The Sarbadār movement was led over the course of half a century by eleven amirs, among whom Khwāja Shams al-Dīn ʿAlī Chashmī—the sixth ruler—held a particularly distinguished position. Drawing upon his personal qualities and charismatic authority, he succeeded in reshaping the values and beliefs of his followers and aligning them with his political agenda. Following his accession to power, Shams al-Dīn ʿAlī implemented extensive reforms in financial, economic, military, social, and infrastructural spheres, while simultaneously confronting both internal and external threats. These measures not only strengthened his legitimacy and charismatic influence but also secured the collective support of all Sarbadār factions.
His personal characteristics and reformist outlook, which resonated strongly with the perspectives of the Shaykhīs and dervish groups, created the conditions necessary for his emergence as a charismatic leader. Drawing on Max Weber’s theory of charismatic legitimacy, this study analyzes the nature of his leadership and the process through which it became routinized. The central research question asks how the interplay between individual attributes, structural reforms, and alignment with followers facilitated the consolidation and continuity of Shams al-Dīn ʿAlī’s charismatic legitimacy.
The findings indicate that his charismatic success derived not only from inherent personal qualities but also from the effective implementation of structural reforms, adherence to ethical and religious values, and direct engagement with his followers. This combination enhanced his legitimacy and secured broad social and political support for his rule, demonstrating the simultaneous role of individual and institutional dimensions in sustaining charismatic leadership.