The Order of Assassins

Birth of Terrorism

by LTC Mark Zaslavsky

After the death of Mohammed, the Prophet of Islam, confusion over a proper successor led to the religions separation into SUNNI and SHIITE factions. The dominant Sunni faction believed that the leadership or IMAN should fall to a qualified leader elected by the faithful. The Shiites believed that succession should fall to the family of Muhammed (specifically to Ali, the husband of Mohammed's daughter Fatima). After Mohammed's death in 632 the succession became more and more a matter of contention between the mainstream Sunnites and the minority Shiites. Finally, in 765 Musa al-Kazim was recognized by the majority Shiites as the seventh Iman or legitimate successor to Mohammed. However, Musa had an older brother, Ismail, who had been disinherited by their father. The Shiite extremists clung to the belief that Ismail and his descendents were the only true Imans that followed. These Ismailis became a strong secret sect and later established the Fatimid Empire. In 1094 the Fatimid Khalif, Mustansir, died leaving behind three sons. Although the eldest, Nizar, was not successful in seizing power, he was the inspiration for the Nizari Ismaili sect, which became known as the Order of Assassins. Hassan-I Sabbah became the leader of the Ismaili movement in Persia and Iraq and created a well- organized underground of many followers. In 1090 he had himself smuggled into the formidable castle of Alamut. The former owner eventually realized that his fortress was completely infiltrated and was allowed to leave (with a draft for 3000 dinars in payment). Hassan spent the next 35 years in Alamut directing the Order of Assassins. Having no organized army and no great wealth, Hassan was unable to fight and effective war. Assassination had a long history in Islam and Hassan had no shortage of fanatics willing to die for his cause. In 1092 the first assassination was completed and it set the patter for all the subsequent acts. Bu Tahir Arrani disguised himself as a Sufi holy man and approached the litter of Vizir Nizam al-Mulk. On the pretext of presenting a petition Bu drew a knife and killed the Vizir. He was slain in turn after he tripped on the tent ropes while attempting to escape. Fidais Hassan established the title of Fidais who were to be trained in the use of the dagger, in disguises, in languages and in court etiquette. These devotees were taught total obedience to the Master and were told that ordinary religious beliefs were for that masses and that only the Iman had true eternal knowledge. The Master demonstrated his power to the Sultan's emissaries by nodding to a young Fidai who immediately drew a knife and slit his own throat. This was followed by another Fidai jumping to his death from a parapet on command. In response to the ambassador's demands he explained that another 60,000 men would obey him with the same enthusiasm. Hassan was just as ruthless in his personal dedication to his Order. He repelled invasions of Alamut by trickery, assassination, bribery and out-and-out lies. He banished all women from the fortress in 1108 (including his wife and daughters). All three of his sons were executed, two for disobedience and the third for drinking from a wineskin. The largest threat ever faced by Hassan was the Seljuks led by Sultan Muhammad Tapar. His death lead to a brief pause in the hostilities and the removal of a siege at Alamut. As his successor, Sanjar, was proceeding to resume the assault, he was delayed. One morning he awoke to find a dagger planted in his pillow and a note from Hassan offering peace. Sanjar found it convenient to agree. Hassan appointed Buzurg Umid to be his successor before his death in 1124. Umid broke with the will of Hassan by appointing his own son and creating a dynasty that lasted until 1256. Each of the seven members of the dynasty differed greatly in philosophy and their capacity to rule. It was probably the inconsistency of their various reigns that prevented a vast expansion of their faith. Training Ground Marco Polo described a training ground for the Assassins as a copy of Paradise taken from the Koran. Prior to being given an assignment the Fidai would be drugged. He would then awaken in "Paradise" surrounded by beautiful women and gardens. After describing his "dream" he would be told that it was a foretaste of what would happen to him after he committed an assassination. Many commentators have also described the Fidai as being high on hashish during their assaults. Neither of these stories is as convincing as the real religious fanaticism exhibited by the Assassins. Although Assassins would go to great lengths to hide themselves prior to committing their murders they were always very open about the crime itself. The Order seems to have used the assassinations as a tool of terrorism as much as a way of eliminating troublesome persons. It is ironic that the Assassins were eventually felled by rotten leadership. Khurshah who ascended to the Iman in 1255, decided to submit to the threat of the Mongols. Traveling with the Mongol leaders he ordered the surrender of over a hundred Assassin fortresses. In 1256 Alamut was surrendered. Although it was recaptured by the remaining Assassins in 275 it held out for only another year. Assassins continued in name and occasionally in deed for centuries, but were broken as a major power in the world. MISSION OF ASSASSINATION Surrounded by bodyguards the Grand Vizir of Khurasan, Fakhral-Mulk, was approached by a lone beggar holding out a petition. Allowing the beggar to come forward he was just starting to read the petition when the `beggar,' actually a Fidais from the Order of Assassins, brought out a dagger and fatally stabbed the Vizir. Although immediately seized by the guards, the assassin was not through with his mission. Under torture he revealed the names of twelve accomplices in his crime. He died with the satisfaction of having killed thirteen enemies of the Order of Assassins with a single dagger thrust. CLOTHING OF THE ORDER OF ASSASSINS Although the Order of Assassins favored wearing of pure white garments they were trained in disguising themselves as any conceivable member of Islamic society. Training emphasized use of the dagger and it was their exclusive weapon. In addition each Fidair was trained in speaking all the necessary dialects as well as how to behave in court and formal situations so as not to appear out of place. Back to Veteran Campaigner October 2001 Table of Contents Back to Veteran Campaigner List of Issues Back to Master Magazine List © Copyright 2001 by Pete Panzeri. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com