The Barmakids ( Barmakīyān; - al-Barāmikah, from the Sanskrit: pramukha प्रमुख "leader, chief administrator, registrar"); also spelled Barmecides, were an influential family from Balkh in Bactria where they were originally hereditary Buddhist leaders, and subsequently came to great political power under the Abbasid caliphs of Baghdad. Khalid, the son of Barmak became the Prime Minister or Wazir of Al Saffah, the first Caliph of the Abbasid dynasty. His son Yahya aided Harun Al-Rashid in capturing the throne and rose to power as the most powerful man in the Empire. The Barmakids were remarkable for their majesty, splendor and hospitality. They are mentioned in some stories of the Arabian Nights.