What is "ahdath"

The ahdath were local militias or irregular police found in Syria in the 10th through 12th centuries C.E. The ahdath maintained order and protected cities from outside domination. Though some later writers ascribed proletarian values to the ahdath, as an outlet of the popular will, many ahdath also fulfilled a more formal police function and in many cases worked in conjunction with the urban bourgeoisie. The ahdath were utilised by the Fatimid dynasty in Syria in repelling attacks by the Crusaders.