A Review of Religious Conversion of Nezam-Shahiyan Dynasty in Dakkan: Re-consideration of Historical Narrations

The dynasty of Nizam-Shahiyan in Dakkan converted from Hanafi School of Sunni Islam to Jafari School of Shiite Islam. While reviewing relevant authentic historical accounts, the present research seeks to identify and analyze the chief reasons behind this conversion and its consequences in that region. According to some historical evidence, there are suppositions about the conversion such as the dream of Borhanshah and his spiritual purity as well as the influence of Shah Taher on him. Against this background, this research, which has been conducted based on the method of historical explanation, essentially claims that the conversion of the dynasty of Nizamshahiyan from Sunnism to Shiism, has mainly been due to political reasons and for the sake of becoming closer to Safavid powerful government. It is significant to note that a number of elements such as the speed by which the transformation occurred and lack of strong devotional infrastructure led to different internal conflicts and struggles. Consequently, Shiism could not continue as a predominant faith in the region of Dakkan.