Sawashfan

Coin of Sawashfan

Sawashfan (died 8th-century) was the ruler of the Afrighid dynasty of Khwarezm during the 8th-century. He was the son and successor of Askajamuk II.

He is one of the few Afrighid rulers whose coins have been identified. The coin shows a bust of Sawashfan to the left, while it shows him on horseback to the right. Sawashfan is known in Chinese sources as Shao-she-fien, where he in 751 is reportedly said to have requested help from the Tang dynasty. Sawashfan was later succeeded by his son Torkasbatha.

References

• B. A. Litvinsky, Ahmad Hasan Dani (1996). History of Civilizations of Central Asia: The crossroads of civilizations, A.D. 250 to 750. UNESCO. pp. 1–569. ISBN 9789231032110.
• Bosworth, C. Edmund (1984). "ĀL-E AFRĪḠ". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. I, Fasc. 7. C. Edmund Bosworth. pp. 743–745.