Safavid Empire (1501-1740) Empire of the Persians
Farsi Modern day Iran Population = 68+ million people 51% Persian 89% Shi’a Muslim Predominant language = Farsi
Map of Safavid Empire
Ottomans and Safavids duke-it-out in the middle east for 250 years!
Safavids in the 18th century
Shah Ismail established the Safavid Dynasty in 1501 . He declared Shi’a Islam the new religion (over Sunni Islam). He invited all shi’a to move to Iran where they would be protected.
Chaldiran: The Sunni Sultan of the Ottoman Empire (Selim) attacked the Safavid kingdom to stop the spread of Shiaism into Ottoman dominions in 1514. Sultan Selim I also took Ismā'il's favorite wife hostage, demanding huge concessions for her release. Ismā'il refused to cede to the Ottoman demands, and is said to have died of a broken heart in 1524 at the early age of thirty-six, never having seen his beloved spouse again.
Chaldiran’s Importance Importance of muskets and field cannons Defeat of Safavids by Ottomans End of westward expansion End of rapid spread of Shi’a Islam; stayed mostly in Persia
Politics and War – Safavid Style Tahmasp I (r. 1534 -1576) Shah Abbas I (r. 1587 – 1629) Empire reached its height Warrior nobility assigned villages and control over peasants
Abbas the Great Educated and converted captured Russian youth to form military Granted provincial governorships/high offices at court Called on European assistance on wars with Ottomans Wanted to establish empire as a major center of international trade and Islamic culture
State and Religion Wrote in Turkish, gave way to Persian Elaborate court rituals Huge palace complexes Shifts in religious impulses Shi’a faith modified Faith became major pillar of dynasty Most of Iranian population was converted (Sunni Muslims, Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, Sufi)
Affluence and Artistic Splendor Encouraged trade outside of culture Network of roads, rest houses built to protect merchants Devoted special attention to capital: Isfahan Great square Mosques, Mosques, Mosques Colleges Public baths
Romantic Persians Love Poetry Sufi mysticism Persian paintings Love potions Musical instruments Garden Love stories/romances Textiles and crafts Architecture
Mahan Mosque, 1300’s
"Mosque of Time and Clock." Yazd, Iran ---------------- Agha Bozorg Mosque, 1700’s
Chehel-sotoon palace, Isfahan. Iran. 1647
Masjed-e Sheikh Lotfallah, Isfahan, Iran. 1615
The Shah Mosque, Isfahan
Shah Abbas 1571-1629 Defeated Ottoman Turks 1603 Took Baghdad Respected diplomat, Cruel warrior, tolerant to Christians…
A painting by Riaz-i-Abbasi completed on January, 28, 1633, four years after Shah Abbas's death, and currently on display at the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, Russia, shows Shah Abbas passing a drink to Alam Khan after a hunting episode.
Safavid Decline Abbas I grandson placed on throne (weak) Abbas II (r. 1642-1666) Could not stop the fall of the empire March 1722 Afghani tribes laid siege to Isfahan October Isfahan fell and ended Safavid power