Shah Esmaʿil, Deputy of the Hidden Imam?

Abstract

There are hardly any contemporary Persian sources discussing Shah Esmaʿil I's claim to semi-divinity. In this article we offer the translation of an unpublished and hitherto unknown contemporary Persian account that provides proof that Esmaʿil was indeed believed to be the expected deputy of the Imam. This belief is further supported by contemporary European sources that reflect the impressions and sentiments that their informants had about Esmaʿil and his followers, of which we give relevant examples.