Safavid Empire 1501-1722 19b AP World History
Gunpowder Empires
Persian Empire (Safavid Persia) East of Ottoman Empire Modern- day Iran Lasted from 1501 to 1722
General CharacterisGcs Ismail = Turkic founder of Safavid Dynasty Defining characteristic = followed Shia version of Islam Introduced sharp divide between Sunni and Shi ite Muslims to the heartland of Islam
East of the OIomans, Persian Muslims called the Safavids began building an empire around 1500. The Safavids soon came into conflict with the OIomans and other Muslims. The conflict related to Islam s split into rival Sunni and Shia sects. The Safavids were Shia; most other Muslims were Sunnis.
Growth of the Empire 14-year old Esma il, founder of Safavid Empire Father died fighting Sunni Muslims 1501, took up sword, joined by father s supporters, led army in Persian conquests Official Religion Gained control of what is now Iran, part of Iraq Took Persian title of shah, king of Safavid Empire Made Shiism official religion Advisers concerned Persian Tradition Sunnis majority in empire Blending of Shia religion, Persian tradition gave Safavid state unique identity Laid foundation for national culture of present day Iran
Shah Ismail I Members of the Safavid Dynasty likely were of Kurdish Persian descent, and belonged to a unique order of Sufi- infused Shi'a Islam called Safaviyya Shah Ismail I, forcibly converted Iran from Sunni to Shi'a Islam and established Shi'ism as the state religion
Esma il and Shiism Abbas Ottoman Model 1524, Esma il died; later shahs struggled to keep empire together 1588, greatest Safavid leader, Abbas became shah Reformed government, strengthened military, acquired modern gunpowder weapons Copied Ottoman model, had slave youths captured in Russia trained to be soldiers Under Abbas, Safavids defeated Uzbeks, gained back land lost to Ottomans
Shiism sharply distinguished Safavid state from Sunni neighbors, notably Ottomans to west, Uzbeks to northeast Esma il dreamed of converting all Sunnis to Shiism Battled Uzbeks with some success; suffered crushing defeat by Ottomans in Battle of Chaldiran, 1514 Safavid army no match for Ottomans superior gunpowder weapons
Culture and Economy Golden Age Abbas achievements produced golden age in Safavid culture Brought in Chinese poiers to improve quality of glazed Gle, ceramics Safavids created public spaces with graceful arches, lush gardens Colorful Gles, domes decorated mosques During 1600s capital of Esfahan one of world s magnificent ciges
Shah Abbas I (r. 1587-1629 Greatest ruler He modernized the Persian military, adding musketeers and argllery- men Moved the capital city deeper into the Persian heartland Established a policy of tolerance towards ChrisGans in the empire
Safavid Empire architecture Humayun Tomb, Delhi (Babur son, 1556)
Major Muslim Civiliza5on Culture helped economy; Abbas encouraged tradigonal products Hand- woven Persian carpets became important industry, export Trade goods brought wealth, helped establish Safavid Empire as major Muslim civilizagon Safavid Empire lasted ungl 1722
Women Seldom in public Veiling of women Private secgons of the home Harem in OIoman Empire or Anderun in Iran Islamic law did allow women to retain property a`er marriage Some degree of independence from spouse
Economics Subsistence farming and herding major employment No significant manufacturing sector to speak of Land grant system with the qizilbash for mounted warriors
Qizilbash The label given to a wide variety of Shi'i militant groups that flourished in Anatolia and Kurdistan from the late 13th century onwards, some of which contributed to the foundagon of the Safavid dynasty of Iran
Compare and Contrast How were the achievements of Esma il and Abbas similar, and how were they different? Answer(s): Both leaders focused on military. 'Abbas had more success in baile because he acquired gunpowder weapons.
Shah Abbas Shah Abbas was fearful to the point of paranoia about assassinagon Executed or blinded all of his sons to prevent them from replacing him. As a result, the empire began a long, slow slide into obscurity a`er his death in 1629
Decline Incompetent Safavid rulers weakened the empire Poor leadership and misuse of money Soldiers for hire draining resources Rivalry between hereditary elites and new soldier class Inflation
End of the Safavid Empire ConGnued money troubles leads to the withdraw of many of the nomadic people No control for the sultanate No people to protect the Empire either Territory was lost & empire divided up in 1722 Afghans invade and take over what is le` of the empire by capturing Isfahan