List of Plates

ix

Preface

xi

Acknowledgments

xiii

Note on the Transliteration

xv

Abbreviations

xvii

Introduction

1

Chapter 1. Ismāīlī Tradition in Pamir: Legends and History

27

1.1. The Spread of the Ismāīlī Mission in Pamir and Badakhshan

27

1.2. The Formation of the Indigenous Faith of “the Fivers”: Panj-Tanī

36

Chapter 2. Mubārak: Life and Times

53

2.1. Historical Context: An Overview

53

2.2. Pirship: An Institution of Social Control and Organisation

56

2.3. A Biography of Mubārak

60

2.4. Sufi

71

2.5. Poet

84

2.6. Musician

87

2.7. Astronomer

92

2.8. Papermaker and Painter

95

2.9. Mubārak’s Perception of Religious Tolerance

104