Banu Khorramdin

Banu Khorramdin, alternative spelling: Bānu Xorramdin (795 - 838) was the wife of Babak Khoramdin (Persian Legendary Freedom Fighter). Banu fought side by side her husband Babak against the Arabs. Banu & Babak Khoramdin are considered as one of the most heroic freedom fighters of Persia who initiated the Khurramites (Persian: Khorram-Dinān) movement. It was a freedom fighting movement aimed to overthrow the Tazi Arab Caliphate occupiers and at the time rulers of Persia. After the occupation of Persia by the Arabs, Banu and Babak worked as revolutionary resistance fighters leading the Persian Resistance Militia.

The famous female commando and revolutionary Banu, is to this day considered by most Iranians as a lioness. The central area of activity for Banu was Atropatgan state of Persia. Banu was a temperamental woman and a very skilled archer, she grew up with her bow and arrows. According to sources, Banu Khorramdin was Babak's partner in life and death, in war and peace. Between 816-837 A.D. occurred one of the most dramatic periods in the history of Iran which was set under Babak & Banu’s leadership.

During these most crucial years, they not only fought against the Caliphate, but also against Tazi Arabs and refused their Arabian/Islamic customs. Eventually, Banu, Babak and their warriors were forced to leave Babak Fort after 23 years of constant successful campaigns which killed over 500,000 invading Arabs. Babak's mighty army "Red-Wearing Ones" (alternatively Persian: سرخ جامگان Surxjāmagān) was never defeated. They were eventually betrayed by one of their own officers (Afshin) and were handed over to the Arab Abbasid Caliphate. They lived and they died as Proud Persians until the last drop of blood was shed (816-838 A.D.). The name “Banu” in Persian means: Lady.