"Hashish-smokers." The plural of hashshash "hashish smoker." Originally an order founded in Persia and Syria during the 11th century by Hassan ben Sabbah, a militant group of the Nizari branch of Ismaeli Muslims. Members received this name from their use of hashish to create celestial visions. They later became associated with the assassination of political leaders, particularly those of the invading Christian crusaders. Today, they are known as Khojas or Mawlas, and live mostly in the Bombay area of India, but some also live in Syria and Iran. The word is the origin of the English word "assassin."

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