Nizari Ismaili state | |||||||||||||||||||||
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1090–1310 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Left: Flag until 1162, Right: Flag after 1162 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Capital | Alamut Castle (Assassins of Persia, main headquarters) Masyaf Castle (Assassins of the Levant) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Common languages | Persian (in Iran)[1] Arabic (in the Levant)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||
Religion | Nizari Ismaili Shia Islam | ||||||||||||||||||||
Government | Theocratic 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 era | Medieval | ||||||||||||||||||||
• Established | 1090 | ||||||||||||||||||||
• Disestablished | 1310 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Currency | Dinar, dirham, and possibly fals[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Today part of | Iran Iraq Syria | ||||||||||||||||||||
Location of the main centers |
Part of a series on Islam Isma'ilism |
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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.
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