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The '''Kızılbaş''' (Turkish; Azeri ''Qizilbash'') "Red Heads" are religious group of diverse ethnic backgrounds who helped found the [[Safavid Dynasty|Sæfavid Dynasty]] in what is modern [[Iran]]. The name "Red Heads" is derived from their distinct headwear, known in [[Persian language|Persian]] as ''Taj-e Hidær'' "Haydar's Crown". |
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== Origins == |
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They united with the Ardebil Safaviyeh to capture [[Tabriz]] from the then ruling Sunni Turkoman alliance known as [[Ak Koyunlu]] (the White Sheep Emirate) under Alwand's leadership. Once [[Tabriz]] was captured, the [[Safavid dynasty]] began with the Kizilbash cheifs being 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, mosty against the Sunni [[Ottoman Turks|Ottomans]], in which they were able to push the Ottomans from [[Safavid]] terriority, and protect ethnic [[Armenians]] and [[Georgians]] who came under [[Ottoman Empire|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. |
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It has been speculated that the group has its origins amoung the mystical [[Hashshashin|Assassin]] sect. <ref>'''Bussell, F.W.''' 1917. "Persistence of Primitive Beliefs in Theology" Folklore. 28(3) pp279-294.</ref> |
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== Pillars of the Sæfavid == |
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| ⚫ | The beginning of the 17th century saw the power of the |
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Constantly being prosecuted and massacred by the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]] on account that they followed [[Shi'a Islam]], the Kızılbaş fled to [[Iran]]. The Kızılbaş united with the [[Safaviyeh|Sæfaviye]] from [[Ardabil|Ærdæbil]] to capture [[Tabriz|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 [[shaykh]]s assigned the position of ''wakil'' (in charge of provincial administration in the dynasty). |
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The Kızılbaş were able to produce a well-equipped army which was loyal to the Dynasty. They fought many campaigns, mostly against the Sunni [[Ottoman Turks|Ottomans]], in which they were able to push the Ottomans from [[Safavid]] terriority and protect ethnic [[Armenians]] and [[Georgians]] who came under [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] attack. |
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| ⚫ | |||
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 [[Shah]]s. 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. |
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| ⚫ | 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 [[India|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 [[Ayatollah]]s or [[Mujtahid]]s (important Shia scholars), teaching [[Iran]]'s ordinary people religious practices and belief. |
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| ⚫ | :"... 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 [[Bektashi|Bektaşi]] in Turkey are often refered to as '''Kızılbaşi'' ...",<ref>'''Crowfoot, J.W.''' 1900, "Survivals among the Kappadokian Kizilbash (Bektash)", ''Journal of the Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland'', 30. pp. 305-20</ref> |
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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]]. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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<references/> |
<references/> |
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* [[Safavids]] |
* [[Safavids]] |
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* [[Shi'a Islam]] |
* [[Shi'a Islam]] |
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[[Category:History of Iran]] |
[[Category:History of Iran]] |
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[[de:Kizilbasch]] |
[[de:Kizilbasch]] |
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[[fr:Qizilbash]] |
[[fr:Qizilbash]] |
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Revision as of 05:35, 12 February 2006
The Kızılbaş (Turkish; Azeri Qizilbash) "Red Heads" are religious group of diverse ethnic backgrounds who helped found the Sæfavid Dynasty in what is modern Iran. The name "Red Heads" is derived from their distinct headwear, known in Persian as Taj-e Hidær "Haydar's Crown".
Origins
It has been speculated that the group has its origins amoung the mystical Assassin sect. [1]
Pillars of the Sæfavid
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 ...",[2]
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.