List of Nizari Ismaili strongholds

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

List of the strongholds (دار الهجرة dār al-hijrah, literally "place of refuge") of the Nizari Ismaili state in Persia (Iran) and Syria.

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 Nizaris 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)
Name Image Condition Location Present-day location Coordinates Notes
Alamut Castle (قلعه الموت) Alamut2.jpg destroyed, partially restored Alamut Qazvin Province 36°26′40.63″N 50°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 castle2021.jpg Ruined Kashmar Razavi Khorasan Province 35°18′59″N 58°23′10″E / 35.31639°N 58.38611°E / 35.31639; 58.38611 Atashgah Castle is one of the castles of in Iran
Lambsar, Lambasar (لمبسر), Lamsar, Lamasar (لمسر), Lanbasar (لنبمسر) Lambesar 2000.jpg in ruins Alamut Qazvin Province 36°32′51″N 50°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″N 49°14′21″E / 37.064357°N 49.239276°E / 37.064357; 49.239276
Maymun-Diz (میمون‌دز), Meymundezh (میمون‌دژ) N/A destroyed and lost Rudbar Qazvin Province Destroyed by the Mongols in 1256.
(قلعه سمیران) قلعه سمیران2.jpg in ruins Qazvin Province
(قلعه نویزر شاه), Navisar/Nevisar Shah Castle (قلعه نویسر شاه) Rudbar Qazvin Province
(قلعه منصورکوه), قلعه منصورکوه.jpg in ruins Qumis Semnan Province [4]
, Mihrnigar (قلعه مهرنگار), Mihrin/Mehrin Castle (قلعه مهرین) Mehrnegar MOUNTAIN.JPG in ruins Qumis Damghan County [5] Fell at 1253 to the Mongols.
Gerdkuh/Girdkuh (گردکوه), Dezh-i Gunbadan (دژ گنبدان) Gerd2.JPG in ruins Qumis near Damghan 36°09′43″N 54°09′25″E / 36.16194°N 54.15694°E / 36.16194; 54.15694 [6] The last Ismaili castle that surrendered to Mongols.
Ustunawand (استوناوند), (استاناوند), Ostanavand Castle of Naruheh (قلعه استاناوند ناروهه) استوناوند.jpg Damavand Garmsar County [7]
Saru castles (قلعه سارو), Soru سارو ی بزرگ - panoramio.jpg mainly intact Qumis near Semnan Two nearby related castles, Greater Saru and Lesser Saru, are recently attributed to the Ismailis.
Mu'minabad/ (قلعه مؤمن‌آباد), locally known as Kal Hasab Sabbah Castle (قلعه کل حسن صباح) Quhistan near Taghandik, Darmian County 32°43′22″N 59°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 Khorasan A dependency of the .
Citadel of Takrit (قلعة تكريت) بقايا قلعة تكريت التاريخية الشهيرة.jpg in ruins Tikrit, Iraq One of the few "open" Ismaili stronghold.[8]
(قلعه قائن), Qal'eh Kuh of Qaen (قلعه کوه قائن), Husayn Qa'ini Castle (قلعه جسین قائنی) Qaen, Quhistan
(قلعه کوه زردان) محمد هادی رضائی.jpg in ruins Quhistan Zardan, Zirkuh
Furg Castle (قلعه فورگ), Furk Castle (قلعه فورک) قلعه.jpg rebuilt Quhistan Darmian County
Ghal'eh Kuh of Ferdows (قلعه کوه فردوس) in ruins south of Tun, Quhistan Ferdows County 33°32′N 58°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 ruins north-west of Tun, Quhistan Ferdows County 34°04′21″N 58°05′05″E / 34.072556°N 58.084722°E / 34.072556; 58.084722 Connected to the Ghal'eh Kuh of Ferdows.
(قلعه خالنجان), Khulanjan Castle (قلعه خولنجان), (قلعه بزی) destroyed south of Isfahan Nehbandan County
Anjudan (انجدان) Anjudan Anjudan, Markazi Province
(سعادت‌کوه) Rudbar
(مبارک‌کوه)
(قلعه فیروزکوه) (fa) 1407650871980قلعۀ باستانی فیروزکوه بر فراز کوهی به همین نام در شهر فیروزکوه از شهرهای استان تهران 03.JPG in ruins Rayy Tehran Province A concentric castle
Shah-Dizh (شاهدژ), Shahdez (شاهدز), Dizkuh (دژکوه), Dizhkuh (دژکوه) نهبندان.png in ruins near Isfahan on Nehbandan hill, Isfahan 32°35′48″N 51°38′38″E / 32.59667°N 51.64389°E / 32.59667; 51.64389 Peacefully captured and refortified by , recaptured and destroyed by the Seljuqs[9]
(کافر قلعه سنگسر) [1] Mehdishahr County, Semnan Province
Hesaruiyeh (حصاروئیه) 30°02′37″N 55°12′59″E / 30.04361°N 55.21639°E / 30.04361; 55.21639
(قلعه دختر شوراب) Quhistan Gonabad County, South Khorasan Province
(شیرقلعه) near Shahmirzad, Semnan Province
Gahur Castle (قلعه گهور), Boz Qal'eh (بز قلعه) بزقلعه2.jpg in ruins Eshtehard County, Alborz Province
(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
(قلعه رستم خوسف), (قلعه دختر (خوسف)) [2] Quhistan Ganj village, Khusf County
(قلعه لبرود) Qumis Ahvanu, Semnan Province
(ارزنگ قلعه) near Pashand in Savojbolagh County, Alborz Province
(دژ کلیم), (قلعه کلیم) Kolim, Poshtkuh Rural District (Semnan Province)
(دژمهتابی) Arrajan Behbahan County, Khuzestan Province
(قلعه گبران) near Hiv, Savojbolagh County
(قلعه فرود) قسمتی دیگر از راه قلعه فرود.jpg Kalat, Gonabad
(قلعه ارژنگ or ارژنگ قلعه) Talaqan Minavand, Alborz Province
(قلعه منصور) Talaqan
(قلعه مارکوه), (قلعه مارکو) Ramsar County
(قلعه قلاع سرایان) Quhistan Masabi Rural District
(قلعه قلاع نوزاد) Quhistan Darmian County
(قلعه بمرود) Quhistan Bamrud, South Khorasan Province
(قلعه اسپهبدان) Espahabdan
(قلعه دختر) Qal'eh Dokhtar2021.jpg Kuhsorkh County Razavi Khorasan Province
(قلعة الجص) Arrajan
, (دز کلات) Arrajan
(قلعة الناظر) Arrajan
"Mor"*[10] Uncertain Based on the Ginanic accounts, Mor was a fortress and the place of residence of the Imam who was living in concealment.[11]

