List of Assassin strongholds

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Location of several of the Ismaili castles in the regions of Alamut and Rudbar. Alamut.png
Location of several of the Ismaili castles in the regions of Alamut and Rudbar.

List of the strongholds or dar al-hijra of the Order of Assassins in Persia (Iran) and Syria.

Contents

Most of the Persian Ismaili castles were in the Alborz mountains, in the regions of Daylaman (particularly, in Alamut and Rudbar; north of modern-day Qazvin) and Quhistan (south of Khurasan), as well as in Qumis. Most of the Syrian Ismaili castles were in Jabal Bahra' (Syrian Coastal Mountain Range).

According to Juzjani, before the Mongol invasion the Assassins possessed 70 forts in Quhistan and 35 in Alamut. [1] Overall, they probably had 250 castles. [2]

The Ismaili fortresses in Rudbar of Alamut had been built on rocky heights and were equipped to withstand long sieges; they had storehouses with high capacities and elaborate water supply infrastructure such as cisterns, qanats, and canals. [3]

Persia

Ismaili castles in Persia (Iran)
NameImageConditionLocationPresent-day location Coordinates Notes
Alamut Castle (قلعه الموت) Alamut2.jpg destroyed, partially restored Alamut Qazvin Province 36°26′40.63″N50°35′9.58″E / 36.4446194°N 50.5859944°E / 36.4446194; 50.5859944 The capital of the Nizari state.
Atashgah Castle (قلعه آتشگاه) Atashgah Castle2023-04-08 68.jpg Ruined Kashmar Razavi Khorasan Province 35°18′59″N58°23′10″E / 35.31639°N 58.38611°E / 35.31639; 58.38611
Lambsar, Lambasar (لمبسر), Lamsar, Lamasar (لمسر), Lanbasar (لنبمسر) Lambesar 2000.jpg in ruins Alamut Qazvin Province 36°32′51″N50°13′38″E / 36.5476°N 50.2273°E / 36.5476; 50.2273 Captured, refortified, and governed by Kiya Buzurg-Ummid. Probably the largest Nizari castle.
Rudkhan Castle (قلعه رودخان) Ghale Rud Khan.JPG rebuilt Daylam 37°03′52″N49°14′21″E / 37.064357°N 49.239276°E / 37.064357; 49.239276
Maymun-Diz (میمون‌دز), Meymundezh (میمون‌دژ)N/Adestroyed and lost Rudbar Qazvin Province Destroyed by the Mongols in 1256.
Semiran castle (قلعه سمیران) ql`h smyrn2.jpg in ruins Tarem Qazvin Province
Nevizar Shah Castle (قلعه نویزر شاه), Navisar/Nevisar Shah Castle (قلعه نویسر شاه) Rudbar Qazvin Province
Mansur Kuh castle (قلعه منصورکوه), ql`h mnSwrkhwh.jpg in ruins Qumis Semnan Province [4]
Mehrnegar Castle (Damghan), Mihrnigar (قلعه مهرنگار), Mihrin/Mehrin Castle (قلعه مهرین) Mehrnegar MOUNTAIN.JPG in ruins Qumis Damghan County [4] Fell at 1253 to the Mongols.
Gerdkuh/Girdkuh (گردکوه), Dezh-i Gunbadan (دژ گنبدان) Gerd2.JPG in ruins Qumis near Damghan 36°09′43″N54°09′25″E / 36.16194°N 54.15694°E / 36.16194; 54.15694 [4] The last Ismaili castle that surrendered to Mongols.
Ustunawand (استوناوند), Ostanavand (استاناوند), Ostanavand Castle of Naruheh (قلعه استاناوند ناروهه) stwnwnd.jpg Damavand Garmsar County [4]
Saru castles (قلعه سارو), Soru srw y bzrg - panoramio.jpg mainly intact Qumis near Semnan Two nearby related castles, Greater Saru and Lesser Saru, are recently attributed to the Ismailis.
Mu'minabad/Mo'menabad Castle (قلعه مؤمن‌آباد), locally known as Kal Hasab Sabbah Castle (قلعه کل حسن صباح) Quhistan near Taghandik, Darmian County 32°43′22″N59°56′29″E / 32.722778°N 59.941389°E / 32.722778; 59.941389
Dara, Darah, Duruh Castle قلعه درح Quhistan, near Sistan's border Doreh, Sarbisheh County, South KhorasanA dependency of the Mo'menabad Castle.
Citadel of Takrit (قلعة تكريت) bqy ql`@ tkryt ltrykhy@ lshhyr@.jpg in ruins Tikrit, Iraq One of the few "open" Ismaili stronghold. [5]
Kuh Qaen castle (قلعه قائن), Qal'eh Kuh of Qaen (قلعه کوه قائن), Husayn Qa'ini Castle (قلعه جسین قائنی) Qaen, Quhistan
