akhbari nowadays form a minority within shia islam, with usulis making up the majority. akhbarism "crystalized" as a distinct movement with the writings of muhammad amin al-astarabadi (d. 1627) and achieved its greatest influence in the late safavid and early post-safavid era. however, shortly thereafter muhammad baqir behbahani (d. 1792), along with other usuli mujtahids, crushed the akhbari movement. today it is found primarily in the basra area of southern iraq (where they form the majority in many districts) although no longer in the city. they are also found in the island nation of bahrain, hyderabad, india and different cities of pakistan karachi, sehwan, hyderabad, lahore, faisalabad (lylpur), chakwaal, and gojar khan with reportedly "only a handful of shi'i ulama" remaining akhbari "to the present day."