Nizam

The king's brother who plots to rewrite history by seizing the Dagger of Time.

Nizam is the king's brother in the 2010 film Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. He is a central figure in the plot, orchestrating the murder of King Sharaman and manipulating events to seize control of the Dagger of Time. His goal is to travel back to his childhood and prevent himself from saving Sharaman from a lion attack, thereby making himself king. He is portrayed by Ben Kingsley.

Quick Facts

First appears: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Goal: Control of the Dagger of Time and the kingdom

Lore & Background

Nizam is the brother of King Sharaman and the uncle of princes Tus, Garsiv, and the adopted Dastan. During the attack on Alamut, Nizam relays evidence to the princes that weapons have been forged by Persia's enemies, prompting the invasion. After the king's murder—which Nizam himself orchestrated by poisoning a robe given to Sharaman—he feigns innocence. Dastan later realizes Nizam's guilt when he sees burns on Nizam's hands, matching the poison. Nizam sends covert warriors called the Hassansins to kill Dastan and retrieve the dagger. His plan is to use the dagger to pierce the great sandglass containing the Sands of Time, rewinding time to his childhood so he can let himself be killed by a lion instead of being saved by Sharaman, thus becoming king.

Reader's Guide

Nizam is the primary antagonist in the 2010 film Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. He is the brother of King Sharaman and the uncle of the princes. His motivation is to become king by altering the past. He uses the Hassansins, a group of covert warriors, to pursue Dastan and the dagger. His plan culminates in the temple beneath Alamut, where he stabs the dagger into the sandglass, triggering a time rewind. In the rewound timeline, his treachery is revealed and he is killed by Tus. The character is portrayed by Ben Kingsley.

Frequently Asked Questions

What role did Nizam play in King Sharaman's death?

Nizam orchestrated the murder of the King to clear the path for his own rule. He manipulated events throughout the film to ensure he could access the Dagger before anyone else.

Does Nizam appear in the video games?

No, this character exists solely within the 2010 movie adaptation and has no presence in the original game series. Fans should not expect him to feature in any interactive Prince of Persia titles.