Kuh Zardan Castle (قلعه کوه زردان) mHmd hdy rDy'y.jpg in ruins Quhistan Zardan, Zirkuh 33°28′58″N59°39′30″E / 33.482863°N 59.658299°E / 33.482863; 59.658299
Furg Castle (قلعه فورگ), Furk Castle (قلعه فورک) ql`h.jpg rebuilt Quhistan Darmian County
Ghal'eh Kuh of Ferdows (قلعه کوه فردوس)in ruinssouth of Tun, Quhistan Ferdows County 33°32′N58°05′E / 33.54°N 58.08°E / 33.54; 58.08 The biggest fortress of Quhistan, per Tarikh-i Jahangushay . Burned by the invading Mongols. Connected to the Ghal'eh Kuh of Hasanabad.
Ghal'eh Kuh of Hasanabad (قلعه کوه حسن‌آباد), Ghal'eh Dokhtar (قلعه دختر حسن‌آباد)in ruinsnorth-west of Tun, Quhistan Ferdows County 34°04′21″N58°05′05″E / 34.072556°N 58.084722°E / 34.072556; 58.084722 Connected to the Ghal'eh Kuh of Ferdows.
Khalanjan Castle (قلعه خالنجان), Khulanjan Castle (قلعه خولنجان), Bazi Castle (قلعه بزی)destroyed Khulanjan town, south of Isfahan (the exact location of the town is uncertain) [6] Isfahan Province
Anjudan (انجدان)Anjudan Anjudan, Markazi Province
Sa’adat-kuh (سعادت‌کوه) Rudbar
Mubarak-kuh (مبارک‌کوه)
Firuzkuh castle (قلعه فیروزکوه) (قلعه فیروزکوه  [ fa ]) 1407650871980ql`hy bstny fyrwzkhwh br frz khwhy bh hmyn nm dr shhr fyrwzkhwh z shhrhy stn thrn 03.JPG in ruinsRayy Tehran Province A concentric castle
Shah-Dizh (شاهدژ), Shahdez (شاهدز), Dizkuh (دژکوه), Dizhkuh (دژکوه) Shah dezh Citadel-Isfahan-ID14280- ql`h shhdj-khwh Sfh-Sfhn.jpg in ruinsnear Isfahan on Nehbandan hill, Isfahan 32°35′48″N51°38′38″E / 32.59667°N 51.64389°E / 32.59667; 51.64389 Peacefully captured and refortified by Ahmad ibn Abd al-Malik ibn Attash, recaptured and destroyed by the Seljuqs [7]
Kafer Ghal'eh (Sangsar) (کافر قلعه سنگسر) fa:File:Mahdishahr_Kafar_Ghal'e.JPG Mehdishahr County, Semnan Province
Hesaruiyeh (حصاروئیه) 30°02′37″N55°12′59″E / 30.04361°N 55.21639°E / 30.04361; 55.21639
Ghal'eh Dokhtar of Shurab (قلعه دختر شوراب) Quhistan Gonabad County, South Khorasan Province
Shir Qal'eh (شیرقلعه)near Shahmirzad, Semnan Province
Gahur Castle (قلعه گهور), Boz Qal'eh (بز قلعه) bzql`h2.jpg in ruins Eshtehard County, Alborz Province
Qal'eh Qela' of Mud (قلعه قلاع مود) Quhistan near Mud, Sarbisheh County, South Khorasan Province
Chimarud Castle (قلعه چیمارود) Anbuh, Gilan Province
Kalisham Castle (قلعه و پای قلعه کلیشم) Kalisham, Gilan Province
Rostam Castle of Khusf (قلعه رستم خوسف), Qal'eh Dokhtar (Khusf) (قلعه دختر (خوسف)) Quhistan Ganj village, Khusf County
Labrud Castle (قلعه لبرود) Qumis Ahvanu, Semnan Province
Arzang Castle (ارزنگ قلعه)near Pashand in Savojbolagh County, Alborz Province
Kolim Fortress (دژ کلیم), Kolim Castle (قلعه کلیم) Kolim, Poshtkuh Rural District (Semnan Province)
Mahtabi Fortress (دژمهتابی) Arrajan Behbahan County, Khuzestan Province
Gabaran castle (قلعه گبران)near Hiv, Savojbolagh County
Forud castle (قلعه فرود) qsmty dygr z rh ql`h frwd.jpg Kalat, Gonabad
Arzhang Castle (قلعه ارژنگ or ارژنگ قلعه)Talaqan Minavand, Alborz Province
Mansur Castle (قلعه منصور)Talaqan
Markuh Castle (قلعه مارکوه), Marku Castle (قلعه مارکو) Ramsar County
Qal'eh Qela' of Sarayan (قلعه قلاع سرایان) Quhistan Masabi Rural District
Qal'eh Qela' of Nowzad (قلعه قلاع نوزاد) Quhistan Darmian County
Bamrud Castle (قلعه بمرود) Quhistan Bamrud, South Khorasan Province
Espahabdan Castle (قلعه اسپهبدان) Espahabdan
Qal'eh Dokhtar (قلعه دختر) Qal'eh Dokhtar2021.jpg Kuhsorkh County Razavi Khorasan Province
Qal'at al-Jiss (قلعة الجص) Arrajan
Qal'at Halādhān, Dez Kelat (دز کلات) Arrajan
Qal'at al-Nazir (قلعة الناظر) Arrajan
"Mor"UncertainBased on the Ginanic accounts, Mor was a fortress and the place of residence of the Imam who was living in concealment. [1]

