Safavid Empire (1501-1736AD)
Founder: Ismail
Religion: Twelver Shia Islam
Identity: Turkish -> Persian
Areas of control: Present-day Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, and parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan
One of the three main Gunpowder Dynasties (other two being the Ottoman and Mughal Empire), the Safavid empire inherited the legacy of the Timurid Empire. (1370-1507AD)
Timurid Empire
In the 14th and 15th centuries, the Timurid Empire was a great Persianate dynasty that ruled much of Central Asia and Iran. Timur, a Turkic-Mongol conqueror who emerged from the ruins of the Mongol Empire, established this empire.
Timurid culture was distinguished by a great emphasis on art, literature, and research, and its heritage influenced Persian culture long after the Timurid Empire had fallen. In fact, Timurid traditions impacted many of the best Persian poets, artists, and intellectuals of the Safavid era.
Furthermore, the Safavid Empire evolved from an area impacted by centuries of Timurid dominance. The Safavid dynasty, in particular, traced its origins back to a Sufi saint named Sheikh Safi al-Din, who founded a religious order in the city of Ardabil in the early 14th century. This religious order was inextricably linked to the Timurid court, with members of the Safavid family serving as administrators and counselors to the Timurid emperors.
When the Timurid Empire began to crumble in the 15th century, different regional powers competed for control of the Timurid provinces' remnants. The Aq Qoyunlu, a Turkmen confederation that had developed as a dominant force in the region, was one of these powers. The Safavids eventually conquered the Aq Qoyunlu, opening the stage for the formation of the Safavid Empire.
Overview of the Safavid Empire
Shah Ismail I created the Safavid Empire in 1501, when he crowned himself Shah of Iran and established the Safavid dynasty. Ismail's reign was marked by a series of military conquests as he enlarged the Safavid Empire's borders and seized control of much of Iran. His victory over the Ottomans at the Battle of Chaldiran in 1514 served to solidify his control and establish the Safavids as a dominant regional force.
"Shah" is a Persian term that means "king" or "monarch" and its use is representative of the adoption of Persian Culture into the empire. A comparison would be to the Turkish Rulers who used the term "Khan" which is of Turkish/ Mongolian heritage.
The Safavid Empire reached its pinnacle of strength and cultural success during the reign of Shah Abbas I, who reigned from 1588 until 1629. Abbas I was a major supporter of the arts and sciences, and he presided over the Safavid Empire's "Golden Age" of artistic and cultural prosperity.
Areas of control
Iran, the heartland of Persian culture and language, was at the heart of the Safavid Empire. Isfahan was developed into a splendid metropolis by the Safavid kings, who made it the center of Persian culture and architecture. The Safavids also ruled over a large portion of the Caucasus region, which was strategically significant for trade routes and access to the Black Sea.
The Safavid Empire also exerted significant influence over the Shia communities of neighboring countries, including Iraq, which was home to many Shia holy sites, such as Karbala and Najaf. The Safavid rulers sought to establish their dominance over these sites and to protect the Shia communities there from persecution by Sunni Muslims.
Furthermore, the Safavid Empire controlled sections of Afghanistan and Pakistan, which were strategically vital due to their location on trade routes between South Asia and Central Asia. The Safavid authorities maintained a presence in these areas in order to exert influence over local rulers and tribes.
The Safavid Empire's influence may still be observed in modern Iran's strong Shia identity, as well as the Persian language and culture, which remain prominent throughout the area.
Influence in Art, Literature and Science
The Safavids made significant improvements in astronomy, with astronomer al-Tusi devising a new planetary motion system that was ultimately adopted by European astronomers. In addition, some of their notable influences are:
- The Shahnama, or Book of Kings, is an epic poem written in the 11th century by the Persian poet Ferdowsi, but it was extensively illustrated and published in extravagant editions throughout the Safavid dynasty. The Shah Tahmasp Shahnama, commissioned by the Safavid Shah Tahmasp I in particular, is now considered one of the finest masterpieces of Persian art.
- Persian carpets were made throughout the Islamic world, but the Safavid Empire is often regarded as a particularly rich age for carpet weaving. Safavid carpets are famous for their elaborate designs and vivid, bold colors, and they are still highly sought for by collectors today.
- During the Safavid era, miniature paintings were a particularly important artistic style. These beautiful, detailed paintings frequently represented themes from Persian history and mythology and were created in a variety of styles, ranging from small, portable works to massive, ornamental panels.
- Persian poetry has a long and illustrious history, and the Safavid era produced some of Persian history's greatest poets. Sa'di, Hafez, and Rumi were among the most famous Safavid poets, and their works are still widely read and admired around the world.
