Ustadh Sis

Who is Ustadh Sis?

Ustadh Sis was a Persian heresiarch and anti-Arab rebel leader.

He claimed he was a prophet of God in the eastern fringe of Khorasan in the mid 8th century, and managed to gain followers among the villagers in that area, many of whom were followers of Bihafarid, whom the Abbasid commander, Abu Muslim, militarily crushed. His initial base was the mountainous region of Badghis, and he later occupied Herat, Sistan, and marched towards Merv. He initially defeated an Abbasid army under the command of al-Ajtham of Merv, but was himself defeated in a bloody battle against an army led by al-Mahdi, the son of the Caliph al-Mansur. Sources say that 70,000 of Ustadh Sis's followers were killed in the battle, and 14,000 were taken captive. Ustadh Sis managed to flee to the mountains, but the general Khazim ibn Khuzayma al-Tamimi followed him and was able to capture him. Ustadh Sis was sent in chains to al-Mansur, who ordered his execution. Al-Mahdi gave amnesty to 30,000 captives.