​Big Questions

​What events led to the creation and growth of the Safavid dynasty?

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​What cultural contributions were made by the Safavid dynasty?

​Rise of the Safavid Dynasty

​- Collapse of Timur Lenk empire in the early 15th century left power vacuum for the shattered nation - Sent empire into total anarchy: Chaos

​- Empire extended from Persia (Modern day Iran) into Central Asia

​- Beginning of 16th Century, Safavids took control

​- Safavids (Unlike Muslim neighbors) ardent Shiites Muslims

​- Safavid Dynasty founded by Shah Ismail son of Safi al-Din

​- Safi al-Din was in charge of the Turkish ethic groups in Azerbaijan near the Caspian Sea

​Light green is the Empire of Timur Lenk.

The city of Tabriz is the beginning of the Safavid Dynasty

​Rise of the Safavid Dynasty

​- Ismail used his forces to seize much of Iran and Iraq

​- Declared himself the Shah (king) of the new Persian state

​- Persistently sent muslim missionaries into the Ottoman Empire to convert to Shiite Islam

​- Ismail also ordered the massacre of Sunni Muslims when he conquered Baghdad in 1508

​- Ottoman Sultan Selim I became alarmed advanced against Ismail

​- Ottomans defeated a major battle near Tabriz but could not hold onto the region because of relentless attacks from Ismail soldiers

​- Safavids used the Shiite religion to unify Turkish people and Persian speaking citizens in Iraq and Iran

​- 1580s Ottomans attacked and took control of Azerbaijan and controlled the Caspian Sea

​- New Safavid Shah, Abbas signed a peace treaty with the Ottoman Empire and moved the capital of Safavids to Isfahan

​Glory and Decline

​- Under Shah Abbas: ruled from 1588 to 1629: Reached High point of glory

​- Similar system to the janissaries in the Ottoman empire: created ambassadors to run the kingdom

​- Abbas also strengthened his army and armed with newest technology weaponry

​- 17th century: Shah Abbas moved to regain territory lost to the Ottomans

​- European states supported Abbas move against the Ottomans

​- Initially they were winning against the Ottomans

​- Could not hold territorial gains against the Ottoman armies

​- 1612: Peace treaty was signed and Azerbaijan was returned the Safavids

​Glory and Decline

​- Death of Abbas in 1629 marked the dynasties gradual decline

​- Successors lacked his talent and political skills

​- Power of Shiite religious elements began to increase at court and in Safavid Society

​- Intellectual freedom marked the height of the empire

​- Pressure to conform to traditional religious beliefs (religious orthodoxy) increased

​- Persian women had considerable freedom during the early empire

​- Under strong Shiite rule, women were secluded and required to adopt the veil

​- Safavids were forced out of their homelands. Sank into social anarchy

​Safavid Culture

​- Knowledge of science, medicine, and mathematics under the Safavids equal to other societies in the region

​- Extraordinary growing of the arts during the reign of Shah Abbas

​- Capital of Isfahan built by Shah Abbas displayed the power and might of the Safavid Empire

​- Lavish palace, beautiful mosques, greatly designed buildings

​- Silk weaving based on new techniques flourished

​- Weavings portrayed birds, animals and flowers

​- Carpet weaving flourished as well

​- Riza-i-Abbasi: Famous artist from the time period great paintings to this day