Shāh-Dez, The Lost Isma’ili Castle

Abstract
Isma’ilis simultaneously with the Seljūks and the Khwārazmshāhis, taking over a large part of the fortifications of Iran, especially in the west, east and south of the Alborz Mountains, Qūmis, Dasht-e Kavir, Qom and Sāveh, Isfahān, Khūrāsān, Qūhistān and Sistān. They had established an Iranian government within the Seljūk dynasty and the Abbāsid caliphs, which had the Shiite legitimacy of the seven Imams. The art of castle building and castle dwelling was a special feature of the Nizari Isma’ili movement. In the place of his most famous fortresses; Alamūt and Maymūn-Dez; There are differences of opinion, and the true status of some of their fortresses, such as Ardahan, Ostunāvand, and the Shāh-Dez, is unclear, and the views presented do not overlap with the documentation and it was necessary to conduct focused research on the subject. Therefore, in this article, we consider the location of one of these mysterious castles called Shāh-Dez, which according to the book of Jahāngoshāy Joveini, was located in the course of Holagokhan’s campaign in 654 AH, southwest of Tabaristān to the east of Deylamistān, and after being opened by the Mongols. It was razed to the ground and went down in history. So the main question will be which of the forts between Tabaristān and Qasrān corresponds to the lost Shāh-Dez? The main hypothesis is that Shāh-Dez is consistent with the characteristics of one of Lavāsān hills called Sar-Qal’eh. The method of this research is based on two sections: Survey and Library Studies, which go together. Based on the studies, we came to the conclusion that the fortress in Qasrān, which was between the 5th and 8th centuries AH of the Isma’ili base and could have the title of Shāh-Dez, is in the heart of the same hill that is now known as Sar-Qal’eh.
Keywords: Isma’ili Forts, Qasrān, Shāh-Dez, Sar-Qal’eh in Lavāsān, Kāfar-Qhal’eh.
Introduction
Isma’ilis simultaneously with the Seljuks and the Khwārazmshāhis, taking over a large part of the fortifications of Iran.The art of castle building and castle dwelling was a special feature of the Nizari Isma’ili movement. The first castle to fall into the hands of Hassan Sabbāh, the marvelous figure in Iranian history and the charismatic leader of the Isma’ilis, was the Alamut fortress. This fort was built in 246 AH by one of the kings of Āl-e Jastān in Deylam (Joveini, 1391: 797).
In the place of his most famous fortresses; Alamūt and Maymūn-Dez; There are differences of opinion, and the true status of some of their fortresses, such as Ardahan, Ostunāvand, and the Shāh-Dez, is unclear, and the views presented do not overlap with the documentation and it was necessary to conduct focused research on the subject.
Questions and Hypotheses: So the main question will be: 1-Which of the lost forts between Tabaristān and Qasrān corresponds to the lost Shāh-Dez? The sub-questions are as follows: 2-Is it possible that the disappearance and forgetting of the fortress with the characteristics of Shāh-Dez, which existed until the seventh AH century, is due to the fact that its name has changed? 3- Possible Sar-Qal’eh hill in Lavāsān be the same as Shāh-Dez?
The main hypothesis is that: 1- Shāh-Dez is located in Lavāsān to Qasrān and its characteristics are consistent with the characteristics of one of the Lavāsān-Qasrān forts.2- It is possible that after the destruction of Shāh-Dez by the Mongols, its name was changed and it was given another name. 3- Sar-Qal’eh hill in Lavāsān can be the same as Shāh-Dez.
This type of research is based on two field and library sections that go hand in hand and fall into the realm of Historical Geography, Archeology, and Architecture. Reporting historical evidence and utilizing remote sensing knowledge and indigenous oral data will also play a significant role in shaping the outcome. At the beginning, statistics were prepared from all sites, including caves, cemeteries, castles or related ancient hills, pre-identified and newly discovered, and by visiting these sites, their data were categorized and analyzed, and options Irrelevant was left out. Then, the options that are more compatible with historical sources were separated and the selected cases were weighed and evaluated more accurately with the data of historical sources so that we could reach the position of Shāh-Dez among them.

Identified Traces
By the analysis of report of Joveini, we find that we should search for Shāh-Dez in the area of old Lavāsān, which borders on Tabaristān, and identify and survey the forts of this area.
By identifying and examining four Kāfar Qal’eh Which were attributed to the Isma’ilis, It turned out that the two Kāfar Qal’eh in Veskāreh and Lavāsān pass were both used as watch towers and small garrisons. Kāfar Qal’eh in Chahārbāgh was a pre-Islamic cemetery and settlement, and another Kāfar Qal’eh in the eastern pastures of Lavāsān was a small settlement from the Middle Ages that did not have the characteristics of a fortress.
In the central part of Lavāsān village, there is Sar-Qal’eh hill that is about 100 meters wide &150 meters long. On the initial visit to the hill, small remains of the perimeter fence and arch of the bath gate and one of the towers and an overview of the plan of the castle were identified. With additional studies, it became clear that Sar-Qal’eh hill, the same as Lavāsān castle, was the seat of Lavāsān rulers. Based on archeological excavations, it was determined that the lower layers of the excavated section belong to the Seljūk period, and in the patriarchal, Timūrid and Safavid periods, architectural spaces were added to it. It is as if this fortress was destroyed by the Mongols and rebuilt in the eighth century AH. The only heavy attack that led to the complete destruction of the Alborz forts in the fifth to seventh centuries AH was the Mongol invasion led by Hulāgu Khān to destroy the Isma’ilis.
Conclusion
Therefore, the only fortress in Qasrān, which was between the 5th and 8th centuries AH, was the Isma’ili base and could have the title of Shāh-Dez, was the present Sar-Qal’eh. Secondly, it is located at the border with Tabaristān and next to Lār and Damāvand. According to the report of Joveini, the Hulāgukhān camp was here. 
According to the Author’s studies, it was located in Qūshkhāneh in Lār, which is right next to the pavilion, because the remains of the pavilion of the Ilkhans, especially Arghūn Shāh, are located here. Thirdly, it was located on the fort or the passage of Hulāgukhān, and since it was not very high, therefore, it was not very strong and it was opened in one to two days. The watchtowers, forts and surrounding pastures called Kāfar Qal’eh and Dezd Darreh and the Shāhneshin area in the same area where Sar-Qal’eh hill is located, leave no doubt that the remains of the Shāh-Dez were located in the same Sar-Qal’eh hill. Until the eighth century, it fell into the hands of the Rostamdār kings and Lavāsān castle was built on it. By the attack of Timur Lang These fortresses were conquered and used until Safavid times.