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List of Assassin strongholds

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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.

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

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Ismaili castles in Persia (Iran)
Name Image Condition Location Present-day location Coordinates Notes
Alamut Castle (قلعه الموت) 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) Ruined Kashmar Razavi Khorasan Province 35°18′59″N 58°23′10″E / 35.31639°N 58.38611°E / 35.31639; 58.38611
Lambsar, Lambasar (لمبسر), Lamsar, Lamasar (لمسر), Lanbasar (لنبمسر) 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) 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.
Semiran castle (قلعه سمیران) 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), in ruins Qumis Semnan Province [4]
Mehrnegar Castle (Damghan), Mihrnigar (قلعه مهرنگار), Mihrin/Mehrin Castle (قلعه مهرین) in ruins Qumis Damghan County [4] Fell at 1253 to the Mongols.
Gerdkuh/Girdkuh (گردکوه), Dezh-i Gunbadan (دژ گنبدان) in ruins Qumis near Damghan 36°09′43″N 54°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) Damavand Garmsar County [4]
Saru castles (قلعه سارو), Soru 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″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 Mo'menabad Castle.
Citadel of Takrit (قلعة تكريت) 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) in ruins Quhistan Zardan, Zirkuh 33°28′58″N 59°39′30″E / 33.482863°N 59.658299°E / 33.482863; 59.658299
Furg Castle (قلعه فورگ), Furk Castle (قلعه فورک) 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.
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]) in ruins Rayy Tehran Province A concentric castle
Shah-Dizh (شاهدژ), Shahdez (شاهدز), Dizkuh (دژکوه), Dizhkuh (دژکوه) 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 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″N 55°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) 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)) [1] 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) 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) 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" Uncertain Based on the Ginanic accounts, Mor was a fortress and the place of residence of the Imam who was living in concealment.[1]

Syria

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

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.[9]
Baniyas (Nimrod Fortress) قلعة بانياس Banias, Southern Syria (modern-day Israel) 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[10]
Masyaf Castle قلعة مصياف Hama Partially restored 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 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 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') 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.
Khariba Castle قلعة الخريبة 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.[8]
Khawabi Castle قلعة الخوابي Tartus (in Jabal Bahra') Residential area 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.
Qulay'ah Castle قلعة القليعة Tartus (in Jabal Bahra') 34°56′52″N 36°15′30″E / 34.94778°N 36.25833°E / 34.94778; 36.25833
Sarmin Castle قلعة سرمين Idlib 35°54′7″N 36°43′26″E / 35.90194°N 36.72389°E / 35.90194; 36.72389
Maniqa Castle 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 35°16′04″N 36°34′00″E / 35.26778°N 36.56667°E / 35.26778; 36.56667 Briefly occupied by the Assassins

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c d 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. ^ a b 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

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