Nizari Ismaili state

Quick Facts: Who was Nizari Ismaili state?

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Nizari Ismaili state

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A powerful Nizari Ismaili Shia state known for its fortress network in Persia and Syria.

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Origins & Early Life

The Nizari Ismaili state or 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 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 leaders and psychological warfare.

Career & Major Achievements

They also had a strong sense of community as well as total obedience to their leader. Almost two centuries after its foundation, the state declined internally and its leadership capitulated to the invading Mongols in 1256, who later massacred many Nizaris. Most of what is known about them is based on descriptions by hostile sources. It is also known as the Order of Assassins, generally referred to as Assassins or Hashshashin. Contemporaneous Muslim authors referred to the sect as Batiniyya (باطنية), Ta'limiyya (تعليمية), Isma'iliyya (إسماعيلية), Nizariyya (نزارية), and the Nizaris are sometimes referred to with abusive terms such as mulhid (ملحد, plural: malahida ملاحدة; literally "atheist").

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The abusive terms hashishiyya (حشيشية) and hashishi (حشيشي) were less common, once used in a 1120s document by the Fatimid Caliph Al-Amir bi-Ahkam Allah and by late Muslim historians to refer to the Nizaris of Syria, and by some Caspian Zaydi sources to refer to the Nizaris of Persia. Nizari coins referred to Alamut as kursī ad-Daylam (كرسي الديلم, literally "Capital of Daylam"). Most Ismaili Shias outside North Africa, mostly in Persia and Syria, came to acknowledge Nizar ibn al-Mustansir's claim to the Imamate as maintained by Hassan-i Sabbah, and this point marks the fundamental split between Ismaili Shias. Within two generations, the Fatimid Empire would suffer several more splits and eventually implode. Following his expulsion from Egypt over his support for Nizar, Hassan-i Sabbah found that his co-religionists, the Ismailis, were scattered throughout Persia, with a strong presence in the northern and eastern regions, particularly in Daylam, Khurasan and Quhistan.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1090: 1090 Milestone — The Nizari Ismaili state or 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".
2. 1256: 1256 Milestone — Almost two centuries after its foundation, the state declined internally and its leadership capitulated to the invading Mongols in 1256, who later massacred many Nizaris.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Nizari Ismaili state

True or False: “The Nizari Ismaili state was primarily composed of a single, continuously held capital city throughout its existence.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The state was characterized by a nexus of unconnected strongholds and fortresses across Persia and the Levant.

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