- The Safavid era saw a flourishing of Persian architecture, especially in the construction of mosques and palaces. The most renowned example is Isfahan's Masjid-e Shah, which is regarded as one of the greatest achievements of Islamic architecture.
Twelver Shia Islam
Shah Ismail I, was a devout follower of the Twelver Shia branch of Islam.
Twelver Shia Islam is a branch of Islam that recognizes twelve Imams, or religious leaders, after the Prophet Muhammad. The Twelver Shia believe that the first Imam, Ali ibn Abi Talib, was the Prophet Muhammad's lawful successor, and that the subsequent eleven Imams were all his legal successors.
The twelfth Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, was born in 868 CE and went into concealment at the age of five, according to Twelver Shia doctrine. The Twelvers believe that al-Mahdi is the rightful head of the Muslim community and that he will come to bring justice and peace to the world at the end of time.
The concept of the arrival of the twelfth Imam, known as the Mahdi, is central to Twelver Shia religion. The Twelvers believe that the Mahdi will emerge before the end of the world to build an Islamic state that is just and righteous. They believe that the Mahdi will be a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad and the Twelfth Imam, and that he will be assisted in his mission by the Prophet Jesus.
Throughout history, believing in the Mahdi has been a tremendous source of inspiration for Twelver Shia Muslims. Many Twelver Shia thinkers and leaders have interpreted the concept of the Mahdi in various ways, and the belief in the Mahdi's arrival has fueled several revolutions and uprisings throughout Islamic history.
Safavid Empire and the use of religion
The belief in the coming of the twelfth Imam had a crucial role in the foundation of the Twelver Shia as Iran's official state religion during the Safavid Empire. The Safavid kings claimed to be descendants of the Prophet Muhammad and the Imams, which provided them with great legitimacy in the eyes of their subjects. The Safavid believers saw themselves as preparing the way for the Mahdi's ultimate return, which contributed to a sense of urgency and purpose among them.
The Safavid monarchs attempted to promote their faith throughout their kingdom while also protecting their fellow Shia Muslims from Sunni Muslim persecution. They constructed mosques, shrines, and religious schools, known as madrasas, throughout Iran, and they promoted Islamic scholarship and religious instruction.
The establishment of the office of the mujtahid, or religious scholar, was one of the most important components of Safavid religious policy. The mujtahids were in charge of interpreting Islamic law and advising the devout on religious practice and theology. This contributed to the establishment of a powerful and centralized religious hierarchy in Iran, bolstering the power of the Safavid monarchy.
The Ghulam System
Ghulams were an integral part of the military and administrative systems of the Safavid Empire. The term "ghulam" referred to slaves of Turkic ethnicity who were trained as soldiers and administrators from an early age. The Safavids, like many other Islamic dynasties, relied extensively on slave troops known as "mamluks," who were regarded as faithful and devoted to their owners.
Ghulams were drawn from all over the world, including Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Ottoman Empire. They were raised with a strong sense of patriotism to the shah and the Safavid realm, and were schooled in martial arts, horseback riding, archery, and other military skills from an early age much like the Janissaries in the Ottoman empire.
The ghulams and janissaries of the Ottoman Empire differed in that the latter were generally drawn from Christian populations in the Balkans, whereas the former were primarily of Turkic ancestry. Furthermore, whereas janissaries wielded considerable political power and influence within the Ottoman state, ghulams played a relatively limited role in Safavid politics and administration.
Fall of the Empire
During the reign of Shah Sulayman I, the Safavid Empire began to crumble in the late 17th century. Sulayman was an unpopular king whose reign was distinguished by corruption and inefficiency. In the face of external pressures from surrounding powers, he was likewise unable to arrest the flow of Safavid decline.
The rise of the neighboring Ottoman Empire was one of the most serious challenges to the Safavid Empire. For several decades, the Ottomans had been expanding their empire, and by the late 16th century, they had come into direct war with the Safavids. After a series of conflicts, the Ottomans gained significant territory from the Safavids, including much of Azerbaijan and parts of western Iran.
At the same time, the Safavids faced internal problems. Factionalism damaged the empire as different members of the royal family vied for power and influence. The Safavid court became increasingly corrupt, and government officials became more concerned with personal gain than with servicing the empire's interests.
Economic considerations also accelerated the decline of the Safavid Empire. The Safavids had long relied on trade earnings, but their authority over vital trading routes had deteriorated by the 17th century. As a result, Safavid wealth and authority declined, and the empire became increasingly exposed to external assaults.
The Afghan warlord Mir Mahmud overran most of Iran, including the Safavid capital of Isfahan, in 1722, dealing the Safavid Empire its fatal blow. The realm crumbled in the face of the Afghan onslaught after the capture of the Safavid Shah Sultan Husayn.