Syria[]

The strongholds in Jabal Bahra' were known as the "Castles of the da'wa" (قلاع الدعوة qilāʿ al-daʿwah).[12]

Ismaili castles in Syria
Name Arabic name / Alternative spellings Location Condition Image Coordinates Notes
Qal'at Balis (Barbalissos) قلعة بالس on the Aleppo-Baghdad road 35°50′11.76″N 38°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.[13]
Baniyas (Nimrod Fortress) قلعة بانياس Banias, Southern Syria (modern-day Israel) Nimrod-S-218.jpg 33°15′10″N 35°42′53″E / 33.25278°N 35.71472°E / 33.25278; 35.71472 (Nimrod Fortress) Given by Toghtekin to Bahram al-Da'i[14]
Masyaf Castle قلعة مصياف Hama Partially restored Masyaf TheCastle.jpg 35°03′58″N 36°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″N 36°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″N 36°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″N 36°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″N 36°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″N 36°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.
Khawabi Castle قلعة الخوابي Tartus (in Jabal Bahra') Residential area Khawabi Castle, Syria.jpg 34°58′22″N 36°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 35°2′15″N 36°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.
قلعة القليعة Latakia (in Jabal Bahra') 35°19′34″N 36°7′22″E / 35.32611°N 36.12278°E / 35.32611; 36.12278
قلعة سرمين Idlib 35°54′7″N 36°43′26″E / 35.90194°N 36.72389°E / 35.90194; 36.72389
قلعة المنيقة Latakia (in Jabal Bahra') 35°14′5″N 36°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 Castle قلعة شيزر Hama (in Jabal Bahra') In ruins Shayzar northern part.JPG 35°16′04″N 36°34′00″E / 35.26778°N 36.56667°E / 35.26778; 36.56667 Briefly occupied by the Assassins
قلعة خريبة Tartus (in Jabal Bahra') 35°6′16″N 35°58′29″E / 35.10444°N 35.97472°E / 35.10444; 35.97472 Captured by local Nizaris in 1136–1137 from the Franks.[15]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ 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.
  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. ^ Daftary 2007, pp. 320–321
  5. ^ Daftary 2007, pp. 320–321
  6. ^ Daftary 2007, pp. 320–321
  7. ^ Daftary 2007, pp. 320–321
  8. ^ Daftary 2007, pp. 321–324
  9. ^ "DEZKŪH – Encyclopaedia Iranica". www.iranicaonline.org. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  10. ^ See also (Classical Persian: لانه موری Lāna mōrī), a type of underground fortification.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ Daftary 2007, pp. 349–350, 352
  13. ^ Daftary 2007, p. 334
  14. ^ 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
  15. ^ Daftary 2007, pp. 349–350, 352

Further reading[]

  • Willey, Peter (2001). The Castles of the Assassins. Linden Pub. ISBN 9780941936644.

External links[]


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