Ahmad-i Jam was better known at the time of his death in 536/1141 for activism (tabligh) and proselytizing (daʿwa) than for gnosticism (ʿirfan). His religious ardor contributed to the formation of his saint cult; however, the initial popularity of the saint cult was doubtless limited. It is likely that Ahmad-i Jam was primarily a local saint in a region (Khurasan) with a profusion of saints. Patronage was thin; there was no construction near his tumulus until 633/1236. To develop the cult, the saint had to be rebranded. The religious activist who had tormented Zoroastrians and Ismaʿilis was transformed into the “protector of the realm” (mulk-panah): Ahmad-i Jam, the “patron saint of kings.” This enabled the saint cult to acquire “patronage and protection” (ʿinayat wa himayat) from sultans and viziers.