Ajihad

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Inheritance Trilogy character
Djimon Hounsou as Ajihad in the film Eragon
Ajihad
Gender	male
Hair colour	Unknown
Eye colour	Unknown
House	House of Ajihad
Allegiance	Varden, Dragonriders
Film portrayer	Djimon Hounsou
First appearance	Eragon and Eldest

In Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Trilogy, Ajihad is the leader of the Varden. His name is derived from the Arabic word Jihad, meaning a holy struggle or righteous endeavor, a reference to the war he wages against King Galbatorix.^{[citation needed]}

At the time of the Eragon story, Ajihad has been in power for around fifteen years, and has lead the Varden extremely well. Rumors of him spread through the Empire's disgruntled citizens heighten the mystery surrounding him and the Varden, but he is known to be a master strategist and a brutal fighter. Ajihad has deep ebony skin, a feature apparently odd in Alagaesia, which may point toward a southern land like Surda, or a realm outside of Alagaësia as his home; his exact origins are not known. He is a brilliant tactician and a cunning warrior, and has lead the Varden to victory many times; he was even skilled enough to duel with a deadly Shade and survive, leaving a scar on his enemy's sword. He lives in Tronjheim in the Beor Mountains, courtesy of the dwarves who assist them in their fight against Galbatorix.

Ajihad befriends Eragon when he and Saphira first arrive at Tronjheim, the headquarters of the Varden. Ajihad governs all of the human rebels within the dwarf city and is given some jurisdiction over a few of the dwarves by Hrothgar, the ancient dwarven king. Ajihad's history is mysterious, but he is a born leader and brave soldier. His daughter, Nasuada is known to help him in many of his diplomatic moves, subtly maneuvering his enemies (sometimes even without his knowledge) and planning with him the future of the resistance. He trains her from an early age to become his successor.

Ajihad is slain in Eldest shortly after the Battle of Farthen Dûr. He is attacked by Urgals, killing five before he was defeated; he had previously been hunting surviving Urgals in the mountain tunnels, and earned the nickname "Nightstalker" from them by his proficiency as a hunter (a title which passed on to Nasuada when she met the Kull involved). His daughter, Nasuada, takes control of the Varden. Later it was revealed that he was betrayed by his personal guards, the magical Twins, who recruited the Urgals to slay him. When Eragon's cousin Roran kills the Twins in the Battle of the Burning Plains, Nasuada acknowledges herself to be personally in Roran's debt. Ajihad is considered by many to be the greatest of the Varden's leaders. He is eventually entombed in the crypts under Tronjheim– a great honor when bestowed by the clannish Dwarves.

Preceded by Deynor

Ruler of the Varden

Succeeded by Nasuada

v • d • e Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Trilogy
Books	Eragon | Eldest | Book 3
Films	Eragon
Games	Eragon
Main Characters	Eragon | Brom | Arya | Galbatorix | Murtagh | Roran | Durza | Ajihad | Nasuada | Angela | Saphira | Oromis | more...
Places	Alagaësia | Beor Mountains | Ellesméra | Farthen Dûr | Teirm | Inheritance Trilogy locations | more...
Events	Blood-Oath Celebration | Battle of the Burning Plains | Battle for Carvahall | Battle under Farthen Dûr | Dagshelgr Invocation | The Fall