Nizari Ismaili state
Nizari Ismaili state دولت اسماعیلیهای الموت | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1090–1256 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Capital | Alamut Castle | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Official languages | Persian | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Common languages | Persian, Arabic | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Religion | Nizari Ismaili Shia Islam | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Government | Theocratic absolute monarchy | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Imam | |||||||||||||||||||||
• 1090–1124 | Hasan I | ||||||||||||||||||||
• 1124–1138 | Buzurg Umid | ||||||||||||||||||||
• 1138–1162 | Muhammad I | ||||||||||||||||||||
• 1162–1166 | Hasan II | ||||||||||||||||||||
• 1166–1210 | Muhammad II | ||||||||||||||||||||
• 1210–1221 | Hasan III | ||||||||||||||||||||
• 1221–1255 | Muhammad III | ||||||||||||||||||||
• 1255–1256 | Khurshah | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Historical era | Medieval | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1090–1194 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1256 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Currency | Dinar, dirham, and possibly fals | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Today part of | Iran Syria | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Part of a series on Islam Isma'ilism |
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| Islam portal |
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 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.
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.