Syria

The strongholds in Jabal Bahra' were known as the "Castles of the da'wa " (قلاع الدعوةqilāʿ al-daʿwah). [8]

Ismaili castles in Syria
Name Arabic name / Alternative spellingsLocationConditionImage Coordinates Notes
Qal'at Balis (Barbalissos)قلعة بالسon the Aleppo-Baghdad road 35°50′11.76″N38°18′9.36″E / 35.8366000°N 38.3026000°E / 35.8366000; 38.3026000 (Barbalissos) Ceded by Alp Arslan al-Akhras to Abu Tahir al-Sa'igh, commanded by Ibrahim al-Ajami. It was soon abandoned. [9]
Baniyas (Nimrod Fortress)قلعة بانياس Banias, Southern Syria (modern-day Israel) Nimrod-S-218.jpg 33°15′10″N35°42′53″E / 33.25278°N 35.71472°E / 33.25278; 35.71472 (Nimrod Fortress) Given by Toghtekin to Bahram al-Da'i [10]
Masyaf Castle قلعة مصياف Hama Partially restored Masyaf TheCastle.jpg 35°03′58″N36°20′36″E / 35.06611°N 36.34333°E / 35.06611; 36.34333 (Masyaf Castle) The most famous Syrian Ismaili castle.
Abu Qubays قلعة أبو قبيس Hama Partially ruined Abu Qubeis2.jpg 35°14′5.92″N36°19′50.83″E / 35.2349778°N 36.3307861°E / 35.2349778; 36.3307861 Purchased from Iftikhar al-Dawla, the Fatimid governor of Jerusalem.
Qalaat al-Madiq قلعة المضيق, Qal'at al-Mudiq Hama Residential area Fortress of Qalat el-Mudiq.jpg 35°25′12″N36°23′33″E / 35.42000°N 36.39250°E / 35.42000; 36.39250 (Qal'at al-Madiq) Briefly captured by Abu Tahir al-Sa'igh.
Aleika Castle قلعة العليقة, Uleyqa Tartus (in Jabal Bahra') Aleika.jpg 35°10′37″N36°7′20″E / 35.17694°N 36.12222°E / 35.17694; 36.12222 A concentric castle
Al-Qadmus Castle قلعة القدموس, Al-Qadmous; Kadmus Tartus (in Jabal Bahra')Ruined 35°06′05″N36°09′40″E / 35.10139°N 36.16111°E / 35.10139; 36.16111 Purchased from Muslim forces.
Al-Kahf Castle قلعة الكهف Tartus (in Jabal Bahra')Partially ruined 35°02′27″N36°04′58″E / 35.04083°N 36.08278°E / 35.04083; 36.08278 (Al-Kahf Castle) Probably the main residence of Rashid al-Din Sinan. He died in the castle in 1192. Ismailis had purchased the castle from Muslims in 1138.
Khariba Castle قلعة الخريبة Tartus (in Jabal Bahra') 35°6′16″N35°58′29″E / 35.10444°N 35.97472°E / 35.10444; 35.97472 Captured by local Nizaris in 1136–1137 from the Franks. [8]
Khawabi Castle قلعة الخوابي Tartus (in Jabal Bahra')Residential area Khawabi Castle, Syria.jpg 34°58′22″N36°00′06″E / 34.97278°N 36.00167°E / 34.97278; 36.00167 (Qala'at Khawabi) Conquered by Baibars in 1273.
Rusafa Castle قلعة الرصافة Hama (in Jabal Bahra')Partially ruined Fortress Al-Rusafa.jpg 35°2′15″N36°18′00″E / 35.03750°N 36.30000°E / 35.03750; 36.30000 (Qala'at al-Rusafa) Rebuilt by Sinan. Conquered by Baibars in 1271.
Qulay'ah Castle قلعة القليعة Latakia (in Jabal Bahra') 35°19′34″N36°7′22″E / 35.32611°N 36.12278°E / 35.32611; 36.12278
Sarmin Castleقلعة سرمين Idlib 35°54′7″N36°43′26″E / 35.90194°N 36.72389°E / 35.90194; 36.72389
Maniqa Castle قلعة المنيقة Latakia (in Jabal Bahra') 35°14′5″N36°5′46″E / 35.23472°N 36.09611°E / 35.23472; 36.09611 Dated back to the Roman era, it was also known as "Malikas" or "Malghanes" during the Crusader rule.
Shaizar Castleقلعة شيزر Hama (in Jabal Bahra')In ruins Shayzar northern part.JPG 35°16′04″N36°34′00″E / 35.26778°N 36.56667°E / 35.26778; 36.56667 Briefly occupied by the Assassins

