Yahyā Ibn Khālid Al-Barmakī

The Barmakīd family was originally from the city of Balkh in the Valley of Oxus River in the present day northern Afghanistan. After that area came under the Muslim control, the family converted to Islam and supported the Abbasids in their revolt against the Umayyad caliphate. After the Abbasid Caliphate was established with its capital in Baghdad, Khālid ibn Barmak became the chief financial administrator as the new government preferred non-Arabs to administer their Kingdom.

Khālid's son, Yahyā ibn Khālid al-Barmakī started his career as governor of Rayy, governor of Azerbaijan, and secretary and adjutant to the royal prince, Hārūn al-Rashīd. After the death of the Caliph Al-Mansur, in 786 Hārūn became the new caliph thanks to Yahyā’s guidance and help. In return, he was appointed a vizier, an office that equaled to prime minister, and a royal emir. These positions provided Yahyā and his sons an enormous influence and prestige in the state. Yahyā was granted a large share of government revenues that enabled him to acquire great wealth and large landed property.

The wealth of their family rivaled that of the Caliphate, and they were practically the governors of the Islamic Empire. In order to preserve family’s position, Yahyā shared millions of dirhams to the leading families and generals in the empire. He also acted as generous patron of the arts and sciences. Under his patronage was sent expedition to India to gather information on medicinal plants. His palaces along the Tigris River were most splendid in the entire kingdom.

Great wealth and prestige that the Barmakīd family enjoyed diminished reputation of the royalty in society and finally caused their downfall. In 803, for no apparent reason other than feeling threatened, caliph Hārūn ordered their arrest and confiscation of their properties. The Barmakīd family perished from the historical record after that.