Taifa of Lérida

The Taifa of Lérida was a small kingdom in Muslim Iberia that existed between 1039 and around 1110. It was based in the city of Lérida, also known as Lleida or Lārida. During this time, it was not always its own independent state but sometimes part of the larger Taifa of Zaragoza, ruled by a governor called a wālī.

Lérida began under the rule of the Córdoban caliphate and was later taken over by al-Mustaʿīn of the Banū Hūd family. After his death, the rule passed to his sons, who had to pay tribute to nearby Christian rulers to avoid attacks. Over the years, the kingdom faced many challenges from Christian kings and warriors, especially from Aragon and Barcelona. Cities like Graus, Monzón, and Barbastro were captured by these Christian forces.

As the years went on, the Taifa of Lérida became smaller and weaker. By the early 1100s, it was under threat from North African warriors known as the Almoravids. The Taifa finally fell to the Almoravids around 1102 or 1110. Later, in 1149, the city of Lérida was captured by Catalan forces.

Rulers of Lérida

The Taifa of Lérida had several rulers during its time. The first was Yūsuf ibn Sulaymān ibn Hūd al-Muẓaffar, who ruled from 1039/1046 to 1078/1081. Next came Mundhir al-Ḥājib, who was the nephew of the previous ruler, governing from 1081 to 1090. Finally, Sulaymān ibn Hūd, the son of the earlier ruler, led from 1090 until 1102/1110.