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| The '''Kızılbaş''' ( |
The '''Kızılbaş''' (]: ''Qizilbash'', ]: قزلباش) "Red Heads" are religious group of diverse ethnic backgrounds who helped found the ] in what is modern ]. The name "Red Heads" is derived from their distinct headwear, known in ] as ''Taj-e Haydar'' "Haydar's Crown". | ||
| == Origins == | == Origins == | ||
| It has been speculated that the group has its origins amoung the mystical ] sect. <ref>'''Bussell, F.W.''' 1917. "Persistence of Primitive Beliefs in Theology" Folklore. 28(3) pp279-294.</ref> | It has been speculated that the group has its origins amoung the mystical ] sect. <ref>'''Bussell, F.W.''' 1917. "Persistence of Primitive Beliefs in Theology" Folklore. 28(3) pp279-294.</ref> | ||
| == Pillars of the |
== Pillars of the Safavid == | ||
| Constantly being prosecuted and massacred by the ] on account that they followed ], the Kızılbaş fled to ]. The Kızılbaş united with the ] from ] to capture ] from the then-ruling ] ] alliance known as the ] "White Sheep Emirate" under Alwand's leadership. Once Tæbriz was captured, the ] began with the Kızılbaş ]s assigned the position of ''wakil'' (in charge of provincial administration in the dynasty). | Constantly being prosecuted and massacred by the ] on account that they followed ], the Kızılbaş fled to ]. The Kızılbaş united with the ] from ] to capture ] from the then-ruling ] ] alliance known as the ] "White Sheep Emirate" under Alwand's leadership. Once Tæbriz was captured, the ] began with the Kızılbaş ]s assigned the position of ''wakil'' (in charge of provincial administration in the dynasty). | ||
Revision as of 21:26, 12 February 2006
The Kızılbaş (Azeri-Turkish: Qizilbash, Persian: قزلباش) "Red Heads" are religious group of diverse ethnic backgrounds who helped found the Safavid Dynasty in what is modern Iran. The name "Red Heads" is derived from their distinct headwear, known in Persian as Taj-e Haydar "Haydar's Crown".
Origins
It has been speculated that the group has its origins amoung the mystical Assassin sect.
Pillars of the Safavid
Constantly being prosecuted and massacred by the Ottomans on account that they followed Shi'a Islam, the Kızılbaş fled to Iran. The Kızılbaş united with the Sæfaviye from Ærdæbil to capture Tæbriz from the then-ruling Sunni Turkoman alliance known as the Ak Koyunlu "White Sheep Emirate" under Alwand's leadership. Once Tæbriz was captured, the Safavid dynasty began with the Kızılbaş shaykhs assigned the position of wakil (in charge of provincial administration in the dynasty).
The Kızılbaş 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 terriority and protect ethnic Armenians and Georgians who came under Ottoman attack.
Initially, the Sæfavids had only indirect control over the provinces, however throughout the sixteenth century the Kızılbaş solidified their dominion over the provinces and vied with the Shah for power. The Turkmen Kızılbaş tribes of Azarbaijan were essential to the military of Iran and during the reign of the weak Shahs. The greatest of the Sæfavid 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 Kızılbaş decline: the original Turkmen militia that had helped Ismail I capture Tæbriz 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 Kızılbaş were still vital players in the success of the Sæfavid Empire - providing soldiers and assisting greatly in the flourishing economy. In addition, many Kızılbaş became Ayatollahs or Mujtahids (important Shia scholars), teaching Iran's ordinary people religious practices and belief.
- "... It has been reported that, amoung 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 refered to as 'Kızılbaşi ...",
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 Kızılbaş live today in Central Iran, Eastern Turkey, Afghanistan the U.A.E, Parts of Pakistan and India, Canada and the United States.
References
- Bussell, F.W. 1917. "Persistence of Primitive Beliefs in Theology" Folklore. 28(3) pp279-294.
- Crowfoot, J.W. 1900, "Survivals among the Kappadokian Kizilbash (Bektash)", Journal of the Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, 30. pp. 305-20