The military and political role of Hajib Tosh during the decline of the Samanid state: an analysis of historical sources

Abstract

This article comprehensively examines the complex political processes within the Samanid state at the end of the 10th century, alongside the career of the prominent Turkic military leader, Hojib Tosh. Drawing on primary sources, the study analyzes the figure's rise from a common ghulām to the rank of sipahsalar, his administrative reforms in Khurasan, and his contentious relations with influential power groups such as the Simjurids and Fa’iq. Furthermore, the article explores how the assassination of Vizier Utbi affected Tosh’s political standing, as well as his final years in Jurjan and his death, viewed through the lens of the state's overall decline. The study concludes with a scholarly evaluation of Tosh’s role within the Samanid military-administrative system and his impact on the processes of state fragmentation.