The Order of Assassins or simply the Assassins were a Nizari Isma'ili order that existed between 1090 and 1275 AD, founded by Hasan-i Sabbah.
Masyaf Castle in Hama. It was the headquarters of the Assassins in the Levant. Picture taken in 2017
Edward I, King of England thwarts an attempt at his life by an Assassin and kills the attacker. The assassin likely was sent by the Mamluk Sultan Baibars, in order to remove his opposition to a 10-year truce with the Christian states at Jerusalem. 19th-century depiction by Gustave Doré
View of the city of Alamut being besieged. 1438 depiction by the Tarikh-i Jahangushay
Remains of the Alamut Castle in Qazvin, Iran
The Nizaris are the largest segment of the Ismaili Muslims, who are the second-largest branch of Shia Islam after the Twelvers. Nizari teachings emphasize independent reasoning or ijtihad; pluralism—the acceptance of racial, ethnic, cultural and inter-religious differences; and social justice. Nizaris, along with Twelvers, adhere to the Jaʽfari school of jurisprudence. The Aga Khan, currently Aga Khan IV, is the spiritual leader and Imam of the Nizaris. The global seat of the Ismaili Imamate is in Lisbon, Portugal.
A water colour ink and gold page from a Persian Quran, 14th century
