The Samanid dynasty was a Persian dynasty that ruled from the 9th to the 10th century in parts of present-day Iran, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. It emerged after the decline of the Umayyad Caliphate and is known for its promotion of Persian culture and language, as well as its support for the arts and sciences. The Samanids played a crucial role in the Islamic Golden Age, fostering a flourishing of literature and architecture. Their capital, Bukhara, became a center of learning and culture, attracting scholars and poets, including the famous Rudaki. The dynasty eventually fell to the Ghaznavids in the late 10th century.