The Safavid Empire Brett Benigno

Safavid Society and Religion Ismail A boy of Kurdish, Iranian, & Greek ancestory He proclaimed himself “Shah of Iran” in 1502 at the age of 16 Devoted to Shi’ite Islam instead of Sunni like Iran’s neighbors The conversion was done in order to create a divider between Iran and the neighboring countries

Society and religion continued Their religious differences seperated them from the majority of the islamic world. Iranian scholors used both persian and Arabian languages Iran developed differently after the Mongol destruction of Baghadad (thanks Parker)

The Hidden Imam Pre set belief, learning, and laws due to Islam “Shi’ite doctrine says that all temporal rulers, regardless of titles, are temporary stand-ins for the “hidden Imam”” The 12th descendent of Ali Disappeared as a child during the 9th century Muhammad's cousin/son in law

A Tale of Two Cities: Differences Isfahan: Iran’s capital Became capital under Shah Abbas I Non obtrusive minarets, brightly tiled domes Giant royal plaza No sea port Trade with Jews, Hindus, Armenian Christians Istanbul: the Ottoman capital Built on 7 hills Gray stone domes, pointed minarets High walls The harbor of Istanbul Lots of trade on the ocean

A Tale of Two Cities: Simularities No wheeled vehicles Laid out for walking Streets were narrow Tightly crowded houses Interior court yards Artisan Guilds

Concealment of Women Seldom seen in public Womens quarters were called Anderum which means “interior” or Harem “forbidden area” Separated public rooms for meeting Women were often involved in realestate

Differences in the treatment of women in European codes and Islamic law Not allowed to keep their property after their husband dies Not allowed to appear in court Islamic Allowed to retain their land after marriage Allowed to appear in court and testify for themselves

Style of Dress Both genders completely covered their arms, legs and hair Typical female clothing: a long dress, with a scarf/shawl pulled down above the face. Pants or trousers often worn under dress Men wore light trousers, a long shirt, a jacket, and a turben Wealthier men usually had caftans over their trousers

Economic Crisis and Political Collapse Silk fabrics, and deep pile carpets main units of trade Different patterns for different cities Manufacturing not very productive or prominent Most citizens lived off farming Difficulties paying soldiers

Economic & Political continued Firearms more prominent in the 16th century Needed better weapons to defend against the Ottomans Shah Abbas establishes a “slave corps” A year round army Hit by inflation from cheap silver Trade through Safavid territory decreased after Shah Abbas death Attempted to kick Nomads out in order to collect taxes Cpatured by Afghans in 1722, due to weakness and lack of nomadic support

Resources The Earth and Its Peoples volume II