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Fitzgerald begins the three school partners’ legend: “A man named Nizam al-Mulk with his friends, Hassan-i Sabbah and Omar Khayam, promised each other in their childhood which if one rose to prominence, the lucky person would not forget the other two …”
Persian henna tattoo is applied for bridal preparation and ceremonies as a sign of blessing, joy, and beauty. Read more
Gazor Khan Village
Gazor khan village lies in Alborz Mountain, 110 km northeast of Qazvin city. The word “Gazor Khan” in the word means the laundry of elders and khans because numerous springs in the village have made this place a good one to wash. The livelihood of most people in the Gazor Khan village is through farming and animal husbandry activities. The scenery of cherry orchards in the spring, summer and autumn, looped alleys and old houses make a beautiful sign in mind which is an original pattern of former rural space. Of course, the handicrafts of villagers such as rug weaving and Jajim weaving are an important part of Gazor Khan.
Alamut, a Castle in Gazor Khan
This village, located at the bottom of the famous castle of Alamut, undoubtedly has a close link with Alamut Castle and its tense history. Alamut Castle was developed in the 11th century by the Ismaili missionary, Hassan-i Sabbah and his followers, and used as headquarters. The Alamut castle was strategically unreachable for Ismaili enemies with its four sides ending at the precipices. It consists of two parts: ‘up castle’ and ‘down castle’. The residence of Hassan-i Sabbah was in the ‘up castle’, which for 35 years led the Nizari Ismailis. They developed an irrigation network and planted many trees around the castle. Due to the presence of water, various medicinal herbs also began to grow in the area.
The most famous historical monuments
In Gazor Khan Village, there is a building consisting of an old mosque and a rectangular tomb that the inscription on the wall of the tomb shows the repair date of the building which reaches 1448 AD. When you open the door of the tomb, eighteen graves covered with plaster are placed side by side. The village elders believe that some of these graves may be the tomb of Ismaili leaders. More than anything else, the old plane tree in the middle of the square draws everyone’s attention. The age of this tree, which dates back to about a thousand years ago, unconsciously reminds Hassan-i Sabbah to us. Who knows, maybe Hassan-i Sabbah has planted this tree.
Andej Valley
Andej valley is one of the most spectacular areas around the Alamut Castle, which remembers the habitat of the early humans. The valley’s reputation is due to its cavernous rocks. The villagers say Ismailis monitored the Alamut Castle through Andej valley.
Assassin’s Creed games
Assassin’s Creed games are a mixture of imagination and historical reality. The scenario of these games shows how a small group who loves killing brings the world to chaos and fear. It is a story that seems to have happened in Alamut.
But a question always lies in the minds of people, how much of Assassin legend is true? Were the Assassins real? All historical facts which are adopted into the Assassin’s Creed universe refer to the Alamut Castle that was controlled by a missionary named Hassan-i Sabah and his followers. This tale began in the medieval Middle East and concentrated on the sect of assassins.
Are Assassin’s Creed games based on reality?
The Assassin’s Creed tells a story of Hassan-i Sabbah who is the leader of Nizari Ismailis. Few people find in history that they have the power, bravery and recklessness of him. He was beyond time and place and a sample for all liberators. He had a small squad in the garrison of Alamut. They are young students and warriors, and the only purpose is to sacrifice themselves in the battle for Ismailism. The Assassins had to be patient, apathetic and generally intelligent.
The assassin used blades disguised as daily items like an ink writing pen. They never attacked from behind and did not use poison to destroy their enemies. The method of their assassination was to kill directly with the killer’s devotees. However, the theme of Assassin’s Creed games is against these realities. They tried to create peace not only within the world but within the individual.
The assassin’s motto “Nothing is true, and everything is permitted “was a bit differently laughing his absolute reality always permitted. They see the world the way it really is and hope that one day all humanity might see.
Assassin order until the modern era
From past to present, Assassins whose dimensions are still in the halo of mystery and mythology. In the new era, the Assassin legends in Europe and the U.S were the source of inspiration for many films and computer games. However, for someone whose excitement brings him to Assassin’s background at any moment, nothing is more attractive than stepping into the Assassin’s origin as Alamut and imagine himself a moment with his closed eyes at that time.
The inaccessible castle of Alamut
The spectacular Alamut Castle lies at the top of a red and gray cliff (2,100 meters above sea level) in the part of the Alborz Mountains of Iran’s Qazvin Province and built in the 9th century AD. Alamut Castle was developed in the 11th century by the Ismaili missionary, Hassan-i Sabbah and his followers, and used as headquarters. In other words, the Alamut Castle was strategically unreachable for Ismaili enemies with its four sides ending at the precipices. It consists of two parts: high fortress and low fortress. The residence of Hassan-i Sabbah was in the high fortress, which for 35 years led the Ismaili Nizari.
Gazorkhan Village, Alamut Mountains, Qazvin, Iran
Assassins, reality or myth?
They developed an irrigation network and planted trees and many medicinal plants around the castle. Due to the presence of water, various medicinal herbs also began to grow in the area, apparently hashish was one of them. After a while, they began to produce a variety of medicines and exported to different parts of the world.
As mentioned above, the word “Hashash” in Arabic means the pharmacist. Later in the myths made for the Ismailis, Ismaili rulers were accused of feeding hashish to their followers and sending them to assassinate ministers and government officials.
