The post is first attested in the early years of the 12th century, during the vizierate of al-Afdal Shahanshah, when Husam al-Mulk Aftakin is mentioned as holding it.
[1] It effectively replaced the office of 'master of the curtain' (ṣāḥib al-sitr), which was usually held by a court eunuch of Slavic origin.
[3] From the time of Abu'l-Muzaffar Khumurtash in c. 1141, the ṣāḥib al-bāb had the appellation al-muʿazzam ('the exalted, glorified').
[5] As head chamberlain, the ṣāḥib al-bāb also had a prominent role in public ceremonies and palace receptions.
[1] For ceremonial matters he had a deputy, to whom the important role of leading envoys to their assigned places.