Abstract:

Castle of Gerdkūh, located near Dāmgān in the north-eastern part of Iran, was a major stronghold with a long history. Since the castle dominated a fertile agricultural area and had an ample water supply, it possessed a great strategic advantage. Gerdkūh came under the Seljukid control during the reign of Sultan Tughril (1040-1063) through the efforts of Qutalmish ibn Aslan Yabgu. After staying under Qutalmish ibn Aslan Yabgu’s control for a period of time, the fortress was given to a local dynasty, the Ziyârîds. During his rebellion against Sultan Tughril, Qutalmish sought refuge in Gerdkūh. Although there was scant information on Gerdkūh for the following period, the stronghold fell to the Ismā‘īlīs during the reign of Barkiaroq (1092-1104). Under the Ismā‘īlīs, Gerdkūh became one of the most important centers of the Ismā‘īlī movement, often providing crucial support to the capital center of the movement, Alamut, during its difficult times. The period of Ismā‘īlī rule continued until the arrival of the Mongols to the region and during the Ismā‘īlī-Mongol struggle Gerdkūh became one of the major military targets for the Mongol forces. The castle surrendered to the Mongols only after a prolonged siege and unlike other Ismā‘īlī castles which were immediately demolished, the Mongols chose to keep it under their control. The last known record on Gerdkūh dated to H. 786/1384 CE.

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