Taifa of Granada

The Taifa of Granada, also known as the Zirid Kingdom of Granada, was a Muslim kingdom in al-Andalus formed in 1013 after the deposition of Umayyad caliph Hisham II. It was founded by Zawi ibn Ziri, a Sanhaja Berber commander from the Zirid dynasty of North Africa, who had come to al-Andalus with his followers during the fitna that followed the collapse of the Caliphate of Córdoba. Zawi settled in the province of Ilbira and moved his capital from Madinat Ilbira to the more defensible hill of Granada, where a new city and independent polity took shape. Under Habbus ibn Maksan (1019-1038) and Badis ibn Habbus (1038-1073), Granada became one of the most powerful and wealthy taifas of al-Andalus, extending its influence over Jaén, Cabra, Almería and Málaga. Its court was famous for the Jewish vizier Samuel ha-Nagid, who served as a military commander and administrator. The kingdom's final years were marked by internal strife, including the 1066 Granada massacre, and by pressure from the Taifa of Seville. In 1090 the Almoravids conquered Granada, ending Zirid rule.