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alamut Castle</span> 9th-century fortress in Qazvin Province, Iran

Alamut is a mountain fortress at an altitude of 2163 meters at the central Alborz, in the Iranian stanza of Qazvin, about 100 kilometers from Tehran. In 1090 AD, the Alamut Castle, a mountain fortress in present-day Iran, came into the possession of Hassan-i Sabbah, a champion of the Nizari Ismaili cause. Until 1256, Alamut functioned as the headquarters of the Nizari Ismaili state, which included a series of strategic strongholds scattered throughout Persia and Syria, with each stronghold being surrounded by swathes of hostile territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hasan-i Sabbah</span> Persian religious and military leader

Hasan-i Sabbah, also known as Hasan I of Alamut, was a religious and military leader, founder of the Nizari Ismai'li sect widely known as the Hashshashin or the Order of Assassins, as well as the Nizari Ismaili state, ruling from 1090 to 1124 AD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rashid ad-Din Sinan</span> Leader of the Nizari Ismaili state from 1162 to 1193

Rashid al-Din Sinan also known as the Old Man of the Mountain, was an Arab Muslim missionary who served as the leader of the Nizari Ismaili state and the Order of Assassins from 1162 until his death in 1193. An adherent of Nizari Ismailism, a branch of Shia Islam, he was a prominent figure during the Crusades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gerdkuh</span> Nizari Ismaili fortress in present-day Semnan Province, Iran

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alamut</span> Region in Iran

Alamut or Rudbar is a region in Iran including western and eastern parts on the western edge of the Alborz (Elburz) range, between the dry and barren plain of Qazvin in the south and the densely forested slopes of the Mazandaran province in the north. Starting from Qazvin toward Alamut, passing through the first range of hills, curvatures, forms, are significant themes in nature's composition of this area. The famous Ismaili castle of Alamut and numerous others are in this area, which served as the heartland of the state founded by Hassan-i Sabbah.

Rukn al-Dīn al-Hasan ibn Muhammad Khurshāh (1230–1256) was the son of ‘Alā’ ad-Dīn Muḥammad III and the 27th Isma'ili Imam. He was also the fifth and final Nizari Isma'ili Imam who ruled at Alamut. The Imam was the eldest son of Imam ʿAla al-Din Muhammad and succeeded his murdered father to the Imamate in 1255. Imam Rukn al-Din engaged in a long series of negotiations with the invading Mongols, and under whose leadership Alamut Castle was surrendered to the Mongol Empire marking the end of the Nizari state in Persia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nizari Ismaili state</span> 1090–1273 Nizari state in northwest Iran and Syria

The Nizari 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.

Nūr al-Dīn Muḥammad II or ʾAʿlā Muḥammad was the Nizari Isma'ili Imām of Alamūt who reigned the longest period out of any lord (Khudawand) of Alamut, forty-four years. He affirmed the policies of his father, Hassan Ala Dhikrihi's Salam, who had been stabbed to death a year after proclaiming Qiyāma, or Resurrection.