Terrible killer
Hassan-i Sabbah, spiritual leader of Ismaili Nizari, was a strict ruler and well-known as the “Old Man of the Mountain.” Sabbah’s purpose was not only fighting for the power of Abbasid caliph but also to attack Christian forces. Further more, he expanded his influence to nearby districts and intimidated the local populations. His followers can mount a regular army developed a form of warfare based on precise and targeted killings of individuals. As a result, they assassinated many people, among them the ministers like the Seljuk minister, Nizam al-Mulk was in this case.
The downfall of the castle
Finally, there were many conflicts between the Assassins and the Mongols. Because of fighting Assassins on two fronts, they defeated the Mongols and Hulagu Khan destroyed Alamut Castle (13th century AD). Afterward, the castle turned into a prison and exile.
Assassins
The Assassins refer to an Islamic sect called Nizari Ismailis. They were followers of Hassan-i Sabbah who gathered at Alamut Castle in the 11th century to defend the people against the oppression of the tyrannical governments of that time. The main occupation of these people was the pharmacy and export to various parts of the world. The Assassin is pronounced “Hashashin” in Arabic, and means a pharmacist or druggist. For this reason, the missionaries of this sect are Assassin.
Assassins legends
Assassination is as old as human life. The word “assassin” implies a professional killer with a high-profile target for political reasons. The “assassin” is the main Arabic word which comes to European languages during the Crusades and the Middle Ages wars. Assassin is pronounced “Hashashin” in Arabic, and means a pharmacist or druggist. During the Crusades wars and later on, the Ismaili history has combined with many myths, one of which was the use of marijuana by the Ismailis.
An assassin soldier kills an elected leader
Hashashin was famous for how to kill people. There has always been a halo of mystery around Hashishin as a dreaded group, so everyone adds new details to the legend of the Assassins. More ever, Marco Polo was one of the most influential people in this story. So according to Marco Polo’s narrative, Assassins’ followers went to a paradise stocked with excellent food and beautiful women by using marijuana. Then Ismaili leader told them “if you would like to go back to paradise once again, you should obey my commands.” He encouraged them to assassination and killing in this way. The Assassin refers to an Islamic sect called Nizari Ismailis.
Assassins of Alamut
The assassins of Alamut date back to the 11th and 12th centuries. The assassins of Alamut headquarter was in Alamut castle, which mountainous position had a significant advantage over its enemies. Hassan Sabbah founded the Ismaili state in Iran. According to Fitzgerald’s words in the introduction to the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, he was the Seljuk minister’s close friend, Nizam al-Mulk.
Nizam al-Mulk Mausoleum, Isfahan
Besides Alamut, Lambsar Castle, Shahdezh Castle and Rudkhan Castle were other assassins of Alamut’s basis.
In other words, Seljuks and Abbasi caliphate were among the most important enemies of the Assassin. They struck fear and daggers into the hearts of mostly princes, officials, ministers and religious figures and the crusaders. For this reason, any assassination carried out at any place referred to the Assassin. Further more, one of the reasons for knotting the word assassin with murder is the same.
The gate of Alamut Castle
The Downfall of the Assassins
Finally, the downfall of Hashashin began when they inevitably fought against their enemies on two different fronts (Sham and Iran). While the state of Egypt was at war with the Europeans in Sham, the Ismailis as a regional power were a great danger to the ruler of Egypt. However, their most important enemy was the Mongols who eventually destroyed and eliminated their order. After several years of struggle, the Ismailis failed to maintain their own government but created the myths that have continued for many years to come.
Kandovan
Kandovan is a cliff village near Tabriz, that is a fascinating place for travelers who can climb the steep steps to discover locals on your own.
About 60 km away from Tabriz lies Kandovan where exemplifies human-made cliff dwellings. It has a reputation of the rocky village which is still inhabited. Kandovan as troglodyte homes is similar to dwellings in the Turkish region of Cappadocia.
However, unlike Cappadocia, it is not a place only for visiting tourist. It is a village where life is going on. When you get closer to the area, these cones formed rock houses remind you of a large termite colony. This village with unique and hive-like architecture make any viewer curious to know what’s going on behind these cluttered cliffs.
The habitation of this village residents dates back to several thousand years ago when a group of people used the caves as a dwelling. Even after the fear and anxiety came to an end, many of the settlers decided to expand their homes and continue living in this village.
Kandovan has a minimal crowd of about 500 people. The houses consist of two to four stories as a living area, animal shelter, and storage. They need no supplemental heating or cooling because the rock acts as an energy efficient material. The rock keeps the house cool during summer and warm during winter.
These cave homes have been modernized with everything people need for living, and this is why inhabitants are known as modern-age cave dwellers troglodytes.
Things to do in Kandovan
It is a fascinating place for travelers who can climb the steep steps to discover locals on your own. Taking a stroll in Kandovan is an unforgettable experience due to distinctive rock-cut architecture. You can spend at least 2-3 hours having a look at cave shops providing local honey, dairy products, meat, and wool.
Women of Kandovan subsist by their handicraft such as weaving Kilims and colorful batik scarves. There is a beautiful natural spring which its water has been used for kidney stones treatment by locals.
