Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Dastan was framed by Nizam, the royal advisor, who poisoned a ceremonial robe intended as a gift for Dastan. During the banquet, the robe killed King Sharaman, and Nizam positioned the evidence to make it appear that Dastan had murdered the king. This betrayal allowed Nizam to eliminate the rightful heir and pursue his own path to power.

Foreshadowing: Nizam had earlier coerced Dastan's brother Tus into attacking Alamut against the king's orders, showing his willingness to manipulate the royal family.

• Nizam
• framing
• King Sharaman
• poison
• royal advisor

The Dagger of Time is an ancient artifact that grants its wielder the ability to rewind time by exactly one minute. When activated, the wielder retains full memories of the events that are being reversed. However, the dagger requires sand from the Sandglass to function, and once the sand is depleted, it cannot be used again until recharged.

Foreshadowing: Dastan discovers the dagger hidden in a scabbard during his escape, suggesting it was meant to be found.

• dagger
• time travel
• sandglass
• rewind
• one minute

The Sandglass is a crystal container that holds the Sands of Time, the magical substance that powers the Dagger of Time. Tamina reveals that the dagger and Sandglass are linked to a world-ending sandstorm. If Nizam uses the dagger to unleash the dying sands without proper control, it would trigger a catastrophic event capable of destroying the kingdom.

Foreshadowing: Tamina guards the Sandglass secretly, indicating its immense significance to the kingdom's safety.

• Sandglass
• Sands of Time
• sandstorm
• crystal
• world ending

Nizam wants to use the Dagger of Time to rewrite history and ensure his own ascension to the throne. By manipulating time, he intends to prevent the king's death at Dastan's hands (which he orchestrated) and position himself as the hero who saves Persia. His plan involves using the dagger's power to alter the timeline entirely for his personal gain.

Foreshadowing: Nizam's initial manipulation of Tus to attack Alamut already revealed his ambition to manipulate events for power.

• Nizam
• throne
• power
• rewrite history
• ambition

Alamut was falsely accused of weapons trafficking by Nizam, who orchestrated the accusation to justify a military invasion. In reality, Nizam wanted to seize control of Alamut and the powerful artifacts hidden there, including the Sandglass. Nizam coerced Dastan's brother Tus into leading the attack against King Sharaman's explicit orders to capture the city without harm.

Foreshadowing: Nizam's false accusation sets up the entire chain of events leading to the king's death and Dastan's exile.

• Alamut
• false accusation
• weapons trafficking
• Nizam
• invasion

In the catacombs of Alamut, Tamina sacrifices herself to give Dastan the Sandglass, allowing him to wield the dagger. He uses it to rewind time back to before the kingdom fell into chaos. This rewinding allows him to arrive at the banquet before the poisoning occurs, exposing Nizam's treachery and preventing the catastrophic sandstorm from ever being unleashed.

Foreshadowing: Tamina's earlier explanation about the dagger's connection to the sandstorm foreshadows this desperate solution.

• sandstorm
• catacombs
• Tamina sacrifice
• time rewind
• prevent disaster

Tamina sacrifices herself because the Sandglass must be placed in the dagger for it to work, and only she knows the proper ritual to activate it. She deliberately stays behind in the collapsing catacombs to ensure Dastan can escape with the Sandglass and use the dagger to prevent the sandstorm, choosing certain death over allowing the world to be destroyed.

Foreshadowing: Her earlier willingness to marry Tus to save her people shows her recurring sacrifice for the greater good.

• Tamina
• sacrifice
• Sandglass
• catacombs
• death

When Dastan rewinds time to the banquet, he arrives with foreknowledge of Nizam's plot. He is able to intercept the poisoned robe before it reaches the king and publicly confronts Nizam, revealing the truth about the assassination attempt. This forces Nizam's hand, and he is ultimately killed by Tus when his treachery is exposed.

Foreshadowing: Dastan's knowledge of future events gives him the advantage needed to foil Nizam's plan completely.

• time rewind
• banquet
• expose
• Nizam
• poison

Because Dastan rewound time to before the tragic events occurred, Tamina never dies in the timeline reset. The film ends with Dastan and Tamina together, discussing their future, as the kingdom is at peace and Nizam's treachery has been exposed before any lasting damage was done.

Foreshadowing: The happy ending is foreshadowed by the time-travel mechanic allowing events to be altered.

• Tamina
• alive
• timeline reset
• happy ending
• united

Sheik Amar initially captures Dastan to collect the king's bounty, seeing an opportunity for profit. However, after learning the truth about Dastan's innocence and Nizam's schemes, Amar's character shifts to become a reluctant ally. He helps Dastan and Tamina escape multiple times and provides crucial assistance in the final battle against Nizam.

Foreshadowing: Amar's initial greed transforms into a sense of justice once he witnesses the extent of Nizam's deception.

• Sheik Amar
• ally
• bounty
• help
• transformation

Tamina helps Dastan because she realizes he was not truly responsible for the attack on Alamut, she witnesses Nizam's manipulation and understands that Dastan was framed for the king's murder. Her sense of justice and growing trust in Dastan override her initial anger over the siege. Additionally, she needs his help to protect the Sandglass from Nizam.

Foreshadowing: Tamina's initial hostility toward Dastan gradually softens as she observes his true character and intentions.

• Tamina
• trust
• justice
• help
• alliance

Dastan was a street urchin in Nasaf who caught King Sharaman's attention when he bravely defended a young boy named Bis from royal guards. Impressed by Dastan's courage and remarkable agility in escaping across rooftops, the king chose to adopt him into the royal family, giving him the opportunity to become a prince.

Foreshadowing: This early display of agility and courage establishes Dastan's character traits that define him throughout the film.

• Dastan
• adoption
• King Sharaman
• Nasaf
• street urchin