927 AD - 1090 AD

List: 1 x General (4Ax), 7 x zupin-men (4Ax), 4 x archers (Ps)
Terrain: Hilly
Aggression: 1
Enemies: