Wazīr

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Wazīr (Arab., wazara, ‘he carried a burden’). Minister in Muslim governments, anglicized as vizier. Under the Caliphs (khalīfa), wazīrs were advisers who on occasion ran the entire government—e.g. the Barmecides, until they were eradicated by Harūn al-Rashīd; or Niz̳am al-Mulk under the Saljuqs.

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