Daylamites

The Daylamites, a group of people from ancient Iran, have an intriguing history marked by resilience, fierce independence, and exceptional military prowess. Originating from the rugged, mountainous regions of northern Iran, particularly in the southeastern part of what is now Gilan Province near the Caspian Sea, the Daylamites played a significant role in the history of the region.

The Daylamites hailed from the highlands of Daylam, a region nestled in the Alborz mountain range between Tabaristan and Gilan. Their homeland was characterized by harsh, mountainous terrain, which played a crucial role in shaping their identity and way of life. Some sources suggest that the Daylamites might have originated from eastern Anatolia, near the Tigris River, but their deep connection to the mountains of northern Iran is undisputed.

The Daylamites were renowned for their warrior spirit and exceptional skills in close combat. Their reputation as formidable fighters made them highly sought after as soldiers by various empires throughout history. During the Sasanian era, they were celebrated as top-tier infantry, with Byzantine historians like Procopius and Agathias noting their expertise in close-quarters combat. Armed with swords, shields, spears, and javelins, the Daylamites were a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.

While much of Persia fell under Muslim rule during the Arab conquests, the Daylamites managed to resist the initial invasion. Their mountainous homeland provided a natural defense, and their fierce independence made them a difficult people to subdue. However, many Daylamites who served as soldiers in foreign lands eventually embraced Islam. By the 9th century, many had adopted Zaidi Islam, and over time, some shifted towards other branches of Islam, such as Isma'ilism and Nizari Isma'ilism.

The 930s marked a significant turning point in Daylamite history when the Buyid dynasty, rooted in Daylamite origins, rose to power. The Buyids controlled much of what is now modern Iran until the mid-11th century when the Seljuk Turks arrived and altered the political landscape. The Buyid dynasty's rise to power highlighted the Daylamites' influence in the region and their ability to shape the course of Iranian history.

The Daylamites' history is filled with stories of battles, rebellions, and shifting alliances. They first appear in historical records around the 2nd century BC, but it was during the Sasanian era that they truly began to make their mark. They supported the rebellion of Bahram Chobin against Khosrow II and continued to play a significant role in the region's power struggles. Even after the Sasanian defeat at the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah, a contingent of 4,000 Daylamite soldiers defected to the Arab side and converted to Islam, demonstrating their pragmatic approach to survival and power.

For centuries, the Daylamites managed to hold their mountainous homeland against Arab forces, maintaining a degree of independence under their local rulers. The fortress city of Qazvin, a stronghold during the Sasanian era, continued to serve as a defensive barrier against Daylamite attacks during this period. Warfare in this rugged region was characterized by constant raids and counter-raids, keeping both sides on edge. Historian al-Tabari noted that the Daylamites, along with Turkic peoples, were considered some of the fiercest enemies of the Arab Muslims. Although the Abbasid Caliphate managed to push into the region and occupy parts of it, their control was never truly secure.

The Daylamites were diverse in their religious practices. While most likely followed some form of ancient Iranian paganism, there were also Zoroastrian and Nestorian Christian communities among them. The famous scholar Al-Biruni mentioned that the Daylamites and their neighbors, the Gilites, lived according to the traditions of the mythical Afridun. Christianity made some inroads among them, thanks to the efforts of figures like John of Dailam, with Christian bishoprics recorded in the area as late as the 790s. Some traces of these Christian communities might have survived until the 14th century. As Islam became more dominant, particularly during the reign of Harun al-Rashid, many Shia Muslims sought refuge among the Daylamites to escape persecution. Alids played a key role in converting the Daylamites to Shia Islam, but the Daylamites retained a strong sense of Iranian identity and a resistance to Arab rule. This cultural pride was evident in the way local rulers like the Buyids and Ziyarids celebrated traditional Iranian and Zoroastrian festivals.

By the 9th century, Daylamite warriors had become an essential part of armies across Iran. The Abbasid Caliphate, needing more mercenaries for their Royal Guard and army, began to recruit Daylamites, even though they were not as numerous as other groups like the Turks or Khorasanis. By the early 10th century, Daylamites were serving in high-ranking positions, such as Ali ibn Wahsudhan, a Daylamite soldier who became the chief of police in Isfahan during the reign of al-Muqtadir. Daylamite warriors were known for their unique battle tactics, often advancing with a shield wall while wielding two-pronged short spears and battle-axes. Their painted shields added to their fearsome reputation on the battlefield. Over time, these fierce warriors found their way into the armies of the Seljuqs and Ghaznavids, serving as elite infantry.

The Daylamites were known for their toughness and resilience, shaped by their harsh, mountainous environment. In battle, they were equipped with javelins, battle axes, and tall shields, often painted in gray. Their battle tactics typically involved forming a shield wall to fend off attackers. Some even used javelins tipped with burning naphtha, creating a terrifying impact on the battlefield. However, they were not strong in cavalry, which was a significant disadvantage, so they often relied on Turkic mercenaries for mounted combat. Their unique way of mourning the dead was intense, sometimes even mourning themselves in the face of failure. This tradition was carried into Baghdad by the Buyid ruler Mu'izz al-Dawla in 963, possibly influencing the evolution of the ta'zieh, a form of Shia Islamic passion play. The Daylamites were generally thin, with fluffy hair, and practiced agriculture alongside keeping herds. They didn’t have many horses but were skilled in growing rice, fishing, and producing silk textiles. According to al-Muqaddasi, the Daylamites were handsome with well-kept beards, and their women were as formidable as the men, working alongside them in agriculture and being considered equals in strength, character, and managing affairs. They also practiced strict endogamy, preferring to marry within their own community.

The Daylamites left an indelible mark on the history of Iran and the broader region. Their warrior traditions, cultural pride, and resilience in the face of external pressures helped shape the course of Iranian history, particularly during the time of the Buyid dynasty. Even as their influence waned, their legacy as fierce and independent people continued to resonate in the history and culture of the region.