Information AboutKizil Bash |
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ORIGINS It has been speculated that the group has its origins among the mystical Assassin sect. Bussell, F.W. 1917. "Persistence of Primitive Beliefs in Theology" Folklore. 28 (3) pp279-294. PILLARS OF THE SAFAVID Constantly being prosecuted and massacred by the Ottomans on account of their adherence to Shi'a Islam , the Kizilbash - then mostly Turkic-speaking - fled to Iran . They united with the Safaviyeh from Ardabil to capture Tabriz from the then-ruling Sunni Turkoman alliance known as the Ak Koyunlu "White Sheep Emirate" under Alwand's leadership. Once Tabriz was captured, the Safavid Dynasty began with the Kizilbash Shaykh s assigned the position of ''wakil'' (in charge of provincial administration in the dynasty). The Kizilbash were able to produce a well-equipped army which was loyal to the Dynasty. They fought many campaigns, mostly against the Sunni Ottomans , in which they were able to push the Ottomans from Safavid territory and protect ethnic Armenians and Georgians who came under Ottoman attack. Initially, the Safavids had only indirect control over the provinces, however throughout the sixteenth century the Kizilbash solidified their dominion over the provinces and vied with the Shah for power. The Turkmen Kizilbash tribes of Azarbaijan were essential to the military of Iran and during the reign of the weak Shah s. The greatest of the Safavid monarchs, Shah Abbas I (1587-1629), was able to break the dependence on the Kizilbash for military might and centralize control. The beginning of the 17th century saw the power of the Kizilbash decline: the original Turkmen militia that had helped Ismail I capture Tabriz and over the century had insinuated themselves as entitled bureaucrats in the administration. Power was shifting to a new class of merchants, many of them ethnic Armenians , Georgians , and Indians . However, the Kizilbash were still vital players in the success of the Safavid Empire - providing soldiers and assisting greatly in the flourishing economy. In addition, many Kizilbash became Ayatollah s or Mujtahid s (important Shia scholars), teaching Iran 's ordinary people religious practices and belief. :"... It has been reported that, among the Ottoman Turks, ''kızılbaş'' has become something of a derogatory term and can be applied to groups that aren't necessarily associated with the Kazilbash of Central Asia. The Bektaşi in Turkey are often referred to as Kızılbaşi'' ...",Crowfoot, J.W.''' 1900, "Survivals among the Kappadokian Kizilbash (Bektash)", ''Journal of the Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland'', 30. pp. 305-20 However, this may contain some accuracy, as some of their towns and villages maintain legendary connections to Sultan Haydar of Persia , even naming their towns after him. Many direct descendants of the Kizilbash live today in Central Iran , Eastern Turkey , Afghanistan , the U.A.E , Parts of Pakistan and India , Canada and the United States . REFERENCES SEE ALSO |