Nizari Ismaili state

Nizari Ismaili state
1090–1257
Flag of Nizari Ismaili state
Left: Flag until 1162, Right: Flag after 1162
CapitalAlamut Castle (Assassins of Persia, main headquarters)
Masyaf Castle (Assassins of the Levant)
Common languagesPersian (in Iran)[1]
Arabic (in the Levant)[1]
Religion
Nizari Ismaili Shia Islam
GovernmentTheocratic absolute monarchy
Lord 
• 1090–1124
Hasan I
• 1124–1138
Buzurg Umid
• 1138–1162
Muhammad I
• 1162–1166
Imam Hasan II
• 1166–1210
Imam Muhammad II
• 1210–1221
Imam Hasan III
• 1221–1255
Imam Muhammad III
• 1255–1256
Imam Khurshah
• 1256–1310
Imam Muhammad IV
Historical eraMedieval
• Established
1090
• Disestablished
1257
CurrencyDinar, dirham, and possibly fals[2]
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Ziyarid dynasty
Sallarid dynasty
Justanids
Seljuk Empire
Artuqids
Mamluk Sultanate
Mongol Empire
Ilkhanate
Today part ofIran
Iraq
Syria
Location of the main centers

The Nizari state (the Alamut state) was a Nizari Isma'ili Shia state founded by Hassan-i Sabbah after he took control of the Alamut Castle in 1090 AD, which marked the beginning of an era of Ismailism known as the "Alamut period". Their people were also known as the Assassins or Hashashins.

The state consisted of a nexus of strongholds throughout Persia and the Levant, with their territories being surrounded by huge swathes of hostile as well as crusader territory. It was formed as a result of a religious and political movement of the minority Nizari sect supported by the anti-Seljuk population. Being heavily outnumbered, the Nizaris resisted adversaries by employing strategic, self-sufficient fortresses and the use of unconventional tactics, notably assassination of important adversaries and psychological warfare. They also had a strong sense of community as well as total obedience to their leader.

Despite being occupied with survival in their hostile environment, the Ismailis in this period developed a sophisticated outlook and literary tradition.[3]

Almost two centuries after its foundation, the state declined internally and its leadership capitulated to the invading Mongols, who later massacred many Nizaris. Most of what is known about them is based on descriptions by hostile sources.

  1. ^ a b Daftary, Farhad (2007). The Isma'ilis: Their History and Doctrines. Cambridge University Press. p. 302. ISBN 978-1-139-46578-6.
  2. ^ Willey, Peter (2005). The Eagle's Nest: Ismaili Castles in Iran and Syria. I. B. Tauris. p. 290. ISBN 9781850434641.
  3. ^ Daftary, Farhad (2012). Historical Dictionary of the Ismailis. Scarecrow Press. p. liii. ISBN 978-0-8108-6164-0.