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ʿAlāʾ ad-Dīn Muḥammad III, more commonly known as ʿAlāʾ ad-Dīn (علاءالدین), son of Jalāl al-Dīn Ḥasan III, was the 26th Nizāri Isma'ilism Imām. He ruled the Nizari Ismaili state from 1221 to 1255. By some accounts, he was considered a respected scholar and the spiritual and worldly leader of the Nizari Ismailis. The intellectual life of Persia has been described as having flourished during his 34-year reign. Allegedly, he was known for his tolerance and pluralism. His reign witnessed the beginnings of the Mongol conquests of Persia and the eastern Muslim world. He was assassinated by an unknown perpetrator on 1 December 1255, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Rukn al-Din Khurshah, in 1255.

Shams al-Din Muhammad was the 28th imam of the Nizari Isma'ili community. Little is known about his life. He was the first imam to rule after the destruction of the Nizari state by the Mongol Empire, and spent his life hiding his true identity.

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By the late 11th century, the Shi'a sub-sect of Ismailism had found many adherents in Persia, although the region was occupied by the Sunni Seljuk Empire. The hostile tendencies of the Abbasid–Seljuk order triggered a revolt by Ismailis in Persia under Hassan-i Sabbah.

Maymūn-Diz was a major fortress of the Nizari Ismailis of the Alamut Period described in historical records. It has been variously identified with the Alamut Castle, Navizar Shah Castle, Shirkuh Castle, Shahrak Castle, and Shams Kalayeh Cave. Recently, Enayatollah Majidi located it on top of Mount Shatan near Khoshk Chal.

The Mongol campaign against the Nizaris of the Alamut period began in 1253 after the Mongol invasion of the Khwarazmian Empire and a series of Nizari–Mongol conflicts. The campaign was ordered by the Great Khan Möngke and was led by his brother, Hülegü. The campaign against the Nizaris and later the Abbasid Caliphate was intended to establish a new khanate in the region—the Ilkhanate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Qal'eh Kuh of Ferdows</span> Ismaili castle in Quhistan

Ghal'eh Kuh of Ferdows is a ruined fortress on top of Kuh-e Ghal'eh, located south of Ferdows (Tun) in South Khorasan Province, Iran. The fortress was famously used by the Nizari Ismailis of the Alamut period, and was the biggest Nizari stronghold in the Quhistan region, according to the Tarikh-i Jahangushay.

Qal'eh Dokhtar, Ferdows, also the Ghal'eh Kuh of Hasanabad, is a small ruined fortress located north west of Ferdows (Tun) and near the village Hasanabad in South Khorasan Province, Iran. The fortress was used by the Nizari Ismailis of the Alamut period.

The siege of Maymun-Diz, an unlocated fortress and the stronghold of the leader of the Nizari Ismaili state, Imam Rukn al-Din Khurshah, occurred in 1256, during the Mongol campaign against the Nizaris led by Hülegü.

References

  1. 1 2 Virani, Shafique N. (2003). "The Eagle Returns: Evidence of Continued Isma?ili Activity at Alamut and in the South Caspian Region Following the Mongol Conquests". Journal of the American Oriental Society. 123 (2): 351–370. doi:10.2307/3217688. ISSN   0003-0279. JSTOR   3217688.
  2. Willey, Peter. Eagle's Nest: Ismaili Castles in Iran and Syria. Bloomsbury Academic. p. 58. ISBN   978-1-85043-464-1.
  3. B. Hourcade, “ALAMŪT,” Encyclopædia Iranica, I/8, pp. 797-801; an updated version is available online at http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/alamut-valley-alborz-northeast-of-qazvin- (accessed on 17 May 2014).
  4. 1 2 3 4 Daftary 2007 , pp. 320–321
  5. Daftary 2007 , pp. 321–324
  6. "خولنجان(۱) یا خان لنجان" . Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  7. "DEZKŪH – Encyclopaedia Iranica". www.iranicaonline.org. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  8. 1 2 Daftary 2007 , pp. 349–350, 352
  9. Daftary 2007 , p. 334
  10. Gibb, N. A. R., Editor (1932),The Damascus Chronicle of the Crusades. Extracted and translated from the Chronicle of ibn al-Qalānisi, Luzac & Company, London, pp.174-177, 179-180, 187-191

Further reading